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Photo Books on-lineAny experiences of having a Photo Book made?  Rating:  Rating
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Posted by Robert: Sun Aug 22nd, 2021 05:31 1st Post
I am involved in a project to re-create a very large garden.  I have taken 'before and after' pictures.  It's an ongoing project but we are approaching the end of the first phase.

I would like to have a Photo Book printed of some of the images I have made.  There seem to be a plethora of offerings on-line but it's a relatively expensive thing and I don't want to repeat with a succession of companies to find the 'best'...

My head is spinning trying to compare different companies offerings but I am leaning towards Cewe, 

https://www.cewe.co.uk/photo-books.html

Partly because their software is Mac compatible and apparently very comprehensive, also their range of products and pricing seems clear and I think reasonable. The help and technical side seems very comprehensive.  Advising how to avoid technical issues with their advice on what file formats work best and the colour space settings which they advise give best results.

Perhaps I should have a 'dry run' with images from another project?

Most of the images have been made with my iPhone but they seem clear enough on my iMac large screen so I am confident they will stand up in the sizes I envisage printing them.  Given the site is usually soggy, wet and very muddy or bone dry and dusty, although I do take a DSLR along, I rarely deploy it.

Don't understand why "YANMAR" isn't included in the available list of Makes?

Made with my iPhoneSE2, 4mm lens, f/1.8

Click here to comment on this image.



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Robert.



Posted by Eric: Sun Aug 22nd, 2021 07:32 2nd Post
In my limited experience the biggest issue is making sure your images are the right colour balance and correctly exposed for digital printing.

In particular, some digital printers doesn't have the dynamic range of modern cameras and there is a tendency to lose the blacks or oversaturated them which can make the prints contrasty.

Some software interfaces offer their own correction feature where you can switch it on or off. You have the option to review which is best. Of course if you switch it off and the result isn't ideal, you have less of a come back in getting and foc reprint.

I used Bonusprint (printed in Holland) for many of my books as there was a series of special deals! 

 We were satisfied with the end product and only on a couple of occasions had to get them reprinted mainly due to imposition or print defects. There was no question on reprinting foc.

Not sure if all the people do this but Bonusprint offered an online book for viewing while waiting for the actual book to arrive or to send to friends. Some of mine are still live like this 2016 Cevennes holiday. (Many shots taken by Jan on her bridge camera)

https://www.bonusprint.co.uk/view-online-photo-book?widgetId=e815603b-09af-4ccc-a6f7-5bab797517e5

And here's my IR book

https://www.bonusprint.co.uk/view-online-photo-book?widgetId=6ea6cc7a-334b-491f-815f-fb28ef5bd7d4

Hope you can view them and they are not linked to my computer



____________________
Eric


Posted by novicius: Mon Aug 23rd, 2021 23:41 3rd Post
Eric , Wonderful photo`s, you have a keen eye and a sense for perspective and the colors just tops it , thank you for the opportunity to see some real nice work.



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Posted by chrisbet: Tue Aug 24th, 2021 09:11 4th Post
I have some made by https://www.freeprintsphotobooks.co.uk/ - they seem OK to me!



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Posted by Eric: Tue Aug 24th, 2021 17:49 5th Post
novicius wrote:
Eric , Wonderful photo`s, you have a keen eye and a sense for perspective and the colors just tops it , thank you for the opportunity to see some real nice work. Thanks, you are very kind. 

We have found making photo books is a good way of encapsulating an event or series of work/activities. we have quite a few! But this thread has reminded me we have been lax of late and need to do some more.

Too often our photos are simply hidden away in some digital archive and thus disconnected from the occasion of their takingand likely to be forgotten.

Putting them into books and trying to do it in a creative arrangement is a challenge but it forces you to be selective about your images. They may not be the best ones and may even be tight crops, but they simple 'fit'.



____________________
Eric


Posted by Robert: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 03:03 6th Post
Eric, sorry for my lack of presence  but I only have my iPhone to respond. 

