Retail stores offer this as a relatively cheap exercise and the results are good and inexpensive depending on size and format you choose.
My first ventures in this world has been using the create a book facility in iPhoto on Macintosh Computers.
I have now produced 4 hardcover books complete with dust jacket and text.
I have found the process very simple and satisfying to be able to create a beautiful book to hold in your hand and share with others.
Yes you could do it just by printing your photos and putting them in a photo album but it does not have the same appeal to me.
To do a worthwhile job you do need to put some work in it and be continuously reviewing your progress and layout and chosen pics.
It helps I find, if you are like me a collector of photographic books, to look at your collection in an analytical way to see how they have been set out.
I have just received back a copy of my own book that I have called. "Encounters with Birds".
Largely I am very happy with it but as soon as you have it in your hand you immediately see how it could have been improved upon.
Things to watch out for are
1. Making sure your image will be big enough,pixel wise, to print with sharp edges.
2.Spend time editing your photos so they are at their best when you post them off to Apple.
3.Make sure you proof read everything before you buy.You do have a limited time to cancel your order after you have proceeded but best to get it right.
4. Even though you are perhaps just printing for yourself or immediate family and friends make sure you have copyright and permissions organised.
5. Realise the limitations of this programme.You are only able to work within the parameters of the programme.There are other programmes where you have more control but this programme is user friendly.If you know how to use a mac the process is easy and intuitive.
6. You may like to edit photos first and put them in a special folder but you can edit in iphoto from within the book interface.
7. The book cannot, as far as I know, be transferred to finish on a separate computer.You can save it as a pdf from the print function on your Mac.
8. Experiment as you go so you can become aware of all the possibilities for layout and text etc.
9. If you have Apple's Aperture software then the same or similar programme exists there and there is some more flexibility.
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| Book neatly packaged in cardboard lap top type sleeve.Title printed on book end. |
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| Great quality wrap around cover |
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| Showing inside front flap |
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| Back cover inside flap |
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| Rear of book |
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