PhotoBook Evaluation

There are many different ways to present photography. The Photography Book is a unique way to express your own work as well as a highly effective medium where the use of text, layout, printing, format, feel and size all combine to make the whole far greater than the sum of its parts.

To me this project has been the most personal by far, I think it has allowed me to express myself as a person through photographs.
The brief was quite broad in terms of the Proposal (Day in the Life, A Journey, Faith) , which made me very happy as I felt I was free to do anything I wanted. I decided to pick 'A Journey' as my own proposal as I felt my landscape shots portrayed my journey and would tell a story within a book.
Making an Instragram book has also enabled a new form of media which is quite new within the technology world- it shows my Instagram page in a whole new format.

I took the time to look at other photographers work, as well as some of their books. I looked at Henri-Cartier- Bresson, David Bailey, Martin Parr, Tessa Bunney and many more. After reading various books I realised how peoples photography styles can differ so much, I also felt I knew the photographers style a lot more in terms of the way they laid things out and which fonts they used- I found this really interesting as well as inspiring.

I began planning my book by printing out small copies of each photograph and laying them out in order, then sticking them into a book I made from lots of paper. This abled me to get a greater insight to what my book will actually look like. Its fascinating how many changes I actually made after making a mock book. I recommend to anyone making a book to make a mock one first- it will help you with the layout, style and which images you actually want to use - it is also cheap and effective.

After this I looked at various book websites but felt as if Blurb was easiest to use for me personally, and also cost effective.

The website was ideal for my Instagram photographs as it allowed me to upload them straight from Instagram inself. The photographs were all set out below the book which made it easier and quicker for me to see which photographs would fit nicely to each page.

I also stuck with the square format style, although I chose a portrait shape book, I feel as if the photographs look neater and more effective as the sense of space below the image draws the viewer more towards the image itself.

I tried out different sizes but still felt as if the square format looked most effective, However the viewer may disagree, below is a snapshot of different photo sizing I took during my editing of the book..

As you can see the one to the left looks more neat and effective, However, I am slightly kicking myself as now that I am looking at it I think I could have experimented a bit more in regards to doing different sizes on different pages- this could have made it a little more interesting.

However, I can only progress to the next time I make a book, I can see what I want different and what layout works best.

Overall I am happy with my end result and am really glad I made a mock book as it has saved many mistakes that I had time to change when it come to editing my book online. I also gained a lot of inspiration through various trips to galleries and also The Beacon, which abled to to look into others work and experience how people also work themselves.
I am really grateful to have been given the opportunity to make my very own first book, and hope to make many many more in my future career as a photographer - One day people may even buy a copy!

I have gained confidence in terms of managing and planning my book online, and then actually laying it all out as previously planned.
I feel my book has fulfilled the work required on the brief, as well as demonstrating and developing an understanding of editing work in relation to narrative and sequence.

A Journey

For my front cover I was confident about the image I wanted to use - The reflection of myself in the sand, However, I was unsure about the colour of the background I wanted to use to fit with the picture for my front cover. I must have spent about an hour trying out different colours, and asking family members and friends which they thought looked more effective. I liked the violet cover above, although, I felt as if it was a distraction to the image I was using.
The front cover to me personally is important, because although were not meant to, some people judge a book by its cover and I wanted my viewer to be drawn to the book and make them want to look inside.

After experimenting with various colours I decided to go with a sandy yellow colour, which fits well with the photograph in the middle and makes it the main centre focus. I found more subtle colours worked better with the impression I was trying to create.

I chose a layout which made the image the centre focus, and also showed the viewer my reflection - Which is meant to be the demonstrating the beginning of my journey.

I stuck with the sandy yellow colour for the spine of the book, keeping the same colour flowing throughout - more professional as well as neat.

I used the image above as my full back cover, which is another reflection of myself (Which connotes my journey ending). I feel that the back cover didn't need any words, as the picture says more than what I wanted to actually say in words. My intention was for the viewer to start the book at the beginning of the journey ( few quotes) and then the middle of my journey-images of landscapes- and then finally the end of my journey- The reflection of myself at the end. I feel the yellow colour goes well with the colour of the book also.

