Wabi Sabi, Issue 1
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
My friends Mamen Saura, Gary Sharp and I have put together a photo magazine of our work using MagCloud, a new publishing service. The process has been fantastic and I’m sure we’ll not only continue this magazine but we’ll also be using MagCloud for other things as well.
Here’s the magazine: Wabi Sabi, Issue 1. Feel free to browse, follow and if you like it, buy it online.
Here’s more on how MagCloud works.
We used Apple’s Pages application to do the page layout and create the PDF that we sent up to MagCloud. They allow instant proofing and then use their HP Indigo printers to print magazines on demand. No more printing 1000 magazines to save money, anyone can order a single issue of this or any other MagCoud magazine at any time, everything is printed on demand.
I’ve got a pile of over 20 magazines by a variety of both amateur and professional publishers, all using the MagCloud publishing service. Some of them are great, some are less than great but all are interesting and all are easy to browse online to see what one is getting.
The printing cost is .20 a page which for our 36 page magazine is $7.20. We marked the magazine up $2.80 to make it an even $10. Shipping cost for first class USPS is $1.40 which is excellent. The magazine comes wrapped in plastic in perfect condition.
The great thing about this process is, the author/publisher can make changes to the issue at any time. If you decide one of the images is too dark or light, adjust the image in your photo editor, export a copy, drag it into Pages, make a new PDF and upload it replacing what was there. This is all transparent to buyers. We’ve made numerous proofs in the process of working on this first issue.
A few tips for those interested in trying this service:
It seems the printing is consistently on the dark side so you should definitely order a proof before making your magazine public (if you even plan to make it public). We went through two proofs lightening various images each time until we felt we had it right. MagCloud is still in beta and they say they will have a printing profile author/publishers can download and install to soft proof before uploading but until then, be aware.
MagCloud has templates you can download at no cost, here they are. These templates are a starting point and will take some adjustment in the proofing process to get right. Just be patient, they’re close to perfect as they are.
I would be very interested in hearing from you if you’ve tried this service or have questions about our first use of it. And, if you’ve got questions about our magazine please feel free to ask.
What a neat idea Richard. Just ordered a copy of it. Gotta support you and Gary.
Thanks for the tips on this service. It may come in handy down the road.
Thanks Greg, and Mamen, Gary, and I thank you very much and do let us know what you think, your opinion will mean a lot to us.
When you decide to give it a go, let me know and I’ll be happy to help you get through your first issue. It’s really easy and for you will be a snap.
Very, very impressive! Great to hear how it came about too :-)
Will be looking into using this, (will check about sending to the UK).
Jon
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Richard Wanderman, Gary Sharp. Gary Sharp said: How Wabi Sabi magazine was made http://bit.ly/9FzrHw #photography #wabisabi #magcloud [...]
wow this is great thanks, I am sold and I cannot wait to get my copy.
Edward, it’s a great service and I think you’ll enjoy seeing the output. You should do a magazine on the history of Henri, so far!
Fantastic Richard! Thanks again for being the pioneer you are. I’ll get myself a copy. I’m gonna pass this along, too, to lots of my friends. How very cool.
Thanks Scott. The service is something you should look into as a way to share collections of your photographs with folks who might want to see them in print form. Thanks for checking Wabi Sabi out, I’ll be very interested in what you think of both the content and the print job.
wow I am really exited to get my copy I just cannot wait.
I’m anxious to see what you think of it Edward, do let me know when you get it and what you think. And thanks.
I sure will, thanks for doing this.
quick review, first doing review is not really my thing but richard you put a lot of effort in this so i wanted to share my thought, in one word this is amazing, maybe the best thing I have seen in years….
so I ordered on magazine on the 24th and got my copy today. I think the website ordering process was strait forward and easy to use.
the quality of the magazine is really good the paper weight is nice and thick the printing quality is sharp and the over the quality is really up there.
Now for the most important part the images. the images are beautiful it is really nice to see a collection of a few different artist in the magazine. the colors are sharp.
thanks so much and I cannot wait for issue II
Edward: Wow, this is great. I’m delighted the ordering process went well, you got the magazine fast and in good shape (they’re very good about that), and the printing looks good to you. I know you’re already familiar with many of the images and know how to size up a printed image so the fact that you like the content means a lot to me.
