New Blurb Book 'Ironbridge Gorge'- screen pictures not the same as those in print!

[jesse1dog]

I thought I would wait until I had a copy in my hands before writing that I had a new Blurb book - 'Ironbridge Gorge'.

http://www.blurb.com/books/1650995

I don't know what I expected but whatever it was I haven't got it.
So what do I see:
1. the front and back covers came out more cropped than was indicated in the pre-view: I was aware of this possibility and thought I had adjusted for it - but not enough.
2. some of the background colours to the photographs are shades away from the screen viewing - not surprising really but whereas they were paler in my first book this time round they are much more intense to the detriment of the photos.
3. as some photographs were repeated from the first book I can see that in the second they are slightly less 'sharp' and have a much cooler appearance - pity because the 'bite' to them has gone.
4. the premium glossy paper is quite a good choice for me
5. I will reduce the size of type in any future book although it is easy to read now.
6. I will probably use a different type face - the one used is too traditional
7. orientating text and photos to the outside of the pages is a good idea especially if the book is a 'softback'. I think I got this right.

So I end with some disappointment due in the main from aspects that are beyong my control - little things but nevertheless quite important. It's probably inevitable with the Blurb system and I'm expecting too much.

Nevertheless I hope there are some aspects of the book that will be of interest to RFF members, and even a photo or two that you like.

ANY comment welcome.

jesse

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Without a completely color managed system through the entire process, it's always going to be hit or miss. It's always a roll of the dice under the best of circumstances with Blurb.

 

[RF-Addict]

I highly recommend AdoramaPix for photo books. I tried Blurb twice and they failed miserably both times. I then gave Adoramapix a try and really love the quality of the book. I used Panoramas ONLY to test their claim that you can't see a seam and they are absolutely correct. The book looks stunning - almost as good as prints coming out of my Epson R2400 on premium photographic paper. They are more expensive than Blurb and not as flexible, but all that is a minor issue for me. The quality of the prints is way more important to me than any of the minor disadvantages.

 

[LabasArabas]

Hi Jesse,
from my look at your book online, the green hue background you used at first is doing you no favours. It flavours the page too much.
Later on you use a grey which,I think, works better. I reckon that keeping the background white would work even betterer. you don't need to fill the whole page with ink.
Also, another thing that bugged me was the overlapping photos. Especially the diagonally overlapping. Keep it simple.

I haven't tried making a blurb book yet, and admire your effort. Sounds like you've figured out some of the quirks, and I look forward to your next efforts.

-cheers
Andrius

 

[jesse1dog]

Hi

RF-Addict
I'll certainly look at AdoramaPix to see what is on offer. I do realise that Blurb is at the 'cheap' end of the market but there is a flexibility in set-out that I quite like. It isn't as flexible as it could be but ...

Andrius
That green hue hasn't come out too badly in the book but I take your point. I started to use the grey as a 'mount' to the photos and found it particularly effective when I had pale colours to the edge of a photo. I was tempted to use it thoughout but wanted something to differentiate the sections of the book - I agree I haven't got that quite right: there are other devices to use that I need to experiment with. Also I am inclined to make the pictures bigger on the page.
Overlapping pictures on a diagonal hadn't bothered me but I'll look at that critically - thanks for the comment: much appreciated.
It's easy to use a Blurb standard page but when you try to make every 'opening of a spread' a bit different so that the reader keeps their interest it all gets very much more difficult. There are too many Blurb books that 'look the same' - safe, not imaginative, and I find a bit boring - but that's just my opinion.
jesse

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I have had four good experiences with Blurb, and two misfires. First time, the book arrived with pages stuck together, second time the colors (skin tones) were off in a way that was really disturbing. Luckily the second time, the problem was with the second or third copy of the book in question and I had a "good" copy with which to compare the problem. It seems that they use different printers to actually produce the book and they count on some set of standards for QC. The problem was with the print settings at printer #2. In both cases, they fixed the issue, but the "color balance" problem was harder to prove. I use a LaCie 319 monitor calibrated with a Pantone 'huey" USB device. . . it has been good enough without a fully calibrated work flow.

 

[jesse1dog]

Looked at the packing of my Blurb book and it would seem that it originated in Zurich - Swiss printers? Wonder if they do all of Europe!

jesse

 

[magnus.frank]

Jesse, I really appreciated your images, it's a strong series of beautiful photographs. I agree with Andrius when he says that white background works even better. In my first experience with Blurb I'm happy, but my book is black and white and printed in Netherlands..

 

[jesse1dog]

magnus.frank
I really appreciate your comment - thanks.
I've reworked the 'diagonals' page and Andrius was right - it needed fixing - It looks a lot better now. The verdict is still out on the page background - my wife really liked the green and thought replacing it with grey detracted from the whole book. She liked the variety of coloured backgrounds. I've looked at using white but go back to the pale grey every time.
Any more comments would be very useful.
jesse