SoFoBoMo: Make it easier on yourself

I’m trying not to blog too much in advance of SoFoBoMo ’09; however, Paul B. had this post asking for those of us who did it last year to share our experience. Here’s what I think would make it easier for you first timers who would like to make a nice looking book AND don’t want to be driven crazy at the last minute:

• Have a few ideas ready of a subject that will sustain you for the 30 days; probably half of which you will be photographing. The other half will be spent in assembly and writing.
• Find the publishing software that you are going to use and learn it. I used open source software called Scribus. There is both a Mac and Windows version. This part is very important. You don’t want to be fighting the software while you are trying to assemble your book.
• Get a good book on book layout and design and READ it. I really recommend Pete Masterson’s book: Book Design and Production
• Make a practice book. Something easy. Something that you can do in a weekend. Nothing fancy. This will get you used to the software, placement, flow, etc.
• Go to the library or bookstore and find photo books that appeal to you. These will give you good ideas about potential layouts.
• Make sure that what you wish to photograph is easy to get to. This way you can visit it repeatedly in different light, weather, times of day, etc., giving you the full spectrum of moods, feelings, etc for your chosen subject.

Which reminds me, I need to do another practice book and review the Masterson book because I have forgotten many things about the software and the book!

If you did it last year and don’t want to right a post about it, please feel free to add your suggestions here.