The problem with making a photobook is often that there are too many photos and you don’t know which ones to use. Choosing the right images for a photobook is more than just picking the best pictures. It’s about finding the rhythm, continuity and purpose of a set of photographs. Each photo should say something. Here is how to start creating your first selection.
Begin with the whole
Before choosing your photos, consider what the photobook is about. It can be anything, whether a personal project, a trip, a family, a place or a series of photographs. If you know what the photobook is about, you can better decide which photos belong and which photos don’t, even though they might be very good photos. Ask yourself:
- What is the theme of the book?
- What message do I want to convey to the reader?
- Which photos express that idea?
You don’t need to have a perfect idea to start. It can emerge while going through the photos.
Make a big first selection
Don’t try to edit everything at once. The first step is to keep any photo that could go into the book. At this stage, quantity is more important than quality. If you have 500 photos, you might narrow that down to 100 or 150 photos. This step is simply about throwing out the photos that definitely don’t belong. Don’t spend too much time comparing similar photos here. Just move on.
Find the strongest images
With fewer photos to choose from, you can look at each photo individually. Technical quality is important, but not everything. A photo that doesn’t quite expose properly might still be more important than a photo that is technically perfect. Look for photos that:
Are visually strong
Some photos jump off the page because of their composition, lighting, colour or subject matter.
Have emotional significance
Even if the photo is visually unremarkable, it might be significant because of the feelings or memories it contains.
Are narratively significant
Some photos help tell you where you are, what’s happening, or where the story is heading.
The best photobooks are those that include all three types.
Avoid too many similar photos
One of the biggest pitfalls of editing a photobook is including too many photos that say the same thing. If you have five almost identical portraits, landscapes or scenes, pick the one that’s the best and leave out the rest. Having too many similar photos can disrupt the flow of the photobook. When comparing similar photos, place them next to each other and see which is the stronger image. Sometimes, it might be that both are unnecessary.
Think about variety Photobooks need contrast in order to sustain interest. Mix up the shots in your photobook with a combination of: *wide establishing shots *medium distance shots *close ups *portraits *transitional images *more complex photographs This will allow you to change the pace of your photobook and provide the reader with breaks in between.
Look at the Flow
Almost no photograph stands alone within a photobook. Each photo can take on new meanings depending upon what it is placed next to. Place any two photographs next to each other and observe the relationship. Are they related by color? Shape? Subject? Direction? Or does the relationship work because they contrast? For example, you could follow a bustling street scene with a calm interior space. Or move from a close up detail shot to a landscape. These relationships build the flow of your book.
Don’t Ignore Simple Images
Not every photograph must be striking. The best photobooks often contain quiet images. These simple photos allow the viewer to take a break from the strong images and serve as transitions. An empty room, a shadow, some architecture, or just a small detail in the everyday world can play an important role within the context of a photobook. Consider these quiet images as breathing room in the conversation between the images.
Cut More Photos Than You Want To
After you create your first sequence, try taking some photographs out of the book. If the sequence still makes sense without those photographs, perhaps they weren’t needed in the first place. Part of the editing process is knowing what to leave out. A smaller number of images selected thoughtfully can create a far better photobook than a larger collection of images that are fighting for the viewer’s attention.
Make a Mockup
After you’ve selected your images, print out a rough copy of your book to get a better sense of how the sequence will read. You will begin to see issues with your layout that are impossible to spot when looking at the images digitally. For example, you may realize that: * Two similar images are right next to each other. * A weak photo is sandwiched between two strong ones. * Your sequence is moving too fast. * A particular page needs a bit more white space. * The start or finish of your book doesn’t feel complete. Fix any issues and then review your sequence.
No Perfect Set of Images Exists
Editing a photobook is ultimately subjective. Rarely is there only one “right” answer. The goal of editing is to create a body of images in which each image serves a purpose and contributes to the viewing experience. Begin with a large selection of images, slowly edit them down, look for relationships between images, and be willing to sacrifice photographs you love. Your photobook isn’t supposed to be a showcase of your best photographs. It should be your story, your vision, and your way of sharing your photographs with others.
