Want to make a photo book? (m)

I just received two photo books that I had Shutterfly make for me. They are currently running a special until the 7th of June for 20% off their photo books and "snapbooks".

I made one 11x9 book with a suede finish and one 7 1/2" x 5 1/2". They came out really nice. Shutterfly has templates that you use to fill your photos into the book in the way you want, with different layout options and titling/captioning options. I also like the way the hard cover (and the smaller soft-cover) have a window opening that shows/frames your first photo. Both photos I picked look great, but the close up of the Osprey looking down at me over his shoulder is perfect for this spot. Came out peachy.

I've always wanted to make a "coffee table" book of some of my photos. Shutterfly gives you lots of nice options. I thought the price was very reasonable too. I just wanted to pass this along in case any of you might be interested. I think both books cost me around 37.00 all together, it's the shipping that they get you with. But all in all I feel happy with my purchase and will probably make a couple more while the sale is going on. I think I need to make one of Sterling. I have so many photos of him that just belong in a coffee table book too. ;-)
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LaRee
just happy to be
http://laree.smugmug.com/

Maybe you could take a photo of your photo books and post it for us. Thanks.

Here is the larger 11x9



Here is a sampling of a page. There are many options for layout. I find that it does favor the horizontal shots, but there are many options. You can choose to caption or not. I put all different layouts on each page because I wanted to check out as many layouts as I could for future reference.



Here is the small book. Sorry for the crappy shot. I got some reflection so you can't tell the nice rich colors of the print peeking through the cover window.



If you are interested, I'd go to shutterfly and check it out. Especially if you have any photos uploaded there already. You can make a book and delete it if you are not happy with it. They also make it very easy to edit. Extremely user friendly interface.

Hope this helps.
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LaRee
just happy to be
http://laree.smugmug.com/

One of these days I'm going to let Shutterfly print some for me----you have just about convinced me for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers, Gene (The one in Oregon)

Oly D-450 Z - DMC FZ1v2 - FZ10

That's really nice LaRee! Looks very professional! You did a nice job on the photo layout.
--
^WILL^^
More of my pictures here:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v626/hiwaystar/

Panasonic FZ 20
Oly B-300 tele.
Oly C-180 tele.
Sunpak Fieldmaster tripod
Olympus C 700 UZ
Casio Exilim EX-S2
Minolta DiMage X

'There's more to the picture, than meets the eye.'
Neil Young, Rust Never Sleeps

I was really in a rush when I did it. Somehow I got the sale deadlines mixed up. I did end up with a couple miss-labels. But most people wouldn't know one butterfly from the next so it's not that bad. The girls at work swear I could sell this book. They all loved it and were amazed by the photos. But I don't show my photos to them like I do you guys, since I'm not one to carry prints around with me most times. The book makes such a nice presentation. I am a long time book fanatic. Nothing better than kicking back with a nice book. I also love the smooth high quality pages and the binding on the big book is especially nice. Thank you for your comments. I really am excited about these.
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LaRee
just happy to be
http://laree.smugmug.com/

Thanks so much for posting those pics - I didn't realize it was such a professional-looking product.
You're right - it would make a terrific "coffee table" book.
-Steve

--
The best things in life are free... (plus S&H)

Wow!! I really like! Well done, Laree! You must indeed be very proud of "your" book! Thanks for sharing your wonderful discovery.
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Regards,
Kirwin
http://timebandit.smugmug.com

While I haven't made a book using Shutterfly-
i have made many using:

http://www.mypublisher.com/hardcoverBooks.html

They have 3 sizes and the photo quality-binding and paper are fantastic

I've made a couple, one with MyPublisher about a year ago, and one with Shutterfly (I think). The production was good on both books, but I was disappointed by the quality of the printing of the color photographs--they did not look as good as prints out of my (then) color photo printer (either an Epson or a Canon i9900).

Could those of you who have recently made one of these from either source comment on the quality of the printed version of your pix?

Thanks.
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fbx

Not hardcover but i really like one can have full-page pictures and picture in picture, have a look at:

http://www.pixbook.co.uk/demopixbook.htm

They come in A4 and A5 sizes, that's about 11.8 by 7.8 and 7.8 by 5.9

They even have a Euro 5.00 offer for a 10 page A5 trial, look under the support tab.
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As they say "A picture is worth a thousand words". Thanks, these look great!

Very nice layouts! I am still only getting about 2 good pictures from every 50 that I shoot, so it is going to take me some time to get enough to fill an album!

I will keep on snapping though. Another 600 photos or so and I might have enough for one page.
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Mrtwo

This is a wonderful idea LaRee. I wonder if they ship to Canada or if someone here provides similar books. I'm going to check that out. Love the layouts you showed in your photo of the album. Thaks for sharing the info. Hmmmm now I'm inspired again............
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Lynn in Ontario

HOLY NED! That's a beautiful looking book, Larry.

Gotta get one. Great images, too. I like the simplicity of design and composition in the photographs - a wonderful thing; something I strive for.

Cheers,

Joel
Calgary AB

Last year we made a nice coffee table book through Apple's "iPhoto" book option. It's beautiful too, actually made of a bunch of cool pictures we took at the Jell-O Museum in LeRoy, NY. But it cost over $100 with shipping. Shutterfly is definitely a bargain by comparison. We've made many snapbooks through them before, but now you've convinced me to look at the Coffee Table option! Thanks for your work and fine results!
--
Just let a smile be your umbrella!

John Reed

Panasonic: EffZeeOneVeeTwo, EffZeeFifteen; Nikon: CPFortyFiveHundred

I have done my Christmas cards and also had blank greeting cards with my flower macros printed. I have sold some of my shots and friends tell me I need to print the cards up and sell them at craft shows. That book would be a great way to pull together shots that could be special ordered!
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Theresa Kelly
Constructive criticism always welcome!
http://www.pbase.com/theresa_k
http://theresak.smugmug.com/
Panasonic FZ-2O, Oly FL-4O, PSP Nine, bunches of glass

Thanks LaRee

I have been looking into this for the past few days.
I think it's the next logical step after having your own website.

However, the sites offering this service are American (as far as I understand) which obviously is not a problem for the majority on this forum, but is does mean allowing for shipping costs for some of us. The other potential problem is for people using Apple Macintosh as most online publishers are PC driven.

The two Mac friendly ones are http://www.shutterfly.com and http://www.sharedink.com which exists soley to provide this service and is the most professional and expensive out of the bunch - but they do provide full page bleed! Unfortunately you will need to pay a one off fee of $129.00 for the full array of personalised options and bleed etc.
Other PC ones are:
http://www.snapfish.com (possibly the cheapest)
http://www.photoworks.com
http://www.ofoto.com
http://www.mypublisher.com (possibly the widest options on formats)

On average it works out as:

Die cut, double sided (20 pictures) linen cover hardback $29.00 additional pages up to a maximum of 40 for $1.99 each.
UK shipping $15.99

Regards
Steve

pictures from say, photobucket to Shutterfly?
Thanks
Rick

Hi Rick,
I think that you have to upload again unfortunately.
Steve