View Full Version : Exhibition naming...
I've got an exhibition in Feb and time is getting on. I'm trying to name it. The theme is basically my HDR work in Liverpool, with maybe one or two non-hdr shots that show off Liverpool as the great city I see it as. "Images of Liverpool" is a rubbish name. Its got to be something good, something we can brand. By we I mean the design agency that is doing the branding. So I'm after inspiration. I'm not after any cliches. This is a big deal, press will be notified and flyers will be all around town. I'm not convinced about naming it "Vanilla Days" because that already exists. Dunno really whether the exhibition is an extension of it or a totally seperate thing. Having it seperate means new branding, new site.... tricky.
Justsomebloke
17-01-2008, 19:58
Eye on the World or Eye of the World.
The Digital Eye.
Eye Portal.
Life Visions.
Visions of Life.
All Crap probably but may start the ball rolling for other more literate people :)
Bit too cliched :) Its a photography exhibition, but its not about "photography" if you get me. Its about showing off Liverpool as this incredible city, because thats how I see it.
Justsomebloke
17-01-2008, 20:07
Give us some more clues then mate. Write a little paragraph about what You want the name to represent etc.
I'm not sure. Its photos of Liverpool. Its how I see the city, the Capital of Culture. Its an amazing city full of great architecture, great music, great light. When I see something incredible around town I'll take a picture with the end result being that when someone sees the photo they go "Wow." Thats what I felt when I was there, thats the message I want to get across. As for the exhibition, the name, I don't know. Its just photos of a place where I love to take photos because its amazing. Its just photos of Liverpool. No deep symbolism or meaning to it. Just pretty pictures.
Piggymon
17-01-2008, 21:17
LIFE - Liverpool in Full Effect ;D
I really like that !
How about "While We're Making Other Plans" from the John Lennon quote "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."
If you pick "LIFE", then Kitten should get a VIP ticket to the exhibition, and I want to be her "And Guest" ;)
Scouse City, here we come!
From the popular Beach Boys song of course :)
goldilocks
17-01-2008, 21:56
'city of culture - captured'
Justsomebloke
17-01-2008, 21:59
The House of Scouse.
'Pool of Life?
I was thinking "Pool of Light", a play on Liverpool's title. But felt it was a bit wrong. Its so hard thinking these things up.
How about "While We're Making Other Plans" from the John Lennon quote "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."
I like that too because it has meaning. However its kinda long. I'll see if my designer can work with it. Though it does imply I'm a Beatles fan, and I haven't listened to their work enough to say I am.
If you pick "LIFE", then Kitten should get a VIP ticket to the exhibition, and I want to be her "And Guest" ;)
There will be a private launch party, and I'm trying to work out the details on that.
Scouse City, here we come!
From the popular Beach Boys song of course :)
Ideally I want to stay away from the word "Scouse" simply because outside Liverpool its a bad 80's stereotype, plus I'm not a Scouser :)
There will be a private launch party, and I'm trying to work out the details on that.
Oooh, is this a good time to point out the amount of times I covered your back in CoD4 earlier? ;D
Pool of Life and While We're Making Other Plans sound good to me :)
I'm crap at coming up with titles for anything unfortunately :o
Hehe :D The only glitch is that if there's a Friday night launch, I'm in the gallery from then for 3 weeks looking after it. So if anyone comes up its either sit with me on chairs I haven't even begun to source or go around Liverpool :) But that'll be discussed at a later date, when I know more. I could be standing up for 3 weeks :D
One name I was tempted by was "Over the water." Its a phrase my Nan used to say when people asked where I lived. I've never lived in Liverpool, always "Over the water" and thats where I go and photograph. But I was thinking its a bit odd having an exhibition in Liverpool called "over the water" because people might think its about Wirral. I often over think things, and its probably the perfect name as it means something to me.
Heart of the Eye
I was sort of thinking along the lines of what you said about it being what it looked like to you. In the eye of the beholder sort of thing. Only it's what it made you feel. I had originally thought of something like 'From the heart of the beholder' but decided it was too long. Ach I know what I'm trying to get at :o
Ideally I want to stay away from the word "Scouse" simply because outside Liverpool its a bad 80's stereotype, plus I'm not a Scouser :)
So Hoots mon, there's a scouse mouse about this house would be out then? :D
How about something like tis?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/piggymon/Odds%20and%20Ends/liverpool.png
I like things nice and simple :)
Thats really rather good :)
"Give me onnnnnnnnnnnnne moment in time....When I'm racing with destinyyyyyyyyyy!"
/Whitney moment
;) Does sound rather good though!
BB x
So Hoots mon, there's a scouse mouse about this house would be out then? :D
No no, its good but personally I'm finding life can be worth living so I'd like it to continue doing so :p
How about something like tis?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/piggymon/Odds%20and%20Ends/liverpool.png
I like things nice and simple :)
I do quite like that. I think its hard to decide because its just nothing. Pretty pictures by Pete Carr :D I'll grab my guy tomorrow and run through things.
I was trying to stay clear of Ferry Cross the Mersey :D I had a chat with the designer today and he thinks it'll be stronger with 'culture' in it. I've got a meeting with him Wed afternoon to discuss things. He suggested "A reflection of culture." He thinks the press will like it more for having culture in.
How about "Liverpool - Culture Captured"?
