Imagery
Many pictures turn out to be limp translations of the known world instead of vital objects which create an intrinsic world of their own. There is a vast difference between taking a picture and making a photograph. -Robert Heinecken
If, someday, I do this book thing, should I press to have it include images, even if reduced to black and white? It is often the seeing that makes me want to write when I come back indoors. Occasionally the images the camera brings back help me put others in that moment. It seems a shame to leave them out entirely. I'm wondering about converting some to B&W and coverting them to "woodcut" quality to use here and there. At least the place will be in the pages a little. I guess I will need to talk to a photo-editor, should the time come. Meanwhile, I'll look through what I have and see what might help the text of this little tome I imagine.
Comments
The images seem integral -- can't imagine Fragments (The Book) without them. I do like the "woodcut" style you used here with the ferns.
Posted by: Beth W. | February 27, 2004 8:17 AM
As you're probably sick of being told, keep looking at what's in the bookstores: if nobody else has done the kind of book you're imagining (e.g., with color photos), there's probably a cost reason for that.
Unless something has radically changed since I was last involved with book production (about 10 years ago), black & white photos should be a possibility because, for one thing, they can be printed on ordinary book paper, rather than the coated paper needed for good color reproduction. And you don't have to get expensive color separations, etc. Notice how many books, such as trade travel guides, have b&w photos or drawings and how few have color photos. In order to use color, you have to be able to sell the book at a very high price or else be printing an enormous number of copies - or both.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to offer that possibility (b&w photos) to publishers, with some samples.
Posted by: Lin B | February 27, 2004 9:02 AM
pictures are essential!
Posted by: bud | February 27, 2004 9:30 AM
I think the book can stand alone without photos. On the other hand, the photos add a nice touch and take the project in a completely different direction.
Without a doubt, it'll make the book more expensive to produce. On the other hand (again), it may make the book more marketable.
You may want to develop the book as two separate projects. Who knows, you may discover that you DO have two separately marketable books; an essay book and a coffee-table photo book.
cheers,
lyn
Posted by: lyn | February 27, 2004 10:42 AM
I think you’ve got a great eye, and your thoughts relate nicley to the pictures. Maybe you can express yourself best by using both mediums. You certainly seem capable of photograhy as well as writing. And this way your publisher won’t have to hunt for a photographer!
Posted by: djmisc | February 27, 2004 7:22 PM
Although the book could stand on its own without pictures I would definately include them. They are a large part of the pleasure I get from reading your blog.
Posted by: Euan | February 28, 2004 5:15 AM
Adding the picures in black only shouldn't increase the price very much, depending on the type of workflow that the printer uses.
One thing you might want to look into would be adding a section to your website that had the color versions of the b/w pictures used in the book ordered by the page they're on in the book.
that would drive traffic to your site while allowing the book to be b/w.
--Jeremiah
Posted by: Jeremiah | February 28, 2004 10:21 PM
YES, you need the images! Just perusing them leaves me with a warm, fuzzy golden feeling.
Posted by: Michelle | March 1, 2004 2:35 AM