Today's blog comes from David Ramsey, Central Library staff:
In this era of digital photography, when you are snapping shots of everything (because you can), what do you do with all those pictures? If you secret them away in a computer file, they are soon forgotten. And huddling around a monitor to see all those family photos isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
However, if you compile those images into a printed book, you’ll have something unique to grace your coffee table. It is not an inexpensive venture - but think of the money saved by not having to print every picture before seeing it. There are local photo shops and online companies willing to help you and a new book in our collection to walk you through the process.
Create Your Own Photo Book is the new title by Petra Vogt. She starts by providing all the good reasons for making one and suggests project ideas. She gives an overview to photo albums in general and lists the pros and cons of working with different publishers and service providers.
Vogt goes into every aspect of production, including shooting and selecting pictures, scanning old images, and creating page backgr
ounds. She talks about the addition of text and graphic elements and provides tips for quality control. For those wanting to sell their work, she gives advice. The last chapter is devoted to concrete examples: 5 photo books using a number of the previously discussed publishe
rs.
After a European trip with the Calgary Concert Band last summer, I discovered photo books and used an online publisher to compile my own. The cover of my book, on the left, shows a convent where the band festival was held reflected in a tuba. Above right, you can see some pictures from our tour of Rome. Note the natty airmail-paper border.
It was an interesting and rewarding project that produced a wonderful memento of my trip that is easy to share with family and friends.
- Dave