Pumpkinstew
21-01-2008, 20:41
You're in Liverpool - Calm Down ;)
Or serious suggestion:
Still Life
..... Still Culture
.......... Still Liverpool
(Remove the dots. I can't seem to post blank spaces)
Ok well I've got a name. It means something too and will work well in the local press I feel. I have a meeting with a design agency tomorrow who are sponsoring me. I've just called the Purple Wine company to see if they'll sponsor me too. They're a bit unsure about their budget so I may have to pay. Thats not a huge issue as the budget I had for marketing has been nicely sponsored by Switch Media. I've found nice little tables at Ikea for £15 (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S79831622). I'll need 2 basically. One to work at and host drinks on for opening, and the other for guestbook and sponsor info. I've spoken to Albert Dock, very briefly as the phone cut out but they seem ok with a private view the night before. I left a message to setup a meeting with them this or next week. *thinks* I'm in the middle of sorting the £5m public liability insurance they've asked me to get. I have 1 quote, awaiting another. I have a meeting on Friday with another company to see if they can help. Hopefully with distribution of flyers. I'm stealing chairs from my backroom. The one main thing I'm having trouble with is sourcing white / black exhibition displays. I've seen blue ones on ebay, but they're blue and hideous as a background for photos. If the Albert Dock would just let me bluetack the pictures to the wall I'd be fine. They have issues with these things. The meanies didn't like the idea of us putting over 3,500 drawing pins into the walls for eighthundred, dunno why :D I'm going to try and persuade them though.
http://www.vanilladays.com/images/Fullscreen-20080122-160304.jpg
Thats where I'll be. Its not as big as the grand hall where eighthundred was. The ceiling is quite low and makes me feel like I'll wang my head on something. So its going to feel packed on launch night. But its got great windows. As you walk down from the Tate, which is like 1 minute to the left, you'll see a photo of mine to attract you. Then when you pass, nice posh vinyl on the windows and more photos to make you come in.
The name then. Its going to be "Port of Culture." I spoke with my designer and he felt I should totally cash in on the whole culture year thing. I was reading Wikiwikiwaaaa last night and it hit me. Its a port! Duh. Liverpool's biggest import / export this year is culture. Its being held at a disused dock. My photos are simply about Liverpool's culture over the past few years. Win win. Port of culture. So its good because I can talk to people about that and they can quote me in the papers. Thats the idea anyway. It opens 5 weeks on Friday. Great Odens wife swap! Its going to be crazy. I shall keep thee updated.
Edit: Purple Wine can't sponsor me. So I'm buying glasses from Ikea, wine from Sainsburys and I'll have to source some robotic pouring device.
I'll have to source some robotic pouring device.
Ask Lynne if shes free ;)
teehee :D Just spoke with Albert Dock. Private view is fully confirmed. I'm meeting with them on Friday to test the sticking of prints to the wall. If that works and they're ok then it'll save a lot of hassle.
I'll come and pour/drink wine for you :)
My mum has some exhibition stands, not sure what colour - I'll ask her for you.
Ideally I'd rather not invite my friends around to pour wine, because I'd rather invite them to the launch as guests :) Obviously I'm not suggesting a meet because I'm going to be in manning the exhibition from 23rd of Feb to 9th March so I won't be able to do anything outside of that (10-5). So its not exactly meet worthy, but if you're not too far and do want to come that'd be awesome. Unfortunately due to my parents being ill I can't put anyone up. Its going to be 6pm till 8pm, Friday 22nd Feburary. I'm going to contact Baby Cream and see if they'll do me a deal on drinks. At eighthundred we gave out discount vouchers, buy one get one free drinks I think. Either way after the launch off to one of the bars in Albert Dock for a drink and maybe late tea :)
And if all goes well, we'll be there Saturday 8th March :) Hope I have a new camera by then :)
well the offer is there if you're stuck :) I'll be popping in on a daily basis I'm afraid ;D
Cool. Actually it'll be great if you do pop by. As I'll be covering it daily with no backup I'm currently unsure as to how I'll make it to the loo :D I hope they give me keys to it so I can lock up and nip for lunch otherwise its going to be an intense 3 weeks of holding it in :D
And if all goes well, we'll be there Saturday 8th March :) Hope I have a new camera by then :)
Awesome :D
And if all goes well, we'll be there Saturday 8th March :)
\o/
If I lived nearer, I'd do a kitten and pop in daily too :D But the mileage might get a bit extreme from here ;D
Yeah those early morning starts would soon get annoying :D
I am too far and it's a bloody long way but by god I'm going to do it if I can because I want to see the photos. I'm still working out when I can afford to order a print (going to be a while).
Looks like 8th March (not because anyone else is going that day - I'm not expecting to make a meet of it as I wouldn't be staying anyway, though that'll not stop anyone else who wants to go ahead). Leave home at 6am, get back at midnight, 8 hours in Liverpool, £17.20 all in. I think I'm on to a winner there. Best book it before the tickets disappear. :)
Just please don't put them all high up where someone who is blind as **** like me won't be able to see 'em. ;D
well i can definately come over and hold the fort at lunch so you can nip out if you need to :D
Can bring coffee & hot chcolate supplies too :D
Awesome :D Not sure I'll get Wifi from the Apple store. It was iffy during eighthundred. Days like this I could use an iPhone :D
I am too far and it's a bloody long way but by god I'm going to do it if I can because I want to see the photos. I'm still working out when I can afford to order a print (going to be a while).
Looks like 8th March (not because anyone else is going that day - I'm not expecting to make a meet of it as I wouldn't be staying anyway, though that'll not stop anyone else who wants to go ahead). Leave home at 6am, get back at midnight, 8 hours in Liverpool, £17.20 all in. I think I'm on to a winner there. Best book it before the tickets disappear. :)
Just please don't put them all high up where someone who is blind as **** like me won't be able to see 'em. ;D
Dude thats fantastic :) <3 They won't be high. The ceiling is about 7ft high so pictures will be normal height.
Trains booked. No pressure at all then. ;D
Oh no, none what so ever. Piece of cake. Its just hanging some pictures, and then inviting the world to turn up......................
Meeting went well with designers. They've got me 100 posters, a couple at A1 size (!!) and 1,000 flyers / postcards to put around town. Meeting another company on Friday to talk about distribution of said flyers and to see if they have any other ideas. Designs should be done for a week Friday, in theory. Gotta talk with PR agency too about some stuff. If there's a plan, its all going accordingly. There isn't of course and I'm making it all up as I go along :D Going to speak to Photobox about possible sponsorship, and designers are going to make a few calls.
