Book of Work (idea)

440Hz

Hey all, this is a bit random but I saw it being done recently and the end result is really something special.

My Dad was recently sent a sketch book, which is kind of like a chain letter being sent among a known group of artists. The idea is the book is sent to an individual who fills in his/her page with something of their own work and sends it on to the next person and the list and so on.

I thought it could be a really nice idea for a photography group and I have had it on my mind to try and start something on Flickr or something recently. Then I saw Calina's flickr group with a similar idea and thought it might work nicely here.

So I guess if people were interested the idea would be to get a list of addresses together and to start off with a book (A3 or A4) and to start it off. In theory you would stick a print of a photograph of your choice into the book, with your details so we all know it is your work etc. Then you send it on to the next person on the list.

You could if you wish, included a watermark on the shot in case you are worried about it going walkies but in the spirit of the book I don't think that would happen. If you receive the book and there is a particular shot you love and would like a print of, you could contact the photographer about a sale for example (all contact details will be included with the book).

Then when the book is full, we do something super with it - thats the bit I havent figured out yet, but all thoughts are welcome.

Sound like fun? A record of the great work of the photographers here on boards. Anyone interested?? Im going to do it anyway so if there are only a few people then I can always take their details and try another group, but I think it could work well here.

helios

What if we all contributed one shot electronically and then maybe had one of the online places print off a copy of the book for each person that sub'd a photo? That way we would all have a copy of the book. What was your idea once the book had been filled?

440Hz

But that would just be like having a Flickr online gallery, the idea behind this was to produce a physical record of original work, encouraging people to print their shots as well (which a surprising amount of people dont do). Its just about having something tangible. We could have an online gallery of what is submitted as well, but the whole idea is based around the hard copy and having the physical photo to look at and share.

rymus

helios wrote: »

What if we all contributed one shot electronically and then maybe had one of the online places print off a copy of the book for each person that sub'd a photo? That way we would all have a copy of the book.

It'd be costly, but it's a remarkably better idea. At least that way everyone has a copy of the final product instead of one copy that ends up slowly rotting away somewhere. Few of the folks over on PI did this some time ago and while it took massive involvement in setting it up and organising the final book, it was well worth their efforts.

City-Exile

We could use someone like this...

rymus

that's exactly who PI used... Either lulu or if you were feeling adventurous, you could try blurb.com

440Hz

Well im never over on PI so I didn't know about it. It was a Limerick based artist/photograper who had the idea when I came across the book at home.
I think that having a book for everyone is a lovely idea too but there was something really special about having a book going round with people sticking prints in and their own little note on the shot, something much more personal than a commercially printed thing (which could be done in conjunction.

rymus

why would you bother doing both? it's a waste of time and money. how does an individual contributor access the 1 book when it's finished? where will/can it be stored? who'll take ultimate responsibility for it?

I'd prefer to have the warm fuzzy feeling of having a book I contributed to sitting on my bookshelf rather than have the only existing copy of it floating somewhere around Ireland, potentially being destroyed or badly treated by someone who doesn't suffer the same 'community spirit' as the previous contributors.

helios

Maybe we could do both and keep the original as some sort of gift or 'honorarium' to someone for some as yet unspecific reason.

440Hz

Rymus, you don't have to be part of it, its an idea is all. If people here are not interested there are already a few who are, I just thought it might be a fun thing some people on here would like.

As for what happens the final book, I said in my first post im not really sure about that at this stage.... And doing both would not be costly, the online version might be yes, but the other is the cost of printing a shot and the cost of a stamp. So the two together would only be costly as a result of the online option.

rymus

440Hz wrote: »

As for what happens the final book, I said in my first post im not really sure about that at this stage....

For the benefit and peace of mind of any would be contributors, I'd urge you to ponder on that one. Can't see many people contributing their hard work to a project that's not completely thought out.

440Hz

rymus wrote: »

For the benefit and peace of mind of any would be contributors, I'd urge you to ponder on that one. Can't see many people contributing their hard work to a project that's not completely thought out.

The whole point was that people would contribute ideas to what could be done with the final book. And I said it was an idea, not a finely planned out project. There are a few interested people from here already.

rymus

ive got an idea for the final book... make 30 copies of it and give one to every person that contributed.

helios

I think the principle of idea deserves a lot of merrit, but I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a good idea and improving on it. The idea of a contribution-based book was brilliant, but for the work to only involve producing one copy may not appease everyone. If it was all done electronically, everyone who participated would be able to benefit from the fruits of their labour and everyone could enjoy it.

Third_Echelon

I'd definitely be interested in the 'boards photography book' idea and get one of the online places to make copies. It would be a nice book to have.

The more you order, the less it costs etc...

I'm sure with the talent on here that it would be a great book. Each person submit their favourite/best picture and some text perhaps to go along with it...

rymus

exactly... and if you were so inclined, you could put the book up for sale publicly and/or buy extra copies yourself to give out to friends & family. At least if it was done through the likes of lulu or blurb, it'd be a repeatable exercise.

helios

Well, all we really need to do is

1) Poll everyone to see who's interested
2) Get all the shots
3) Order for each person who contributed + any extras that were requested + a few extra copies just in case.

We could also pitch it to DeVore and maybe make a Boards-wide annoucement for anyone that's interested...

Maybe someone could also design a cover that incorporates the Boards logo as well...

440Hz

Well I was happy to take on the organisation when I posted the idea, have some free time coming up and thought it would be an interesting project to work on.

helios

440Hz wrote: »

Well I was happy to take on the organisation when I posted the idea, have some free time coming up and thought it would be an interesting project to work on.

Grand so, I can help you out if you need. I suppose the first step is finding out who wants to contribute and collecting all the shots. Should there be a theme, or just a free-for-all?

slumped

www.digitalalbum.ie

use these guys - then everyone who wants one can re-rder easily themselves.

One person can collect the images and upload them - take a note of the order code and then others can login and re-order it.

S

Paulw

Brilliant idea - similar sort of thing to Calina's, but a printed book sounds great. I'd certainly contribute, and would love a copy of the book when done.

nilhg

Count me in too, please.

Hugh_C

rymus wrote: »

how does an individual contributor access the 1 book when it's finished? where will/can it be stored? who'll take ultimate responsibility for it?

Put it on permanent display in Athlone, the geographic centre of Ireland.

rymus wrote: »

I'd prefer to have the warm fuzzy feeling of having a book I contributed to sitting on my bookshelf rather than have the only existing copy of it floating somewhere around Ireland, potentially being destroyed ...

Yeah my kids mightn't treat it with the reverence you might require, esp the two-and-a-half year old and the dog (wait a minute, I don't have a dog). But there again it's a transient thing regardless, it'll be collecting dust on your top shelf in a year's time anyway, that fuzzy feeling passes pretty quickly.

rymus

hughchal wrote: »

Put it on permanent display in Athlone, the geographic centre of Ireland.

What, and run the risk of having Donna & Joe McCaul breathe on it? The horror..

440Hz

I guess the best thing is to get a list of interested people and give people some time to come up with the shot they want to use. Organise some central repository for the shots and set some date as a cut off.

Ill start a list of people who say they are interested here. Or PM me. First step anyway.

bernard0368

This could be great idea, I would love to contribute but I am not sure I have anything good enough. As an idea what about somthing on the lines of a "24 hours of boards.ie" version. Open to all members of boards. If you got a couple of hundred shots you would potentially have a couple of hundred sales thus making it cost effective. With proper promotion who knows.

440Hz

bernard0368 wrote: »

This could be great idea, I would love to contribute but I am not sure I have anything good enough. As an idea what about somthing on the lines of a "24 hours of boards.ie" version. Open to all members of boards. If you got a couple of hundred shots you would potentially have a couple of hundred sales thus making it cost effective. With proper promotion who knows.

Yup thats exactly what I was thinking. Had just thought of starting it on a smaller scale with the one book, but I guess if the interest is there may as well upscale the idea from the start.

Hugh_C

440Hz wrote: »

Yup thats exactly what I was thinking. Had just thought of starting it on a smaller scale with the one book, but I guess if the interest is there may as well upscale the idea from the start.

Blurb has introduced community books where many people can contribure to the one project. Intersting - I just received my book from them, quality is great, colour repro is great.

kensutz

Sounds like a challenge and one I'll be up for.

440Hz

hughchal wrote: »

Blurb has introduced community books where many people can contribure to the one project. Intersting - I just received my book from them, quality is great, colour repro is great.

Interesting to know hugh, thanks. Ill get on to organising something next week when Im a bum

sineadw

i missed this. count me in. could we maybe tie it up with the exhibition though? that way we could possibly have some extra sales from visitors to the gallery?

440Hz

Nice idea sinead guess that would have to be based in the Pale eh? Or we could go for the "real capital" for a change (not just cos im relocating hehe).

shepthedog

I think with a little organisation boards could have a great exhibition and book.. A thought that occured to me was why not try get a sponsor for both! Surely theres someone whos business this would compliment..
Oh and count me in.. Once I get back on my feet