Photo Books

[majimikate]

I just used winkflash for the first time as I had a code for up to a 100 page book for $19.95. The quality is substandard compared to shutterfly or my publisher, but I was making one for my son's spring musical production that did not need to be top quality. They are definetely not as nice as others, bit for the price I couldn't beat it. Google for codes for the other companies, sometimes you can get good deals that way. Good luck!!

 

[jann1033]

shutterfly send coupons a lot if you resgister with them and sometimes amazon if you buy from them...i got a cheaper book from them and was very pleased with it...( can't remember how much right now, thinking around 20 out the door)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm working on one using Booksmart by Blurb. They've partnered with Smugmug. I'm not sure that I get any advantage being a Smugmugger, but they haven't steered me wrong yet and I had no other good basis for a decision. I also like mentioning Smugmug in posts now because I think Ham1 is probably doing searches on the word "Smugmug" and he'll be excited to see another post. Smugmug.

The one thing that I don't like about it (booksmart) so far is that it's too darn much work. It's much easier to prattle on about cameras and football and stuff than it is to write little blurbs for a book. I feel more compelled to be coherent when it's going to be printed. Smugmug.

It's also hard to find enough really good pictures to fill a book but when I decide to include mediocre filler pictures I have too many.

 

[allyn]

if you're interested in mypublisher books and you're also a costco member, go here http://www.mypublisher.com/associations/costco0605/index.php?assoc=costco0605 and download a special costco version of the mypublisher software. when you use it to buy your books you get an extra 5-10% off the regular mypublisher prices.

 

[pbnjrockette]

Thanks for all the useful sites! I decided to go with Winkflash for my first attempt and am very pleased. It's a book of 100 pictures of birds I took while on vacation "down under". It was just perfect at the price of $19.95 + shipping since I had so many photos. Next attempt will be something where I can add some writing (winkflash was only short captions.) Thanks for all the help!

 

[0bli0]

i've done Asuka books myself and i have also been involved in two projects with Blurb. the Blurb books are very good quality - much better than the Shutterfly (imo) books you get from Officeworks/OfficeMax and a lot of the photo finishers.

 

[DizzyV6P]

I've made quite a few soft cover books and one hardcover book using www.mpix.com

Their prices are reasonable the the end product is pretty good. You download their software and it gives you a huge range of options for layout, framing and texting.

 

[newtodis]

I love Shutterfly! I was a Creative Memories rep and still used Shutterfly over CM due to the cost but both books have great quality.

 

[fkj2]

I'd appreciate recommendations for a camera that I can use to shoot photos that are publication quality. I don't want to invest a ton of money but I really have no idea what type of camera or additional lenses I might need.

The photos I'd be shooting would be of animals and lighting might not be optimum.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Are the animals in the wild? A zoo? Pets? Birds? Elephants? Cheetas? Tell us more.

 

[Groucho]

Like Pea-n-me says, what environment makes a big difference.

In any case, you're probably looking at a decent chunk of money. With low lighting, you need a "fast" lens - at least F2.8 - and you'll probably need a lot of reach, too. That means probably at least a 70-200 F2.8 lens, the cheapest ones are about $700-800, plus maybe $500 for an entry level DSLR. Tack on another $500-1000 for a higher-end DSLR that does even better in low light. And that's just for one lens...

What publication matters a lot, too. If you're talking a local newspaper where it'll be printed on low-grade paper, you can probably get by with any DSLR. If you want Nat'l Geographic-type, with large full-page photos on nice paper, you're probably looking at a higher-end DSLR.

 

[rtphokie]

I'd appreciate recommendations for a camera that I can use to shoot photos that are publication quality. I don't want to invest a ton of money but I really have no idea what type of camera or additional lenses I might need.

The photos I'd be shooting would be of animals and lighting might not be optimum.

Thanks for your suggestions.

It's got to be said up front ... the quality of the photos is in the photographer more than the equipment. It's a camera, not a magic wand.

that being said, you should consider some of the entry level digital SLR cameras from Nikon and Canon. If you are able to use a flash in these low lighting situations, get an external bounce flash with some sort of a diffuser (there are a number to pick from, tell use more about the situation and I'm sure you'll get some suggestions from others on the board as well). Either way invest in a low light lens such as a fixed 50mm f1.8 . They are relatively innexpensive and produce very good results in limited light.

 

[fkj2]

Are the animals in the wild? A zoo? Pets? Birds? Elephants? Cheetas? Tell us more.

None of the above.

I'm working on a book about horse hoof care. I had a national glossy use photos I'd shot using an older 35mm Nikon but didn't know if I should consider investing in a digital camera or not. Since developing the book content and planning on taking my own photos is such a huge project, I want to make sure the photos I do manage to get are the best possible for printing options. I'm going to assume that since I might be working outside in unpredictable lighting and inside of barns, I need equipment that will give me the flexibility to get the best possible shot. Thanks.

 

[The Grays]

Since you have Nikon, I would say to get the D300. This will give you great flexability, excellent under low light.

 

[fkj2]

Since you have Nikon, I would say to get the D300. This will give you great flexability, excellent under low light.

I'll check this out. I've been so spoiled by the Nikon I have, and camera technology seems to change so rapidly, I'm not sure what suits my circumstances the best. I don't want to invest in the wrong camera. Perhaps I should also include that there's a local film developer who does incredible work; I wouldn't be having the film developed at Wal-mart.

 

[0bli0]

with good exposure, pretty much any camera can produce 'magazine quality' images. the subject matter and composition are what will make or break the image. as you said above, lighting isn't optimum, so your choices to offset this are fast lenses, longer exposure, flash, and/or increased iso/film speed.

do you have any samples of the types of photos you're taking?

 

[Groucho]

From that description, you can probably get pretty close to the animals - you could probably do well with a fast prime lens and most any DSLR. If you can get close enough, a diffused stand-alone flash unit may be very helpful, too.

 

[fkj2]

From that description, you can probably get pretty close to the animals - you could probably do well with a fast prime lens and most any DSLR. If you can get close enough, a diffused stand-alone flash unit may be very helpful, too.

Oh yeah, I'd be right there...inches away. What's a diffused stand-alone flash?

My Nikon's an oldie but goodie...I'm not into the technical language of the new digital cameras. And I'd include a photo but I can't figure out how to copy/paste or insert a photo I've taken so you all can see.

 

[dr_zero]

I just made the switch to digital and went with a Nikon D50 its used regular SD cards and you can use older AF lenses since it has a built in AF motor.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

I was going to get a D40 but to have to buy all new lenses did not appeal to me so I looked around at the D70 the D80 and the newer stuff also but just did not want to make a huge outlay right now.

So I was about to just give up when I found a mint D50 on B&H photo for $300! and the rest is history

 

[DixieDolphin]

Well, technically, you don't need to go digital. Plenty of publications still rely on film images. And despite the significant advances in digital technology, they still have not yet surpassed film in quality. You could shoot slide film through the Nikon SLR you already have and produce amazing quality photos without the need to invest in pricey equipment. A good photo lab will be able to scan the negatives or slides at high resolution, suitable for printing anywhere.

But, if you ARE going to make the transition to digital, I recommend sticking with the Nikon system you already have. Nikon digital SLRs are backwards compatible (for the most part--some features may not transition over) with their old film SLR lenses. Having a digital body and a film body in your camera bag will make you a very versatile photographer!

If you're on a budget, go for the lower end Nikon DSLR models. The D50, for example, or the D80. Good cameras, not-so-awful prices. They should serve your purpose well. Good luck!

=)