if -- my new book made from faves 2010-2014

NY_Dan

NY_Dan

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I made a second version on 9/3. Info:

I re-edited and cut the number of photos by half. I also got rid of "paired" photos on facing pages (some people didn't like juxtapositions) -- now have just one photo per spread -- on right hand page. I added pagination to make it easier for people to identify each photo by page number.

Here's the link to the 2nd version free preview: http://www.blurb.com/books/5554123-if

So round 2. If you feel up to it, please share your thoughts -- you can indicate which photos by page number you'd like to see removed, or used as a replacement for cover, or placed last, or organized differently or whatever you choose.

By the way before doing the 2nd version, I made a pdf with Adobe Bridge, 63 photos (7 rows x 9) each photo about 2.4 inches square, and printed them on 17x22 paper - 4 sheets, and then cut out each photo to see if this helped the editing process. I arranged prints on the floor -- it helped -- but I think I really needed a 4x8 table to comfortably look at and move the small prints.



I just finished putting together a new book titled: if It's the product of 10 previous books (2010-2014), plus some new work. I had 1,000 or so previously edited photos (about 100 photos per book), and from these I chose my faves and ended up with 221. All the photos were shot on Kodak TMY 120 (except for 1) and with Rolleiflex cameras.

The entire book can be viewed for FREE in Preview mode (try fullscreen) at: http://www.blurb.com/books/5547415-if

Also available for FREE as an eBook download at: http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/p8f6f2b1b9e25e9bdf6fc

I haven't ordered a 12x12 printed copy for myself - can't afford my own book! - because Blurb prints one at a time.

I would appreciate some feedback, and if you could click on the "like" button that would be nice 🙂 I may incorporate the feedback and do a revised version -- so if you don't like something please be very specific and describe the photo(s) so I know what you're trying to communicate. Thank you!
 
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Dan, absolutely fantastic! Particularly the scenes with the police. I liked the high drama and emotion shots. The book has a great flow and feel, and I liked the order you selected.

I don't know how many pages there are, but it seems too many. I'd split the book into two or three, each one with a theme. Like a movie with a slow start, I found the first half a little boring, but it got better.

Technically all are excellent. I prefered the portraits with shallow depth of field and eye contact, on the whole. But some of the dramatic street scenes, and "odd" ones would work well printed large. And some commentary on what was happening or who the person is, and how you managed to make the shot would help engage the reader.

Truth is, every one of those shots needs a group discussion about "what works and what doesn't" so you can cull the book a little. I think it's about what you leave out.

Hope this helps.

~Rif
 
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Dan, there is some really great editing going on here. The flow sets the tone for the visual humor of so many of the shots. Highly enjoyable.

The 'ping-pong' spreads of the first third of the book are great and they develop a dynamic of their own. In the mid section the spreads loosen up a bit, which is actually nice, but it also feels like you created an expectation that you are not meeting. Perhaps it need a couple of pause points/chapter breaks/sections (whichever device works), to indicate that you are shifting gears.
I like that there is no text or titles or explanations. There is enough consistency in the images to 'get' what it is about.
 
Excellent work ...Took my time and enjoyed every turn of the page ,by the time I hit the man with the handle bar mustache ,I was all smiles ..

I also had similar thoughts as CNNY

Thanks
 
Thanks everyone for taking the time to look. Really appreciate it! I'm still digesting the book myself. I wanted to have 4x6 (with 4x4 center) of each photo I was considering (376), but that was going to cost about $160 -- so instead I used Adobe Bridge, my memory, a ton of going back and forth and the Blurb software. This wasn't an optimal process -- wasn't terrible. At some point I thought to myself that each edit was it's own "performance" of sorts. I could edit a different experience for the viewer and for myself, too.

Some of my considerations were not wanting the viewer to know what to expect as that might make it more entertaining (my first version was one photo per double page -- on right side) -- another consideration was wanting the book to require more than one look through -- I'm too eager to view a new photo book and go through too fast, then I go back again -- and if I like the book I will return to it from time to time in the future. Perhaps some viewers will identify with this. The other factor for me, was that the photos are similar but diverse -- unlike when I went to Chicago for 9 days -- that was easier to put together.

