my book is done... "Memphis in the Meantime"

[memphis]

I finished my coffee table book -- it's being printed / bound as we speak --- labour of love... I'm worn out...

I've set up a site for it... http://book.memphisbluessociety.com/

I'm glad I've done this as it really made me look at all of my work with a closer eye... Have a great weekend

[memphis]

for anyone here on the forums, yes, it does include europe and us...

And a big thanks to everybody here on the forums for thoughts, encouragement, and helping me be a better photographer!!!!

Thank you, Eric

[dexdog]

congratulations on the completion of your book, and happy sales!

BTW, back in the days when I used to listen to music, I liked the John Hiatt song that has the same name as your book

[Travis L.]

Order in! Can't wait to see it.

Good luck with sales.

Travis

[memphis]

thanks everybody --- I had them print up and bind an extra batch as I was leaving work --- I appreciate your support --- They are all going out Monday morning. Signed and numbered...

Thanks, Pixtu...

I really learned to be even more self critical of images in the process -- also learned that my home monitor was not calibrated correctly ---- It was an exciting project... 20 years of shooting, 1 idea, and less than a week to put it all together... All of the printers and other staff at work were oogling over it... The first copy went to my parents...

thanks again for everybody's support

[memphis]

leicasniper and travis should have received their copies by now, erik's has a little farther to travel ----- keep me posted, please

[Michael P.]

Congratulations, Memphis. Great shots and web page.

[memphis]

i hope everybody enjoys them -0-- I'm printing more as we speak as I ran out of my first 20 copies this weekend with family and musicians


plenty more coming

[memphis]

the first round of book sales was reinvested into my trade:



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250258317739&_trksid=p2759.l1259

--- thank you to everybody. I'll have to use this and the m5 for the next book -- another one will probably be out in the next year --- don't really want to do a cemetery book --- not sure what I'll do

any good ideas?

[kmerenkov]

Unfortunately http://book.memphisbluessociety.com/ gives 403 error (forbidden) to me.

[memphis]

it had a htaccess file in place- -- you should be able to get there now

[vdonovan]

Good luck with the book! It sounds like you are happy with the www.familymemories.com (http://www.familymemories.com) layout and print quality?

[memphis]

Absolutely Vince.

For my process, I really tested the software to it's limits.
I took 72 dpi images, ran them through AlienSkin Blow Up, resampled to 300 dpi images- the print quality is amazing --- I tested this process long before going to press -

The books are individually hand bound, I also compared the books side by side with a sample at wolf camera (Wolf is more expensive and their bindings are gaudy, Wolf's print quality is on the lousy side.)

The books look 100% bookstore quality with NO issues regarding print, design, and final packaging.

I'm very pleased as is everybody who has purchased a copy.



*disclaimer, my advantage is I am working for Family Memories and did the book to test and demo the software. I would not be shilling the product if it sucked. This book was a lifelong dream and not to be taken lightly

[Krosya]

Congrats on a book, Blake. Thos pictures in a slide show look superb! Great job. I hope some of them came from my old Nokkor 85/2 lens that you have now. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to buy your book now, but maybe I'll catch a later edition.
Good luck with it. Maybe I'll get out to TN one of these days and you can show me around some othese cool places with that great music.
Best!

[memphis]

quite a few pics came from the 85/2 as well as various other lenses --- thanks and would be delighted to be a tour guide

[Travis L.]

Got my copy a few days ago. Really cool layout and some outstanding shots.

Everyone here should have a copy!

Travis

[memphis]

thank you for your kind words, travis --- I've got some shooting to do this weekend -- just itching to go out in the summer heat, drink a frozen concoction on beale and get some shots

[vdonovan]

Thanks Memphis. I'm putting together a photo book for a non-profit here so I've been looking at the options.

I guess the best way to see the quality is to buy one of your books myself!

best regards and good luck,
Vince

[raid]

Congratulations, Blake. Your work is excellent, and it shows in the book.