Thanks so much for ordering it, I’m honored. Issue #2 is in the works, stay tuned. Oh, you can track/follow issues by “following” wabi sabi at Magcloud.
hahahah yes I am following :) and I cannot wait I think the only issues is the the photographer or content provider docent make very much $ but for the end user it is really a great service.
Edward: I suppose if we were “famous” photographers we could mark each issue up a bit more but we’re in it to get our work out there in print form, not to make money. If we can break even we’ll be happy.
Richard,
I got my issue on March 31, and immediately starting writing the following comments. However, I got sidetracked several times and just now sat down to finish. Anyway, these comments are pretty much stream of thinking, but with a twist of encouragement tossed in. Bottom line is that this is a great magazine and a great start.
Scott
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Richard,
My copy of WABI SABI, Issue 1, 2010, Introductory Issue has arrived. It came quickly and in good shape. The following are a few comments about the project. You asked me to give you some feedback on it, so here goes.
The colors and contrast of the printed pages are fine. They are not too dark. As a matter of fact the darkest photos still have detail and good tone. This might be a result of your tweaking, but you’ve gotten it just right to my eyes. Keep the settings you finalized on this one. It works well.
The paper stock is high quality, made to last, nice feel, not unlike many magazines “off the shelf.” So, it helps the product feel substantial, worth the money, that kind of thing. I think the number of pages is just right, too. Not too much to take in at a time, but enough to reinforce the value-for-money feeling.
How does Anne feel about being a cover girl? How did you decide on the cover photo? How do you decide on which photos to include? Do you develop a “theme” as a group and make selections based on that? I’m interested in the process you use since this is a group effort and often, I assume, long distance in nature.
The cover shot provides a friendly human face, literally. A soft, inviting human face. The wooly hat and scarf (or whatever it is around her neck) also offer softness, warmth if you will. Anne’s eyes are wise and inviting in a friendly way. The white lights in the subway seem to be emanating from her face or psyche or both, sending those warm fuzzy feelings into the universe. An intriguing opener.
The About page is interesting, too. I like the title, Wabi Sabi, and the idea behind it. You hang your shingle out regarding Canon and Macintosh so no questions asked there. I like that each image is available as a purchase; a nice addition to the usefulness of the periodical. I get a glimpse into the thoughts of each of the photographers as to why they are doing this in the first place. Not a ramble by any means, but enough material and philosophy to get a snapshot of each of you. Nice. Email addresses for all – you aren’t afraid to communicate with your readers – good. Readable font (oh ok, it could be a bit bigger for my old eyes – is it Verdana?) with adequate white space.
Erin’s new sweater – Another Wanderman forte, the colors and composition are excellent. The orange handles of the scissors catch your eye first, but points you immediately to the paper/pencil figure. The framing of the knitting material, top and left, caress the dark triangle containing the ball of yard which shows the direction of the light. Practical beauty, shall we call it? It all adds up to a great photo. Your photos, this one and Payos, bookend the heart of the magazine: any reason why these two images were chosen to serve this purpose? is this part of the plan? Just curious.
Hands/Onions – We come to facing pages with images for the first time. It seems there are connections to the facing images as the magazine goes on, but I wasn’t sure here. Is there a metaphorical connection that missing here?
Hands – The bokeh is lovely, the body seeming so distant, separated, from the hands. They do have a life of their own here. The dash of purple on the left hand (right side of photo) sleeve, is that part of the blouse or shirt or an artifact? Although I am pretty sure this is bread dough, I couldn’t help thinking play-dough. The focus is right across the knuckles, the center of the fingers, and the cast shadow of the fingers further compresses the soft material between the hands and table top. Another warm and human image. The process of what we make shows a lot about the maker.
Onions – The colors are natural, that is, found in nature even though the plants are bound with words and wire, not in nature. So perhaps the connection is what we make and what we gather. Food in both for sure. The sphere shapes all stacked remind be of the market and all the gustatory possibilities. Yum.
Crossroads/Hanging Leaf (facing) – Like the leaf, we don’t always know what is happening, which way to go, what the future holds, how we got here. I like the people tracks among the tire tracks. I like the color similarities of the two photos.