Id love to be involved in something like this, I always wanted to work in Marketing, so its combining two things I enjoy :)
Keep us up to speed :thumbup:
Sounds all very promising Pete :) Excellent :D
Id love to be involved in something like this, I always wanted to work in Marketing, so its combining two things I enjoy :)
Keep us up to speed :thumbup:
Will do. The plan is to get the site done and talk to the press. Try and get something in the paper, coverage of the launch night etc. I just got a call about a job tomorrow covering the launch of a new radio station in Liverpool. Cool thing is theres a tonne of big names going and I know at least one is a fan of mine. Funny story, but for anyone who knows Brookside its Jimmy Corkhill! He owns one of my pics and he's going to run a new station with a feature on local art. So I'll let him know about the exhibition and hopefully get some pluggage. Its all about who you know, which is annoying because you have to spend ages doing dull networking.
don't forget if you need any copy/write ups for the flyers, I'll do 'em for a special rate of FREEBIE :D
Cool. Its going to be very simple. Pic, title, name, url. Sort of a collectable postcard. Can't wait to see the designs :D
Trisha? lol :D I'm the official photographer so I'll be getting all the "stars" pics... :D Plug it as much as possible, gotta be huge or its not worth doing. :D
Looking forward to seeing it Pete :) I cant say I understand the photography but I definitely enjoy your stuff.
Sounds like you're on top of things too which is good. I'll be expecting professional perfection when we pop up :D
I'll be expecting professional perfection when we pop up :D
You'll want to stop at the Tate then ;)
Yey, this morning paid off. Dull shoot, suity peeps chatting. However I had a very brief chat with Dean Sullivan about the exhibition and he said it sounds great. He mentioned he'd plug it on the radio and to email him more details. He even mentioned coming in for a chat on air about it, but I'm trying not to be too excited about that in case it doesn't pan out. Radio pluggage would be win. Me on the radio talking about it would be all shades of win and a cupcake! So I might email just email him :D Its all so real, and scary :D Real scary. 4 weeks tomorrow :shocked:
Ooooooooooooh I am soooooooooooooooo excited for you :cool:
Cant wait for this now :)
So, todays meeting with Albert Dock seemed to go well. They've told me I can't have the original unit I wanted, C17. So they're giving me C18 next door. It has a bigger window pointing right at people as they walk down from the Tate so in theory if I put large prints on the windows people will come in.
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/Work.lrcat_-_Adobe_Photoshop_Lightroom_-_Library-20080125-202450.jpg
We did a test of sticking photos to the walls and it worked well. Photo stayed up and didn't damage the paint. He said if it did they take it out the deposit, but thats ok. Its far easier to whack them up on the wall than bring in stands I can't find. Its also on the Albert Dock (http://albertdock.com/index.php?page_id=1490) website. Ieeeeeeee! We worked out the gallery should hold about 15 30x20'' prints and 10 smaller, say 18x12 or something like that.
2nd meeting was also good. They can help with distribution of the flyers / collectable postcards. They can also help put the posters out. He also said if I need a DJ he can sort that. Its something that never occured to me, but I'm now thinking about it. Just something to make it a little more enjoyable perhaps. Dunno. Don't really want anything to over-power the chatter.
On Monday I'm going to speak the Albert Dock PR company. I don't have much right now but I saw a preview of the branding today and it looked good. Hopefully they'll get word out to one lot of people and press. Postcards to people on the street. I will be plugging it asap around the local community. 4 weeks today I shall be in Baby Cream wiping my brow drinking a pint of coke, hopefully surrounded by girls wanting my autograph but of course that'll just mean I passed out during the launch from stress :D I'm getting excited now. Its going to be huge!
Go you :D
Really can't wait to see the exhibition :) Really proud of you :D
He also said if I need a DJ he can sort that. Its something that never occured to me...
Hmmm, maybe just some low music in the background?
... hopefully surrounded by girls wanting my autograph...
Hey! Thats something I dont have from you ;D
I'm getting excited now. Its going to be huge!
And me! And its not even my do!!!! :D
Go you :D
Really can't wait to see the exhibition :) Really proud of you :D
Thanks <3 :)
Hmmm, maybe just some low music in the background?
Yeah I'm thinking it might be quite nice. Just something to add to the ambiance. Maybe someone playing acoustic guitar. I'm fairly sure between a few of my local contacts that should be easy to sort and won't take up much space. I'd so love to have John Smith there. He's brilliant, just brilliant. Big fan of his work and the design agency I'm working with work with him too. Might be possible. Check out "Winter" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ToGK06dx_eQ&feature=related). Its brilliant. Its just him. The way he plays the guitar is incredible.
Hey! Thats something I dont have from you ;D
Haha, well I'm not expecting that to happen :) Girls asking for my autograph that is.
And me! And its not even my do!!!! :D
:D :D
I can haz train tickets. The way the machine was spitting out bits of card the idea of having enough for an entire deck briefly entered my head, but then it stopped. Lucky 7.
Unit looks fab. Been to the dock but never the Tate so I'd still fail to find it. :)
lol :D Tate is unmissable. Says "Tate" outside :p You've also got the Apple store, the awesome sweet shop of win with logs of fudge, a decent sarnie bar and soon my exhibition. They put all the best stuff there :D 7 train tickets is quite a number. Sounds like a crazy route via France.
Piggymon
25-01-2008, 23:08
Sounds superb Pete ! :D
Apple Store? Did you say Apple Store? Nooo, evil places containing white products that scream 'buy me, buy me', and then want to break my credit card. Unclean. Unclean. :D
I'm sure I'll figure it out - can't even remember how to get into the main shopping bit from the station right now, never mind the docks. :o
Sounds superb Pete ! :D
:D :D :D
Apple Store? Did you say Apple Store? Nooo, evil places containing white products that scream 'buy me, buy me', and then want to break my credit card. Unclean. Unclean. :D
I'm sure I'll figure it out - can't even remember how to get into the main shopping bit from the station right now, never mind the docks. :o
Its not an official Apple store, but a sort of official reseller so it is full of toys. Its practically the worst store ever. It has Canon gear and Apple toys. Its so tempting. To get to Albert Dock from the train station there's either the super easy taxi or cross the road and you'll see the bus stop. Ask a guy in yellow and I'm sure he'll know.
leowyatt
27-01-2008, 14:36
Pete, I can put a load of flyers in our reception if you like.
Cool :D Not sure on the distribution details yet. I'm getting 1,000 made but I dunno how that'll stretch over town. I'm sure we can spare 5-10 for your office.
