Topic: Self-Published Books

[Late Developer]

Hi Folks.

Having shot around 10 rolls of 120 B&W (vast majority on Fuji Acros 100) and about the same again of 35mm Fuji Velvia 100F during our holiday, I'm considering compiling one of those publish-it-yourself type books - purely for my own amusement, and only if there are at least 20-30 prove to be of sufficient interest / quality to warrant the expense.

Has anyone else done this and, if so, which options are recommended? I've seen the Blurb site and I've even downloaded the software, however, a colleague of mine used CeWe (did a great job) and there seems to be quite a few others.

I'd be grateful for any inside-track on the subject. 

Many thanks.

Paul.

[Suzi Livingstone]

I ordered Robert Holmgren's photobook which he made over at Blurb, it arrived today and first time I've seen a Blurb produced book - and it looks so good, really good quality.

[Pete_R]

For holiday type pictures I use Yophoto. Last time I used them I did a pair of hardcover books of last year's holiday to China. For that sort of thing I think they're good. The software takes a bit of learning but it gives plenty of flexibility in layout etc. Probably not comparable to Blurb etc. but probably easier.

[fwank]

i used iphoto for a class assignment.  the print quality of the books is good, and it comes with a dust jacket, however the design layout options are kind of limited (if you want something other than left/center/right and text), and i think it was kind of expensive per item.  my book was 10 images more than minimum required (i think 20 minimum), and i think each was about $40 USD including shipping.

[johann]

I find blurb quite good. It's a great quality for an reasonable price.
I also did a book with adoramapix. It has a higher print quality and opens completely flat (it can be really great if that's what you're looking for). It looks less like a book you could find in a bookshop, but the print quality is outstanding and the paper thick (and it's more pricey). It all depens if it's just one copy for you or something cheaper you plan on gifting around the family or else.

[Nigel]

I've also made a book using blurb, I've only got as far as producing the proof so I didn't use the premium grade paper. But, I thought, even the regular paper was very good quality.

[db]

I'm not sure who you bat for- Apple or the Evil Empire, but if you happen to have iPhoto there is a little "book" button on the bottom tool bar.

It's been there for a couple of generations of this software, I've never paid attention. But recently a client showed me a one-off book he made of images I had done for his winery.

The paper, the colour/density accuracy, the binding quality- all blew me away. In no way did it look less than a commercial production. I think he'd even clicked 'auto' button on the layout and the template had worked really well. The built in design interface was soo easy. I'm waiting for delivery of my first effort at the moment.

It differs in that your creation is not available for others to buy, as with Blurb, but it was very good quality.. I've bought several Blurbs too, and like others here, found them 4/5- pretty good for the price.

[Late Developer]

@DB

I'm a long-term "Windows" user and have invested so much in software that is Windows compatible, it's difficult to justify the cost of switching. However, that's not the whole story. My wife has a Mac. She, too, is a Windows user at work and struggles like hell with the way that Macs achieve similar tasks. Sometimes it's simple. Others it seems counter-intuitive. I got her a book called "the missing guide" or some such to try to convert from one "geek-speak" to another....

She's also an iPhone user and, frankly, until the current iteration, they were pretty rubbish - duff batteries, couldn't forward a text message and uber-slow internet connectivity compared even to my old Sony Ericcson. Anyway, I digress...

I'll definitely have a go with an iBook and also have a go with Blurb. I don't imagine I'll ever sell any but it would be nice if I could - even enough to occasionally fund the odd new lens, or a roll of film or two....

All the best. Paul.

[Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes.]

The image database software "Aperture" has a bigger version of the "iPhoto" book software in it - as you would expect.

I was dealing with a wedding photographer recently who has bought an iMac for the specific purpose of using the book software, he went on about how it is superior to a bunch of other stuff he had tried.

I am making a travel book of my journey so far in it on my Macbook.