In terms of cover (front and back) choices -- I currently have a preference for mostly white covers -- in large part because the spine is white and the option of wrapping an image on spine isn't available -- and the back cover shot in Harlem showing machinery through the opening in a building had a three-dimensional quality to it -- as though one could reach into the book and touch the machines -- or if the back cover was opened one might see a photo of the machinery. Whatever -- I think I have heat stroke 🙂

As soon as we get some Fall weather (don't have air conditioning) I want to make some prints of the photos in this book -- maybe 12x12's -- that might help with a future edit.

Fortunately by not printing a copy of the book it only cost time, $4.99 for a pdf and $9.99 to convert to an eBook that could be downloaded for free. You might say that today's technology was a huge help in the pursuit of my passion -- yesterday's technology with 120 film.

As for the lack of info in book -- well the photos are mostly from 10 previous books -- which are still online. And I wanted this book to be stripped down -- at least in terms of text 🙂 There is some info in the Blurb description on info page -- I'll add photos are mostly of NYC, some from Istanbul, and some from Chicago. Most were shot from 2012 to now.

In terms of this book I don't know how I'll feel or what I'll do, if anything tomorrow or in the near future with regards to doing another edit. I feel a building desire to go out and shoot some more -- and right now Los Angeles is calling -- has been for the past 1 1/2 years plus -- so maybe I'll do my best to shoot more and revisit the concept of picking and editing a book of only favorites.
 
I really enjoyed the book! I don't have a way to read eBooks, so I did wish I could download a pdf version to show my wife later this evening.

All shot with a Rolleiflex, some with flash; quite impressive. Really.

I enjoyed the thematic presentation very much. I think someone said above that it might be useful to somehow indicate when I'm starting on a new theme. However, I'm not sure if that would be as useful as it seems like it would.

The image of the Chinese woman standing with banners was powerfully graphic for me. That was near the beginning of the book. At that point I liked the sensation that there was more to come.

Thank you, thank you, for sharing with us!
 
That's really wonderful, Dan. Congrats on great shooting and putting it all together.

I just want to share that after a while, I noticed that for me the book became more about the pairings and their relationships than the photographs themselves. Not sure if that was your intention. I think I would have liked to see a less obvious interplay between most of the pairings because it started to become repetitious after a while. Just a personal reaction. Still a real pleasure to view. Thanks for sharing it.

John
 
A few days ago I posted a thread about my new Blurb book titled: if

I asked for feedback, and based on the feedback (thanks) I re-edited and cut the number of photos by half. I also got rid of "paired" photos on facing pages (some people didn't like juxtapositions) -- now have just one photo per spread -- on right hand page. I added pagination to make it easier for people to identify each photo by page number.

Here's the link to the 2nd version free preview: http://www.blurb.com/books/5554123-if

And here is the link to the 1st version free preview (for comparison): http://www.blurb.com/books/5547415-if

So round 2. If you feel up to it, please share your thoughts -- you can indicate which photos by page number you'd like to see removed, or used as a replacement for cover, or placed last, or organized differently or whatever you choose.

By the way before doing the 2nd version, I made a pdf with Adobe Bridge, 63 photos (7 rows x 9) each photo about 2.4 inches square, and printed them on 17x22 paper - 4 sheets, and then cut out each photo to see if this helped the editing process. I arranged prints on the floor -- it helped -- but I think I really needed a 4x8 table to comfortably look at and move the small prints.
 
I clicked on the top link, so was going to say too many shots. Maybe edit that first post to show the new edited link as well? Some fantastic stuff there. Really like most of it. Personally I don't like beach shots - just me - and also not so much shots of kids - they often are not interesting - however the shot of the boy sitting on the curb amongst all the 'legs' above him is one that stood out. Great Bulldog shots, I'm biased though owning a French Bulldog 🙂
 
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