Printed Photo Albums

4 May 2011 21:28:24

Alan Cox

An acquaintance has asked me to 'do' a printed photo album for her son. I am not quite sure how sophisticated she wants it to be but my first task is to give her some idea of what can be done. I will be very grateful for any advice from anyone, particularly if they have experience of any of the numerous outfits that are on the web and claim to make the most stupendous product you can imagine. I think she will want photos and text. I don't know what her budget will be but it looks as though it should be possible to get something presentable for £50.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

4 May 2011 23:06:24

Derek Wright

I have done a couple of albums using Aperture as the creating application and printed by the Apple appointed or owned printer in Europe - I showed one of them at the Salisbury meeting last and the members quite liked it. The recipients of the album were delighted. Actually so was I.

I have also seen albums printed at www.photobox.co.uk using their online layout tool and thought they were good as well.

Good luck

Re: Printed Photo Albums

5 May 2011 11:23:21

Mick Burrell

If you can get the photos into iPhoto Alan, you'll have the same access to Apple printed albums that Derek mentions he used from Aperture.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

5 May 2011 16:54:12

Trevor Hewson

I too can vouch for the quality of albums printed by Apple via iPhoto. I daresay there are cheaper ways but the iPhoto layout options have improved over the years and the whole process is fairly straightforward. I'm not sure though whether you need an Apple ID account with one-click ordering enabled before you can place your order so it may be worth checking this out before investing too much time laying out the album.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

6 May 2011 19:13:00

Roy Rainford

I have seen good comments re Blurb books.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

12 May 2011 00:46:02

Gordon Clyne

I have done about a dozen different books using dot mac, all were beautiful, and delivered on time, Ive done small format, hardbacks, soft cover, calendars and tried different colors of hardback as well, and done one off, and copies, all with great success. iphoto, and Create book.... beautiful.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

13 May 2011 12:14:40

Alan Cox

I am grateful for all the responses which on the whole favour the Mac version. The two reservations I have about it are: (1) you are completely stuck with their choice of layouts, and (2) there is no facility to add text other than where they provide for it. Maybe these are good features in that you are (I am) not tempted to make a terrible mess of whole thing! I have an Apple ID so I imagine the actual ordering and paying process will not be a problem.

Any more comments will be gratefully received.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

13 May 2011 12:43:12

Gordon Clyne

Aplle's restrictions are exactly so you dont make a graphical mess!! just because you have a graphics program, that doesnt mean you are an artist.... same with a word processor, it doesnt make you an author of note!

Re: Printed Photo Albums

13 May 2011 14:56:34

Mark Ford

The next meeting in Dorchester [June 14th] will be an orgy of on-line picture book publishing! So far we will be looking at the Apple offering, Blurb, PhotoBox and I hope LuLu. There should be some samples so one can get some idea of quality. A bit far in the future I am afraid Alan but if your passport is in order you could sample the delights of the Colliton Club in the County town!

Re: Printed Photo Albums

13 May 2011 20:49:04

Derek Wright

Creating the Apple sourced albums within Aperture - you are allowed a significant degree of freedom to change page layouts, change size of images and add and remove text blocks. You have so much freedom it is possible that you will not use a standard supplied layout within an album.

Only downside with the Apple albums in Europe is that the transportation from Czech Republic appears to be by road and if the package arrives in Germany on a Friday night the parcel will not move again until Monday.

Re: Printed Photo Albums

15 May 2011 22:35:19

Alan Cox

Seems a bit spoiled for choice. As Mark is laying on an orgy at Dorchester in the not too distant future, I may be able to make up my mind (if I can get a visa admitting me to the Colliton Club and if I can arrange transport). t seems that the main decision is whether to organise the layout yourself or whether to accept the rigours of a series of prearranged layouts. I am beginning to favour the latter – rather less work and layouts worked out by a professional (I assume). However, Lulu sounds rather enticing for Mark's orgy but my mind is now wandering!

Alan

Re: Printed Photo Albums

16 May 2011 09:34:31

Mick Burrell

I recommend a cold shower ;-)

Re: Printed Photo Albums

16 May 2011 10:12:19

Alan Cox

Spoil sport ;–(((