I can help a little keyodie. It doesn't really matter if the pictures don't match. Just try to get it either having the same color scheme or matching pictures. For example, same outfit for the actress. Here are a few more things I noticed:
1. Try not to put the text on a face of a person. I am not really sure why, but it looks alot better when it isn't on the face. You may also want to find a cool looking font that is different than most peoples. Yes, Lucida SH is a good font, but it is 'usually' better when the people aren't able to recognize what font you used. It makes them look at the banner as a whole and not stop to recognize the font.
2. You have three main pictures of her. If it is a main picture, don't fade it. The point of having it be a main picture is so it can be seen fully. When you fade it, there isn't as much of the picture standing out.
3. Yes, you may also want to try to have an original size for the banner. This way it is easy to make the banner look professional, or easier. I use 700 x 150. When you do that size, pick a picture of the thing you wish to make it out of and put it to the right or left as a close-up on the face. Then, use the same type of picture as a background. This is probably one of the easiest way to make a banner look nice and professional. Also, you are able to experiment on brushes, text, and filters when doing it.
4. Last, but not least. When you have finished making the banner, open it on the computer in Internet Explorer. You do this by going to the icon for the banner, right clicking, saying Open with, and then choosing Internet Explorer. Now that you have it open in Internet Explorer, make sure it is pleasing to your eye. You can also make sure it looks better than the last banner you made.
Hope this helps.