Quotes for Book

To go with my book called 'A Journey' I have decided to use two quotes that fit well regarding the subject. I also think this gives a soft personal touch to the book itself, as well as giving the reading a better insight to my thoughts and photographs.

Quote 1: 'Amazing; A memory, an inspiration, and an escape back to the idyllic world.'

I thought writing this quote would be appropriate for the inside page of the book, as it gives the viewer an idea to what my journey is all about to me personally - Memories and escape from reality.
Below is a screen shot of how I set the first inside page out, I chose a yellow page similar to the front page as I thought sticking to one background colour would make the book look more professional and sophisticated -

Quote 2: 'When I catch even the most limited glimpse of nature and landscapes it allows me to escape the mundane realities of everyday life.'

I decided to include my second quote in the middle of my book, as it will allow the reader a break from viewing my photographs and get a little more inspiration about my journey. My photographs are snapshots taken whilst travelling around, I am trying to tell the viewer my thoughts that I had whilst taking the pictures and looking around at the natural world itself.

Below is a snapshot from Blurb I made whilst editing my book, I have used the same yellow colour to keep the pattern consistent throughout.

Putting photographs together

I decided to begin editing my book on Blurb. I found it really easy to use in terms of laying out my order of photographs. In my book I am going to use one photograph per page -These two images are going to relate in terms of colour, what is within the photograph, or style of editing. Like above I have taken two shots in Greatham Village, one of two motor cyclists from behind and one from the side. I feel the two images sync together well as they both portray a sense of movement to the still landscape backgrounds, However, The different use of colours in each photograph contrasts quite nicely.
I am going to continue this pair pattern of photographs throughout my book.

Henri Cartier-Bresson - In India

 

  

Henri Cartier-Bresson applies geometry to his images poetically. In his book 'In India' shows a story of his six extended visits to a beautiful new way of life. The book tells a story using text as well as images - The background information of the country allows the reader to be more knowledgable of India as a culture itself, before viewing the photographs. I think the information in the start of the book allows the reader to feel more emotions towards the images themselves after already reading into the subject itself. 

Looks- Fergus Greer, Leigh Bowery

I took a variety of books from the library, some I liked and some I didn't like the look of. I think it is important to look into many different styles and genres of Photo Books to get further into the subject and explore all realms of it.
I come across a book called 'Looks' by Fergus Greer and Leigh Bowery which I didn't particularly like, because of the images inside the book - I found them a bit bizarre although I can still appreciate the work and effort put into the book. Also the style of the book is quite different, in terms of the layout - even the front cover portrays a great insight to what the images are going to be about. I want to portray this within my book - I want the viewer not to have a whole idea of expectations as to what is in the book, but a slight idea as to what the book is going to include just by looking at the title and image on the front.
The famous saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover' has connotations of people presuming what is inside the book or what the book is going to be about. However, I think in the photographic world of books many books can be judged by the viewer - In terms of that the viewer may not like the front image on the book or even title and therefore will not take an interest. I am bearing this in mind whilst planning my own front cover as I want it to speak out and make the viewer have an eager and open mind to see whats inside.

Below are some of the images found inside the book 'Looks'..



This is the image shown on the front cover of 'Looks'.. although I don't particularly like this photograph, I was drawn to read the book. The image creates a sense of dehumanisation- as the figures head has been covered with round shaped material covering the persons head. This creates quite a dramatic mood as it is unusual to see some one dressed in this attire and makes you question why the photographer has created this style to his work.

Instagram Book Project

I have decided to use my Instagram photographs to make a book, not only because I use it daily but also because I think its a new way to display my images.

Above is a few of the hundreds of images I have printed out from my Instagram page, printing all of the photographs out has abled me to figure out which pictures I should and shouldn't use. Also I feel more confident after narrowing the images down, as I can now pair images which fit together better than others.

Instagram in 2014 is one of the most popular online photo sharing site, which allows people to upload and set filters to snapshots they take whether it be food, knitting or a beautiful scenery.
On my instagram I post mainly day to day shots of different settings and places I have visited, I would like to have my own book displaying my own daily life and sightings through my phone as it is very personal to me.
I also like how the app uses square format photographs, As i think it would be perfect for the layout I have in mind.

