Blurb Photobooks

[RussHeath]

I've just ordered a book of my vacation to Moab through Blurb.

When you create a free account and download their software it takes you through the process of creating a personalized book which appears much more professional than ones I've seen on other sites. It actually contains some reasonably powerful publishing tools. I don't use Mac, but many online have described it as similar but more sophisticated than books published by Apple using iPhoto.

I particularly like that you can create the entire book without uploading each picture individually. This saves a ton of time compared to some other sites. The custom dust jacket on the hardbound is a nice touch too.

For those of you wanting to sell your work, you can offer your book publicly in their bookstore and set your own markup. Might be a nice addition for the wedding/event photographers out there.

Anyway, has anyone used this before? Did I just waste my money? I'll be sure to post back when the finished product arrives (probably 7-10 days).

[mikem12188]

I've been looking into Blurb recently because I've read some good things about it both online and in some magazines. I've downloaded their software and am putting something together for myself to see what it comes out like. I think it might be worth $20 to sample their products.

However, since you have just ordered something from them, please let us know what you think.

[RussHeath]

I will! Hope it comes quickly.

[xxpinballxx]

Moab! must be a mountain biker!
I went back in 90 or 91 and it was awesome!
Best place in all of the Cont. US to ride....Hawaii the best but Moab has some of the best places outlined to ride! Great place for photographers...some nice galleries there.
Arts are a big thing there. Sorry cant help you on the other situation but Moab?! Great choice!

[RussHeath]

Not a mountain biker, but Moab is still a spectacular place. I have lots of friends who bike there and recommended it. My wife and I love to hike and raft so it was a great spot to spend a week. She's also very patient when it comes to my photographs (willing to get up early for morning light and have a picnic every evening in a great sunset spot). I hope we get to go back soon -- there's so many more things to photograph!

[mysticeyesx]

ive been checking into blurb and lulu let me know what you think of the photo book.

[RussHeath]

Originally Posted by mysticeyesx

ive been checking into blurb and lulu let me know what you think of the photo book.

Will do! My "expected shipping date" is 9/26, but I'm hoping that's a conservative overestimate.

[RussHeath]

So, the book arrived yesterday. I love it! The pages are very high quality and the color is quite good and acurate. To be critical, the images seem just slightly darker than I expected based on trial prints, but to be fair it's less so than with vacation type photobooks ordered from other sites (Snapfish).

The paper is professional quality, and the binding is too.

The real gem, however, is the dust jacket. Hardcover is DEFINITELY the way to go for the excellent quality dust jacket. It really makes the whole book seem pro-quality rather than an amateur vacation photobook. I'll certainly use this for future projects.

[mikem12188]

Thanks for the review newbie. Enjoy your book.

[Nobie]

I am having trouble finding a company to use for such things. I can't find a "pro" option where they won't take my files and run them through the adjustments they do to everyday people's point-n-shoot files. We go through all the post-processing ourselves, sharpening, adjusting, converting to CMYK, etc. and then get back blown out, saturated, overly contrasted shots. I know you can't use your display to compare to what a print should be like, two different processes. But I want to find a company that acknowledges that there are many out there like us that do their own post-processing and will cater to our market and not screw up our sensitive exposures and adjustments.

Anybody found such a place? Any I should stay away from?