Thanks for your reply, most appreciated. 

I have started to break my images down into albums on my iPhone because I often illustrate discussion with an image or two. I can't expect the person who I am talking with to wait while I swipe through a ton of pictures to find the one I want. 

Natural progression from that is to get some printed. Especially this project. I have some 'before and after' pix which are quite striking. Quite apart from project in progress and disaster pix.



____________________
Robert.



Posted by novicius: Wed Aug 25th, 2021 06:04 7th Post
I am tempted of doing it, just to document my family, ye olde albums of yesteryear only show the kids when they were small,..I`ll look into it, thanks for the heads up Robert and Eric.



____________________
Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Eric: Mon Sep 13th, 2021 17:47 8th Post
Like Robert, I've been involved in my own garden project.but on a 'slightly' smaller scale.

I have decided to create a walkway through the middle of a woodland area at the bottom of the garden.

Currently in its early stages .



Click here to comment on this image.

Hoping to make and fit a few nest boxes this autumn and even an owl box..if I am brave enough to to climb high enough up the pine tree. 😳

Well it would be nice to see this fella/lady breed hereas opposed to just sleeping through the daylight hours.



Click here to comment on this image.


Yes Covid 19 or Stayathomeandfixthings 20 has concentrated my attentions more on nature and given me greater experience hndling wild creatures. 

Only this morning Jan asked me to “move the dragon” and I threw myself into the challenge with new confidencethey are tenacious little buggers though.



Click here to comment on this image.



____________________
Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Mon Sep 13th, 2021 18:05 9th Post
You sure that's not the Loch Ness monster??



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by jk: Mon Sep 13th, 2021 18:30 10th Post
Catching the demon by its tail! Dangerous occupation.
:devil::lol:



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Posted by novicius: Mon Sep 13th, 2021 23:36 11th Post
Do you live in a Park ?....8-)



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Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Bob Bowen: Tue Sep 14th, 2021 04:57 12th Post
Sorry for coming late to the topic. Have made several over the years using originally Apple service then Mimeo. Hard and soft copy books made with both including dust jackets.  First was sons wedding 14 years back followed by celebration books for notable birthdays, life stories etc. Always found pretty easy to do with added text as necessary. A friend regularly makes holiday trip books using Bonus Print of Photobox and he is quite unskilled computerwise so no problems for you Robert.



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Bob Bowen


Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 14th, 2021 05:12 13th Post
novicius wrote:
Do you live in a Park ?....8-) No.
The camera is lying..it looks a lot bigger than it actually is. 

The woodland border is about 300m2. But the rest of our garden and the adjoining house's gardens when added together, provide a bigger natural 'oasis' in an otherwise urban landscape, for birds and wildlife.

I have recorded 72 different bird species in the garden over the years. Sadly, many species have disappeared from the area (like much of the UK) in recent years. These days I would only expect to see 30-40 over a full year.



____________________
Eric


Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 14th, 2021 05:17 14th Post
Bob Bowen wrote:
Sorry for coming late to the topic. Have made several over the years using originally Apple service then Mimeo. Hard and soft copy books made with both including dust jackets.  First was sons wedding 14 years back followed by celebration books for notable birthdays, life stories etc. Always found pretty easy to do with added text as necessary. A friend regularly makes holiday trip books using Bonus Print of Photobox and he is quite unskilled computerwise so no problems for you Robert. Yes the Bonusprint software is very good and intuitive. It offers huge numbers of templates you can select to give varying numbers, sizes and arrangements on a page for you to place your selected photos. These 'frames' can be then stretched and moved around each page to better customise your artistic need.  I guess other suppliers will have the same easy of use/customisation.

I have been fired up to do some more in the winter ahead. So much better than letting the photos hide in a hard disk.



____________________
Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Tue Sep 14th, 2021 06:47 15th Post
We don't even get as many as 30!

Wood pigeon, collared dove, crow, magpie, dunnock, sparrow, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, wren, robin, blackbird, starling and a welcome return after many years absence of a song thrush.