Below is some images of my mock book - Changes will probably be made during the process.

A mock book is a cheap and effective way to get a realistic idea of what my book will be like, I put together sheets of paper with binders to secure it. For my front cover I want a small square image at the top (And I feel it is effective that I have used the reflection of myself as the front cover, I think it fits well being the first step of my journey), and then a simple title and my name underneath.
For the actual book I will use a type writer simple type font although I am still unsure about the yellow background.

Inside I decided to use a quote I come up with, I think this will stimulate the viewer to experience the book more as if it's them on the journey themselves.

I printed out all of my instagram images and took the time pairing them, I wanted each page to have two images that in a way fit together - maybe because of shadowing, the use of black and white, or maybe just because the images were taken at the same place.

I would like the square images to be based at the top of the page rather than the centre, as I think its something slightly different to the norm.. I also think that the use of space below will allow the viewer to reflect and focus more upon the image above.

A Journey

Redcar Trip - Ian Macdonald

Last week we visited Redcar for an inspirational talk with Ian Macdonald who is a Photographer himself. He spoke about his friend who had past away and showed us some of his paintings and drawings, which were inspiring in terms of how a photograph can relate AND not relate to photographs themselves, regarding a sense of space and shadows. Below are a few snapshots of his friend's artwork;















Ian Macdonald photographs images which reflects his passion for what he finds around him, some of his photographs may even be seen as metaphors celebrating life and the environment itself. We then went to his workshop in the Beacon, Redcar, I was really impressed firstly with the absolutely lush view of the sea (Which would be inspiring whilst working and creating work), and secondly by Ian Macdonalds' Book work. His attention to detail made me aware of the effort I will have to put into my own book, It is really important to make a mock version of the book or a few - To ensure the final copy will be exactly as you want it. Having a mock-up book also allows you to put your images in place and sort out were exactly you want things to be laid out.

Below are some images I am actually going to use in my Photobook which I took from the beautiful view from Ian Macdonald's work shop;

Martin Parr's Book Collection.

The other day I was browsing through various photography magazines and come across a magazine which was useful for me regarding the Book Project. The magazine is called 'British Journal of Photography', which included work from David Bailey and also Martin Parr.

I found the section on Martin Parr really interesting, as he is interviewed at his home about his up to 12,000 book collection. It's very interesting to see what books famous, successful photographers look at and read - as well as seeing what their inspirations and interests are. You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their book collection. I also took  particular interest in some of his book collection in terms of there front cover, colours, fonts and layouts, I feel it is essential to look into these things whilst making a book as everything must fit/piece together to make the book work or flow.

Below is his very own book collection at his home, and also some close ups of various books from the collection;

Photobook

I like the thought of presenting my photographs in my very own book. It it a highly effective way to get someones attention, I have to think carefully in terms of layout, colour, size and lots of other things to ensure I grab the viewers attention so that they take an interest in my book.
I have decided to choose 'A Journey' as my proposal, as I feel that the images I have taken fit perfect under this title, I have taken photographs whilst been out and about, mainly from cars - Highlighting and capturing many different journeys in different places.

Girls, some Boys and other Cookies

'Growing up is tough, even more so if you are a girl. You not only have to come to terms with you changing body, the incipient boyfriend problem, and the increasing pressures of reality: in order to become a woman you have to negotiate with socially prescribed gender roles, mass media's choice of role models and cliches, your parents' and peer group's expectations. German photographer Ute Behrend looks at the dilemmas facing young women with sharp wit and an exuberant confidence in woman's ability to playfully deal with society's gender images. Instead of presenting us with arid theories about gender and its discontents she created a picture book that is as funny and rebellious as it is critical.' - From the Publisher

This book has given me inspiration towards my book project, mainly because of the layout and the position Ute Behrend has decided to use. For example look at the two images above, I really like how the two photos fit together, in terms of colours and nature. Although the images are completely different they seem to fit together, similarly to all of her other images in the book- This is my intention for my own book. 

Robert Frank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt97Jomj5nw

Very inspiring/ emotional.