[Roma]

Congrats man! It's a big step and takes a lot of work and creativity.

[memphis]

Thanks everybody === I'm handling my own marketing and publicity --- i've a feeling I'll quickly be through the first edition (250) I've already sold 50 - mostly local / musicians /etc -- will be doing a batch shortly for sending to blues magazines, bookstores, etc to build some buzz --- short runs are nailbiting

[JTK]

Good shots. Would be cool to include a music CD. Digital audio recording is even more advanced and much easier than digital photography (google RO9, a recent but not current leader for details).

Since you actually are a digital photographer (scanning, online, inkjet etc) you might also be interested in www.soundslides.com (http://www.soundslides.com) ....see examples of people's work, including musicians.

[oftheherd]

If you can believe it, I just saw this thread. My order is in.

Congrats on the book!

[memphis]

Good shots. Would be cool to include a music CD. Digital audio recording is even more advanced and much easier than digital photography (google RO9, a recent but not current leader for details).

Since you actually are a digital photographer (scanning, online, inkjet etc) you might also be interested in www.soundslides.com (http://www.soundslides.com) ....see examples of people's work, including musicians.

a lot of copyright / ascap /bmi issues with that --- all of my musician friends are ascap / bmi / or have mgmt deals --- granted, it'd be great exposure for them... it would have taken just seconds to include a cd, but the legal and licensing fees are another matter --- perfect example, the original band that did this song "Going Down" was called Moloch - jeff beck covered it, don nix wrote it, several others have covered it, --- where does the money go?

to hear the original : http://memphisbluessociety.com/index.php?name=Featured_Artist&file=aug2007

[JTK]

Here's something generic about soundslides..

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-7899-8616

Wouldn't you know it, the minute I link www.soundslides.com (http://www.soundslides.com) there's some sort of Interglitch.

The copyright/ascap/bmi issues are all dealt with regularly (and with a lot of bureaucratic bs) by people who really want to deal with them (typically journalists)...this involves being honest with musicians and asking their cooperation.

Another way is by inviting unknown amateur performers who are apparently thrilled to perform for online presentations...you probably know guys like that...and they're all over Youtube.

I'm just trying to stimulate thought, I don't intend to be critical of somebody who's put out all that book effot.

Bill Graham Presents (Fillmore Auditorium etc) ran up against the issue of sales of of photos of musicians back in the 70s...photos of musicians are not necessarily public domain, especially if they're performing in privately owned venues.

[memphis]

Here's something generic about soundslides..

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-7899-8616

Wouldn't you know it, the minute I link www.soundslides.com (http://www.soundslides.com) there's some sort of Interglitch.

The copyright/ascap/bmi issues are all dealt with regularly (and with a lot of bureaucratic bs) by people who really want to deal with them (typically journalists)...this involves being honest with musicians and asking their cooperation.

Another way is by inviting unknown amateur performers who are apparently thrilled to perform for online presentations...you probably know guys like that...and they're all over Youtube.

I'm just trying to stimulate thought, I don't intend to be critical of somebody who's put out all that book effot.

Bill Graham Presents (Fillmore Auditorium etc) ran up against the issue of sales of of photos of musicians back in the 70s...photos of musicians are not necessarily public domain, especially if they're performing in privately owned venues.

I agree -- but if a cd were to be included, sems only right that it be from the musicians featured in the book.

[visiondr]

Congratulations on the book, Blake!

[Matt White]

Blues and photography - my two favourite things in one book. How could I resist?

I didn't, of course.

[rogue_designer]

Just saw this now. Order placed.

Well done Blake. I can't wait to see it.

[Siluro]

Hi Memphis

Congratulations on the book.

Shipping to Australia? I assume that the shipped price would not cover it.

Thanks

[wlewisiii]

Just saw this thread - I wish I could order it now. Excellent riff to rip for the title ;) Would that I could do something to live for a few tunes I can think of... ;)

William

[memphis]

Hi Memphis

Congratulations on the book.

