PHOTOBOOKS
Historian and photography critic Gerry Badger and co-author of 'The Photobook: A History' defines a photobook as " a book - with or without text- where the work's primary message is carried by photographs. It is a book authored by a photographer or by someone editing or sequencing the work of a photographer, or even a number of photographers." Though there are many definitions as to what a photobook is, this is the one that I most resonate with.
As well as the narrative being told with photographs being an important part in defining a photobook, the composition of the the book itself is also very crucial to the definition of the photobook. Making a photobook highlights the intent by using format, design, aesthetic, and the mechanism of the actual book.
Some photobooks I've researched and would like to take inspiration from:
Information on printing my photobook:
Paper types -
For my photobook I want a more matte, less glossy type of paper. Therefore, 'High Gloss' would not be a good option for me, either 'luster' or 'deep matte' I think would be best. They provide a softer/no sheen and a soft texture. I think the more matte look will provide the photobook with a softer and 'warmer' feeling that matches with the theme of memories and nostalgia that my project follows.
GSM means grams per square metre in terms of paper. The heavier the paper, the higher the number of grams per square metre, and that usually coincides with the perceived quality of the stock. After researching it I believe 150-200 gsm would be best for my photobook.
Size -
For my photobook I want it to be landscape and A4 size, this is to emulate the feeling of it being a scrapbook and to make the viewer feel as if they are looking at a scrapbook of memories. The size also allows for the images to be seen properly and lets me have more options with how to layout each page.
Websites to use:
CEWE - At £54.99 I can get a hardcover photobook with matte photographic paper (370 gsm) and 26 pages included which will be more than enough for my project.
Photobox - at £54.99 I can get a hardcover A4 photobook with 26 pages included on 400gsm paper, however it has a semi-gloss finish.
Snapfish - This being the cheapest I can get an A4 hardcover photobook with a matte cover and finish with 20 pages included for £43.99. It also uses a very helpful software to input the images and allows for a lot of creative freedom.
After looking at all of the options I think using Snapfish would be the best
and most cost effective option for me, as it allows me to meet all of my creative needs at an affordable price.
By researching this information I feel more confident in my decision to make my final outcome a photobook, and I feel confident enough in my knowledge to do it well and understand the meaning and intention behind each choice.
