That LF Forum Print On Demand Book.... Rebirth

[Frank Petronio]

Hi,

A couple of months ago I said that I'd redo another version of the LF Photo group portfolio book that was printed at Lulu. The first version was purchased by almost 50 of you even though you had been warned that it was just a test and that the Lulu printing was horrible.

I mean it really sucked!

In spite of the flaws, we pretty much agreed that Lulu was the way to go for making an easy to purchase, affordable book... or at least I talked you into it ;-)

But honestly I was cringing at the prospect and I procrastinated... I really didn't have the enthusiasm to do another half-assed book because the reproduction was so lousy.

However, in recent months I have been experimenting with books from Blurb. Here's one I did for myself: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/194323

The larger (8x10 and up) books are printed using and HP Indigo (ink on paper) versus Lulu's Xerox iGen (toner based), yet the 8x10 softcover size is still reasonably priced. They also offer a larger size and hardcover options.

But here is the GOOD NEWS: Blurb prints B&Ws as NEUTRALS. Honest to goodness, I can't see a color shift. I submitted greyscale files on the advice of a friend and Blurb automagically converts them to sRGB and prints them neutral. I am thrilled!!!

OK, I saw a little banding in the most delicate transitions and in certain areas I could pick up a subtle coolness but these are really better than any other Print on Demand publisher I've seen to date. And they are a helluvalot less than Asuka or Shared Ink.

BAD NEWS: They require that I use their own software to lay out the book -- I can't submit a PDF like at Lulu. It's laborious. I would require exporting jpgs from every page of the InDesign book that I already did. Or starting over from scratch. However, it is not rocket science.

I don't have 2-3 days to devote to this. Things are getting busy with my photography business and frankly I am hoping that I can pass this off to some willing good hearted soul.

I would send them a disc with all the files and offer to coach them through the process. They should probably know how to use (and own) Adobe InDesign and know their way around printing good inkjets -- I really don't have the time to teach a tyro from the ground up -- but someone with reasonable skills who has a couple of days to devote to this would be ideal.

Or... well we could just let it slide as a fun experiment. Everything has its place.

Or, imho, we probably would do best to start over and make everyone resend new files sized and ready to insert into the Blurb software... that would make the task a heck of a lot easier for the designer, but we'd have to come to agreement as to sizes and probably post a master template for people to download and follow. But it could all be done via email. So that would be something to contemplate. However, last time we had about 100 participants and dealing with all those emails was complicated, so be warned if you volunteer for this hazardous duty.

Anyway, I would help but I don't want to be the point man for round two....

Regardless, try Blurb for your own projects, I am really happy with the results.

[nelsonfotodotcom]

Still waiting for a book of your work. Drop me a line when forthcoming.

[Remigius]

Frank,

Isn't there still a dvd around that contains all the photos?

IIRC, you were very close to publish a revised version of the book on lulu, which I'd order even in lousy quality.

Anyway, the link to blurb may be useful eventually.

[jnanian]

Still waiting for a book of your work. Drop me a line when forthcoming.



;)

the link frank supplied IS his book <g>

great stuff frank!

john

[paul stimac]

... to save time you might try rasterizing your pdf's in photoshop and then drop them as a single photo into Blurb.

[nelsonfotodotcom]

I should let my Adderall kick in before I try to read anything, I fear. Can't believe I missed that link!

:)


;)

the link frank supplied IS his book <g>

great stuff frank!

john

[Matus Kalisky]

Hi Frank. This sounds to me as a reasonable solution. I have even heard that Blurb opened also somewhere in Europe (Holland ?).

I do agree that the best idea would be to ask the ones who joined (and possibly open for new submissions too) for a JPG file that is exactely scaled for the 8x10 book so it would be much easier to finish. Also the possible Blurb layouts are OK (I have tryied the software some time ago and they keep improving).

What concerns me - I would prefere to get good printed images that the best layout, but poor printing quality.

[Robert A. Zeichner]

I have tried Blurb for my first POD book and have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the quality. No, it's not duotone offset litho, but I also don't have a basement full of books that cost me several tens of thousands to have printed and bound. I find it to be a great portable portfolio to show people and the vast majority of them accept it as a "real" publication. In fact, I usually am asked if they could buy it at Borders or Barnes & Noble.

Here's a link to what I have done:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/171145

[eddie]

sounds great. i do not have the skills to help. but i would like to see if i could get a copy of the book and/or submit for a new book. i will be watching.

eddie

[SAShruby]

I'd like to add a picture to book. Is that doable again?

[Remigius]

... to save time you might try rasterizing your pdf's in photoshop and then drop them as a single photo into Blurb.
That's what's suggested here:

http://blurberatiblog.com/index.php/2007/05/03/how-to-import-your-custom-design-into-booksmart/

[Frank Petronio]

That is what I've done too. It still takes a while.