We've got a couple of sites in Liverpool so I'm going to try and blag a visit up to them for essential matters and come have a look-see :D
and again - I can't edit, get a weird download box :/
I was thinking more in the 100s, there's 150 people in my wing along x 4 floors and 2 wings :p Have you thought of doing an e-version I can mail around?
Hmmm. That might be a stretch, I'm not sure. If I put 50 into key places thats only 20 key places around town. Yet to decide on those places. There will be a mailshot going out too. Hopefully the designers will help with that, and the PR company I'm calling tomorrow. Once the site is done I can start pimping. Flickr, forums, upcoming, artinliverpool, clients, etc. I'm hoping the PR company will issue a press release to important types. If we can make it sound interesting enough and such then hopefully the papers will be interested.
We've got a couple of sites in Liverpool so I'm going to try and blag a visit up to them for essential matters and come have a look-see :D
Ooh excellent :D I'll be there all the time, unless I *really* need to pee.
Im going to pop along to this, hopefully the opening night/party/whatever if I get an invite but I would also like to see a few of you lot that are going to turn up so if you let me know when we could meet up for a publunch or something like that?
Blackstar
27-01-2008, 18:58
I can't come any more :(
Im going to pop along to this, hopefully the opening night/party/whatever if I get an invite but I would also like to see a few of you lot that are going to turn up so if you let me know when we could meet up for a publunch or something like that?
Of course you're invited dude :) A pub lunch would be great, but I couldn't attend until after 5/6 depending on when the gallery was empty or unless I can find someone to cover it for an hour or so that day. Dare I ask my sister? :D Unless they do take away and you could bring it round ;)
I can't come any more :(
:( :( Silly distance. I'll just have to hold another one someday.
Davey_Pitch
28-01-2008, 12:53
Everything looks fantastic Pete. I'll pimp it around the school a bit if you want? We are an Art college after all and there's bound to be some people here interested in what you're doing. :)
I've got to send in some "history" to the PR company. Now its a little tricky since I made it all up so I've put this together.
About "Port of Culture":
Port of Culture is an extension of a project I have been running for over 3 years called Vanilla Days. It's a photographic site featuring a new image every day. I have been using this site to document Liverpool over the past few years from key events to cityscapes to simple images of life on the street. Port of Culture is a showcase of the best images featuring dramatic scenes from protests to classic local architecture. The idea is basically that Liverpool's new import / export is culture. The city was once a huge port and while that may have dwindled the city's level of culture has grown. 2008, as the Capital of Culture, means that we're now exporting everything that has made Liverpool great all over Europe. Our music, architecture, art, and people are all being exported for people to see. Liverpool is now a port of culture. The exhibition couldn't have been held at a better location, the Albert Dock. A once popular dock back in its day and now a great place for artists to exhibit and perform. This exhibition is my contribution to 2008, my way of showing how great Liverpool is as the year starts.
I'm assuming they're going to take that and hopefully sort things out for the press release. This is what she said;
They will definitely feature it, I will draft a release if you can give
me some insight and I will sell it in to all the local and regional arts
press. I will need high res images to facilitate this and could do with
a bit of a back story to flesh it out, why the subjects were chosen,
what made you do it now, why the Albert Dock to exhibit that kind of
thing. The Story behind the exhibition.
Once I have all of this I will pull it into an Albert Dock release and
send it out. Of course you will be quoted and offered as an interview
opportunity with this so if you can let me have some background I can
make a start.
So yeah I'm thinking I send her something and they make it pretty? I just need it to sound like I'm doing something good and worthwhile, not just throwing pictures at a wall and hoping people visit :)
Ok so I've got the concept back from the designers.
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/spread.pdf_%28page_5_of_6%29-20080130-131200.jpg
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/spread.pdf_%28page_6_of_6%29-20080130-131017.jpg
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/spread.pdf_%28page_1_of_6%29-20080130-130938.jpg
What do you reckon? Looks good? Imagine postcards and posters.
Postcards yes :) But I hope the green border isnt too overpowering on a poster. Otherwise yay :cool:
And do you want to advertise the fact theres a private viewing? Wont people get narked if they havent been invited? ;)
I see private viewing info on almost every exhibition flyer. I've never been to a private view where they've asked for my name or invitation. At eighthundred I noticed people turning up who hadn't been invited. Its an odd thing really as private views don't seem to be private :D
Pffft, good job I am not coming then, I wont feel speshul ;D
Haha, well I can still invite people just if some randoms turn up its ok :) There maybe badges too, so I shall save some for the BD people so they can feel special. Its just an idea we're toying with.
Ooooh, badges 4tw! Will it make me look like a celeb? ;)
Really looking forward to this now, are you going to have rules in places about people taking photos of photos? The new toy needs an outing, and no better place to start really :)
Looks good... I don't personally like the green, but that doesn't matter. :p
Have you tried having a skinnier border? With the font you have chosen it feels a bit too 'blocky' for me :(
Just my opinion :) please don't take offence! Glad its all shaping up nicely Pete :D
BB x
Ooooh, badges 4tw! Will it make me look like a celeb? ;)
Really looking forward to this now, are you going to have rules in places about people taking photos of photos? The new toy needs an outing, and no better place to start really :)
No rules. It was one of the nicest things to see some tourists from Brazil taking their photo in front of my work. Completely touristy but just sooooo nice. Photos are perfectly ok :) Plus you'll have all of the great spots in Albert Dock and Liverpool to photo.
Looks good... I don't personally like the green, but that doesn't matter. :p
Have you tried having a skinnier border? With the font you have chosen it feels a bit too 'blocky' for me :(
Just my opinion :) please don't take offence! Glad its all shaping up nicely Pete :D
BB x
No no its fine. I wasn't 100% set on the colour either but I've asked a few people and no-one even commented on it so I'm trusting the designers. If they say its good, and others think its ok then I'm ok with that. The more I look at it the more I like it. We're going to tweak the images a bit and sort them too. This is the first I've seen. I've left it completely up to them to design this. They even bought the font just for me :) I'm happy with the way they've designed it. I think a thinner border wouldn't work as well with the font. I'm expecting some people won't like it. Its all subjective. I just needed reassurance that it wasn't hideously ugly before it goes up around town :)
Davey_Pitch
30-01-2008, 15:41
Pete, I was chatting to one of the teachers in work yesterday about this, and she actually goes out with Mark, one of the photographers who worked with you on eighthundred. Small world :)
Pete, I was chatting to one of the teachers in work yesterday about this, and she actually goes out with Mark, one of the photographers who worked with you on eighthundred. Small world :)
hahahaha no way. I've not properly spoken to Mark about it yet because I wanted to wait for the website to be ready before telling everyone. But yeah, way small world.
