Photo Book Making
When thinking of outcomes, you can't truly know what you want to create as your final piece unless you make and test real outcomes. Doing this gives me an understanding of the process, how to display and organise the photos, the process and creative thinking. In these workshops, we are creating concertinas and japanese book binding.
After the workshops, I will be experimenting in my own time on creating outcomes like displaying my work through Adobe Indesign, experimenting with a physical master spread and other book binding techniques.
Concertina
The concertina book is a style of handcrafted book which folds and expands to create a series of photographs lined up that stands and can be displayed. We were introduced to this photo book style in our workshop lesson and were tasked to create our own to understand how our work looks in this book style. To begin making our concertina, we used a preset layout on photoshop to position our photos in the order we want our photos to be in. This layout marked where we will cut and score the paper for folding and connecting one side to the other. We also left a little extra space at the bottom of each photo to create a polaroid style boarder.
After creating my desired layout, I printed it out onto recycled paper. This paper was suitable for this task as it allowed for me to score accurately without it tearing or cutting like printer paper would. It is also not too strong as I was able to fold the paper smoothly with no creases, like card would do. I then fold the score marks I made which allowed me to see if i was accurate, if I was then I would leave is but if not, I would unfold it and try again until I get it as accurately as I can since it was my first go at making this. After folding everything, I then cut the piece in half, leaving me two parts filled with three photos each side. I then glued the tab on the top right hand side (can be seen on the layout) and then stuck behind the left of the other part of the photos. After sticking the photos together, I had successfully created the body of my concertina book.
To add finishing touches and make it look professional, I added white card as a cover which keeps the concertina as a book when closed but it also used as a support when standing, spread out to display the photos. I had measured the perimeter of the body of my concertina and added a centimetre to the top and side of the measurements. I marked the measurement on white card while adding a centimetre, marking that and then marking the same measurement of the concertina on the other side. This created a strip which I cut out using a scalpel and cutting mat. I then scored the centimetre markings to fold as this is the spine of the book. To complete my DIY concertina, I stuck in the body and I had made it!
Creating my first concertina book was easy to follow and simple to make. I found the outcome to express my photographs as a narrative in the way it is ordered and the polaroid like boarder also expresses a narrative as it is usually a camera which captures the moment. I personally would not use this photo book style as it does not suit what I am trying to express in my photographs and would be inappropriate for the message of my work too. However, I did enjoy creating this as it is a unique presentation and can express an emotional story for when appropriate.
Japanese Stab Binding
Japanese book binding was traditionally developed in the Edo period in Japan (around 1603-1867). It was originally used for Buddhist Sutras but is now used for maps, calendars and some types of reference books. They are made by stabbing pages together, having coloured card as the front and back covers, and sewing through the holes to connect them firmly. This method is now commonly used for art books such as photo books or displaying prints of art. It is not suitable for constantly opening up a book for information like literature or studies, but it is stylish when it is apart of the creation.
To begin, I had created my layout using a preset which includes markers for the cutting process when crafting the book and boxes to place my photographs into.
Mixam Paper Guide
The website Mixam is a printing service which prints all sorts from business cards to photo books. They sell this service to you by sending free paper guide which includes all paper types they offer and the weight of each one. They also include a guide to what each paper is made off and the sustainability of it as well as printing finishes.
They supply a small booklet which supplies information on the quality and aspects of each paper type, finishes and biding. They are considerate to how a photo book would be displayed depending on the size, paper type, cover type and binding. This information is useful to further understand what printing options are right for you. However, this booklet does not discuss price which will have to be found online.
They also supply two collections of different types of paper which spreads out and displays the different types of paper they offer and the grams per square metre on each style of paper. This allows the user to measure what type of paper will be right for their prints and explore the correct gsm.
Designing My Photo Book
To design my photo book, I will be using Adobe InDesign, a programme designed to create layouts for any flat media, like leaflets, photo books, etc. I will be exploring different styles and designs and how these effect the message of my photography. I will create at least three designs which are in different styles
