For the past week, possibly more, I have been working on another book. A slightly different approach. As you many know my original book was basically a small, A5 hardback book with tipped in small, silver gelatin prints. Although I like the concept, I did face problems. One of which was fanning. I tried to overcome that problem by placing paper spacer in between the pages .. again the problem was I just couldn't get them neat enough. So I got rid of one problem to find another. So the next thing I tried was printing directly onto good quality paper .. after seeking advice I found Hahnemuhle photorag duo. I found the print to be beautiful although very different to the silver gelatin. But, I knew I had to get away from seeing my work as prints and see it as a book .. a whole new approach to it. The next problem I encountered was the paper is quite heavy and stitching was tricky. Although most of the pages bound pretty well, a few gaps (which you can see on the page with the image 'Rock pool' ) appeared between the signatures, it was so frustrating. If I pulled too tightly I was in danger of ripping the paper (which I did of course) and not pull enough, gaps.
However, saying this I won't give up.
My other dilemma is I am still drawn to creating a photobook/album. I want a book that feels personal (hence the words are handwritten in pencil as opposed to printed), intimate and with a sense of memory. I love the book as object, I love the photograph as object too .. the original way gives you both I suppose. I want something that looks professional, neat, perfect but I also want a book that is personal, imperfect, handmade, unique .. I am trying to get the balance, and that is taking more time than I thought. If anyone has any advice, tips or preferences as to what they would like, or how the see my work I would love to hear. In the meantime there are two wonderful Facebook pages dedicated to photobooks (Flakphotobooks) and hand-made books set up by Laurin Henkin. Anyway, a week off from book making and back to wet plates this week and getting ready to assist a workshop with Carl Radford at The Clocktower
Deborah, I think what you're doing is absolutely magical!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about trying to find a balance between perfection and a hand-made look - it is a tricky one, and I suppose is down to personal preference. Personally, I don't think you want it looking too perfect, because that might even belie all the work which went into it.
I have trouble with gaps between signatures, too, and have never figured out a way to prevent them, apart from being sure to push the stitching for each one down thoroughly when it's completed, but I'm sure you do that already!
Keep doing what you're doing. You are creating something unique and very precious, which will last for generations.
Sophie.
Thank you so much Sophie for your lovely kind word. I really appreciate your support. You may be interested to know but I have found a bookbinder in Haltwhistle. I just emailed her and she emailed straight back, sounds lovely. She was full of advice and told me about a course at the lit and phil society .. runs on a tues afternoon. I am also hoping to see her and funds permit may get her to bind, just to see a beautifully bound book of my work .. lots of possibilities, I get so excited :)
ReplyDeletedeborah, i love that you share your process. how you decided that this work is for books with pencil text. i love the beauty of the words written so delicately next to those gorgeous photographs.
ReplyDeletethank you for detailing the trials along the way. being perfectly imperfect isn't simple!
Thanks so much for stopping by Honey, it's always lovely to hear from you and I am really pleased you enjoy reading about the process .. I think the failures are as important as the successes and hopefully when it is finished it will be worth it :)
ReplyDeleteDeborah- I just discovered your blog and love your little books! I am working on a book and also chose Hahnemuhle photo rag duo to print it. But instead of folding the duo rag paper for sewing into signatures, I made "guards" or "hinges" on each page (french bookbinding term is montage sur onglet). A narrow folded japanese paper was pasted onto the edge of the photo rag sheet (top to bottom along spine edge), and then folded and stitched into signatures. You can control the thickness of the guard by selecting the paper and number of folds so that its thickness is the same as the duo rag sheet. I then did a laced-in binding. This allows for the pages to lay very flat when open.
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems I am having with printing on the duo rag is that there is a little set-off of the inks onto the back of the facing page. I think this is partly due to the paper's softness. I am printing with Piezotone carbon pigmented inks, and have sprayed the surface with Hahnemuhle spray, but am still getting a little set off. I can put tissue between pages but do not want to! Any suggestions would be so appreciated!
Good luck, and I'll be following your blog!
Deborah, thank you so much for sharing this - I love the handwritten notes in pencil and appreciate your comments on making the perfect personal. I am new to the bookmaking world, and I look forward to reading more of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteHi GW, thank you so much for all your helpful advice, I really appreciate it. I will have to write all this down & give it a go. I shall also look into lace binding .. sounds a good solution to keeping signatures together. I know exactly what you mean about the paper leaving ink traces ... I had noticed it but didn't think it was particularly significant to worry me .. although that will probably change as I perfect one thing I will question another. If you have a link to your book I would love to see it. Thanks again, really good to hear from you :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tami, thanks so much for your lovely comment, it is great to hear. I am really pleased you like the handwritten aspect, it encourages me to keep to this. I am new to bookbinding too but can't believe how wonderful it is .. I am finding it challenging, frustrating but satisfying .. I think it is a perfect medium for our photography .. I can't wait to see where this takes your beautiful work too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful unique gift this will make, something to treasure. Suzi x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Suzi, I really do hope so :)
ReplyDeleteDeborah this all looks a hugely satisfying project that you have embarked upon. To take a simple click on a camera through all the different processes, and all self produced, and to finish up with what looks to be a beautiful personal piece of art is tremendous. Good luck and well done. Our local Arts Centre is running a two day Bookbinding Workshop next month £60, covering traditional and experimental techniques.
ReplyDeleteRegards.
Hi George, really lovely to hear from you and thank you for your kind words of encouragement, I really do appreciate them. The bookbinding workshop will be great, I really recommend you go along and have a go :)
ReplyDelete