My original prototype 5 minute flyer featured red. Personally I think black and white work fine, but I'm willing to take a risk and push the boat out a bit on this. I think its eye catching which is what I need. As long as people notice it and turn up it'll be fine.
Blackstar
30-01-2008, 22:11
I really don't like the green.
I'm not a fan of the colour and on the first one the text seems to detract too much from the photo. The other two the text size/font seems to compliment the photos but not that one for some reason (well to me anyway)
Hmm... fsck :) If I get time later I'll have a play. Dunno though cos I know these guys do good stuff but at the same time I don't want people to be having this reaction :)
I've had a run through some colours and nothing works. Black, text doesn't stand out. White and it feels wrong. No other colour works. I've got 3.5 weeks left and I need at least 1 / 2 for the posters and flyers to be out. If I decline this design I've wasted a week. The general consesus now is that the green doesn't work. Change it and the text then doesn't work. I dunno... stressed. Can't have this go up and look rubbish.
Piggymon
31-01-2008, 08:37
I like the colour but the font is too block IMO and takes away from the image.
I 'think' I understand the blockiness... they are trying to create a frame or window effect looking out...
Am glad I'm not the only one who can't get on with Pea Green ;)
BB x
I was up till nearly 4am playing. I got something I quite liked, and emailed the designers. It was mostly black, and they felt black wasn't strong enough and made it look dark and gloomy. I'm a simple guy. I mount my pics on a black mount with black frame and I'm happy. I like black :D So they had a play and got back to me with what I think is win.
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/spread-1.pdf_%28page_2_of_2%29-20080131-123401.jpg
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/spread-1.pdf_%28page_1_of_2%29-20080131-123614.jpg
White for most, plum for images that are mostly white so the text shows up well. I really like it now. I was happy with the design but not the colour. Now I'd feel confident putting posters out like this.
Oooh I like them much more :D
^^ what she said :)
Edit - Manager agrees :)
I like them all! I actually like the green - had to look away and look at it again and imagine it big styley but yeh, I like it!
The white one is best from the black and white IMO.
Gah. The green reminds me of a poster for a film. And I cannot think of what it is. Bah.
It also reminds me of those pickled onion walkers crisps you used to be able to get.
They were yurmy!
Nom.
Maybe that's why I like them.
Man.
I'm hungry.
Much better! Hurrah! :D
Especially like the white one :)
BB x
Cool excellent thank you so much :D Less stressed woo yay \o/ *finds home for the kittens he's been having*
Win.
There, summed up what I feel about the changes in three letters. :)
Side news. Met with a publisher and there will be a book out called "Port of Culture" around Setpember. Proper book that you could go into Borders and buy! Hardback, decent price. A book! So thats extra icing on an already awesome cake. :D :D :D
Aww wow :D Excellent news Pete :D *Pre-orders*
Yay, excellent news :D Congratulations :)
Kell_ee001
31-01-2008, 18:29
I like the white ones more than the green, but I really don't like green anyway :o
And again, congrats! Well proud of you hun!
Actually at home the green doesn't look too pea greenish :/
White and wine colours still look better though :p
Well done Pete! :D
BB x
I thought it was yellow to start with, and according to PS it is more yellow than green. But yeah, white + wine ftw. Can't wait :D
Ah yes, my other book :D By summer 2009 I'll have 2 books out. You can see our progress on the site: http://3662008.co.uk/ Its certainly pushing us all to get out there more, make new contacts and photograph everything thats been in the back of our minds. There won't be anything else like it. Its an awesome project to be involved in.
http://www.portofculture.co.uk/ It lives :D
Port of Culture (http://www.portofculture.co.uk/) real proper finished website now live. Postcards and posters will be appearing around town over the next week too.
Nice, if a little heavy on the ol' Flash. :)
Love that pic of the RC cathedral, I graduated from Uni in that building (Faysh)
Excellent :D Glad you like it guys. 1 week tomorrow......
I am currently freaking out over exhibition stuff. I'm so worried that only my friends will turn up and with it being filmed ideally I want it to look packed out. I have an email from someone elses private view with over 400 email address in. I could spam them an invite to the private view. But then the unit only takes 50 people. But 50 people won't stay 2hrs. Ahhhhhhhhh.... oh god oh god.
Edit: **** it. 400 people spammed.
http://www.vanilladays.com/gallery/2008/02/port_of_culture_launch/
So happy :D Thanks DRZ, Kitten, Leo, robmiller, and anyone else I'm forgetting for stopping by :)
Brilliant Pete :) I am so glad it went well :) Love the review from the metro :)
Congrats Pete :D A lot of hard work there, seems to be paying off.
Chuffed to bits :)
The iPod better be on when we visit ;)
It was great Pete, that picture doesn't show how packed it was about half an hour earlier. Have you managed to get the post from today?
I didn't think to check, which was annoying because there is this on the Echo website (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/02/23/inspirational-city-images-100252-20513747/). There was a guy there last night from the Daily Post who gave me a quick interview and he mentioned he'd try to get something in for Monday/Tuesday. Annoyingly I couldn't get the images to him though. I actually came up with a "professional" use for an iPod Touch. I could keep hires images on it so if someone needed something quickly I could send them.
Getting stuff sorted out for Saturday. Not looking forward to the 5AM (out of the house by 5.45AM) start, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. :)
No plans for when I get to Liverpool yet, except of course a visit ;) and maybe nomtastic all-you-can-eat chinese buffet - if I don't get lost trying to find it again.
Only just caught up with this thread. So glad it went well Pete.
