What’s Your Preference?

ChrisAdval · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011, 08:31 AM

Limit of 14pages on a 8x8 size photo book, how would you design it? Also your market is masses/general public so basically being very diverse with models, locations, colors, lighting -natural and strob-, outdoors/indoors, etc.

I was thinking of portrait/vertical photos would be one photo a page, and horizontal would be two pages. When I've seen other portfolio photo books I tend to not like the feeling of putting smaller photos to fit in more photos because I or educated viewers like art directors, and potential commercial clients wouldn't be able to see how sharp it is properly if the photo is smaller than bigger and I want to keep one page dedicated to one photo to keep the focus to that one photo if you get me? And of course no special effects or special looking border I like my photography displayed very clean neutral and very focused on the photography itself not the designs around the photo.

Does that sound good? What do art directors (from advertising agencies) typically look from a photographer, and not for a specific job but for long term work on multiple projects like actual employment possibly?

dnpayne · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011, 08:03 PM

I'm working on getting some photo book portfolios put together for my business as well. I plan on having separate books for each type of photography (ie: Weddings, Engagements, Seniors, etc...)

I agree with you that I'm not so fond of having multiple smaller images on a page, but I tend to lean more toward full page photos that overlap to the other page. I've taken a horizontal photo and placed in on the left page, then extended it a little onto the right page. Then, I've put a more portrait shaped photo on the remaining of the right page. This helps with having generally one image to a page, but still offering a little bit of style. You can also try having a photo bleed off the top and bottom, or left and right of the page. This adds a little artistic flare, but still stays simple.

Hope this helps spawn some ideas.

scootermcq · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

Limit of 14pages on a 8x8 size photo book,

Also your market is masses/general public so basically being very diverse with models, locations, colors, lighting -natural and strob-, outdoors/indoors, etc.

I have no problem with 14 of your best images. 8x8 would be a little small IMHO. I would suggest 8.5x11 minimum, if not larger.

Full page images would be my suggestion as well.

I don't know about be jack of all trades & master of none..... If it is all portraiture and you are showing diversity, then great. If you are doing animal, portrait, wedding..... then I would agree you should be splitting it up.

However, your style needs to come through, so don't try to be everything to everybody. As an example, I do not expose to the far right..... I hate the current trend of overexposed images, with blown skies and low contrast washed out looks. Other people love it. My portfolio does not have any of those images, there are other photographers who shoot that style and will fit their needs better.

If I was to shoot that for one person, and their friend who hates that style looks at their images, well, I will not get an inquiry.

ChrisAdval · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootermcq

I have no problem with 14 of your best images. 8x8 would be a little small IMHO. I would suggest 8.5x11 minimum, if not larger.

Full page images would be my suggestion as well.

I don't know about be jack of all trades & master of none..... If it is all portraiture and you are showing diversity, then great. If you are doing animal, portrait, wedding..... then I would agree you should be splitting it up.

However, your style needs to come through, so don't try to be everything to everybody. As an example, I do not expose to the far right..... I hate the current trend of overexposed images, with blown skies and low contrast washed out looks. Other people love it. My portfolio does not have any of those images, there are other photographers who shoot that style and will fit their needs better.

If I was to shoot that for one person, and their friend who hates that style looks at their images, well, I will not get an inquiry.

thanks guys for the suggestions, Scott do you have an online portfolio? I couldn't find it on your site or seen much of any on your fanpage.