[alec4444]

Hey All,

I don't have InDesign (not sure what that would be used for either) but I do have Photoshop and I'd be willing to give the book a shot. WAIT!!! Don't send me your photos yet! I'm trying to quickly throw together a book of crappy digital shots I took on my Germany trip in 2006. That way, I can get a hang of the software and discover process flaws before I begin something like this.

I do, however, think that this is a worthwhile effort, so I'll try to get up-to-speed quickly so we can make it happen.

Cheers!
--A

[photographs42]

Frank,
I have been playing with Blurb for a few days now and I have a fairly good feel for it. I have InDesign and have produced several books with it, so I have a good working knowledge of that program as well. I don’t have time to just sit down and do the book but I can devote enough spare time (I think) to get it done.

If you would be willing to send me the files on CD or DVD I’ll give it a shot. If that’s agreeable to you, PM me and I’ll give you my address.

Alec,
If you want a go at it also, I wouldn’t want to stand in the way. Maybe between us we’ll get it done.

Jerome

[alec4444]

Hey Jerome - whomever, so long as it happens. My first Blurb book is complete and I'm sending it in. If it looks like hell I'll default to you. I'd feel better about committing once I see a result. Keep me posted on how your free time is looking...

Cheers!
--A

[alec4444]

My first blurb book came back - I've got a pretty good handle on how that works, and the quality is pretty good. You guys willing to give it a go again? I have no problem building the book....

--A

[photographs42]

I'm still waiting for Frank to send me the images.
Jerome

[Frank Petronio]

sent em a couple of days ago - thanks

[Matus Kalisky]

Alec & Jerome, your effort is strongly appreciated. I am looking for the book very much. :)

[photographs42]

I am in the process of reworking the LF book project to publish through Blurb. There are a few issues to address and I need help.

First, to print through Lulu, Frank made adjustments to all of the B&W images in an attempt to get them to come out neutral. He suggested that I convert them all back to grayscale, which I have done, but it occurred to me that maybe some of them were sepia toned or just warm toned prints. If your image falls into this category please let me know.

Now the hard part. In addition to the images in the Lulu book, Frank sent me 33 more images that were submitted after the book was formatted. Some of these are properly labeled and some are not. Below is a list of these files. Except for the first two, which were simply labeled 9 & 21, I have listed them giving the photographer’s name and the image title as I can best interpret from the file name. Please look over this list and verify or correct the information for your images. If I hear from you I will include your image(s).

1. Color church interior
2. B&W mud or lava flow
3. Paul Cocklin :: Travel Needs
4. Stan Laurenson-Batton :: Rose and Raindrops
5. Matus Kalisky :: Champagne Glasses
6. Stan Laurenson-Batton :: Daffodils of Spring
7. Dave Aharonian :: In the Forest
8. Tim Bowles :: Tulasi Falls
9. Don Boyd :: Bear Wallow Maple
10. Dave McHaon :: Mummy Cave
11. Dylan ?
12. John Ferguson :: Dead Tree Foliage
13. John Ferguson :: Thompson Neely House
14. Daniel Geiger :: Aquilegia Formosa
15. Daniel Geiger :: California Mushrooms
16. Amanda Graves :: Mossy Glenn Falls
17. Christopher Graves :: Railroad Bridge
18. Struan Gray :: Elder
19. Struan Gray :: Oxel
20. David Karp :: Granite Steps - Mirror Lake
21. Michael Lewis :: 4th Avenue, Seattle
22. Michael Lewis :: Mill Creek
23. Matus Kalisky :: Pipe Work
24. David McMahon :: Seventeen Room House (is this the same person as #10?)
25. Scott Perry :: Daisies
26. Ivan Shukster :: Hycroft Vessels
27. Ivan Shukster :: North of Fernie
28. Michael Sullivan :: Chymayo Crossroads
29. Michael Sullivan :: IR-land Study no Byron (actual file name is SULLIVAN_MICHAEL_IR-Land&#37;20Study%20no%2032%20%28byron%29.jpg)
30. Silvio Maraini :: 6 Horses
31. Silvio Maraini :: Selfoss, Iceland
32. Rex Tuolumne :: Yoseite 2006
33. Hugo Zhang :: Nautilus Shells

When I get everything read I’ll post a PDF for people to check before going to press.

Jerome

[Hugo Zhang]

Jerome,

Is it possible that I send you another picture to replace my Nautilus Shells?

Thanks your so much for your time!

hugo Zhang

[Blueberrydesk]

Travel Needs is mine. Include it if you can. The other of mine was Abagail, the tank picture. Thanks!

Paul Cocklin

[Tri Tran]

I am in the process of reworking the LF book project to publish through Blurb. There are a few issues to address and I need help.

First, to print through Lulu, Frank made adjustments to all of the B&W images in an attempt to get them to come out neutral. He suggested that I convert them all back to grayscale, which I have done, but it occurred to me that maybe some of them were sepia toned or just warm toned prints. If your image falls into this category please let me know.