Fantastic Pete. Well done with everything :)
Congrats pete! Looks awesome! So wish we could have popped up :) Next time eh!? :)
Lynnie_pitch nee Leigh
07-03-2008, 10:38
Ask Lynne if shes free ;)
Oi I've only just seen this!!!! :'( moo!!!! :p
Tee hee :D
We'll be there tomoro Pete, get the red carpet out ;)
Getting stuff sorted out for Saturday. Not looking forward to the 5AM (out of the house by 5.45AM) start, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. :)
No plans for when I get to Liverpool yet, except of course a visit ;) and maybe nomtastic all-you-can-eat chinese buffet - if I don't get lost trying to find it again.
Ouch thats some insane start time. Really appreciate you stopping by and the others too :) It gets insanely lonely and cold here. Its been a tough 2 weeks. I thought it''d be great to sit and chat with everyone who comes in but the simple fact is getting people in is bloody hard work. Its quite depressing sitting alone for 2 weeks in a cold room seeing a stream of people pass by and not come in. But there have been good times that have made it worthwhile. Not exactly the commercial success I had hoped for, but positive non the less. Manager of Waterstones Liverpool saying he'll stock my book and it *will* sell. Metro comparing my work to that of a famous photographer from the 40's. Being on the radio. The random people who stop by and say "Wow." I've still got to battle with Albert Dock to keep the door open over the weekend. They want it closed to save stress on the hinges as it costs £1k to fix. I want it open for 2 reasons. First because theres no device to slow the door down and as such will smash into the door frame everytime. This could easily lead to a broken hand or very injured child. Secondly, no-one comes in with it closed. The first weekend it was busy with the door open. I shifted 100 business cards. Second weekend with it closed barely 20 people. This is the 3rd and final weekend. I want it open so it ends on success and not me thinking "If only..."
Looking good Pete :)
as i said in my comment... if i were goin back to chester this weekend you'd have swayed me liverpool way rather than manc!
Yus :D Mummy Caboodle n co was very nice visit. I got swamped one day when a college class turned up. They're studying my work so came by for a visit. That was quite unexpected. The review saying I'm like Chambre Hardman keeps me warm n fuzzy at night too :) Also, for those that may have missed the interview since it was 30 mins late, here it is (http://petecarr.net/bbc.mp3). My mate has done a version with Mario music in the background which is surreal and yet works.
Kell_ee001
07-03-2008, 16:48
This is the last weekend? :( Hope it's lots of fun!
Put a bit of music on, get out the wine and roll out the red carpet! :D
Aye. I got my figures mixed up. I thought it was 3 weeks but just 2 weeks and 3 weekends. I'm kinda glad in a way as its been really tiring. Its like doing 2 jobs. I get home, work through my emails and stuff then fall asleep on the couch. I can't wait to get back to taking photos. I sorted things with Albert Dock so I get to keep the door open this weekend :D That'll attract people. I can't really do the wine thing any more, despite having a few bottles left. Plenty of sweets and lollies though :D No red carpet, but I'll crank the heater :D I do have tuneskis too. JPop should be inviting, haha.
You've done amazingly well Pete :)
I just wish I could be there this weekend :(
;D
Should be there at 11AM-ish - Virgin Trains permitting. One of the connections has an allowance of only 7 minutes. Fortunately I know that station really well having lived there for a fair few years. Stiil, train better be on time. Or else. ;D
Some twisted firestarter decided to attempt to firebomb a sigbal box in Birmingham so the arrival plans got slightly delayed. Return journey has been uneventful so far but there is plenty time yet.
Was good to see the pictures 'in the flesh'. While they look impressive on a screen in all honesty it doesn't even come close to doing justice to them. As a result I'm expecting it won't be very long before my bank balance will be about £150 lighter.
It was also good to meet up with numerous expected and unexpected guests. Quality scheming there. :D
PS - Sorry to Kitten and Leo for the temporary amnesia concerning your names. D'oh.
I spoke too soon about the return journey - cue delays, people throwing up in paper bags (leaky paper bags), getting wet, missing connections, etc.
Still, I got home, eventually. :)
And, just because...
http://www.ouroboros.me.uk/img/08/03/PoC.jpg
And yes, as a tip of a virtual hat, I shot it that way. My first intentionally B&W shot (I did take a colour one too but actually think the B&W one helps avoid the distractions that are the bright blue doors - and besides, I wanted to avoid a direct photo-of-photo of Pete's work).
I've just got in. Just a quick hugs and thanks again to everyone who stopped by today. It was really great to see you guys again and big hugs to Kelly and Stan for coming down from up norf. :D I was so shocked I didn't even realise it was them at first hehe :D
Thanks for having us Pete, it was great to see everything all together, and everyone all together :) And thanks to everyone for my little birthday party/shindig/Scene It/night in :D
And Kitten/Lynne, I wont post any of the pics on FB, but I will post some here if noone minds? :)
Glad it was a good time :) Wish I could have made it to see the exhibition and you all :(
I kept using forum names instead of real names. :o :)
And yes, would have been good to see you Jen, but I think Pete was having enough trouble keeping us lot in order. We did somewhat take over. ;D
So Pete, how did today go, last day and all that? :)
Lynnie_pitch nee Leigh
09-03-2008, 18:30
great pics Pete :) shame its not on longer.
Yeah shidig was fun :D glad you enjoyed it Dee, your face when we brought in the cake was the best :D
Kell_ee001
09-03-2008, 21:23
Pete, you have no idea how many times I nearly told you, and Dee, glad me buggering up with the text message didn't spoil it :D
;D It was worth it to see so many surprised faces! :D
The exhibition was awesome and I'm so pleased to have seen it in person, don't think I would have forgiven myself if I had missed it! :o I don't think I ate all the black jacks although I'm a little concerned that Dee only seemed to take pics when I had sweeties in me gob! ;D
Glad you had fun too Dee, although I'm so going on Daveys team next time we play Scene it :p
Thanks for having us Pete, it was great to see everything all together, and everyone all together :) And thanks to everyone for my little birthday party/shindig/Scene It/night in :D
No probs, glad you had a great birthday event type thing.
