It's a great accomplishment in something that is a very tough field to make it in, this is also true of oil painting and writing novels. Statistically, a kid is more likely to make into the Major Leagues of baseball than become a novelist. The number of novelists that can make it on their writing alone is fewer than the current roster of MLB players, and that is just those that turn out a book per year and get enough to make ends meet. The authors that actually become wealthy are fewer yet. That kind of stuff just isn't for me, which is why I just treat it as a hobby. If I can sell a print once in a while that'd be a bonus, but I'm not about to ruin a fun hobby TRYING to do that. That's just my personal temperament. Even selling your books, you'd have to do 2 or 3 of them a year at those rates to make it off selling photo books alone, but then there's the risk of overexposure lessening the interest in your material. Again, this isn't mean to be discouraging or an insult, but it would all be too much of a knife's edge for me. One photographer (also out of the UK) talks about how he goes for months without much work sometimes (even though he has a track record of being an accomplished photographer) and then out of the blue is approached with a big project. I live in Califonria, and it is like that with musicians here in Los Angeles. Sometimes there is more studio work for musicians than anyone can handle, and other times there is so little it's back to waiting tables or other jobs to get them through. It seems all of this is feast or famine. A friend of mine did set construction, and it was an insight into just how seedy Hollywood can be. He liked it, but he just looked at it as another job, but a surprising number of them somehow thought they'd get their big break by being around Hollywood types which, to put it mildly, is delusional. The actors just don't pay attention to the set construction people. But I'm starting to get off topic here.
Thanks to both of you. It's still a daunting project but it's nice to have more context of what's involved. The biggest hurdle for me (same for prepping for a show) is curating/editing/sequencing. Even though I trust my own vision, I tend to second-guess such decisions, which really slows the process. I know intellectually that seeking "perfection" gets in the way of "more than good enough" but I also know that a subtle editing tweak can be the difference between a good image and a great one. Also, the print you make on your own can appear very different from the way it appears in a commercially-published book, so it seems that getting a proof is critical.
Do you have a podcast? Love watching your videos but would love to just listen on my daily walks also.... anyway if you don't have a podcast I will still keep watching but maybe it's a little idea to ponder. Thanks for the content - very intriguing, very insightful and very enjoyable.
Excellent video. I've made a few books for my personal use and the tip about the font style is so true. What it looks like on your screen is nothing like the printed version. But is so exciting when you finally get your copy and see your photos in a book. Definitely something I'd recommend to any level of photographer.
Making slide shows from a trip or a pdf on your computer is a good start, also getting blank visual diary's from a stationery shop and using photo corners to put photos into books that you can edit over and over , sequencing by hand, but yeah start with a project of a place or theme etc then you can go to a publisher with an idea , maybe. Doesn't solve the money problems though 😊 Hes right book dumbiies are essential flipping through a book thats in your hand is everything. Now you've done it , ill have to go to his chanel and sub , thanks Alex for a great intro to Eds work😊
I did a photo book on the cheap with a discount site and it was great, I found out about how to balance a page, what looks good on screen but not in print enjoyed it immensely still have them all two of them, it was neat, give it a go.
Thanks for this, Alex. I too have just started this journey and I am on my first photobook, a limited to 100 case bound book of street photos taken last year in Florence, Italy. I've yet though to make a stonking profit! But still early days!
This video is so timely. Edward your work is fantastic. I have tried a sample book as a portfolio for my work. It is a lot of work. I have tons of questions. Creating the work is daunting enough, putting a book together and publishing and marketing it is a whole other level of challenge. We do need a follow up video detailing the publishing part of the work. On people shots, did you get a release? Lot more questions but I know we are space and time limited. Thanks.
Very inspiring video, I enjoy the ability of so many people to offer their experience and knowledge so openly, particularly in the area of creative work. These are the topics swimming around at the back of the mind, but having this first hand knowledge is invaluable to make books and prints a viable proposition.
Hi Alex, this was an inspiring video totally enjoyed it and some really great advice from Ed Thompson. I liked when Ed was talking about editing, when your photographing your own work your editing real life. He had some great photos as well, great guest you had Alex thank you. Sorry for the late comment i was at my Nieces birthday. 😃
Hi great video very informative. I have done some of what has been described and now looking to do it in a more considered way. So this is very helpful. I have a question, if someone could kindly throw some light on the issues of printing. In the past I had good results with ordering one offs of my black and white work with digital printing on quality paper and silky covers. I recently came across a book by a friend which was done with offset printing.The work i am planning to promote and put in print via crowdfunding will be in colour ( very vivid indian street shoots) I spoke to their printer who said that offset was considerable cheaper than digital. My question is does offset need more hands on supervision to get colours to pop. With digital colour I tend to generate final tiffs around one stop lighter and they always seem to print really well... any thoughts advice I would be grateful . Ta
Whoa! Great video sir! And timely too… 3 days ago, I literally recv’d the proof copy for my first book which I also am self publishing. I thought of all the angles, EXCEPT for crowdfunding. Since I’m targeting a XMAS release, I will start researching crowdfunding immediately! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 HUGE help @ThePhotographicEye
Not sure what he meant by uncoated paper for photo books but I just tried that and I would not recommend it to anyone. It soaks up the ink and leaves a very dull photo.
Some people want to make a book of their life's photos or a project just to see it in book form, to pass on or just to give away. Not everyone needs to make a profit and can easily spend 30 K on making a book. You should address these people, with more info on the stage to stage process of making the book and with info on recommended printers etc.
Thanks so much for having me on the show Alex! Hope it helps anyone looking to make a photo book! cheers
It's a great accomplishment in something that is a very tough field to make it in, this is also true of oil painting and writing novels. Statistically, a kid is more likely to make into the Major Leagues of baseball than become a novelist. The number of novelists that can make it on their writing alone is fewer than the current roster of MLB players, and that is just those that turn out a book per year and get enough to make ends meet. The authors that actually become wealthy are fewer yet. That kind of stuff just isn't for me, which is why I just treat it as a hobby. If I can sell a print once in a while that'd be a bonus, but I'm not about to ruin a fun hobby TRYING to do that. That's just my personal temperament.
Even selling your books, you'd have to do 2 or 3 of them a year at those rates to make it off selling photo books alone, but then there's the risk of overexposure lessening the interest in your material. Again, this isn't mean to be discouraging or an insult, but it would all be too much of a knife's edge for me.
One photographer (also out of the UK) talks about how he goes for months without much work sometimes (even though he has a track record of being an accomplished photographer) and then out of the blue is approached with a big project. I live in Califonria, and it is like that with musicians here in Los Angeles. Sometimes there is more studio work for musicians than anyone can handle, and other times there is so little it's back to waiting tables or other jobs to get them through. It seems all of this is feast or famine.
A friend of mine did set construction, and it was an insight into just how seedy Hollywood can be. He liked it, but he just looked at it as another job, but a surprising number of them somehow thought they'd get their big break by being around Hollywood types which, to put it mildly, is delusional. The actors just don't pay attention to the set construction people. But I'm starting to get off topic here.
9:08 What is that about with that guy dressed as a knight?
@@Anon54387 everyday life in England 😉
Thanks to both of you. It's still a daunting project but it's nice to have more context of what's involved. The biggest hurdle for me (same for prepping for a show) is curating/editing/sequencing. Even though I trust my own vision, I tend to second-guess such decisions, which really slows the process. I know intellectually that seeking "perfection" gets in the way of "more than good enough" but I also know that a subtle editing tweak can be the difference between a good image and a great one. Also, the print you make on your own can appear very different from the way it appears in a commercially-published book, so it seems that getting a proof is critical.
Thanks for watching
Do you have a podcast? Love watching your videos but would love to just listen on my daily walks also.... anyway if you don't have a podcast I will still keep watching but maybe it's a little idea to ponder. Thanks for the content - very intriguing, very insightful and very enjoyable.
Excellent video. I've made a few books for my personal use and the tip about the font style is so true. What it looks like on your screen is nothing like the printed version. But is so exciting when you finally get your copy and see your photos in a book. Definitely something I'd recommend to any level of photographer.
Thank you Alex. I have been enjoying all your vlogs. This was the best one so far. Cheers from Argentina.
Thank you
Making slide shows from a trip or a pdf on your computer is a good start, also getting blank visual diary's from a stationery shop and using photo corners to put photos into books that you can edit over and over , sequencing by hand, but yeah start with a project of a place or theme etc then you can go to a publisher with an idea , maybe. Doesn't solve the money problems though 😊 Hes right book dumbiies are essential flipping through a book thats in your hand is everything. Now you've done it , ill have to go to his chanel and sub , thanks Alex for a great intro to Eds work😊
Thanks for watching
I did a photo book on the cheap with a discount site and it was great, I found out about how to balance a page, what looks good on screen but not in print enjoyed it immensely still have them all two of them, it was neat, give it a go.
Thanks for this, Alex. I too have just started this journey and I am on my first photobook, a limited to 100 case bound book of street photos taken last year in Florence, Italy. I've yet though to make a stonking profit! But still early days!
This video is so timely. Edward your work is fantastic. I have tried a sample book as a portfolio for my work. It is a lot of work. I have tons of questions. Creating the work is daunting enough, putting a book together and publishing and marketing it is a whole other level of challenge. We do need a follow up video detailing the publishing part of the work. On people shots, did you get a release? Lot more questions but I know we are space and time limited. Thanks.
Thank you for your comment
Very inspiring video, I enjoy the ability of so many people to offer their experience and knowledge so openly, particularly in the area of creative work. These are the topics swimming around at the back of the mind, but having this first hand knowledge is invaluable to make books and prints a viable proposition.
Hi Alex, this was an inspiring video totally enjoyed it and some really great advice from Ed Thompson. I liked when Ed was talking about editing, when your photographing your own work your editing real life. He had some great photos as well, great guest you had Alex thank you. Sorry for the late comment i was at my Nieces birthday. 😃
I hope she had a good day. Thank you for watching
@@ThePhotographicEye Your very welcome Alex 🙂
Great video, and very inspiring too...some serious food for thought for my own projects.
That’s awesome
I appreciate your viewership! Currently 435 views and 377 likes.... Gotta be one of the highest view-like ratios!
Thank you
informative video
Thanks
Hi great video very informative. I have done some of what has been described and now looking to do it in a more considered way. So this is very helpful. I have a question, if someone could kindly throw some light on the issues of printing. In the past I had good results with ordering one offs of my black and white work with digital printing on quality paper and silky covers. I recently came across a book by a friend which was done with offset printing.The work i am planning to promote and put in print via crowdfunding will be in colour ( very vivid indian street shoots) I spoke to their printer who said that offset was considerable cheaper than digital. My question is does offset need more hands on supervision to get colours to pop. With digital colour I tend to generate final tiffs around one stop lighter and they always seem to print really well... any thoughts advice I would be grateful . Ta
Whoa! Great video sir! And timely too… 3 days ago, I literally recv’d the proof copy for my first book which I also am self publishing. I thought of all the angles, EXCEPT for crowdfunding. Since I’m targeting a XMAS release, I will start researching crowdfunding immediately! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 HUGE help @ThePhotographicEye
Andreas Jorns selfpublishes too
Not sure what he meant by uncoated paper for photo books but I just tried that and I would not recommend it to anyone. It soaks up the ink and leaves a very dull photo.
Some people want to make a book of their life's photos or a project just to see it in book form, to pass on or just to give away. Not everyone needs to make a profit and can easily spend 30 K on making a book. You should address these people, with more info on the stage to stage process of making the book and with info on recommended printers etc.