Shipping to Australia? I assume that the shipped price would not cover it.

Thanks


Yes, for international, I ship media mail and it is covered.

[lZr]

Good luck with the book! I like the images and your site.

[marcust101]

Memphis

I just ordered my copy, its inspring to see this kind of small run

good luck

Marcus

[memphis]

I'm going to manage short runs until it becomes unmanageable - at which point, I find the right person to handle and broker a larger scale deal ---- this is not the way to get into Barnes & Noble -- but it's very fulfilling to be this involved with the process

[lZr]

Memphis, do you put your name in the Book, or the name of the coffe shop

[memphis]

my name of course

[memphis]

just got a good review:

http://blues.about.com/od/bluesbooks/gr/BillingsMemphis.htm

I would ask that those who have purchased the book would send me a review I can post on my site, please....

I've got a local magazine reviewing for the october issue

[Krosya]

Just 3 stars? Hmmmm. Wonder why?

[memphis]

I'm not knocking 3 stars -- i'm just happy to have been mentioned

[Bob Michaels]

Just visit Memphis and spend an afternoon and evening photographing with Blake while he shows you all over Memphis. You will have a great time, get to meet a lot of interesting people, eat some great food, listen to some good music, and have some great photo ops. In the end, you get a free autographed copy of Blake's book. I mean you talk about your ultimate win / win / win situation!

Blake even stood by to look after the car in a neighborhood he deemed "sketchy" while I went off to photograph Steven, Queen and Janet, your basic Memphis "urban outdoorspeople"

http://not.contaxg.com/files/0227/1steven-queen-_-janet-memphi.jpg

[memphis]

Well, as of today, I've hustled and bustled and sold 100 copies of my book -- a local bookstore is carrying some copies and we will be doing a signing before christmas.

The book is still available online at http://book.memphisbluessociety.com/

am starting to seriously contemplate how my next project will work... where do I go from here... approach publishers with more of a national reach and distribution network, etc


thanks everybody so far...

[NathanJD]

Congratulations Blake, i hope you sell out and have to print more ;) and i have to admit that I left the page open to listen to that soul stiring classic two time over despite having it on CD 3 times over. i can and do listen to Delta all day... not bad for a 25 yr old kid from the deapths of south wales (got my father to blame)

[memphis]

It's kinda becoming a wild thing -- I've lined up an acoustic blues act to perform at the signing, told the bookstore I'm on their schedule and if they need anything...

my own personal goal is to over the year sell 500 copies and then re-evaluate the approach and get my work in the hands of people who can manage distribution and free me up to shoot and produce work as needed

I work for a self publishing company -- but the downside is that means all the hustle is up to me

no matter --

[jan normandale]

Blake, what a fantastic piece of work you've compiled and delivered. I know what this can entail and it's a huge commitment of time and energy for shooting, writing, editing, compiling, marketing, printing, proofing and on and on.

Hats off to you for standing up and doing it!

[memphis]

well, at this point, I'm printing batches of 20, when they're printed, I grab them from my desk and carry them home --- a lot of the marketing is coming easily now as I've sent out several copies for promotional purposes --- a few magazines have done reviews locally --- just need to get on the morning talk show from the mall

http://www.wreg.com/Global/category.asp?C=53326&nav=menu93_2_6 ---this is my nexrt goal

[Tuolumne]

I just bought a copy online but it didn't account for shipping, so I only paid $20.00. Now what?

/T

[jan normandale]

T/ I think it is, here's a cut and paste from above....



Originally Posted by Siluro
Hi Memphis

Congratulations on the book.

Shipping to Australia? I assume that the shipped price would not cover it.

Thanks


(Memphis replies) Yes, for international, I ship media mail and it is covered.

[Tuolumne]

I thought it was an extra $5.00 for shipping?

/T