I didn’t want to pay for the entire system, so I would either be using Lightroom’s Book module or free BookWright software from Blurb. But apparently InDesign has also been swallowed up in Adobe’s Cloud, so that the only way I could get the current version was by subscribing to the entire Creative Cloud system. My web researches suggested that Adobe InDesign was the software most often used for designing photo books, so I went looking for the latest version to buy. There are tips on how to choose appropriate and contrasting typefaces for each part of your book, and advice not to use too many. You need to decide which of these are important for your book. On the web are simple lists of the standard names for each type of page in a book, including the ones at the beginning and end of a book and section header pages throughout. My own taste runs to the simplicity and elegance that I found in books by Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Minor White, and Paul Caponigro. If you decide to do it all yourself, as I did, the best advice I found was to examine closely several photo books that appeal to you and see how they use margins, typefaces, etc. I also recommend highly a second book, Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook by Helen Sedwick (ISBN-13: 978-0988302150) on “Protecting your copyright, Avoiding scams and lawsuits, and Maximizing tax deductions.”įrom the Web I learned that there are not only specialists in book design but also specialists in the design of book covers. An excellent source of information on self-publishing is The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine (sixth Edition, ISBN-13: 978-1-63413-881-9) which covers contracts, printing costs, royalties, distribution, ebooks, and marketing. It was clear from the start that I would be publishing my book myself. Fallen Tree The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly I stepped up my web search for useful information. When I mentioned to my wife that the Davis Orton Gallery in Hudson NY was holding a competition called “Photobook 2016″ with a submission deadline of October 20, she said “You’ve got to enter!” So goal number 4 was added to my list, and I only had a couple of months to learn book design and get some copies printed. Once I heard that I had the Lenswork grant, I decided to add number 3 as well. When I started this project, my goals were numbers 1 and 2 in my list, above. Comparing black-and-white photo books from Blurb and Book Baby, I preferred the appearance of Blurb’s top-of-the-line paper. If I built my book in Lightroom, which is my main photo processing software, then I could send the manuscript directly to Blurb from inside LR’s Book Module.ģ. My friend’s beautiful book was done by Blurb.Ģ. I must admit I was somewhat prejudiced in favor of Blurb for three reasons.ġ. The two contenders that had the most reasonable prices were Blurb and BookBaby. I also started checking on the cost for printing a modest number of copies from several online book printers, and I ordered a swatch kit (sample papers) from Blurb. I found a huge amount of free information, much of it quite helpful. While waiting for the grant decision, I started exploring the web for information on book design, book cover design, and typography. I learned that the Luminous Endowment for Photographers had a Lenswork Publication Skills Grant that might provide just the help I needed, so I applied. I immediately decided to start with a printed book rather than an e-book because I am of that school that believes that a photograph is only “finished” when it appears as a print, and a printed book is the next best thing. I decided to go for a somewhat less expensive plan: soft-cover, about 8×10 inches instead of 12×12. His book inspired me to begin planning my own book. I expect his book-making goals were numbers 1 and 2 in my list. He now scans his negatives and prints digitally. He is a meticulous craftsman, shooting primarily on film using a 4×5″ view camera. Like me, this friend photographs just for himself. It was printed by Blurb and beautifully done, so I knew that Blurb was capable of excellent black and white printing. To sell many copies and get rich and famous.įor me, the urge began when a photographer friend from the 1966 workshop gave me a copy of a beautiful, hard-cover, large-format book of the best of his fifty years in photography. And I have been active on the Luminous Landscape Forum since 2004. I meet for discussion about six times a year with two small groups of photographers, one of which has three of us from that 1966 workshop. My interest in photography started in high school, became serious in college, and was cemented with workshops with Minor White in 19 and with Paul Caponigro in 1969. Yes, I sell some prints and I have exhibits from time to time, but sales never cover my expenses. Photography has never been my Day Job, so I’ve always had the luxury of photographing for myself instead of for clients.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |