So, it’s done. As I’m typing this, it is Saturday, April 26. I finished a few days earlier than I had anticipated or was required to. Wednesday, I posted the book to the website and so far the response has been positive. Over the past few days, before finalizing the book, I had many uncertainties crop up.
- How long should the book be? Pages of text.
- What should I say???
- How many pictures should I include?
- What should the format be? Portrait, landscape, square?
- How will I know if it is right?!
As of a couple of days ago, I only had the pictures and a vague idea of what the overall structure of the book might be.
What I learned
A book is a very personal thing. The pictures, their groupings, your words, etc, portray your vision. There is no right or wrong. Sure, there are accepted ways of structuring the book, but as for sequencing the pictures and grouping them, that’s totally up to you and your intuition. There’s probably not a guide for that. There may be some broad guidelines, but ultimately, it’s up to you to decide.
Finding the layout
Quite frankly, it found me, I suppose. I had no idea where to go, but strangely, I wasn’t troubled. I simply grabbed one of the few Tao books that I have and sat in my favorite place in the house and read. I wasn’t reading for inspiration, but just reading because I like to read. Sometime later, it hit me! Doh! I know what I like, how I feel, and what “floats my boat”, so I decided on a few chapters that matched those things that I really have an affinity for:
Water
Contrasts or opposites (yin/yang)
Tao Te Ching
And, just like that, I had my chapters. The hard part was in placing the pictures, but I just cruised all my available pictures and when I found one that I liked, I placed it. Then, I started over cruising for a match. All by intuition. Believe me, there was no logic nor rationalization involved. This was strictly on feeling alone. After I had the chapters, the rest just sort of fell into place.
Knowing when to say “no”
After I got on a roll, the hard part was in stopping. I had a lot of pictures that I wished to share, but didn’t want to overwhelm the reader, or myself. There’s a point of diminishing returns. A point where once shouldn’t pass, less the reader get tired and disinterested. I don’t know where the point is, but I didn’t want to go there.
Holding a cup and overfilling it
Cannot be as good as stopping short.Pounding a blade and sharpening it
Cannot be kept for long.
Would I go it again?
In a month, I don’t know; however, my approach may be different. As far as shooting, I’m pretty disciplined. I love to shoot, so I do it at least 2 days / week. I’d like to expand that to 5 days. Perhaps 5 days @ 20 minutes/day, or something like that. When I think of putting together another book, the inevitable question arises: What would it look like. This, by far, was the most difficult part of the process … coming up with a book design. I understand why artists (writers, photographers, etc) turn this part of the process over to a professional. It’s not easy, at least not for me.
The next book?
Rocks. Rocks appeal to me an some level. There’s so much history visible, so much strength. I find them very appealing, especially when they are near water, like a lake, ocean, or stream … Perhaps it will be entitle Yin & Yang
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What a wonderful learning experience on so many levels and a growing experience as well. But isn’t that what life is all about. Thanks for sharing with us along the way.
Hi Paul,
I used to read your blog when it was all new, but for some reason it fell out of my rss reader, and it disappeared for quite a while. But then you made a comment in my blog a while back which made me rediscovered your blog, and I must really say it has been an inspiration. First of all I think your images had changed during my absence. They were good before, but didn’t quite move me, but now you really hit a nerve within me. Second, your writing is a source of inspiration. You have a very relaxed and laid back take at it all, while still being very serious.
I liked your book, and as I wrote earlier, some of those facing images was spot on. kind of merged together to one image.
@Kjell: Thanks. I’m glad that you came back. More than likely, my images will continue to evolve as I do. There’ll probably be periods where you won’t even like them.
Perhaps, also, you’ve changed in some way and the images now resonate with you. Perhaps it’s both.
Anyway, I’m really glad that you came back! As for the comment on your blog, I was reading some older comments and came across one that you made on my blog. At this moment, I don’t remember what it was, but I really liked the content of the comment, so I clicked on your link, went to your blog, had a look around, a left a comment. I’ve added you to my reader, as well.
Paul, I just had one of those sniaps that reminded me that after I had leafed through your book (a couple of times now), I had not let you know how nice I think it turned out. Very nice and well done!