Today I ordered my first photobook. Actually, I planned to do one for my fathers birthday next week and mentioned this to my brother. He was very enthousiastic and told me how great an idea this was and if he could buy a copy of it, once done!

Well, I have loads of pics from his 40th birthday and started to do a photobook yesterday. It is a lot of work. Between planning the pages, the layout and arranging the pics, I spent at least 8 hours this weekend. I think the result is very nice and I hope the quality will be high (they mention 170g/m paper, I guess it will be ink jet printing). Ordered 2 so I can keep a copy for myself.

What is your experience with photobooks?

I made a test book - nothing even properly planned, just a few local pictures with casual captions - when Blurb launched. It was very well produced. My only issue is that although people think they are cheap, if you want to create something like a manual or a textbook they work out expensive for the buyer. Same with virtual magazines (no paper, just a clever PDF) - they work out extremely expensive for the publisher, and disappear if you don't keep paying. At least the books remain in the Blurb (or similar) system ready for anyone to order, but for how many years we do not yet know.

David

As far as I remember, Brian (Bonneville) has also an experience.
Good luck Thomas.

I have done a couple using Apple's iPhoto and the results were fine. I ordered the softcover versions, though they also do hardcover versions.

If I remember correctly, the first was done for my parents, as a thank you for sending us on a trip of a lifetime (a Swan Hellenic Cruise). David K published some of the Santorini photos in Photoworld, taken with my KM 5D.

The second book was a tribute to my Great Uncle Jim who was killed in 1928 during the First World War, but somehow took and sent back photos from his time in Egypt during 1917.
http://web.mac.com/braeside/World_War_1/Egypt_1917.html Shows Jim's photos, though not the book layout.

No personal experience ... but hearing from others, the quality and the 'feel' of those photo books can vary wildly between the different providers. So in case you're disappointed with the result ... don't give up; try another provider.

-- Olaf

I used photoways. In the past I had ordered prints from them (well, from the predecessor company before photoways bought them) and was happy. When I say book, it's maybe a little bit too much. Maybe I should call it a 'photoalbum'.It will be 30 pages, 21x28 cm landscape, hardcover and cost 30 Euro. I'll let you know how it goes!

http://www.adoramapix.com/photobooks.aspx
Software is still a Beta -but it's working.
Books are nice: I take care of (just send me a PM if you place an order...)
ah! shipping only in the USA

Hi pakodominguez,

Are you one of the partners of this publishing website?
If so, hope to see it shipping internationally too. Looks good at this point.

Yildiz

Partner?
ah!
nope
just a "tech"

Beta is working better now.
I got a cupon code for the forum members (1 8x8 x26 pages photobook, 50% off):
PX88BKP
Expires March 25
Feedback will be appreciated

BTW, we are shipping overseas now...

Regards