Yes! I did it! My first ebook ever. It’s out there now, on the binary bookshelf at SoFoBoMo’s. It’s called Lifecycles:
Why don’t you have a look, you may find it here: http://www.sofobomo.org/2009/books/ovepove/lifecycles/
This was an equally exhaustive as fun project and it certainly inspired me in my photography. It was not my last ebook. Definitely not. Would be fun to make one without that limited time, even if I think that was the real fuel to me. Given too much time, I go into idle. What I really benefit from are external requirements; such made by myself do not have the same impact.
Anyway will be nice with some rest now and getting some time to see what others come up with. Contemplate. Read WTF. Making photographs for the plain joy of it.
10 Comments
Ove, congratulations on completing your SoFoBoMo book! You captured some beautiful b&w photos and I enjoyed viewing/reading your book very much. I agree about external requirements–at least it’s true for me.
Ove, kudos for finishing your book project in time. I like the concept and your choice of a clearly focused subject. Also, the choice of b&w helps keeping our attention on the main subject of your nice pictures. Congratulations !
Ove! What an excellent book! Heck! It made me want to go to the garage and dust off my bicycle … almost.
A very creative use of the Lensbaby and I don’t really care much for LB shots, but these I liked. Great job!
WOW!!! You’re the man! Ove, that’s excellent work – and it makes me wonder if there is still merit in producing a bicycle book of my own
I downloaded your book. Stunned, humbled, and impressed. I was all those at the same time. I love the b&w, I loved the subtle toning, I loved the shots, I loved the writing.
And, best of all, it made me want to get myself a bike.
Thank you all, you’re too kind!
Erick, using solely b/w do support the story in this sense. I actually tried with toning in different colours, but that didn’t turn out well at all. It looked fragmented, somehow.
Paul, your words abou the Lensbaby could actually have come from myself. It is so easy to overdo with that lens, getting totally crazy effects that does not appeal to me the least. I tried to use the lens in a very modestly way, to not create those warp effects.
Andreas, you could still come up with a book on bicycles, I would read it for certain. Actually, there seems to be more than mine, at least one that was uploaded before mine. I guess since I was not first, it’s okay for you to come up with another one as well.
Chris, thanks for your kind words and that you mentioning the writing. That was where I had most anxiety, that it will not stand up to the rest of it.
All, again, thanks a million! Cool that I inspired you to get bicycles, almost at least.
I’m late, but no less enthusiastic with my congratulations. Like others, I was particularly struck by the lovely subtle tones. Moreover, you did a wonderful job of endowing the bicycles with personality. I am not someone already drawn to bicyles, so this was a surprising treat. I found myself more and more engaged as I proceeded page to lovely page. Bravo!
Thank you so much, Anita. I’m honestly surprised over the positive responses I have received, from you and from others. I have been a little bit hard on myself regarding the overall quality of my work, despite the fact that we didn’t have the time to spend days on a single photograph. Your kind words makes me much more happier about this. Thanks!
It’s been said so many times before but I will repeat it here: better photography comes of working with a subject you personally care about. I think your book is a perfect example of that. You’ve gone the step further than just including images and given us a real story along with them and it’s fantastic to read, and gives us more to think about when we’re looking at the photographs. And also makes me want to replace the handles on my bike for hand stitched leather ones
Thank you, Julie! I really tried to make an extra effort in getting a story that matters, at least to me. I’m glad you noticed it, and as you write, it’s simpler when you care about the subject in the first place. I think we all deserve those hand stitched handles, I wonder who makes and sells them though…..and our rainy days might cause a problem too….