Downward facing dog/Upside down – An obvious connection spatially. There is a disconnect with gravity. The girl’s skin tone is beautiful and wonderfully captured. The lines on the mat, with bokeh absolutely centered on Anne’s feet, surround the image with a sense of going somewhere – another spatial reference.
Small glass/Ethiopian water – Although technically excellent, these leave me half full. I’m not sure what I don’t see here.
Cables/Anne in Times Square – Reflections, yes, but a contrast, too. Happy children, jumbled cables, and an empty alley versus a smiling adult, an uncooperative child, and a hairy face. The empty space to the right of Cables lets the sphere of the mirror hang in space. The bokeh in the other reflects the blur of the city.
Oyster shell/Poppy – I love both images, but together they are a gestalt! Colors and forms show such similar features in two completely different living objects. I looked at this page many times. Great job here.
Red and Blue/Amaryllis blooming – Both of these images strikes me as art, or a nod to art. They remind me of water colors and not in the “photo-shopped” way at all. The direction of the light is not clear in either, a plus here, and the non-specularity adds to the sense of colors projected onto a canvas instead of a book I’m holding. These two light elements also produce subdued contrast that is easy on the eye, invites, lures you stay. Nice.
Sandwich/Taxi – Ok, boys, these are artsy, eh? In Gary’s, the checkered cloth keeps drawing me back to the sandwich. The bokeh here adds mystery. I’m guessing, just guessing, that the Taxi is taken in a window, a reflection of a taxi? The longer I look the more I can see the contents. Maybe I’m imaging things?
Glass and organes/Anne’s end table pile – Another great choice in pairings. The soft light in the glass and oranges contrasts well with the hard light of the table matter. Rushdie, the yarn, and the scissors work together in color and form, but I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t another kind of connection as well: censorship (snip snip)? Again, I’m imagining things probably.
The best of times/Temple mudra – The smiles and the blue, clear sky do suggest a possible “best of times” for these two. Pointing with our faces and fingers, we do it all the time and never stop to think about either. Photography can allow us to freeze these actions in time. Light and color space in each is interesting. The white columns of light, vertical this time, unlike the horizontal light on the cover, seems to be all around Anne. Ever notice this phenomena?
Corner/Crooked – Corner is so rich in detail, light contrast, form and detail. The angles of the corner, their creamy hues and worn look, contrast wonderfully with the metal grill work. From lower left to upper right your eye is drawn across the page and falls on the curled figure of metal in the grill. But what is that behind it? A door? Ah, more richness of texture, color and detail. Crooked is scary but fascinating. Is this stairway still in use? abadoned? ready for the wrecking ball or still housing some wreck of humanity? The photo contains a huge array of hues in the yellow spectrum, almost unbroken around the frame.What are the markings on the door underneath the stair? And what is the little blue object above the upper door? Fascinating images.
Mirror and rain/Bus – I’ve always wanted to do a series of rear view mirror shots, but Mamen has provided me with the first. Inner and outer and the same time. And that look. My gosh, what are those eyes saying? The bus is bokeh to the extreme, yes? Pushing the eye across the spheres of light, the globes, the dollops of light, you come to the but and immediately arch back toward the stanchion.
Steaming basket/Yoga mats – My favorite of Gary’s, the colors, shapes, texture and contrast are great. This image shows the beauty of the ordinary, the objects all around us. Photography teaches us to see with different eyes. I’ve always liked the yoga mats photo since you put that one up on your site, Richard. The color contrast coupled with the texture and shape similarities are wonderful. The bokeh produces and absolute glow around the mats. Such soft gorgeous light!
Payos – I like the yarmulke and curl. Where’s this guy going? He seems to be dreaming, or the image invokes a dream-like state somehow.
Well, that’s all she wrote. Thanks, all, for an interesting and worthwhile magazine. I’ll be watching for more from Wabi Sabi.
This is a great review Scott, thank you so much for taking the time to look carefully and record your observations.
We’ll take all of your comments to heart as we put together the next issue and the cool thing about the MagCloud publishing service is that I can change the size of the typeface on the current issue any time. I’m sorry, however, that I can’t change the size of the typeface on already printed copies (that would be a neat trick, only possible on the iPad version).
Thanks again Scott.