Final stages...

Having received my product in the post I am extremely happy with the finish and quality of the print and the overall aesthetics of the book are just as id anticipated them to be. Originally I was aiming to create a handmade wooden slipcase for my book but unfortunately I was unable to get the tools to allow me to construct the slipcover to the standard that I would have been happy with. As the slipcase is ultimately a reflection of the product inside it, I was not prepared to compromise on its quality therefore I felt the best option was to get the slipcase made by a professional company. I decided on a matt black textured finish , to mirror the exterior of the book and in keeping it with the sleek, modern and professional look I am aiming for. Unfortunately when I received the slipcase it was slightly too small for the book. I will try and resolve the problem with the manufacturer and get another one made, however I will still submit the original slipcover to show how I intended the book to be presented.  

The finished product...

Throughout the past week I have been completing the layout and design of my book using  the Blurb Book smart application. I have found the programme extremely simple to use, enabling me to design my book accurately and design and effective layout for my images.  After I had conducted and chosen my final images I had to ensure they were all in the correct format and proof check my images for printing to ensure maximum quality once printed. I wanted the imagery within the book to be varied and dynamic and have chosen to include a mixture  of full bleed, cropped and close up macro shots. I also decided to  included a snippet of each image on the text page to entice the reader to question the material used and increase ambiguity. I also wanted to add an introduction at the start of the book to give it context.  I am happy that my text reflects the content and purpose of my book - the layout is modern and quirky, which is reflected in my choice of font and use of bold words/ different line spacing throughout. I have now started to source materials to make the slip cover whilst I am awaiting delivery of the finished product and  have chosen to make a mock up using Plywood for the main structure. I have also analysed the budget for my project and  although the  cost of the book has been more than originally anticipated, I have come under budget for model and material fees.  I have ben able to increase my budget as the project developed to ensure I did not compromise on quality.

Final shoots

This week has been a very crucial week in the development process of my major project as it has been the last week to complete shooting before the final editing and printing of the book. This week I conducted my final two shoots, one using tin foil and the final one using crepe paper. I had issues with my model letting me down for the tin foil look I had planned so I had to work very quickly and condense the time I had to shoot it as I had to find a last minute model. As a result the images did not turn out how I would have liked, and I found the material very hard to work with. Although I had previously tested the material I had not created a whole look and covered the whole face, which was not achievable in the time that I had to do the shoot. However the last shoot using crepe paper I was very pleased with. Due to using wet crepe paper I was able to work very quickly with the material and I feel successfully created a subtle but textured look. I intended the paper to be translucent and wanted it to mould and crease around the models features and over the eyes which was particularly effective on camera as it almost looked like the model had a 'second skin'. This week I also conducted the last three product shots, shooting all the images myself within the photographic studio which was very successful. I have started to incorporate the still life shoots in with my book layout which so far is working very coherently and effectively. I have also written the introduction for my book therefore overall I am making very good progress and I am on schedule to send my book off to print this coming week.

Product shots

This week after listening to feedback from both Sharon and Yvonne, I decided to conduct some still life shots of the materials I have used so far. My intention is to create visually exciting , detailed and varied  abstract shots using a macro lenses to pick up the intense detail and form of the materials. This will break up the shots within the book allowing the images to flow, showing the dynamics of the materials and a contrast/journey between the raw product and the end shot. I had to ensure that these images were just as strong and striking as the original shots I have done as they have to intensify, enhance and support my concept and imagery.