Now the hard part. In addition to the images in the Lulu book, Frank sent me 33 more images that were submitted after the book was formatted. Some of these are properly labeled and some are not. Below is a list of these files. Except for the first two, which were simply labeled 9 & 21, I have listed them giving the photographer’s name and the image title as I can best interpret from the file name. Please look over this list and verify or correct the information for your images. If I hear from you I will include your image(s).

1. Color church interior
2. B&W mud or lava flow
3. Paul Cocklin :: Travel Needs
4. Stan Laurenson-Batton :: Rose and Raindrops
5. Matus Kalisky :: Champagne Glasses
6. Stan Laurenson-Batton :: Daffodils of Spring
7. Dave Aharonian :: In the Forest
8. Tim Bowles :: Tulasi Falls
9. Don Boyd :: Bear Wallow Maple
10. Dave McHaon :: Mummy Cave
11. Dylan ?
12. John Ferguson :: Dead Tree Foliage
13. John Ferguson :: Thompson Neely House
14. Daniel Geiger :: Aquilegia Formosa
15. Daniel Geiger :: California Mushrooms
16. Amanda Graves :: Mossy Glenn Falls
17. Christopher Graves :: Railroad Bridge
18. Struan Gray :: Elder
19. Struan Gray :: Oxel
20. David Karp :: Granite Steps - Mirror Lake
21. Michael Lewis :: 4th Avenue, Seattle
22. Michael Lewis :: Mill Creek
23. Matus Kalisky :: Pipe Work
24. David McMahon :: Seventeen Room House (is this the same person as #10?)
25. Scott Perry :: Daisies
26. Ivan Shukster :: Hycroft Vessels
27. Ivan Shukster :: North of Fernie
28. Michael Sullivan :: Chymayo Crossroads
29. Michael Sullivan :: IR-land Study no Byron (actual file name is SULLIVAN_MICHAEL_IR-Land%20Study%20no%2032%20%28byron%29.jpg)
30. Silvio Maraini :: 6 Horses
31. Silvio Maraini :: Selfoss, Iceland
32. Rex Tuolumne :: Yoseite 2006
33. Hugo Zhang :: Nautilus Shells

When I get everything read I’ll post a PDF for people to check before going to press.

Jerome

Hi Jerome,
#11 Dylan by TT, please note.

Thanks

[Dave Aharonian]

Hi Jerome, #7 Dave Aharonian, In the Forest. Thanks!!

[Michael Graves]

16 and 17 by Amanda and Christopher Graves are correct. Thank you.

[redrockcoulee]

No 26 and 27 are correct

[timbo10ca]

# 8 spelled Tulabi Falls

Thanks

[Daniel Geiger]

I am in the process of reworking the LF book project to publish through Blurb. There are a few issues to address and I need help.

Now the hard part. In addition to the images in the Lulu book, Frank sent me 33 more images that were submitted after the book was formatted. Some of these are properly labeled and some are not. Below is a list of these files. Except for the first two, which were simply labeled 9 & 21, I have listed them giving the photographer’s name and the image title as I can best interpret from the file name. Please look over this list and verify or correct the information for your images. If I hear from you I will include your image(s).

14. Daniel Geiger :: Aquilegia Formosa
15. Daniel Geiger :: California Mushrooms

When I get everything read I’ll post a PDF for people to check before going to press.

Jerome

Dear Jerome,

14/15 are mine. <i>Aquilegia formosa</i> should ideally be in italics (it is the scientific name of the plant species [or roman if other text in italics]), and "formosa" should be with a lower-case-f (the name of the species [aka species epithet]) is always spelled in lower case.

Thanks for taking on the project, and sorry for the belated reply. I have not been reading the LF forum as regularly as previously; busy with day-job (editing & layout of symposium volume: I know what you are up to). If you manage to send inquiries/announcements by direct e-mail, that would be wonderful. But I understand if that is too much to keep track of.

Best wishes and many thanks again

Daniel (geiger@vetigastropoda.com)

[Nigel Smith]

In addition to the images in the Lulu book, Frank sent me 33 more images that were submitted after the book was formatted. Some of these are properly labeled and some are not.

Jerome

I sent an extra one... was it one of the correctly :D named ones?

Nige.

[photographs42]

I sent an extra one... was it one of the correctly :D named ones?

Nige.

Nigel,
The only image I have that I know is yours is “Gum Trees”. You can send me another if you wish.
Jerome

[David Karp]

No response to my PM, so just in case:

No. 20 is mine, and it is properly titled.

[photographs42]

No response to my PM, so just in case:

No. 20 is mine, and it is properly titled.

Thanks David.
Jerome

[photographs42]

The revised book is ready for review. I have created a PDF. How do I put it where people can look at it?
Jerome

[photographs42]

See the new thread for the PDF link.
Jerome

[Don Boyd]

#9 Bear Wallow Maple is correct.

Don Boyd