...and I'm closing in on brain dead. By the end of today - or first thing tomorrow - I have to decide how many pages Everybody I Shot is going to be. I did my first estimate with the printers at 152 pages. When I got into the actual layout, I quickly realized that wasn't going to work. For starters, each musician is getting at least one full page photo. No text, no labels...just the photo. That means they also need another page with their name on it and some biographical information of who they are and when I shot them.
I now have around 48 musicians, not counting my 4 dedicatees. Right off, that's 96 pages. Call it 100 if I give a page for each dedication. Then there's the title page and the copyright page and the contents page and my introduction. And what if I get someone else to do an intro?
Then, of course, I am not limiting each musician to 2 pages. Some will only be two pages because I don't have enough photos to warrant more. But others are screaming at me for more space. Take John Bonham, for example. Right now, he has 9 pages, 4 of them full page photos (2 color and 2 b/w) and 4 or 5 other photos breaking up the text...which is long because I thought you might enjoy my Led Zeppelin story.
Some of the lesser known musicians will also have more pages because I love the pictures - just as pictures. Papa John Creach falls into that category. He let me hang out in his dressing room while he was warming up and chilling out. I got some really great candid shots. John Lee Hooker is another guy that my camera loved.
And I have a lot of great shots of the Beach Boys...and Maurice Gibb...and Terry Kath...and Waylon Jennings...and...and...and...
...and now I'm looking at the 200 page range. That's with designing it based on what I think are the best pictures, not necessarily the most popular names getting the most space. Do you think that's the best way to go?
Also, let me ask you...
Which musicians are you most looking forward to seeing?
Will you feel cheated if your favorite musician has less pages than a musician you have no interest in?
Would you prefer more pictures at a smaller size? Or less pictures at a bigger size?
And regarding price...
I would have been able to sell the 152 page version for $35. Would you be willing to pay more ($40-$45) for the extra 50 pages?
Thank you for participating in the interactive creation of Everybody I Shot Is Dead... where your opinions count!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD!! I already know he has a special place in your heart so I'm counting on many pages and many pictures and hopefully, many stories! He is my favorite!!! Paul Butterfield is another one I'm really looking forward to as well as Canned Heat. Without seeing your list (I like to be surprised anyway) it's hard to say who else. Have any pictures of Magic Sam? What about Duane Allman?
You're asking too many hard questions about layout and all that, but I want to tell you I'm really looking forward to this book. I'd be more than willing to pay more for the extra pages, too.
Ginger said...
I am looking forward to seeing it all! I am partial to Maurice Gibb, so I will especially be thrilled at that one. I hardly think any thing about this will be disappointing.
Price sounds great.
I believe that as the photographer, the decision on whether to have more pics that are smaller vs. fewer pics that are larger is best left with you--the creator.
Looking forward to it! :)
The Beach Boys always seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to good photos. OK, it's partly their fault for dressing badly and not knowing how to pose. They should have had their manager teach them. Anyway, please include everything you can find! It's worth the price to see something new.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for chiming in...although the book is already done and printed and recently released.
You will be happy to know there are tons of photos of Dennis and Carl, some 11 pages worth.
Hope you'll check out the book.
Post a Comment