Topic: Producing your own Book . . .

[Alan]

After directing a fellow photographer to the BLURB bookstore I decided to have a deeper look myself.

I happened accross Mauricio Sapata's book and took a preview . . . really nice stuff.

I thought about producing something myself before but then forgot about it really but I'm wondering
why do people get books of their work produced?

and

who apart from other photographers buys photography books?

Dont get me wrong I think it's really cool to have a book of your fav. or best work . . .

is that the answer to my questions?

Its just cool !

[jojonas~]

it is SO cool! haha~

yeah, I've seen my gf do a book with photos from her trip to tokyo and she used blurb. nothing she sells but a great thing to remember an event by and really cool to give to relatives and such.

on the other hand I felt a real thrill when I was part of a gallery. this led to having my photo in print as they made a catalog for the gallery. I guess it's like seeing something I've made but out of context and for others to see and maybe appreciate.. it jast gave me a rush 

[Mojave]

I have friends who work at A&I Photo in Hollywood and know that they won an award for their books, but they are in LA. Not sure if Blurb is better for folks outside the U.S. or not, but you might want to check A&I anyway. Somebody brought a book to a gallery show I was in once and it was awesome. A&I did it and it was his iPhone work. I was really surprised by the quality of the images in that book.

http://www.aandibooks.com/

[Alan]

No Mojave im not looking to get a book done TBH 

I will check out that link thanks

I suppose on reflection and further thought they could be used as a portfolio of sorts?

Has any other _wasters produced books?

[moominsean]

i plan on putting something together this winter when i'm done with my school stuff. not sure who or how, yet, but will do some research. one thing i don't like are the prices...i don't think someone should have to pay $60 for a print on demand book of my stuff. it's no wonder nobody ever buys them.

[John Thawley]

I have produced books over the years and have done lots of different things with them.

First, yes... I've sold books. Not in large numbers, but into the hundreds.

Second, I have used books as my portfolio - handing out as many as 50-60.

In addition to those uses, I have done books featuring nature, scenic and wildlife images from our community (it's a resort community) and given them to neighbors and friends as holiday gifts. It's especially nice for those neighbors that are seasonal as they take them back north to show friends their winter home.

I have also used books for making client proposals incorporating background information, job description, contact information and lots of full page images.

Lastly, and my favorite project, is my son's annual yearbook. He's eight now... and for each year we have a book done in time for the holidays. It's about 150 pages with nearly 200+ images. I'll usually do four or five copies for gifts to grand parents and such. It's a PERFECT way to organize and keep our memories of his growing up.

Blurb is pretty good... especially for the price. White House Custom Color does a great job ... but I'd have to say Shared Ink is probably the best at being hands-on with their binding and quality.

JT

[Mike (happyforest)]

I think they can be useful.  For example:

My sister in law who's husband passed away 18 months ago unexpectedly. Has made one for her three children (a copy each) to keep and remember him with.  Her youngest is six.

These are they here:

http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=3286.msg32357#msg32357

I am quite honoured that they have used quite a few picture of him that I had taken, funnily enough they had very few of their own images as he tended to take the photo's.

Has anybody used\tried?

http://www.magcloud.com/

to make a magazine type publication.

Mike

[Alan]

its great to get an insight into how
people are using the service.

Thanks.

[Photo_Utopia]

I hope to make a book for my wife this winter, We will have been together 10 years next June and I've been getting together a photo history for it.
I'd like to know how good the paper is on these services, and how well they turn out-blurb seems interesting if restricted in formating/typographic choice.

[sapata]

After directing a fellow photographer to the BLURB bookstore I decided to have a deeper look myself.

I happened accross Mauricio Sapata's book and took a preview . . . really nice stuff.

I thought about producing something myself before but then forgot about it really but I'm wondering
why do people get books of their work produced?

and

who apart from other photographers buys photography books?

Dont get me wrong I think it's really cool to have a book of your fav. or best work . . .

is that the answer to my questions?

Its just cool !

Thanks for your kind words...  

When I decided to do my book the sales factor was the least thing I had in mind, of course I'd love to sell loads, but I took this as a personal project...something I could spend a few hours every night and get it done, I didn't really bother putting a commercial touch on the book in order to sell, I did what I wanted and I am happy with the results. I have to say I had a lot of fun doing it... (and some head aches as well... )

Another reason I did it's because I hardly have anything printed nowadays, specially in colour so this is in my opinion a cheaper option to see your favorites pictures printed.

I also wonder who bought my book... I only sold 2 and I was quite surprised with that ! I guess having been selected to be on "Staff Picks" gallery helped.

Overall I recommend to everyone, I think the results are great for what you pay

[sapata]

I hope to make a book for my wife this winter, We will have been together 10 years next June and I've been getting together a photo history for it.
I'd like to know how good the paper is on these services, and how well they turn out-blurb seems interesting if restricted in formating/typographic choice.

The paper is really good and I guess you have a quite wide choice of formats and caracteres to play. You can also use your own software now, something that before didn't exist.

[SuziLivingstone]

I hope to make a book for my wife this winter, We will have been together 10 years next June and I've been getting together a photo history for it.
I'd like to know how good the paper is on these services, and how well they turn out-blurb seems interesting if restricted in formating/typographic choice.

The paper is really good and I guess you have a quite wide choice of formats and caracteres to play. You can also use your own software now, something that before didn't exist.

I had a muck about with that Blurb program, I found it really user friendly and easy to design with..

[jojonas~]

feeling negative has a write-up about projects and with the result being a book

http://www.feelingnegative.com/features/time-sensitive-projects

[harragan]

If you use Blurb.com does the book have to be available for the public to buy.  I've seen their products and they are excellent but I don't necessarily want everyone else getting their hands on some of the books I might want to produce for family.

I've had a good look at their website but I can't work it out.

[jojonas~]

hm, I think it's something you choose when you complete the book... anyway, I know it doesn't have to be made public

edit: here you go http://blurb.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/171/kw/private/r_id/166

[harragan]

Ah, thanks for that.  So I'll be using blurb.

[Late Developer]

When we get some time, my wife and I are going to turn our photos of holidays in Egypt (x2), Kenya, Costa Rica and the Maldives (honeymoon) into books - probably Blurb. Great way of keeping / sharing the photos and, if they are really good, maybe making a few quid as well...

[John Thawley]

If you use Blurb.com does the book have to be available for the public to buy.  I've seen their products and they are excellent but I don't necessarily want everyone else getting their hands on some of the books I might want to produce for family.

I've had a good look at their website but I can't work it out.

No... you can make it private or public. You can set the price and you can send private invitations.

I've done books for race teams and even manufacturers to promote their sponsorship search... and other "sales pitch/proposals." I set them up once they're ready to go and the client orders what they need via a private invitation. And since I establish the price (above the printing cost) I can decided whether to mark it up or not.

JT