A life of its own?
It's just over a year now, since my Iceland book came out. Which I can't believe. In some ways, it feels as though it has been a lot longer, but a year isn't much time at all, so I'm finding it interesting to feel as if the book has been around for a long time. Perhaps it was already a thought in my mind long before I even began working on it?
It was really interesting to decide on the special edition print runs for the book. It was also a lot of fun too.
I spent a bit of time deciding which group of three images would go together to form the triptych. The idea being that if they are put together, they are complimentary and can be framed as such. The final touch for me, was to create a dedicated envelope for them. The envelope has the same layout and font-set as used for the slipcase. The idea being that the prints will be stored alongside the book in this special edition envelope, as a collectors edition. Well I've just done a stock count, and it seems I only have 8 copies of this edition left.
When creating special edition sizes, it's a difficult task to decide upon the quantities. Make the edition size too small, and the edition will sell out too quickly. Make it too large, and the stock will sit around for some time.
But selling books should not be entered upon, if you are going for a quick-win result. Books take a long time to sell, and even small print runs of 1000 copies need a few years at least to sell out, if they are going to sell at all. Creating books and selling them, is ultimately a risky endeavour, and one that is embarked upon, if you feel you really need to do it, and can accept the possibility that you might not get your money back. Books are not cheap to print, and even more difficult to store somewhere dry.
The idea when I decided to put together my two books, was to create products that I could offer to workshop participants, and visitors to my website, for several years to come. If I sold all the books out in a year, then I would have nothing left to offer.
Like my prints, I feel a well printed book is a 'calling card'. It is a statement of who the photographer is, and the aesthetics / design of the book, right down to the layout and font-set used, should give you a sense of who the photographer is. The entire thing, not just the photos contained inside, should be carefully chosen, and should fit the aesthetic tastes of the photographer. In fact, I can't imagine any photographer who wouldn't want to be involved in the design of their book as much as possible. It is such a personal thing to do. So many photog's get that part wrong, and I've come across books that have wonderful photos in them, but the overall design or layout is at odds with the work contained within.
I'm still hoping to do a 3rd book sometime. My initial plans were to come out with a book about the Altiplano of Chile and Bolivia sometime next year, but I feel this is too soon. The work I have begun to create in Bolivia, seems to be getting stronger each year I return. So I think I need to wait a while and see what transpires there when I go back this June.
Well, just some thoughts and observations. It's good to check in on where things are, and I find christmas and new year a time to reflect, to look back and think about how far I have come as a photographer, as in life, as in everything.
It seems that making the photos, and designing the layout and appearance of this book with my friend Darren Ciolli-Leach, was just the start. It seems that even a year after publication, the book is still finding its place in my heart and mind. It's a grower, and it's heartening to note that sometimes, when I think I've finished a project, it's only really just begun. I think my iceland book has taken on a life of its own. So I will be watching it with interest over the years to come.
Abandoned Window
Music inspires me. I have SONOS all around my home and I have music on most of my time while there. The TV is seldom on. Where do you get your inspiration from? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t365KdoiHTM&width=400
Here is Jon Hopkins playing 'abandoned window'. The album version has a lot more electronica added to the piano. He writes music for films (Monsters), and has worked with people like King Creosote on the wonderful Diamond Mine album.
What I love about Jon's work, is that he can move from classical to electronica, to ambient, to folk, and always retains his signature sound.
Acid Free Tape
You can probably tell by now, that printing is on my mind of late. I've been matting a lot of my work for overseas clients - I guess Christmas must be calling. I thought it would be good to discuss the use of linen hinged tape - in particular - why you should use acid free tape.
As my framer says. Putting normal tape over your prints to hang them behind mats will eat through the photograph in a matter of months. I haven't seen that for myself, but the best thing to do when matting your own work is to use acid-free materials where possible.
What I particularly like about linen tape though, is that it's all water based. If you're not happy with the placement - just add some water to remove the tape and reposition.
If you're interested in getting some, one of the best places here in the UK for presentation material is Silverprint.
Christmas Print Orders
I've been receiving a lot of limited edition print orders for Christmas, and wanted to let you all know that the closing date for printing and shipping is Wednesday the 11th of December. Any orders placed after this date can't be honoured, I'm afraid as I will be out of the country then.
Please check below for the last posting date for your country (see below for table).
If you wish to order a print, you can browse my print selection here.
If you wish to have any of my images from my portfolio made up as a print, that is not available on my store, please just email me.
All prints are 7" x 9", matted to 14" x 13" or if the image is square, the print is 7" x 7" and mated to 13" x 14". All prints are £150 and signed, numbered to an edition of 45 only. They are shipped in a strong ready-pack carboard carton and are insured for transit.
- Printed on Museo Silver Rag Paper - Epson 4880 Print - Mount 14 x 13.5 inches (35.56 x 34.29 cm) - 9 x 7.2 inches image size (22.86 x 18.28 cm) - Signed, titled and numbered on front - Stamp of authenticity, titled and numbered on back
Matting & Signing
I've been busy printing a few images as special orders. You might have guessed I've been busy of late with the printing side of things due to the subject matter of my recent posts !
Tonight I thought I would share some of them with you. Each of these images is around 7" inches wide by 7" inches high. Printing, matting, the whole presentation side of things is really a very personal decision, I feel. It should be taken into account as part of the photographers 'signature'.
To my mind, printing is a further extension of the photographers 'voice'. As I said a few days ago - the print is the ultimate calling card, it goes out there into the world, as a representative of who you are as an artist.
So treat your prints well. Give them a lot of care and special love.
Do your utmost best.
Black & White Printing with Piezography inks?
I'm in the process of thinking of setting up a second printer to specialise in black and white printing. I've known about the Piezography black ink set for a while. This is a custom system whereby each cartridge slot in your colour printer is replaced with a separate black tone ink. The printer becomes a dedicated monochromatic printer.
In my mind, I am reasoning that having a dedicated printer set up with different tones of black inks will produce a much better black and white inkjet print, than if I were to use the standard Epson colour inks.
I would really love to hear from you if you have experience of this system, or if you know of any other specialist black and white inkjet system. Specifically, any issues you had, how you feel about the final results compared to doing black and white prints using the normal Epson inks.
Your thoughts are appreciated, and if you feel going 'public' on my blog is too much for you - as was the case a few years ago when I asked for input about colour printing - you can e-mail me directly instead.