I’ve been in Eindhoven for one and a half days, so it’s time for me to make some gross generalizations in regard to Europe and the people who live here. They have less. But they also have more. Let me explain. It feels like Europeans have less stuff. Their houses are smaller than our behemoth mega-faux-mansion style complexes we are so fond of building, and when it comes to their cars and suitcases, forget about it, their’s are ridiculously small.
If Europeans have more stuff then the storage business must be booming. It feels like the ease of getting around, at least in places with train, metro, or tram options means people can get out quickly and relatively effortlessly. Very unlike say living in almost any suburb in America where getting to the city center means long traffic cues, road rage and truly life threatening conditions were one to need a bathroom. (My worst bathroom of all time was Beaumont, Texas. Thank you Beaumont, my brother and I will never be the same.)
Europeans also have an amazing ability to balance the healthy with the unhealthy.
I just came from the hotel gym. I was there at 5:50 AM. Alone. And then another guy came. The same guy I saw smoking a Marlboro Red outside the hotel minutes earlier. And he chose the treadmill as his workout. This is some kind of European math or special ability or mind control game or something I don’t yet have, but it is quite impressive. I also see incredibly beautiful, Euro-style women on bikes, looking more like paintings than humans, who think nothing of pulling over for a coffee with a friend while burning through a couple of butts. I have yet to see anyone with Skoal or Copenhagen but I know they are out there. Probably babysitting toddlers or aiding the elderly while spitting into the potted plants. I truly believe this is about mindset. We can learn a lot from our European friends. A rich social life is better than a rich virtual life.
I’ve been inside most of the time. Blurb’s parent company RPI has a printing facility here in Eindhoven. A colleague and I are working on a short film about book production. Think my Antarctica pictures, in book form, starting as an idea, then the trip itself, then the edit and sequence, the page design, followed by the file magically entering the print facility. We track the process with stills, motion, and a brilliant yet nearly incomprehensible voiceover written by me. Watching a book being born, and the human touch required, is quite cool and astounding. (Major thanks to the team at RPI who have gone above and beyond to assist our mission.)
Today is day two of the shoot.
We have binding and packaging to film, and shipping now that I think about it. Shot list? Nah. For amateurs. I’m blazing away with stills and motion, and recording sound which might be cool to mix with the ambient of Antarctica. But don’t let my dazzling filmmaking skills fool you, however. This is about books. Why are these things SO integral to the human experience? Capable of starting or ending wars, starting or ending love affairs and so much more.
After spending a month of my life in Europe, involved in book related activities, I’m doubling down on the idea that books are photographically where it’s at. Photographers who understand what books are, and what they mean, tend to be far more interesting and accomplished than those who don’t. Long form thinkers, historians, curious and striving for something they don’t quite have, while the non-book photographers tend to spend their time online or in conversations about things like the correct color for a soft release button or if the film shooter in Civil War was using Rodinal or HC-110. (No, I have not seen the film, and if this film plays out like other films, I will get to it around 2156. No Oppenheimer, no Barbie, no nada, nothing. But I see rewatch season one of Miami Vice. Goosebumps.) I will be the first to say, “I am one lucky guy.” Being here, experiencing Europe, books, photographers and more, it’s not normal or common. There are many, many people to thank.
Comments 27
“time for me to make some gross generalizations in regard to Europe and the people who live here”
Haha! Here for it, Dan.
I read some time ago that Eindhoven is one of the most innovative cities in the world when it comes to the bicycle commute. Don’t suppose you’ll have an evening free to check out the Van Gogh route or generally enjoy the city by bike?
(See the only route with a photo here: https://www.thisiseindhoven.com/en/see-and-do/fun-things-to-do/cycling-routes-in-and-around-eindhoven)
Author
Sadly, no. However, have made the decision to return to Europe with my Brompton and a backpack. Will try to test this in Sydney in January.
Sydney on bike would be amazing. Not jealous at all
Author
That’s the plan. MIght have a place to stay which would make it much easier. and yes, bike will be flown down…..the Brompton that is.
Aye they were made to be transported in all manner. If I was as committed to cycling while travelling, I’d be well tempted to get one myself. Look forward to your Australian adventures!
