Guest Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24761 Posted December 11, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) In response to comments that I received on my "Anonymous" New Yorkers photo book that I shared a couple of weeks ago (particularly Christoph's critique), I have reworked the book in order to add text throughout the pages that try to provide a storyline that (to some degree) runs through each page... And yes, I added a little blurb about gear on the last page.. Can I trouble youz to have another look?.. Some of these pictures are breathtaking, as I felt when I saw some of them here earlier individually. But I feel the text placed next to the pictures does not work the way you intend: it's often distracting and even diminishes the impact of the photographs; some of it is repetitious and comes across as trite. The book would be stronger without this text. I gather some viewers commented that they wanted more of a "story line." I think that has to come from the sequence and the nature of the pictures. My own feeling is that a subset of the pictures would do well for portfolio. As a book, what comes across to me is too much similarity in the effect of the pictures. But some of them are very strong. _______________ Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 11, 2016 Posted December 11, 2016 Hi Guest, Take a look here I like film...(open thread). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
A miller Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24762 Posted December 11, 2016 Our dog (a Yorkie-Poo) getting his vitamin D from the morning sun... 503cw, 250mm Superachromat, TMax 100 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 15 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3164913'>More sharing options...
A miller Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24763 Posted December 11, 2016 Some of these pictures are breathtaking, as I felt when I saw some of them here earlier individually. But I feel the text placed next to the pictures does not work the way you intend: it's often distracting and even diminishes the impact of the photographs; some of it is repetitious and comes across as trite. The book would be stronger without this text. I gather some viewers commented that they wanted more of a "story line." I think that has to come from the sequence and the nature of the pictures. My own feeling is that a subset of the pictures would do well for portfolio. As a book, what comes across to me is too much similarity in the effect of the pictures. But some of them are very strong. _______________ Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine Thanks a lot for your feedback. The good thing about Blurb is that I can republish with a click of a button. The bad thing about Blurb is that I don't have a publisher telling me what to write, etc!! I think there is a lot of truth to what you say. Perhaps a happy medium would be to keep the reformatting of the photos but remove the text except for the first (preface) page and last (About the author) page? That would be consistent with the views expressed by my wife 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24764 Posted December 11, 2016 Adam - there's a lot to putting together a photo book. I have one that I've been working on for several years. Interaction with an editor is often helpful: the photographer is not always the best editor. I find that after I've been looking at a book sequence repeatedly, after a while I no longer "see" anything. Also, there are many ways of telling a story; but one shouldn't feel that one has to tell a "story." Look at some of Ralph Gibson's early books — Deja-vu, Days at Sea, The Somnambulist — in which the sequencing is not story-telling, but poetic; and there's only a title and no text at all. I've been reading Jörg Colberg's blog on photobooks: a couple of months ago he wrote an article on a how a photobook doesn't have to be "about something." That's in line with Ralph Gibson's early books. Sometimes I don't care for the books that Colberg praises, but he often has interesting information about putting together photo books. Recently he published a book on how to make a photobook. I haven't seen it, but it could be useful based on what he says in the foregoing link about the problems that have to be solved in self-publishing a book. _______________ Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24765 Posted December 11, 2016 Adam - I just found a note I had on this interesting article by Colberg on editing and sequencing that is worthwhile reading; it’s part 2 of an article that establishes the difference between a “story” and a “narrative.” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24766 Posted December 11, 2016 Adam - there's a lot to putting together a photo book. I have one that I've been working on for several years. Interaction with an editor is often helpful: the photographer is not always the best editor. I find that after I've been looking at a book sequence repeatedly, after a while I no longer "see" anything. Also, there are many ways of telling a story; but one shouldn't feel that one has to tell a "story." Look at some of Ralph Gibson's early books — Deja-vu, Days at Sea, The Somnambulist — in which the sequencing is not story-telling, but poetic; and there's only a title and no text at all. I've been reading Jörg Colberg's blog on photobooks: a couple of months ago he wrote an article on a how a photobook doesn't have to be "about something." That's in line with Ralph Gibson's early books. Sometimes I don't care for the books that Colberg praises, but he often has interesting information about putting together photo books. Recently he published a book on how to make a photobook. I haven't seen it, but it could be useful based on what he says in the foregoing link about the problems that have to be solved in self-publishing a book. _______________ Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine Thanks for the great insights. For me, this is not intended to be on any bookstore shelves any time soon. And I am not looking to make any money. It seems that anyone wanting to make money for a photo book will need to (i) compromise on quality of the materials and/or make a serious upfront investment of their own to create their own inventory and then hope they sell. Blurb and Amazon (via Blurb) is just a way to encapsulate a series that I have been working on. It will grow with time and eventually will build out in its contours. But for now I just want something to point to for my website and other social media purposes that demonstrates the thoroughness with which I "shoot NYC." With the little free time I have after work, family and shooting, I want to focus on selling prints for a premium (which most likely will be of the cityscape variety) - not books. I will, however, take a look at the links that you have post with devoted interest in the topic. Thanks again!! For those whose welcome I have not worn out, I attach a link with a version that pulled the text from the