A weekend away with girlfriends is good for the soul. Even before the trip ended I knew that I wanted to make a photobook of our weekend. And that I wanted to make it while everything was still fresh in my mind. I was able to finish this book over the course of two days, spending approximately 2 – 3 hours each day. I probably would have finished it more quickly if I skipped the photo editing part but I enjoy the editing process and radlab (a photoshop plugin by Totally Rad!) makes it especially easy (and it’s lightning fast!) to do.
Opening page. I like using quotes to set the tone for the book and this one perfectly captured it for us.
We left our DSLR cameras at home so all the photos in this book were taken with our iphones. I was pleased with the quality of the photos and especially happy that the files were large enough to cover 2 page spreads. Some of the night shots were really grainy, but I kind of like the lo-fi quality of those. The only thing that disappointed was the small file size of the photos taken on the reverse camera mode.
Lost a lot of detail in the gutter so this page will be redone before I order copies for my girlfriends.
I included blank pages throughout the book so they can use it for notes/memorabilia keeping. And I plan on using one of those blank pages myself to write a little note to each of them.
about this photobook
– 68 pages, 6×9 (trade and notebook size), printed at blurb
– photos edited using RadLab by Totally Rad
i’m in love with your photobooks and this one is simply amazing! did you by chance take all of our photos with your phone? just curious what you think of the clarity.
i should add “what do you think of the clarity of phone photos?” 🙂
Thanks Michele! Yes, all the photos were taken with our iphones. I think the clarity is just fine. Granted the night photos are really grainy but I kind of like the lo-fi quality of them. The only I wasn’t happy with are the small size of the photos when we used the reverse camera mode.
Gorgeous book! I need to make one about my trip to Barcelona, but uh, I’m feeling lazy about photo editing… In hindsight, I should have taken more notes. Next time! Next time. 😉
Oooooh. Barcelona. Do you use RadLab? I will change the way you feel about photo editing! I used to dread it because it’s so time consuming, but not anymore. You can download a free trial version, check it out and see if you like it.
Ooh, they have a free trial? That’s awesome! How did you keep track of the time each photo was taken? Do you have an iPhone? I wish my phone had a timestamp.
You can find time info, etc. by right clicking on the file. If you’re on a mac click on GET INFO to view the photo’s metadata.
STUNNING!!!
as always so elegant and smart..
i adore your minimalistic and inteligent design.
thank you (-:
I love your book! Very nice gift for your friends
This is amazing Liz!
OH MY GRAPES!!! This is astounding!!! DOING it! I have a trip to Seattle with my mom and sister soon (NO KIDS!) Now did you make a template for yourself to make this? For example how you have one picture over two pages with the time. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!
Oh I love Seattle, have fun! For the pages, I created a 12×9 file and used it over and over again so the times/text were consistent throughout the book, so I suppose that it’s a template? But I didn’t create any clipping masks, just dragged the photo onto the file and decided how to crop (if at all) based on that particular image. Hope that makes sense.
That is exactly what I was thinking of doing! Thank you so much for answering!! xox You are a constant source of insiration! xox
Stunning and classy as always Liz! I love it! I really soaked up your idea of extra pages for each of your friend’s personal memories – SWEET!
I have just begun to play with more photo apps on my phone since I am not yet able to purchase the DSLR I am wishing for. What fun and fabulous pics one can take or edit from existing photos!
When you are referring to “reverse camera mode”, are you meaning the front camera? I’m thinking so and I am SO with you on the lack of quality due to low megapixels! I am not sure what you can find in the Apple market, but I’ve just installed one from the Android market that will allow you to use your back camera via voice and one you can activate with a whistle, clap, etc. This way, you just turn it around for a group shot and you will get the better quality 🙂
I think you’ve sold me on RadLab. I almost purchased it a few months back and talked myself out of it due to all of the photo actions + that I already have. They still require a great deal of time, so RadLab is looking good right about now!
Have an awesome day Liz and thanks for sharing both your adventure in Vegas and your stylish photobook!
Linda, you will not regret RadLab! I too am a collector of actions, i love how they transform photos! The downfall of course is how long it takes to edit, especially when you’re combining actions, or running through them all to find the right colorcast. With radlab, you can instantly preview what the “after” will look like and apply different styles together easily and quickly. And when you finally find a combination that you like, you can save it and reuse it over and over again with a single click. At the risk of sounding dramatic, it seriously changed my life!
They offer a trial version that you can download for free, you should do that and give it a whirl.
Thanks for the tip on the app, I’ll be on the lookout for an iphone compatible one.
What a gorgeous idea. Such a sweet and personal gift to give to your friends. Love your photobooks. Have to ask the same question as Michele in regards to the clarity of your phone photos.
It’s a thumbs up on the clarity, except, like I mentioned above, for some of the night shots (really grainy) and then the reverse camera mode only produces low resolution images.
This is all kinds of awesome. Inspired!
I love your photobooks – so inspiring! The clean, simple feel of them is fabulous!
LOVE it! How did you like the trade/notebook size and printing through Blurb? The size is appealing, and the price can’t be beat. I’ve been trying to find a reason to print one. How is the paper quality?
