The next step in my "hobby"

[Papa_Complex]

Some of you know that I try to make a little cash, on the side, through photographing the motorcycle races up here. Well the last year was pretty slim pickings for photo sales so I was looking for a way to generate some interest, other than just bringing people into my web gallery.

What I ultimately came up with was publishing a book, containing some of my favourite shots (and some shots of the people who actually paid ), from the 2010 season. It has taken me months and it was really hard to stay motivated, but I've finally gotten to the point where I should be able to order my own proof copy in the next week or so.

Here's hoping that it goes somewhere. If the first print looks good, then I'll be donating a copy or two as prizes for the local Riders' Safety Fund Daytona fund-raiser, next month.

[shmike]

Very cool.

How do you keep the publishing costs from becoming prohibitively expensive?

I met a guy here locally that put together a phenomenal book about traveling the US on a Triumph Bonnie. Unfortunately, without doing HUGE runs, his costs were over $50 per book.

[the chi]

Good luck man!

[Papa_Complex]

There are a bunch of "on demand publishers" out there, these days. I'm using Blurb.com , so my only guaranteed costs are time and my initial proof copy. The costs are slightly higher per book than doing a run, and I won't be able to make as much profit per-book, but the advantages are that I won't have a huge initial outlay for a print run, nor will I risk having unsold copies cutting into my profits.

There are a couple of hundred regional and national racers out there, as potential customers, in addition to their friends and families. If it works out I'll do the same every year from now on, in the off season, plus perhaps put together a compilation of my best stuff prior to last season.

[EpyonXero]

Awesome man, good luck.

[ericr]

Cool deal! Love the pic on the cover too

[azoomm]

Very cool!

I'd love to buy one to have at the track... we have a bit of a collection down there.

[Papa_Complex]

Thank you, all

Originally Posted by azoomm

Very cool!

I'd love to buy one to have at the track... we have a bit of a collection down there.

I may be ready to order my proofing copy tomorrow. If it's good, then I'll be able to go live for sales in a couple of weeks I'll let you know.

The layout is generally either 3 shots to a page (one portrait and two landscape), or 4 shots to a page (landscape), with the odd full-page shot thrown in (rewards for regular customers ). The book will be 10"x8", so the pictures will be fairly small, but Blurb's print quality is good so they should be clear. A little over 70 pages. That's a LOT of pictures!

[azoomm]

Cool. Fwiw, I've worked with a lot of photogs. I know it's not as easy as you make it look.

Oh, and Blurb.com is awesome.

[Papa_Complex]

I should mention that I went very heavy on the background, around the track, rather than just doing a bunch of track shots. I've always found that while people will buy good shots of themselves on the track, there are only so many ways to shoot a bike, leaned over in a corner. There are infinite ways to shoot what happens in the pits, which is where most of the memories are made anyway. I was the first person to make a concerted effort at taking candid shots around the track, up here, but I've got my imitators now

Here's an example of a typical page: