LAST DAY! $10 OFF Primordial: 2010

$10 OFF Primordial through Dec. 31, 2010. Use the promo code CHEER at checkout.

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1746882
hardcover price after discount: $64.95

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1746893
softcover price after discount: $46.95

Also the last day to order a signed/numbered limited edition with print copy at the pre-publication price of $325. Price increases to $425 on January 1, 2011.

Primordial: 2010 – Photographs of the Arizona Monsoon book now available

pri·mor·di·al
[prahy-mawr-dee-uhl]
–adjective
constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original; elementary

I am very pleased to announce the publication of my first book, Primordial: 2010 – Photographs of the Arizona Monsoon.

I have always been fascinated by clouds, as I’m sure most people have been at one point in their life. As children we see bunny rabbits in them, maybe Abraham Lincoln’s profile or an alligator. As I grew older, though, I started to think more metaphysically about what I was looking at. Was I witnessing Creation itself? Or possibly the Apocalypse? Whatever I was witnessing, it was awesome. I don’t like using the word awesome because it is so overused today by young people that its meaning has been diluted to the point where it means nothing, but I am truly in awe of all the science that has to happen for these cloud formations even to appear and to produce the beauty that results.

My inspiration for this project comes from many sources. The two main influences have been the Impressionist painters of the 19th century and, believe it or not, the Hubble Space Telescope. The Impressionists’ use of color to create form reminds me of the cloud formations I see every night. And some of the images of distant galaxies and stellar “events” that the Hubble has provided are truly amazing. This mix of science and art creates a sense of seeing something at its beginning, something that has never been seen before and that cannot be broken down any further. These images are, to me, Primordial.

The book is 80 pages and contains 57 images. It will be available in two editions – a special signed and numbered limited edition of 15 books, plus 1 artist copy, 1 presentation copy and 3 artist's proof copies. This special edition features a foil-stamped linen cover with dust jacket and includes a signed and numbered 8x10" matted/mounted print of the cover image. This edition will have a pre-publication price of $325 with a publication date of January 1, 2011. Shipping is included. After that date the price for this edition will rise to $425.

The other edition is available from blurb.com as either a hardcover with dust jacket for $74.95 or a softcover for $56.95, but is not signed or numbered. Signed copies are available for an additional $25 but must be ordered through me (not blurb).

To view a larger flash presentation of the book, please click here.

To view prints for purchase, please click here.

Ordering Information:
For more information, please email info@rcodaphotography.com or call
480-247-6401. To secure your limited edition book now at the pre-publication price, please click here. To order the non-limited edition from blurb, click here for the hardcover or here for the softcover. To order a signed, non-limited edition copy, please click here or call.

I'm a Book Publisher!

I was recently asked to design and publish a book by friend Randy Efros. Randy was Brett Weston's last assistant. The book is a portfolio of 10 platinum prints made during Randy's last trip to Scotland in 2008.

We had talked about all the current self-publishing options out there. Blurb was considered, but I have yet to see a Blurb book that I considered a quality product. Quite a few of my photographer friends have gone this route and all have consistently had quality issues. Another thing that made me cringe was that, until very recently, you could not design your own book. You had to use their software which did not leave much room for being in total control of the design. We finally went with Edition One in Berkeley. They are a small boutique shop utilizing the latest technology (HP Indigo, same as Blurb), but with a personal touch and a traditional book publishing background. Overall, we were very pleased with the quality of the product AND we had total control over the design. The book features a linen cover, foil stamp and dust jacket.

I did all the scans of Randy's original platinum prints, spotted them and adjusted the contrast. I then did a test with Edition One, sending them both RGB and CMYK images for some test prints. The CYMK images ended up looking most like the original platinum prints.

The book is available as a limited edition of 15 (plus 1 artist copy, 1 presentation copy, and 3 artist proof copies), signed and numbered book with an original 4x5" platinum print made by Randy. It will be available as a non-editioned book, as well. The limited edition is priced at $300 for pre-publication orders, and $400 post-publication. Currently there are 10 copies already pre-sold. Non-edition books will be in soft-cover and sell for $50. Books are available by contacting Randy directly at randy@randyefros.com.

Next up is a portfolio of 8x10 silver prints from his Hawaii Portfolio, which will be available for pre-publication in December with a publication date of January 1, 2011.

If any of you out there are interested in this book design service, please contact me at rich@rcodaphotography.com.