Hi Amy,
I love the 6×9 size/format of the notebook size, it worked especially well for the photos from this trip because everything was snapped with our camera phones. I notice when I take photos with my phone, I normally shoot long/portrait oriented photos (When I’m using a DSLR I usually shot landscape oriented photos).
I was happy with the paper quality maybe because I already knew that it would be lighter weight. The quality is comparable to anthropologie, urban outfitters, boden catalogs, the main difference being those catalogs have a sheen to it and the notebook pages are matte.
Hope that helps!
Absolutely stunning!!! This is exactly what I am looking to do for my friends after we get back from our trip to Vegas in May. Will definitely be getting a hold of you for additional tips. Such great work!!
LOVE THIS! I love the photo imperfections; how some photos are just a complete blur…because really that’s how Vegas feels! I, too, would love to know how you feel about the trade/notebook size and paper quality!
Hi Elizabeth,
Your question is similar to one asked by Amy (above) so I’m copying my response here:
I love the 6×9 size/format of the notebook size, it worked especially well for the photos from this trip because everything was snapped with our camera phones. I notice when I take photos with my phone, I normally shoot long/portrait oriented photos (When I’m using a DSLR I usually shot landscape oriented photos).
I was happy with the paper quality maybe because I already knew that it would be lighter weight. The quality is comparable to anthropologie, urban outfitters, boden catalogs, the main difference being those catalogs have a sheen to it and the notebook pages are matte.
Hope that helps!
May I ask how much it cost? I totally love it by the way.
The book (not including shipping) was $28.95. I chose the hardcover image wrap option so the cost was a bit higher. The softcover is the more economical choice.
You do such beautiful work! It’s so rare to find photo album and scrapbook design that isn’t cheesy. Love your eye for design.
Thank you!
Your photoalbums are always so inspiring! I love this one, I can’t believe it only took a few days to complete. I really need to start taking better notes when I go away!
I LOVE this!!!! as always. <3
First, I have enjoyed all of your creations! I’ve made tons of calendars and other gifts by purchasing so many of your great (digital) products.
Now for my question. I noticed in the books that you make that your b&w photos truly come out in b&w. I too have bought the rad lab products but how do you prep your b&w photos for BLURB printing? I’ve printed two books through BLURB and my b&w photos can have tinges of blues to greens in the images. Anyway, I’m sure there is an easy explanation. I love using your photoshop ready templates, I just wish my b&w photos looked “black and white.” 🙁
I appreciate your posts and your creativity. Many blessings to you and your family.
Julio
Hi Julio,
I didn’t take any extra steps to prep them for blurb printing, though I know what you mean about the tinge. I haven’t had that experience with Blurb, but I’ve gotten plenty of photo prints back from costco that way. What RadLab recipes as you using? I always use the antique tone effect (anywhere from 12% – 32%) and I’ve found that it helps tremendously to keep the b&w photos look a tinge warmer (but not overly processed).
love this book! I’m currently making one of my dec/jan trip to vietnam and am working my way through it. I’m using snap fish and had the idea to include a couple of blank pages at the back to stitch ‘pockets’ to keep momentos in 🙂
I adore this project. Such a fabulous idea and gorgeous design.
Hi, may I know which font did you use for this photobook? It looks great!!! TIA.
What a beautiful book, thanks for sharing! I’m also wondering about the quality of the paper in the smaller album. I’ve only made one book with Blurb and I upgraded the paper to the professional matte. How do you like the “text weight” paper?
Hi Patsy,
Your question is similar to one asked by Amy (above) so I’m copying my response here:
I love the 6×9 size/format of the notebook size, it worked especially well for the photos from this trip because everything was snapped with our camera phones. I notice when I take photos with my phone, I normally shoot long/portrait oriented photos (When I’m using a DSLR I usually shot landscape oriented photos).
I was happy with the paper quality maybe because I already knew that it would be lighter weight. The quality is comparable to anthropologie, urban outfitters, boden catalogs, the main difference being those catalogs have a sheen to it and the notebook pages are matte.
Hope that helps!
[…] couple of beautiful, creative documentation projects: Paislee Press ‘Weekend in Vegas’ photobook. Kelly Purkey’s Being 30 Moleskine. I’m into […]
absolutely love it!
[…] Source: paisleepress.com […]
awesome book. can you share with me the fonts u used?
I LOVE YOUR PHOTOBOOK. I’m bookmarking this page for future reference. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
hey! i love this idea and i’ve already joined blurb and downloaded red lab!
now this is going to be a stupid question but how do i get the template i design in photoshop with red lab into a book???
Save them as high resolution jpegs, then upload to blurb.
Hi Liz!
LOVE this photobook! What font is it that you used? I love the minimalist design!
Hey Liz!
Just found your photo book and I am absolutely in love with it! I am right before creating my first photo book, ever.
Thanks for sharing yours, it is a great inspiration.
Also, loving the font. Tried to look it up and identify it, if I am not very much mistaken it should be “Univers Light Ultra Condensed”. At least it’s very similar looking.
amazing photobook! thanks for the inspiration-currently creating my nyc photobook.
[…] Source: paisleepress.com […]
[…] Source: paisleepress.com […]
Whoa! You really did great a good job. You must have used a magic trick. LOL. But really, the room looked neat and awesome!
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