I can’t stand photos printed across the gutter, especially when they weren’t shot with that in mind. So I ended up buying nothing, because every one of the ~20 books I liked had tons of images split over the gutter. At this point, I’d rather just buy a PDF or something. No gutter, no problem. If only anyone actually sold that. Also, I once bought ebook that had images split between pages. Publishers are freaking dinosaurs.
olegkin wrote:
I can’t stand photos printed across the gutter, especially when they weren’t shot with that in mind. So I ended up buying nothing, because every one of the ~20 books I liked had tons of images split over the gutter. At this point, I’d rather just buy a PDF or something. No gutter, no problem. If only anyone actually sold that. Also, I once bought ebook that had images split between pages. Publishers are freaking dinosaurs.
Don't buy Mary Ellen Matthews SNL book. It might be the worse designed photo book I've seen. Great images but so many faces in the gutter. It makes no sense.
Maybe this would be a good thread to ask this in, then...I actually don't own ANY photo books, but have thought about printing some of my work in large hardcover just for my own archival. I've noticed that most books do one of two things...gutter spanning, which seems universally reviled, or having a photo full bleed on one side and having a totally blank page opposite, which always irks me. I've suspected that perhaps this is to prevent photos on the same piece of paper from bleeding through to the other side, but I don't know enough about it all to know.
I'm curious for the book collectors, what is your preference in terms of layout? Blank opposites? Pics on both sides that are complementary? Info on the pic/scene/thoughts from the artist opposite?
RoamingScott wrote:
Maybe this would be a good thread to ask this in, then...I actually don't own ANY photo books, but have thought about printing some of my work in large hardcover just for my own archival. I've noticed that most books do one of two things...gutter spanning, which seems universally reviled, or having a photo full bleed on one side and having a totally blank page opposite, which always irks me. I've suspected that perhaps this is to prevent photos on the same piece of paper from bleeding through to the other side, but I don't know enough about it all to know.
I'm curious for the book collectors, what is your preference in terms of layout? Blank opposites? Pics on both sides that are complementary? Info on the pic/scene/thoughts from the artist opposite?...Show more →
Either keep it square with images on both sides and some framing/edges, or go more artsy, where images can be rotated to fit the rectangular page, and design elements, text/poems fill the extra space. But for sanity’s sake, images should only be interrupted if you expect no one will ever open the book. When you make a page for a book, there is some printing margin you should consider where your page edge will be cut. It is not precise and can be slightly different from book to book. But printing to the gutter line is probably easier.
Basically don't follow Taschen's lead and you won't go far wrong.
My preference is influenced by prints. Single page with white borders, a mixture of square, landscape and portrait images, avoiding gutters and full bleed. I quite like an index of pages giving all relevant details.
Each to their own, but I can't understand how a photographer can go through life without ever owned any photo books. Perhaps a visit to a specialist bookstore is called for, it could and should be an inspirational experience.
Other things to keep in mind, the sequencing of images is key and yes there's good reason for those blank pages.
I suggest you get a copy of Morocco by Harry Gruyaert, a true master, published by Thames & Hudson, great value at £35 quid or so and a lesson in how simplicity in book design just works.
KLaban wrote:
Other things to keep in mind, the sequencing of images is key and yes there's good reason for those blank pages.
I suggest you get a copy of Morocco by Harry Gruyaert, a true master, published by Thames & Hudson, great value at £35 quid or so and a lesson in how simplicity in book design just works.
Yes, yes, and yes. I was going to write this. Morocco (2024) by Harry Gruyaert and published by Thames and Hudson is the most beautifully printed and edited photo book I have seen, and I have a very large library of photo books. There is never a gutter in a photo, the photos are surrounded by a lot of white space, and usually the opposite page is blank. The print quality is excellent. It is a perfect way to really see the images, a bit like going to a well-designed museum or photo exhibition.
Also, this is some of Gruyaert's finest work, intense colors that verge on the abstract but that are nonetheless very human, feelingful, and intimate. Most were shot on film some years ago before digital but then digitized to take advantage of ink-jet printing, which Gruyaert prefers for the control it gives. Amazing book, and as @KLaban said, it is nicely priced. The book is out and next to my reading chair right now.
Thames and Hudson generally does a superb job with layout and the quality of print reproduction. Taschen can also do very fine work, but often they practice gutter prints and too many full bleeds that to me diminish the perception and enjoyment of the images.
chiron wrote:
Yes, yes, and yes. I was going to write this. Morocco (1924) by Harry Gruyaert and published by Thames and Hudson is the most beautifully printed and edited photo book I have seen, and I have a very large library of photo books. There is never a gutter in a photo, the photos are surrounded by a lot of white space, and usually the opposite page is blank. The print quality is excellent. It is a perfect way to really see the images, a bit like going to a well-designed museum or photo exhibition.
Also, this is some of Gruyaert's finest work, intense colors that verge on the abstract but that are nonetheless very human, feelingful, and intimate. Most were shot on film some years ago before digital but then digitized to take advantage of ink-jet printing, which Gruyaert prefers for the control it gives. Amazing book, and as @KLaban@ said, it is nicely priced. The book is out and next to my reading chair right now.
Thames and Hudson generally does a superb job with layout and the quality of print reproduction. Taschen can also do very fine work, but often they practice gutter prints and too many full bleeds that to me diminish the perception and enjoyment of the images....Show more →
Hi, I'm sure you meant (2024). And yes, his work in Morocco is surely his finest achievement in a long and illustrious career.
Well, I ended up placing 2 orders, one for myself and then a second one for a friend of mine that has a birthday coming up soon. I received my order, no issues, when I received the second order the books were not the ones I ordered, has anyone dealt with this before with Taschen? Of course the sale is now over and it would cost me nearly $180 more to get the same books
