Almost ready to publish my second photobook

Papa_Complex · 10-26-2011, 08:27 AM

Last time it took me roughly 4.5 months, to get my 2010 'racing yearbook' put together, and out in print. This time it'll be a little more than a month, from the end of the racing season around here. Talk about a steep learning curve

One other track photographer I know has already produced a book about the Canadian XR1200 series, stating that he shamelessly ripped off my idea. Good for him! As photographers we need to (a) raise the bar and (b) find a way to actually make a little money on the game. There's damned all in it.

Two others will also be producing books, this year. One is a friend, who does fantastic work. The other is a French guy who doesn't understand that the rest of us use telephoto lenses so that we aren't stepping on each others' shots. May he choke on his poutine.

AquaPython · 10-26-2011, 11:26 AM

cool. by published, do you mean published like a real book, or just going through one of those photographer - printing companies that will make pretty photo albums.?

Papa_Complex · 10-26-2011, 11:46 AM

Blurb.com - Print on demand service. Here's the link to my first one: http://www.blurb.com/books/2007619

For people like me, traditional publishing just doesn't do the job. You've got to take minimum lots, like 200 copies of the book. The start-up cost is big. This way I have minimal start-up costs, but make less per book.

AquaPython · 10-26-2011, 01:54 PM

interesting, so it's like a hybrid of the two, then?

are you a full time photog?

Papa_Complex · 10-26-2011, 02:50 PM

Nope, it's a sideline. I'm a computer geek at a university, the rest of the time. I shoot regional racing and what National events are run in the Province of Ontario. I sell shots to the racers, use them in my book, and a few go to a Canadian online motorcycle magazine. Occasional promotional sales, to sponsors.

There's just no real money in the Canadian motorcycle racing scene, for photographers. If I was full time, I'd be shooting weddings.

Particle Man · 10-26-2011, 05:58 PM

neat

Archren · 10-26-2011, 08:14 PM

Sweet.

I made one for a final project in one of my photography classes.. if you pick the right company, they can make some pretty professional stuff.

Papa_Complex · 10-26-2011, 08:40 PM

The one that I did last year paid for itself, a copy for the friend who puts me up when I go to the track, another copy for my regular riding buddy, and a copy that went to the Racers' Safety Fund auction (which sold at auction for 75% more than it would have cost to just buy it). Oh, and a few bucks left over after that too. I said that if it at least covered its own costs I'd do it again, so I did

Smittie61984 · 10-27-2011, 01:46 AM

Pics mother fucker

I just wanted to use this one.

Papa_Complex · 10-27-2011, 07:42 AM

Here's the cover:

10-26-2011, 08:27 AM	#1
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Almost ready to publish my second photobook Last time it took me roughly 4.5 months, to get my 2010 'racing yearbook' put together, and out in print. This time it'll be a little more than a month, from the end of the racing season around here. Talk about a steep learning curve One other track photographer I know has already produced a book about the Canadian XR1200 series, stating that he shamelessly ripped off my idea. Good for him! As photographers we need to (a) raise the bar and (b) find a way to actually make a little money on the game. There's damned all in it. Two others will also be producing books, this year. One is a friend, who does fantastic work. The other is a French guy who doesn't understand that the rest of us use telephoto lenses so that we aren't stepping on each others' shots. May he choke on his poutine. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

10-26-2011, 11:46 AM	#3
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Blurb.com - Print on demand service. Here's the link to my first one: http://www.blurb.com/books/2007619 For people like me, traditional publishing just doesn't do the job. You've got to take minimum lots, like 200 copies of the book. The start-up cost is big. This way I have minimal start-up costs, but make less per book. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/ Last edited by Papa_Complex; 10-26-2011 at 11:52 AM..

10-26-2011, 02:50 PM	#5
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Nope, it's a sideline. I'm a computer geek at a university, the rest of the time. I shoot regional racing and what National events are run in the Province of Ontario. I sell shots to the racers, use them in my book, and a few go to a Canadian online motorcycle magazine. Occasional promotional sales, to sponsors. There's just no real money in the Canadian motorcycle racing scene, for photographers. If I was full time, I'd be shooting weddings. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

10-26-2011, 05:58 PM	#6
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	neat __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

10-26-2011, 08:14 PM	#7
Archren Sham WOW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATX Moto: 2007 Ducati 1098 Posts: 2,741	Sweet. I made one for a final project in one of my photography classes.. if you pick the right company, they can make some pretty professional stuff. __________________ Photography "The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time. It was impossible." - Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

10-26-2011, 08:40 PM	#8
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	The one that I did last year paid for itself, a copy for the friend who puts me up when I go to the track, another copy for my regular riding buddy, and a copy that went to the Racers' Safety Fund auction (which sold at auction for 75% more than it would have cost to just buy it). Oh, and a few bucks left over after that too. I said that if it at least covered its own costs I'd do it again, so I did __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/

10-27-2011, 01:46 AM	#9
Smittie61984 I give Squids a bad name Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fly Over State Moto: 1996 CBR600 F3 (AKA the Flying Turd) Posts: 4,742	Pics mother fucker I just wanted to use this one. __________________ lifts - R.I.P.

10-27-2011, 07:42 AM	#10
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Here's the cover: __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/