Glad you lot had a good time. Pete, you have no idea how many times I nearly told you
Haha you need a flask of hot chocolate to pour on people when you think you might let it slip :p
I kept using forum names instead of real names. :o :)
And yes, would have been good to see you Jen, but I think Pete was having enough trouble keeping us lot in order. We did somewhat take over. ;D
So Pete, how did today go, last day and all that? :)
Oh I call people by forum names all the time. It gets far too complex trying to remember both names :D Last day was fantastic. I had a hypoglycemia attack in the afternoon because it was too busy to close and go for lunch. When it finally emptied I grabbed a sausage roll and found people waiting outside when I came back. Excellent end to the exhibition. Weekdays are dead and really depressing, but even with that I was left wanting to do a few more days. I had people saying I should be in the Tate and got 3 pages of comments. More than the launch. I'm exhausted and in some ways glad its over so I can get back to taking photos.
Glad it was a good time :) Wish I could have made it to see the exhibition and you all :(
Aye, wish you could have been there but your shoulder is more important than standing in a cold room looking at photos :)
Yeah shidig was fun :D glad you enjoyed it Dee, your face when we brought in the cake was the best :D
And despite the numerous camera people there no-one took a photo. What are the odds :)
;D It was worth it to see so many surprised faces! :D
The exhibition was awesome and I'm so pleased to have seen it in person, don't think I would have forgiven myself if I had missed it! :o I don't think I ate all the black jacks although I'm a little concerned that Dee only seemed to take pics when I had sweeties in me gob! ;D
Glad you had fun too Dee, although I'm so going on Daveys team next time we play Scene it :p
:D :D There are about 5 sweets left, so you didn't eat *all* of them :p You guys turning up was just awesome. I could just about see someone hiding behind a pillar and mentioned it to leo & kitten. I forget what happened but then you guys were there and I was like "oh... OH OH!!!" :D
Thanks again to everyone who turned up, has commented in this thread, and everything. <3
You have included 23 images in your message.
Haha, smiley overload :D
Davey_Pitch
10-03-2008, 00:54
Glad you had fun too Dee, although I'm so going on Daveys team next time we play Scene it :p
Heheh, I don't win every time, just most of them :p
Was great to see everyone, and glad everyone had a good time. Pete, your pictures are truly amazing, very well done my friend :)
Stan_Lite
10-03-2008, 08:20
I really enjoyed the exhibition Pete, you do some incredible work and the more people who see it, the better - both from a commercial point of view and the fact that talent like yours should be seen and appreciated by as many people as possible :)
The birthay party was fun too Dee, I hope you had a good time. I has photos too but I'll send Kitten any which feature her before posting (and anyone else who would prefer to vet them first).
Thanks guys :) The interview was odd when I first heard it. You know how when you hear your own voice you hate it. "Thats me? God I sound awful." I was like "Thats me? God I sound ok." I didn't hate myself. I took myself by surprise there. Then when I realised I was on the radio I went bright red on the bus home :D
Blackstar
11-03-2008, 01:17
Aww, how cool. I don't think you sound that scouse irl but then i don't think i sound Scottish although i know i do.
I wish i'd been able to see, it would have been awesome. :(
My parents said I sounded like Paul McCartney. I could really hear a hint of scouse in my voice in it. Dunno where that came from. Would have been great for everyone to have seen it. Just one of those annoying things :( Book launch in Sept sometime. Buy tickets now. Carpet bomb Virgin trains for Sept ;)
Personally I'd love for it to be late as I'm 30 on the 27th Sept so I can't see a better way of celebrating it than launching my book. However there might be a chance of a dual book launch with another local guy called Alan McKernan. His work is similar in a way to mine, striking images of Liverpool places but at the same time about as different as you could get. So they sort of play off each other. He'll be launching his 3rd book so it would be cool to ride his success. I'm waiting to hear back from the publisher but yeah, end of Sept is my hope :)
Info is here (http://vanilladays.com/buy-prints). Seems I forgot my prices. Large prints are £120 not £150 as I've been telling people. *doh* :D
I take that to mean that the big prints on display were 30 x 20 format then? :)
PS - I'd like to thank the person or persons* who gave me a stinking cold. I'm sure they know who they are. Thankfully it seems (touch wood) so far to be a quick-acting version.
* Not necessarily a BD member
The large are 30x20 yeah. Its possible you caught a cold from the unit. I had one after my first day there :)
Ooh have to see if I can make it to the book launch :D You're doing so well :D
Well Ive looked at my photos from the weekend, and I am not happy with them. Guess I had more to drink than first thought ;D
But I did say to Kellee I had a nice one of her, so Ill post that if shes ok with it? :)
And Stan, would love to see yours :)
And Stan, would love to see yours :)
I believe there's already a picture of that!
Kell_ee001
28-05-2008, 17:19
Because he would never show off himself (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Port-Culture-Liverpool-Through-Photography/dp/1846311705/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211984326&sr=1-10) :p
<3 :) If you click my name by author it turns out I've wrote a ton of books. Explains why I always wake up tired :D
FakeSnake
28-05-2008, 18:40
have you got a date for release?
I have it on my wishlist.. and am just waiting
Congrats Pete :D That's brilliant :)
have you got a date for release?
The amazon page says
Publisher: Liverpool University Press (15 Nov 2008)
Cheers guys :D Last time I spoke with the publisher they mentioned end of Sept unless something has changed. I've got to get all the stuff sent off to them soon to print.
Nice one Pete. It is great to see your talent getting recognised and out there for others to appreciate :)
FakeSnake
28-05-2008, 22:48
do you get copies?
the reason I ask.. is cos I would rather all the money went to you for the book.. so would rather pay you the full price of the book, than see a publisher and distributer take thier cut into the money.. it IS worth its full value.. and I would gladly pay it.. also.. i want it signed by the man himself :D
Aw :) I'd assume I get some. Its not something I've discussed with them yet. I'm just riding on the "Yey book!" high really. I basically wanted to get 3 things. I wanted to be published. I wanted to be able to walk into a bookstore and see my book on the shelf, and I wanted to be on Amazon. I have no idea of my cut or anything. I'll discuss that with them once I've sent in the material.
