THE TRANSITION FROM PHOTO ALBUMS TO PHOTO BOOKS
During the colour film era, most colour labs handed over a free album which would accommodate prints from one roll of film (36 prints). There were times when two to three film rolls would be used on a given vacation or a function. In this case, people would buy a spiral bound album that accommodated more than 36 prints. When photographs did not conform to just one size, say 4x6 or 5x7 inches but were a mix, then instead of a photo insert type of album with fixed pockets, a self-adhesive type of album was preferred where a photo collage could be made. This was probably the beginning of the photo book concept which eventually resulted in the photo paper itself becoming the base on which photographs and other design elements were printed.
There was no concept of a photo book earlier. It was always a photo album where photographs were either pasted on thick black paper or inserted into a slip-in album. Currently, photo albums and photo books are how they are referred to which means the same thing.
Digital printing and refined binding methods offer album designers or online design software the ability to create photo books that are very elegant. Here, the entire album page is used either for a photograph, text or some design elements.
The easiest way to create a small photobook is at home. Especially if you have an inkjet printer with an ink tank. The cost of printing, photo paper included, is light on the pocket. Of course, nothing can beat the overall quality of the photo book if is outsourced. Outsourcing from dedicated online platforms makes it very convenient. They offer several size options, paper types and finishes and the choice of a soft-bound book or a hardbound one. Not to forget the easy way to design every page.
Let me share both the options that I created.
Above is a soft-bound book that I ordered from www.photojaanic.com
Their online ordering platform is convenient to use and the overall finish of the photo book is good. All the photographs were taken on my smartphone and the entire uploading process was done via their app.
And what follows now is a 4x6 inches mini-book that I printed at home. I shortlisted around 30 photographs taken on my smartphone, printed on my Epson L3150 inkjet printer on 4x6 inches size Compu Color True Photo Glossy 270 GSM paper and got it Wire-O bound at a copier shop near my neighbourhood.
As you can see, it is so easy to create a photo book. I suggest you go online, try it out and share your experience.