pages except for the first and last (which I moved to the second). Seems rather benign to me, but am eager to collect any and all comments http://www.blurb.com/b/7610598-anonymous-new-yorkers 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JMF Posted December 11, 2016 Share #24767 Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) In response to comments that I received on my "Anonymous" New Yorkers photo book that I shared a couple of weeks ago (particularly Christoph's critique), I have reworked the book in order to add text throughout the pages that try to provide a storyline that (to some degree) runs through each page. I also added only one photo per two page spread and mixed up the sizes and formatting of the photos. And yes, I added a little blurb about gear on the last page. Not suggesting this book is going any where fast; but on reflect I didn't recognize that the flow and impact of the read could be meaningfully improved with these changes. Can I trouble youz to have another look? http://www.blurb.com/b/7609050-anonymous-new-yorkers Adam, would you correct a spelling mistake in your book ? it should read : exacerbate : a "c" instead of the actual "s" ! I'll most probably buy it then :-) edit: just saw your no text version which I prefer ... My 2 cents, JM PS You'll have to sign it some day, next year eventually :-) Edited December 11, 2016 by JMF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24768 Posted December 12, 2016 Here's a version with deeper blacks, as (I think aptly) suggested by Jean Marc... Hi, Adam. My preference is for the foreground with darker shadows, which kind of suggests an upside down grad filter. My thoughts are that i like the foreground to be present, giving magnificent depth to the image, but that it should not become a dominant feature. YMMV. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24769 Posted December 12, 2016 Taken in Visby in June. 80 Planar Portra 400 (possibly at EI 100, wet mount) This is one I would like to see printed, Philip. I like the shapes, textures, colours, organic / inorganic mix, and the overall simplicity. I don't know why I am drawn to such things, but that's the way it is. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24770 Posted December 12, 2016 ...Can I trouble youz to have another look? http://www.blurb.com/b/7609050-anonymous-new-yorkers I'm with Mitch on this, Adam. I find the verbage to distract from the images, which I don't feel require explanation. A preface to explain your concept is fine. I'm not sure if it would work, but I think I would like to see the wonderful 'alter-ego' shadows grouped together - perhaps 4 on one 2-page spread? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24771 Posted December 12, 2016 Adam, I just had a quick flick through your book and my first impression is that there is a just bit too much "sameness". I know your intent is to portray NYérs in the way you have, but I would have liked it to broken up just bit with some variation of technique. Easy to say, I know, but the how is the task of the artist. I agree with the no caption style. I am just finishing a book on "The Eloquence Of Hands", and have stated in the intro that I have deliberately omitted captions etc as the images must speak for themselves. However, it is always the artist's choice. I am about to upload my book to Blurb now. I may post a link to it when it is ready, if anyone is interested. My books are purely self indulgent, as I think you said yours are, but that is where I get my pleasure. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted December 12, 2016 Author Share #24772 Posted December 12, 2016 Our dog (a Yorkie-Poo) getting his vitamin D from the morning sun... 503cw, 250mm Superachromat, TMax 100 mook-1.jpg Lovely picture Adam and in TMAX100 it's great ! Henry 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24773 Posted December 12, 2016 OK. Here is the link to my now uploaded Blurb book. http://au.blurb.com/books/7611901-the-eloquence-of-hands Comments and criticisms welcome. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted December 12, 2016 Author Share #24774 Posted December 12, 2016 OK. Here is the link to my now uploaded Blurb book. http://au.blurb.com/books/7611901-the-eloquence-of-hands Comments and criticisms welcome. Erl , "Hands" a good theme The pictures are carefully arranged and it is very pleasant to watch Long months and years of work I think ! Thanks Best H. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24775 Posted December 12, 2016 Very cool shot Wayne. Ektar can look like transparency sometimes. I think I will have to shoot some. br Philip Widelux, Ektar 100 img031-2.JPG 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramesh Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24776 Posted December 12, 2016 Our dog (a Yorkie-Poo) getting his vitamin D from the morning sun... 503cw, 250mm Superachromat, TMax 100 mook-1.jpg Love this image. Nice lighting and tones... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24777 Posted December 12, 2016 In response to comments that I received on my "Anonymous" New Yorkers photo book that I shared a couple of weeks ago (particularly Christoph's critique), I have reworked the book in order to add text throughout the pages that try to provide a storyline that (to some degree) runs through each page. I also added only one photo per two page spread and mixed up the sizes and formatting of the photos. And yes, I added a little blurb about gear on the last page. Not suggesting this book is going any where fast; but on reflect I didn't recognize that the flow and impact of the read could be meaningfully improved with these changes. Can I trouble youz to have another look? http://www.blurb.com/b/7609050-anonymous-new-yorkers Adam, I looked through the full text version. Personally, I like the two and three word captions. I find that anything more is superfluous, and even detracts from the impact of the images. In essence, I like to let the images speak for themselves. However, knowing a location, such as Wall Street, does enhance the experience for me. Cheers J 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24778 Posted December 12, 2016 Widelux, Ektar 100 Cincinnati Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 9 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3165183'>More sharing options...
EoinC Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24779 Posted December 12, 2016 Neopan Acros 100 @ ISO50 (M6 w/ SA 21mm f3.4)... A001 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr A002 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted December 12, 2016 Share #24780 Posted December 12, 2016 OK. Here is the link to my now uploaded Blurb book. http://au.blurb.com/books/7611901-the-eloquence-of-hands Comments and criticisms welcome. A very interesting concept that has been well executed. PS - page 2, line three, delete "there", insert "their". 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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