House martins and wagtails have disappeared as have hedgehogs and bats - we live right on the edge of town with open fields on 2 sides, many trees and hedges plus country park within 1/4 mile.

We get overflown by gulls and buzzards but that doesn't count as "in the garden"!



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 14th, 2021 11:29 16th Post
chrisbet wrote:
We don't even get as many as 30!

Wood pigeon, collared dove, crow, magpie, dunnock, sparrow, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, wren, robin, blackbird, starling and a welcome return after many years absence of a song thrush.

House martins and wagtails have disappeared as have hedgehogs and bats - we live right on the edge of town with open fields on 2 sides, many trees and hedges plus country park within 1/4 mile.

We get overflown by gulls and buzzards but that doesn't count as "in the garden"!
The gulls (Lesser black back, Herring, Common and Blackheaded) all land to scavenge. We also have Rooks, Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies and Jays regularly.
The house martins disappeared some years back, as did the spotted fly catchers, willow tits .and the redpolls (although we did have a winter return of them last year)
Winter visitors like Fieldfares, Redwings and Brambling are more dependant on the 'white stuff'which hasn't been as common these last few years.



Click here to comment on this image.


Of course it's often down to luckbeing there when something pops in unannounced. 


After the Beast from the East raged in a few years back, I noticed strange tracks across the snow. Not hedgehog, cat or larger beast I waited till dark and peered through the curtains..



Click here to comment on this image.

It was a Wood**** tracking through the snow listening for (and finding) worms under snow and earth!

The wife had a great idea to try a better photo..switch on the security lights.

So I forcused up in the almost dark (hence the red colour above) and she flicked on the lights as I fired. The bird actually didn't move so we didn't need the synchronised illumination.




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Still low light and a heavy crop ..but an unexpected visitor seeking sanctuary that we could have missed were it not for the tracks in the snow.


sorry guilty of thread drift. :offtopic:



____________________
Eric


Posted by novicius: Tue Sep 14th, 2021 17:24 17th Post
Eric, could you tell us what lens(es) were used ?



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Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Eric: Wed Sep 15th, 2021 08:03 18th Post
novicius wrote:
Eric, could you tell us what lens(es) were used ? Much to my own surprise (thought I was using Nikon back then) they were taken on the Fuji XT2 with the 100-400mm lens set at 400mm and with a 1.4xtc converter = 560mm

Here's the full exif 



Click here to comment on this image.



Click here to comment on this image.



____________________
Eric


Posted by Eric: Wed Sep 15th, 2021 08:10 19th Post
Just noticed the original red wide angle shot was taken with the 55-200, set at 200mm on the Fuji XT2.

I clearly had time to switch to the longer lens and TC before the floodlights were used.



Click here to comment on this image.


All these were shot through double glazed windows.so not ideal.



____________________
Eric


Posted by jk: Thu Sep 16th, 2021 13:23 20th Post
That XT2 worked well.
I know you felt it didnt do what you wanted and the batteries were not long lived enough for you.



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Posted by Eric: Thu Sep 16th, 2021 15:21 21st Post
jk wrote:
That XT2 worked well.
I know you felt it didnt do what you wanted and the batteries were not long lived enough for you.
In all honesty, Jonathan, I expected too much of it.

I was trying to use it for birds in flight and it wasn't up to itneither was I.„

The Fuji's X system is the archetypal 'lightweight mirrorless' offering. I would still like to use it for general walk around photography.

In contrast, despite comparable quality and the FX offering, the Sony system is much heavier and bulky. 🤭



____________________
Eric


Posted by novicius: Fri Sep 17th, 2021 05:51 22nd Post
Eric wrote:
In all honesty, Jonathan, I expected too much of it.

I was trying to use it for birds in flight and it wasn't up to itneither was I.„

The Fuji's X system is the archetypal 'lightweight mirrorless' offering. I would still like to use it for general walk around photography.

