Book Critique

[nick_bbb]

I'm putting together a book of some of my model and car photos, the idea being to sell them through Blurb and maybe some through traders at car shows next year. The ones that I have for sale through Blurb at the minute are the large format books with nearly 200 pages so prohibitively expensive. This one will be the standard portrait format so it can be sold in soft or hardback. I plan to keep the book to 120 pages as then it will only be £20 including a £4 cut for me in soft back or £25 hardback.

Anyhoo, before I get carry away producing the whole thing I would like some critique of the format for the book that I have been working on. There is a sample PDF here...

http://www.grantgb.com/temp/LipstickAndDipsticks.p...

...you need to select two page continuous view to see it properly in PDF viewer.

Do you think this is something that would sell at those prices? Is for format too distracting?

Thanks in advance

[andy-xr]

Hi Nick

I'm looking through it and I'm not quite sure in which section I'd buy it online and what kind of mood I'd need to be in when I bought it at a show

Is it a photographers book, a run through the last couple of years highlights of a scene, or a car nuts book?

Do I stick it in a drawer and bring it out every so often, is it going to be pin up'able or coffee table'ish? The format would probably be the decider.

It kind of left me wondering. Not to say thats a bad thing as it would be ironed out at processing/print, just from what I've seen so far I couldnt make my mind up as to what you wanted it to be and who you were aiming at.

[nick_bbb]

Good questions Andy and the sort of challenge I was looking for. With this kind of thing I just get carried away in the creative side and forget all about target markets and things like that. I was kind of hoping it would appeal to car nuts and photographers alike but that may be too much of an ask, need to give it some more thought.

[CY88]

In answer to your first question, I'm really liking the faux distressed cover and pages, and all the photos are great.

But ultimately, isn't it going to appeal to a niche market - americana / veedub enthusiasts? Don't get me wrong, I think the end product you have honed fits perfectly.

In answer to your second question, I'm sure that within this niche there are people who would pay £20, although I would have thought say £14.99 would be more attractive to someone who wasn't involved in any way with the content, and was thumbing through the pages in a bookshop.

Thinking of the scrapbook feel, can you please now do one which is based around a city traders office notepad, with a collection of 80s poster cars and girls with big hair? And perhaps one based on a government classified file, with a collection of Bond related cars and "bond girls".

Edited by CY88 on Monday 1st December 09:48

[Andy M]

I like the idea behind it and I think the content deserves to be published, BUT I do think at £20 it may be too expensive, and I'm not sure that it would sell well using traditional sales techniques.

When it comes to the book cost I know you're stuck in a catch 22 situation, but have you explored cheaper options?

And on the marketing, what were your plans?

[CivicMan]

Just for my tuppence worth, I think some of the picture quality is very variable (the Anglia with the twin exhausts is an example), I'd like a consistency there.

Secondly, I HATE tattoes on a girl - they actually turn my stomach. I know it's a personal thing but yuk....

Positive side, I think the distressed look is gorgeous, so full marks for that.

[scotal]

Should you go ahead with this, you might want to change the spelling of "dounuts", or am I missing the point?

[miniman]

Well I would buy it for the shots of Lisa the Hop Girl alone but not entirely sure I like the "brown paper" format.

[davidd]

I think the photos are excellent, however the format does not do them justice.

I know it is boring but I do think that they would stand out just on a plain background.

Keep it simple, make the pictures the focus (pardon the pun).

D

[Yellabelly]

Super idea Nick and you have a strong portfolio to make it interesting but, as has been said, there does not seem to be a theme. The mix of the hot rods etc does not work for me nor, I'm afraid to say, do the tattoos (each to their own) I look at those photos and wonder why (old Age I suppose), rather than see the composition or the aim of the photo. You have some stunning photos from a while back with some terrific locations and models, did you discard them and why?
It might also help to have a short write up with the photos either to introduce each section or against certain photos, maybe to say more about the car, location or the model, we see your postings and the discussions surrounding them, Joe Public will not have had that privilege.

Price is subjective, I would agree that £15 is about the right price but, most of all please publish the book, I for one will buy a copy.
YB

[Blue Meanie]

Some great photos, but as someone else said, I'm not keen on the weathered look. It is a bit too fussy for my tastes. I reckon they'd look very cool on a plain white background, with a thin black line between the photos... Then again, I am a bit of a minimalist!

[nick_bbb]

Thanks for the feedback guys, some good points. I definately agree that the book needs some editorial to explain what is going and needs some more though to continuity. YB there is alot more to go in, this was just a sample "proof of concept"

[Yellabelly]

nick_bbb said:

Thanks for the feedback guys, some good points. I definately agree that the book needs some editorial to explain what is going and needs some more though to continuity. YB there is alot more to go in, this was just a sample "proof of concept"

Good stuff Nick, look forward to following it's progress
YB;D