Interesting but the resolution limit for an 8.5x11 page seems very low.
at my normal 300ppi, 1200 x 1600 is less than what I'd normally use
for 4x6.
Chuck Norcutt
Moose wrote:
> I know a few others here have at least mentioned ordering photo books,
> some with links.
>
> I've been waiting for a 'sign', and got it when MyPublisher.com offered
> a special trial of their new books with printed cover, rather than dust
> jacket - $29, plus $9 shipping, for their ~8.5x11" hardcover book. So I
> put together a book of 100 images, the maximum they can handle.
>
> I chose images from my Three Days in Brooklyn project because it was a
> set requiring minimal work to ready for a book and because of the wide
> range of subjects, lighting, etc.
>
> I submitted the order on the afternoon of 4/12, after their operations
> were closed. I got a progress update and link to an online version on
> the 15th., shipping notice on the 19th. and received it on the 24th. So
> 11 days to get it.
>
> The on-line version isn't bad, just barely big enough to give a sense of
> the contents, and with a nice interface.
> <http://www.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3SQsCHj7ohK49ZABIg-6y6P&_mp=9KNdYHgUDCYziUVyrMoeuKyUUX4S8GAl%0A>
>
> I was really impressed with almost everything about the result. Thick,
> high quality paper beautifully printed, as good as any photo books I
> have. In fact, it made my a bit disappointed with the printed image
> quality in "Galen Rowell, A Retrospective", that I ran across at a used
> book store today. Bought it anyway. :-)
>
> Those who have seen it have been literally wowed. I guess there really
> is something about good images on heavy paper in a book that has more
> impact than smaller versions of the same images in a web gallery. ;-)
>
> Before I get into too much detail ... I recall several comments and a
> couple of links to folks others have posted here. In reading on-line
> user reviews, it's clear that quality has varied for various publishers
> over the last few years. I have trouble imagining better paper and
> images than I got, and wonder if anyone on the list has recent
> experience(s) they'd like to share.
>
> I downsampled from my full size processed images using FastStone, adding
> a bit of sharpening so they wee very slightly crunchy. I didn't realize
> until later that FS doesn't include the color profile, at least in
> downsized JPEGs from PSD files. So I had sent on what I suppose were
> aRGB images without embedded profiles.
>
> Nevertheless, the colors are excellent. There are a lot of different
> skin tones in the set and several friends have been through the book
> without any negatives comments on any colors. I seem to have hit the
> sharpening too, as detail is excellent. About the only thing I would be
> aware of next time is that shadows are pulled down a bit compared to
> viewing on screen. Not enough to be a problem except on one , relatively
> unusual, image.
>
> MyPublisher's book prep software isn't bad, but a bit obscure at first.
> With real instructions, it would be pretty good. The page layout feature
> uses various frames, "molds" I think they call them. I wasted some time
> trying to work with them. I couldn't seem to get the single, portrait
> format image frame to come out the way I wanted it. Checking their FAQ,
> I found the pixel size for a full page image, 1600x1200 pixels.
>
> I gave up on the frames and used FS again to enlarge the canvas of all
> images to that size, with the non-image area black, as I like it. I then
> just dragged all the images into the book. I don't know if I did
> something wrong, but it seemed to apply random page layouts, so I had to
> go through page by page to get them all correct. However, that turned
> out to be a good thing for me. Never having put images in book form, I
> wouldn't have realized the importance of facing pages without that exercise.
>
> I left the images mostly in chronological order, but did move a few
> around (very easy) to make interesting two page spreads. I had gone
> through the book more than twice before submitting it. Something went
> wrong, perhaps the app sent the last formally saved version, rather than
> the live one. Anyway, all was well except for the very last page, a full
> page landscape image that was cropped to a vertical with bit, white
> spaces on both sides.
>
> I dropped them a line and they immediately responded with a coupon
> number to reorder it for free with free shipping, overnight if I wanted
> it. I altered a couple of images slightly and flipped the order of one
> page spread, replaced a fancy cover font that didn't work well in small
> size and sent it off. Now I have a second, perfect copy.
>
> All in all, I'm impressed. I would take me a long time and undoubtedly
> cost more to print up all 100 images myself, especially in black ink
> cost for all the non-image areas. The list price of $113.95, plus $8.99
> shipping comes to $1.22 per 8.5x11" image, all bound up in a nice
> quality cover. I imagine I'll a get couple of other books of images
> ready keep watch on their coupons.
>
> A. Wordy Moose
>
>
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