In contrast, despite comparable quality and the FX offering, the Sony system is much heavier and bulky. 🤭
Perhaps time to reach for that Fabulous Nikon gear again, Big,Heavy and Bulky, yet does the job.:applause:



____________________
Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by jk: Fri Sep 17th, 2021 08:16 23rd Post
novicius wrote:
Eric wrote:
In all honesty, Jonathan, I expected too much of it.

I was trying to use it for birds in flight and it wasn't up to itneither was I.„

The Fuji's X system is the archetypal 'lightweight mirrorless' offering. I would still like to use it for general walk around photography.

In contrast, despite comparable quality and the FX offering, the Sony system is much heavier and bulky. 🤭
Perhaps time to reach for that Fabulous Nikon gear again, Big,Heavy and Bulky, yet does the job.:applause:
I think that you need to ask @Richard_M how he is is going with his new Nikon ZFC in his bird photography.

I have stuck with the Fuji system and it is now as complete as my Nikon system.
I actually prefer the Fuji controls, in the most part, to the Nikon system.
There is rumours of the Fuji XH2 coming in November that will be effectively a 40MP Nikon Z7 camera. 
I am still vacillating about the merits of the Nikon Z system and the Fuji.



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Posted by Eric: Mon Nov 1st, 2021 21:08 24th Post
It's too late now but on Friday I got news of Bonusprint doing a 50% off photo books special for Halloween (what's that all about go figure?) 

Anyway I won't bore you with the contents but I successfully completed two whole books this weekend, driven on by my Yorkshire thrift gland to beat yesterday's midnight deadline  (yes it is 1am as I am typing and NOW wide awake €)

All though it's been tiring (haven't worked under that sort of deadline pressure for years) it's a worthwhile pursuit that I must again commend to you all, rather than leaving your images hiding in a dark hard disk.  

My 'assistant designer' did finish the last 10 page layouts in the 2nd book a) because they were her flowers and b) I fell asleep after dinner and was in danger of not finishing it. 

I have 4 more holiday/general photography books to complete to get up to date and then I will start some genealogy books.but they will have to wait till Christmas when I am SURE there will be a another 50% off holiday special offer.

Finally off to bed.



____________________
Eric


Posted by novicius: Sat Nov 6th, 2021 22:12 25th Post
What are the books for,..gifts or sale on line ?..could you post a photo of those ?



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Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Eric: Sun Nov 7th, 2021 11:32 26th Post
novicius wrote:
What are the books for,..gifts or sale on line ?..could you post a photo of those ? I did actually do two copies of one of the books, so I could give my sister and husband a copy. We have spent many splendid holidays together (or part time together) as they too caravanned in Europe. But they are merely holiday 'snaps' for the last 2/3 years in the UK.

We have a collection for the last 10 years. 



Click here to comment on this image.



I don't think the pictures of our holiday books are of any interest to other people..I only bring the books off the shelf to annoy relatives that have outstayed their welcome

I suppose one of the books might be of interest to others. 

It's contains photos from a sculpture park in Surrey we have visited a couple of times. All the statues are for sale but with prices running from £3000 upto £120,000 they are a bit too rich for my blood.

My wife did fall for a couple of works but I would have to sell my camera equipment ( which she said I should consider ðŸ˜³) to fund them.

I will leave anyone who chooses to consider which two they were

https://www.bonusprint.co.uk/view-online-photo-book?widgetId=f0ee36fa-98a0-4655-8724-95dbdd538ea6


I do feel that the process of compiling a photo book DOES make you more selective about your photos. With limited space (cost) and the need for  layout harmonisation you do have to pick the best images that fit the layout and capture the sentiment or memory you wish to keep.

Quite often even a small cropped image can deliver a message.



____________________
Eric


Posted by novicius: Sun Nov 7th, 2021 17:33 27th Post
What a Splendid idea,I have been wanting to make photo albums for my children with photo`s from when they were small ,since they have all moved out now and may want to have vivid documentation of days gone by ,...as most of the photo`s of my children are taken on film, I am considering of scanning the negatives and make books like you have done, I appreciate the " heads up ".thank You Eric.



