Photo Books

[rogerg (Roger)]

G'day all,

I recently made up a photobook using the Officeworks Photobook product of my ST7 astronomy images. I basically listed NGC, Messier, IC, PGC objects in sequence through the book, two to a page.

My partner and I have previously used the Momento photobooks for special occasions. I chose the Officeworks one based on price.

Officeworks softcover A4 cost me $69.95 (about 40 pages)
Momento hardcover A4 costs us about $150-$170 (about 60 pages)

There is a huge difference in quality between the two. I'm disapointed with how quickly the Officeworks one is looking tatty around the edges. The Officeworks one doesn't have as good print quality - you can see the different dots of coloured ink. The Momento one has perfect picture reproduction and top quality book material, no tatty edges after months.

But for astronomy I'm after something cheaper than the Momento option, wanting to do new revisions now and then, and not hesitate doing a new version. Also, I am putting only my ST7 shots which are relatively low resolution/quality in to the book, not the more "picturesque" film & DSLR stuff so am less concerned about overall quality.

I'd highly recommend the idea for those who do astro photography. It provides an easy way to show people your shots.

Anyone had experiences with any other photobook products? The type where you can compose your book on your local PC then upload it and have it printed? I'd be interested in other options.

I know Camera House does one but you have to do it in-store from what I understand, sitting at one of their terminals. And it's just normal photographic paper etc.

Roger.

[Chrissyo (Chris)]

I do something sort of similar, but I take a much cheaper option. I just get my photos printed out at various camera shots (usually 6"x4" photos, sometimes I do larger prints for different shots). This suits me well, as each photograph usually costs around 30 cents and I only get $3 or so worth at any one time. I used to just stick them on my wall - but I ran out of room and it wasn't very tidy. So I bought a cheap little photo album and I now stick them all in it as I get them printed. It seems to work nicely and when we have people over I can easily bring it out and show them. The album I have is only a cheap 6"x4" one with pouches (I got it for like $1 at a cheapo shop) - but I'm thinking of getting a larger one with the transparent overlay thingo so I can fit my larger prints in and display them how I like.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

i knew that camera house did them as i get them to do prints for me , but was not aware they only used photo paper, i wouldnt think that would last long with fingerprints and all, dissapointing because i wouldnt mind doing this one day.

[iceman (Mike)]

At the moment I only print my astrophotos occassionally, and usually in the lead-up to a competition like SPSP or CWAS David Malin awards

I'm still trying to convince my wife to let me put astrophotography on the walls

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Chrissyo

II just get my photos printed out at various camera shots (usually 6"x4" photos, sometimes I do larger prints for different shots).

I have considered doing it this way. The cost is very appealing. I think I'll give it a shot someitme, but will try 5x7" or so, as I'd like them that little bit bigger. In the book I've done now they're about 5"x7. Of course advantage of a book is you can do the odd full page photo, and have text nicely placed around etc.

Originally Posted by Alchemy

i knew that camera house did them as i get them to do prints for me , but was not aware they only used photo paper, i wouldnt think that would last long with fingerprints and all, dissapointing because i wouldnt mind doing this one day.

I think the Officeworks one is much the same method as well, which is why I found it disapointing - I don't think it will last well.

Originally Posted by iceman

I'm still trying to convince my wife to let me put astrophotography on the walls

Even if you were allowed you'd quickly run out of space A book helps, can leave it on the coffee table ... but I have to fight for coffee table book space in our house

[turbo_pascale (Rob)]

I've just been taking the largest/highest quality JPGs I can manage to Rabbit Photo - yes, you need to sit at the terminal, but go there with everything setup on a memory stick/CD and it's quite quick. Lots of options of matt/gloss prints etc. I either put them in a little photo book, or in some cases do 8x10" and put them in a frame and stick them in the shed (also do not have permission to put stuff up in the house!). If you spend $10 on their "membership" program, an 8x10 costs $4 (instead is $10), which is pretty good. My experience so far is that astro photos are really good - their blacks are great, and the dynamic range is good. Don't know if it is just the particular shop I go to, or if it's the gear they use in all stores.

We got a gift for christmas from my sister-in-law which was a A4 sized calendar of photos of her kids/family. Don't quite know the cost, but she got it done online with "snapfish". Photo quality seemed pretty good, although don't know how it would go with astrophotos.


Turbo

[iceman (Mike)]

I'm also a rabbit photo member, and for me it's only $3 for an 8x10 and $4 for 10x12 I think. $5 for 10x15. Incredible value.

The coloured stuff comes out pretty good (my planetary stuff), however moon photos tended to have a green tint at one store, but came out in grey tones (which is what I wanted) at a different store. So I just don't get moon stuff printed at the green tint store.

For deep-space stuff, especially milkyway starfields etc, I found you have to be very careful on any sharpening, because it looks very oversharpened when printed.

[Chrissyo (Chris)]

RE: Rabbit Photo - those prices sound very good for the larger prints! I once got an 8x10 done of the Moon and it cost me over $8. I'd certainly get larger prints if I could find those prices. I think there is a Rabbit Photo at the local shopping mall, I'll have snoop it out next time I'm up there. Does the $10 membership last for a lifetime? Or is it just an annual thing or something?

[iceman (Mike)]

$10 per annum. Good value!