(Turn any city into Stalingrad via Lightroom!)
The world unraveling, or so it seems, but people power on. Here in Atlanta the day calls for creative thoughts, education, sharing and further understanding of the electronic backbone of our creative culture…software. Adobe mostly. We staff the booth, talking, talking, talking. I like to listen to your story first, then work backwards to how best to solve your publishing equation. For some it’s simple. For others more complex, but it all begins, every single story, issue, desire or goal, with making a test book. Sometimes this isn’t the answer people are looking for, but it’s the cold, hard truth.
That is photographer Koko Hunt, www.kokohuntphotography.com
What process in the creative world comes without revision? I don’t know of any. In addition, making a test book, or perhaps several on different types of paper, takes the pressure off of attempting to create the “perfect” book the first time out of the gate. Most of the attendees here are professional designers, and even these folks, in my humble opinion, need to make test books. If you consider yourself a “perfectionist,” then you more than anyone else needs to make a test book. Personally, I’ve never seen the perfect book, and probably wouldn’t know what to do with one if I found it.
Sneak peek of ESSAY Issue Three!
Outside the weather unleashes thoughts of spring. Tempest like clouds, wind and pouring rain that turns the neighboring mall parking lot into something that should hold spawning salmon. Inside we stare at tables of pie, racks of cookies and massive cylinders holding the precious black fluid that fuels the entire operation.(Coffee not oil.) It’s always rewarding to be around creative people. They peruse our offerings and we attempt to help them solve their publishing riddle. Being creative, as a profession, can be a very complex endeavor. But Dan, what does your suitcase look like? I thought you would never ask. I happen to have a photo of it right here! By the way, all the images in this post were shot with the Zupperflex 5000 camera with the SUX2000 lens. Oh, I just met the guy who built the Blurb InDesign plugin. He’s cool.
Comments 10
Here’s a lesson I learned at one step removed, reading someone else’s story.
Take your test books apart, at some point. When you’ve learned all you can from the complete object, dissect it, see what more you can learn.
This is most obvious of you’re actively working with a binder, and the binding isn’t behaving right. But I think it might be more general.
Author
AM,
Good idea. Also, when you tear it apart, turn all your photos upside down and resequence based on form. It will shock you.
If Koko has F1.2 on her right arm, and F22 on her left arm, where are F5.6 and F8?
Seriously, test books are the way to go. If you don’t make a test book, when it arrives, and you find ALL the mistakes that you were CERTAIN were not there, it will become the test book.
Great opening photo, I NEED a Zupperflex camera! ……. Although I might hold out for the 6000.
Author
Mike,
I never thought about that. Short answer, no idea. I’d wait for the 6500 because it comes with G.I. Joe with Kung Fu Grip.
Leica Store in SF (San Francisco not Santa Fe, LOL) is bringing Ralph Gibson soon for a workshop about making books. I saw it recently on IG. Maybe you can get Blurb to send you to it and maybe you can even interview Gibson for “Dispatches” … Wishful thinking. Since I can’t go to the soiree I figure it could be cool to have an insider.
Author
EB,
I met him a few years ago. Quite a career. No chance I’ll be making that workshop but I like wishful thinking!
Hey….you got new shoes! …..really pulling out all the stops for this one I see.
🙂
Been enjoying your posts as always.
All the best.
JT
Author
JT,
Well, define new. Shoes to me are like tires on your car. I don’t believe the car, or truck, is REALLY yours until your 3rd set of tires. Leather boots were purchased in Australia. Already have holes in the soles.
So this is the one and only Koko Hunt herself, with that f-stop tattoos on her arms.
The story of f/1.2 on my right arm and f/22 on the left… I am a paradoxical soul that possess two opposite sides of many things.
f/1.2 symbolizes the free-thinking, open, friendly, fun, bold and adventurous spirit in me. So what if I get so focused on one thing that other things become a blur… I find that child-like simplicity of being carefree peaceful and blissful. This part of me loves to do all things creative and often wants to go stargazing and make s’mores in a campfire.
f/22 symbolizes the person in me who weirdly thrives in adulting, enjoys critical thinking, and technically inclined. This part of me is tirelessly analytical, loves structure, detail-oriented and wants to work around the clock. This me is also thrilled to make a bed every morning. I know. Weirdo.
It may sound like a multiple or split personality, but I think everyone is complex and have interestingly unique characteristics in them. Many times I am asked, “so where is f/8 or f/5.6 or f/11? Are they in your center and does that mean you are a very balanced person?” Eh…quite contrary. I live with constant internal conflict, and it’s a bitch sometimes.
Author
Hey Koko,
What an interesting rationale behind your ink. Process, purpose, meaning. What’s not to like. I guess the only thing is you might not be able to buy a .09 lens?