Paul Lester Photo

The output of SoFoBoMo is supposed to be a PDF. I’ve got that covered! I’ve set aside an approximate number of days to shoot, 20, and then another number of days to edit and assemble, 10.

I’ve found out that I can do double-truck spreads (picture spreads across both left and right-hand pages, crossing the gutter), full-bleed pages, etc. I’ve also found out how to make this look correct in PDF by using two-up display and show cover page during two-up.

As I was doing all of these cool things, I started to think about my output options. That is, if I wanted to make this book a tangible thing, i.e. a coffee table book, first I’d need to buy a coffee table! Other considerations are that even though I’ve chosen a format that I find pleasing and that fits my shooting style, which is predominantly vertical, I need to find some place where I can get the book printed in the format and style that I like.

I’ve already tried Shutterfly for another book and the results were, shall we say, OK. I probably wouldn’t do it again. I’ve read Gordon’s review about Blurb and see that he plans to use it. It’s one of the few that seems to have color management, which will certainly come in handy. I don’t know that I’ll use Blurb. I’ve got lots of time, after the fact, to figure that out.

In looking at the offerings, I see that Blurb has a few book sizes:

(WxH)
7×7
8×10
10×8
13×11

I think that 7×7 is a bit too small for my purposes. I want a larger image. 13×11 seems to be more in the ball park; however, it is a horizontal format and, as I said, most of my images are vertical. So, either I’d have to change my style, which ain’t gonna happen, or select the 8×10 format and make my images 6×9, so that I won’t have to crop. 13×11 is an option, though the layout, I think, would have to differ significantly. Again, I’d have to use 9 inch tall images, fitting 2 of them on a page, side-by-side.

Right now, though, these are considerations and might not affect the outcome of the book. I may just have to search around to find a printer that I like that has the features that I need and can print the format that I want. In my spare time, I may play around with the 13×11 format and see if I come up with anything that I like.

Again, this is a great learning experience. I don’t think that I would have ever thought of the practical side of book making had I not embarked on this journey. It’s one thing to read about it, quite another to do it.

Well, it’s started. The clock is ticking and I decided to get out this morning an do it right. The clock is, of course, the clock on SoFoBoMo. I started my project today. Working title: Getting to know you.

This morning when I awakened it was rainy, somewhat foggy, and about 50 degrees or so. In other words, a perfect day for shooting. Mind you, I don’t know anything about Van Lindingham Glen, which will be the shooting location for my book, but I decided to introduce myself to it this morning. Now, as far as I’m concerned, a glen is one of those places found in far off locations like Scottland or Ireland or somewhere. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know what was the definition of a glen!!! I do now. A glen is a small, narrow, secluded valley.

I arrived at Van Lindingham Glen at about 7:15 AM this morning and spent an hour and 15 minutes photographing it. I had to get out at 8:30, as that’s the time that the parking police start making their rounds and they frown upon people parking in a certain area after 8:30 without a permit. Tickets are freely distributed. I prefer to shoot on Saturday and Sunday because it’s free parking on those days.

Upon approaching the glen, I noticed several trees blossoming, some in purple, others white. It was quite appealing. As I’ve mentioned before, this side of the path has never appealed to me. Now, I know why. I didn’t take time to get to know it. It is, in a word, alluring.

It all started with a walk through this very small glen. From side to side, if one walks slowly, it will take maybe 6 or 8 minutes. There’s a stream meandering through, lots of small patches of wildflowers, beautiful vibrant green patches of moss, decaying trees, an old cabin, and lots of stuff to photograph. I thought that this was going to be a challenge to get enough photos. Now, the challenge will be to select from all that is there! I was a bit overwhelmed.

During my time there, I was rained on a couple of times, but no matter. The camera can take it and it was a pleasure! Perhaps it was a wet and dreary day, but it seemed to be a perfect day for photographing a glen!

I don’t want to give away too much, but here are a couple of pictures from the glen. As for the glen, the timing was right. I’m glad that I didn’t get to know ‘her’ before. She came into my life at the right time. Now, we’ll get to know each other on an intimate basis!

This is going to be fun!!!