Author
I’m looking forward to seeing how to best pull this off. Shooting and riding. Working too.
“A rich social life is better than a rich virtual life.” Amen. Although in these quiet evening moments before bed, I do enjoy a little time online following a few writers and artists, so there is pleasure to be found in the virtual landscape, so long as it’s enriching. Which is why I’m here.
Author
Moderation. Nothing wrong with sampling the abundance the internet provides. But feasting at all hours of the day is ruining us and the planet.
I appreciate you appreciating the way of the bicycle :). Back in 2008 I started a photography project called ‘Amsterdamize’ (people on bikes=poetry in motion). This led to touring the world, inspiring advocates and cities with imagery, which instigated the founding of the Dutch Cycling Embassy. For this launch I wrote and produced the campaign video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn2s6ax_7TM. Thought you might enjoy.
Author
Believe it or not, I’ve seen this film! It’s awesome!
Remember when USA Today would list the songs used in Miami Vice in that night’s episode? Good days.
Author
Back when there was a God. Named James Sonny Crocket.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay in Europe! In fact, in my home country, Germany, the Netherlands are considered as a better place to work and live compared to Germany (Belgium is considered to be much worse, by the way). Some former colleagues of mine went to the Netherlands for this reason. EU legislation makes this easy since as EU citizens we are free to choose any other EU country as residence. We’ll have elections for the European Parliament in early June. Fingers crossed that right-wing parties don’t take it over!
A question since you mentioned the print shop doing the printing for Blurb: Would it be conceivable that one could order page spreads via Blurb? You know, just the spreads, not a bound book. This would be great for those among us who do the binding by ourselves. Those fine-art photo printers many photographers have at home are not well suited for printing book spreads, as the ink warps thinner papers. On the other hand, most of the local print shops have neither the expertise nor the equipment to print photographs. Blurb would be a perfect choice if they offered this.
Author
I’m still here….
No spreads as of now. What a mess that would create. You have to remember, we are a global brand, so imagine the printing and shipping to over 70+ countries. Anytime we add anything it’s a massive deal. I only know one company who did that but they are now out of business. I would LOVE to have that feature, but ain’t happening anytime soon.
I love the way the bicycle resonates with you, I can’t help but share a story on the subject. In 2008 I took a break from the sufferings of a startup company :), grabbed my camera and started a photography project (6 months later dubbed ‘Amsterdamize’) about the poetry in motion of people on bikes in Amsterdam (lots of history and storytelling). It morphed into something serious (‘ambassador’) which allowed me to travel the world for well over 7 years and it instigated the founding of the official Dutch Cycling Embassy in 2011, for which I wrote and produced the launch video [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn2s6ax_7TM ]. Cherry on top, something I never could have dreamed of: that film was chosen as the opener of the Cinemambiente Sustainable Film Festival in Torino in 2014. In 2013 I started a new company, 11 years on, I’m counting the days to flip the switch once more :).
Author
The bike will be a huge part of my future both in the US and abroad. Bike travel is high on my list.
Sorry for posting that story twice, I thought there had been a hiccup. I can’t believe you already knew the video. Awesomesauce :). See you Sunday!
Few photographers have the luxury of pulling galley press sheets. It used to be almost mandatory, though now more of a luxury with the advent of digital pre-press. Still, witnessing the process mid stream is something to die for. Lucky guy.
Author
It’s been fun. I think people will be amazed at how complex the process is, and how much human touch is required.
“Photographers who understand what books are, and what they mean, tend to be far more interesting and accomplished than those who don’t. ”
I agree 100%. I’m not interested in an Instagram feed. Show the physical aspects of your work. Let me turn the pages and see what the photographers see in that moment.
Author
Yep. I find a lot of photographers are semi-terrified of print. Have to pay for it and have to make tough decisions.
The public transportation. The coffee. The bread. They do it pretty well there.
Author
The cigs.
Sonny Crocket… bring on the mystic… green and pink pastels of the eighties… oh boy getting old…
Author
I had a powder blue suit and a sleeveless shirt.
I appreciate you sharing your European experience and sneak peeks at your new book (gorgeous colors and fantastic compositions)! I’m looking forward to seeing more of the book and buying it if you intend to sell it.
Author
This version won’t be for sale. It needs work….