____________________
Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 11th, 2024 17:07 28th Post
For those with an interest in Birds I have compiled a photobook of all the birds seen in or over our garden in Norfolk.

My birder mate jokingly refers to it as RSPB Gaywood......here are the 78 species we've seen since living here. Enjoy.

 Garden Birds 


On another subject close to my heart, here is a smaller tome showing this years IR photos. Enjoy.

IR2024



____________________
Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Fri Oct 11th, 2024 20:46 29th Post
Some lovely images there Eric.



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Sat Oct 12th, 2024 00:01 30th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Some lovely images there Eric. Thanks. I’ve had a renewed photographic vigour this year after a period of the doldrums. 
Getting the new MacBook and returning to Photoshop has helped me no end. I think selecting/using the images in a photobook, rather than leaving them on a hard drive, adds a bit more meaning and worth to your efforts. Our collection is now up to 19!



____________________
Eric


Posted by jk: Sat Oct 12th, 2024 15:56 31st Post
Like the latest IR2024 Eric.



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Posted by Eric: Sat Oct 12th, 2024 22:17 32nd Post
jk wrote:
Like the latest IR2024 Eric. Thx…..I thought there wouldn’t be enough false colour for you.;-)



____________________
Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Oct 12th, 2024 23:18 33rd Post
Eric: I have looked at it again: there are so many super images very well done great high quality record.



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Sun Oct 13th, 2024 12:03 34th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Eric: I have looked at it again: there are so many super images very well done great high quality record. Thx Graham.  
I hope that by showing them here, it might encourage other on-line viewers to do the same with their images.

One of the biggest conundrums we face is what to do with our 1000s of images…especially in retirement! 

If we don’t sell them or exhibit them, they are consigned to sit as a collection of 1s & 0s on a hard drive. 


Apart from a cathartic selection/ rejection process that effectively thins out the archives, it offers something to do with the best images, resulting in an actual end product that is in equal parts, challenging, stimulating and rewarding to finish.

Even the simplest holiday photos can be crafted into a presentation, far more pleasing and durable than the old photo albums, that is a hard copy record of events……an increasingly valuable aid to our memory in old age.:lol:

I know we all have the photos on our mobile phones and tablets, but they are far more aesthetically pleasing to look at when arranged and presented in printed format.



____________________
Eric


Posted by jk: Sun Oct 13th, 2024 19:59 35th Post
Eric wrote:
Thx…..I thought there wouldn’t be enough false colour for you.;-) No I like the b&w versions but the false colour IR stuff is also good.



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Posted by Eric: Sun Oct 13th, 2024 22:22 36th Post
jk wrote:
No I like the b&w versions but the false colour IR stuff is also good.

Did you spot my jocular nod to you in the caption of the penultimate photo?


Click here to comment on this image.



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Eric


Posted by jk: Sun Oct 20th, 2024 18:20 37th Post
Eric, I just got an email flyer from Whitewall and it shows they also offer photobooks.

https://view.mail.whitewall.com/?qs=5f48d5e323fa8d8b108d5e36d146417a680306c7efe4b84001072d546898804292cc47e09818823270b4a5789dc8d5cf4c71200cdf0f6ab81d752268ccefd8be1de56cf6a7905d34e619c1ccc0975d98



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Still learning after all these years!
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Posted by Eric: Mon Oct 21st, 2024 10:29 38th Post
jk wrote:
Eric, I just got an email flyer from Whitewall and it shows theyalso offer photobooks.

https://view.mail.whitewall.com/?qs=5f48d5e323fa8d8b108d5e36d146417a680306c7efe4b84001072d546898804292cc47e09818823270b4a5789dc8d5cf4c71200cdf0f6ab81d752268ccefd8be1de56cf6a7905d34e619c1ccc0975d98
Thx …will take a look at them.



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Eric

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