Designing graphics with large type over large photos

I've been looking for ideas for a graphic I've volunteered to make for my church.  It's going to have a photo in the background, and large text over the top.  Since this type of graphic is becoming much more common in web design (it has been common in graphic design for quite a while), I thought I'd post some of the ideas and resources I found here so you can get some ideas and inspiration when you have a similar project.

Type Tips

First, you need to know a couple of basic things about type, so you choose your fonts wisely:

• See this excellent piece with simple guidelines:
  “What Font Should I Use?”: Five Principles for Choosing and Using Typefaces

Type-on-a-photo Tips and Examples

• See these for some good ideas and techniques:
  10 Tips for Designing with Type on a Photo
• More great ideas for type over a photo:
  Headlines and Taglines Set in Subtle and Slim Type
• Another using gradients and vignettes to make the text stand out:
  Design 101: Using Large Type in Presentations
• Graphic Designers have been creating magazine covers for a long time - these also apply to web design:
  Tips And Inspiration On How To Design A Magazine Cover

More Examples

Most of these use one or more of the techniques presented above.  The sites above also have great examples, so don't miss those.

Mr. Christie is a big guy, with a big political presence. 
By placing TIME behind him, this is emphasized even more.

This one also puts the big hair in front of some of the text. 
The text here makes great use of size contrast. 
Also notice the complementary color contrast.

 

Adding shapes to put text in.  Contrasts in size, typeface, and color!

This time the shape is less formal, and is partially transparent. 
Combine that with the casual typeface, and it fits the rustic photo perfectly.

One way to make text stand out better from the photo is to blur the photo in the background.
Rock on.

There's always the text mask, which works well with thick characters.

A mobile phone screen design.  The shapes again - some almost transparent.  Even the menu bar.... 
Notice the orange contrast with the complementary blue-ish background.  Two very different typefaces.

Even though the type is very thin, it is large and has enough contrast
of color, texture, and line to set it off from the background.