The Power of Facebook Groups And A Photo Book Sale Follow Up
After my post about The Tired City book the last Thursday in a few Facebook groups related to film photography, photo books, and zines, I’ve got about 70 unique visitors from 21 countries to my website.
In total, eight books were sent to 6 countries together with little fresh silver prints. Another one will go to Australia within a “book swap,” which is also crazy great.
I didn’t expect it would go this well, but it clearly shows how active all these communities are. Sales posts aren’t very welcomed, and participants are did I not get a single negative comment on posts like this:
Thanks to the story in the post beside the offer, I guess.
Here are the top groups I’ve published my post:
I must say it is an excellent source of inspiration and energy to go further in photography. Money itself doesn’t matter in this case, but the feedback, appreciation, the book and dozens of new friends worldwide — this is priceless!
Preparing the orders: Complimentary Silver Prints
It was a problem to choose a photo to be printed — despite the fact that the water tower doesn’t represent the idea of a book, it is definitely a sign of Limassol. Not a touristic one, but very “local,” which is located close to the old city center, next to the main post office and a police station. It also has a pretty harsh look which supports the book's overall mood.
It took me hours to deal with my choice, but then the printing process went really weird.
I started with tiny ones and planned to include 2 or 3 in each order, but something went really wrong with my mind and hands. I made a try to print a few at the same time: to expose one by one and to put them in the same developer tray altogether. It didn’t go well, as you see.
Lesson learned: a darkroom is definitely the wrong place to rush. So I’ve returned to my initial promise — one complimentary print for each order.
My second attempt was just perfect. I switched to bigger format, using Ilford RC Multigrade Pearl paper and printing with a Split Grade method.
Split Grade method means you run at least two exposure to the same sheet of paper with different contrast filters: low contrast filters allow you to work more with highlights and mid-tones to get more details in light areas of an image. In contrast, high contrast filters work on the shadows, blacks and allow to get more details in dark areas or to make them even darker.
It requires more time and patience but gives outstanding control over exposition and almost eliminates the need for dodging or burning if your negative is more or less balanced.
All the prints turned good, and the size after a little cut was a perfect fit. Packed and sealed, books have gone to the world — fingers crossed for their safe trip, and looking forward to hearing some feedback.
If anyone else wants a copy of the book with a little silver print (will be different, likely) — here’s the link: https://www.maxzhiltsov.com/photobook-the-tired-city
Remember about -50% off with the BOOK50OFF promo code!