Just for the ultimate brag factor, you could always wander into the British Library and ask to see their copy. :)
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay Pete! Go go go you!
It's AWESOME!
So happy for you, really am! Uber chuffed! :D
Thanky-doodle :D BD creatives taking the world by storm :D
Davey_Pitch
30-05-2008, 13:19
I want to be there when you do this!!!
Me too. I forsee a mini BD trip into Liverpool to go around the book shops when it's released :D
Impromptu autograph session? :D
FakeSnake
30-05-2008, 15:21
Impromptu autograph session? :D
ha, not impromptu
but secretly and covertly organised, to swamp Pete when he turns up to a book shop.. like adoring fans :D
THAT would get the public looking :D:D
edit : PS.. Shhhhhh... dont tell Pete ;)
lol! "Which is Pete? Oh he's that bright red guy over there. Damn, that dude is red!" ;)
How does this look? It'll be the intro to my book. I'm not sure if its all needed. Hell, I'm not sure what I was meant to write but I figured as its my first book that it would be fitting to say how I got here.
I've been around cameras all my life. I remember having one as a toy when I was a kid. When I was 10 I went on a day trip around Birkenhead with a film SLR. It was great fun. We visited the docks, Birkenhead Park and the Priory. After we developed our film in a darkroom. Its the only time I've ever been in a darkroom. Despite being nearly 20 years ago I can still remember it vividly. The way your photo magically faded onto the paper, the red light and the fun task of trying to open the roll of film in a black bag. My favourite photo from the day was a black and white image of Birkenhead docks. I still have it. Its my first real photo. I had already taken photos on family trips but this was the first real one. From start to finish.
After that summer I went to secondary school. I got caught up in the computer age. Hacking the old BBC network, writing my own programs on my C64 and later Amiga 500+ and generally being a bit geeky. When it came to A Level decisions I enquired about A Level Art so I could do some photography. I planned to get back into it but with film costs I had no real drive to pursue it. It turned out that A Level art didn't really focus that much on photography, and since I can't draw I decided to skip it. I went off to John Moores University and continued with computing. Every summer I planned to take up photography and just forgot to. A few years after completing my degree my mate bought a Canon A40. At this time I already had a digital camera, the Kodak DX300, but it would die after 3 photos so I didn't use it. After seeing his photos and being told how good a camera it was I decided to buy a Canon A70. I remember my first photos being truly terrible. The white balance was always wrong and often the photos were blurry. I found the Kodak took better photos but that was because it was fully automatic. After the first few days with the A70 I was going to send it back. I hated it. But I battled on and with the help of some friends I started to learn how to use it. Things I learnt on that photo day trip in Birkenhead came flooding back. Aperture, ISO, shutter speeds, and various other photography terms. I did all the clichés to start with. Random abstracts, flower macros, and so on. The one thing that I always found amazing was what the camera let me do. I could capture the tiny details in flowers, things I had never seen. I could freeze time. I've grown a lot since then but there are still moments when I see a photo I've taken and I'm reminded of those early days with the A70. Its amazing what you can do with a camera.
2 years after getting the A70 and I felt it was time to upgrade. The camera was feeling sluggish. It was a great camera but I had outgrown it. I ordered a Canon 10D Digital SLR. It was over £1,000 and quite a leap from the £150 A70. At 7am one morning it arrived. I unpacked it and instantly I was 10 again. The feel of the camera was just so perfect. I had completely forgotten about looking through the lens rather than a view finder. It felt completely natural. I'll never have that feeling again. Well, maybe when I finally buy a Leica.
The 10D allowed me to do more, to grow as a photographer but still despite this I didn't call myself a photographer. I was just a guy with a camera. I was still working as a web designer when I got the 10D. I was still that geeky person wrapped up in computers. The 10D started to change that. I started exploring Liverpool more. The music scene, the street life. I felt that the larger more camera looking 10D gave me a bit more credibility as a photographer than the compact looking A70 did. It boosted my confidence in street photography and talking to people. Around this time I decided to change my web design portfolio into a photography site, a photoblog. Initial it was just "The photography of Pete Carr." A simple photoblog inspired by David J. Nightingale of Chromasia.com. I liked the idea of having a site I could put pictures on and have an archive that I could flick through. I posted photos whenever I had any but after about 8 months I decided to make the effort to post daily. But still I wasn't a photographer.
I started documenting Liverpool more as I knew that with all the development around some places would be completely different in a few years. I kept posting on my photoblog. I knew I was in a unique position because Liverpool would soon be the Capital of Culture. It opened up so many new photo ops for me. I started hearing about things I'd never heard of before. Street theatre. Dance events, bands, new buildings, streets, and all sorts of hidden areas of Liverpool. By 2007 I decided to rebrand my photoblog. It was by this time that I knew I was a photographer. I could happily tell anyone that its what I do, and its who I was. I had a growing portfolio and I knew what I liked to photograph. People and places.
But throughout all this why am I a photographer? Why am I at the front of crowds trying to get that one good photo? Why am I standing in the middle of the road photographing traffic lights? There are many answers to that. Partly because its there and for some crazy reason I find it interesting. Partly because 30 minutes later the light will have changed and that photo will have been lost. I hate regretting a missed photo op. Sure you can visit the same place the next day but 7pm on July 9th 2007 will never happen again. Its gone. Photography lets me capture that. I am a photographer. I can use my camera to capture those little moments of life in Liverpool. A random girl with balloons on Bold Street. The ferry passing the QE2. They'll all be gone unless I take that photo. So I do. Most of all its simply because there is something about that moment that I find appealing. The rays of light shining through the mist on a cold November morning. The perfect reflection in the docks. Henri Cartier-Bresson can say it better than I.
"Above all, I craved to seize the whole essence, in the confines of one single photograph, of some situation that was in the process of unrolling itself before my eyes. "
"During the work, you have to be sure that you haven't left any holes, that you've captured everything, because afterwards it will be too late. "
I write this in the middle of the Capital of Culture year knowing that I can go out tomorrow and take a good photo of something in Liverpool. Perhaps it will be someone in town. They're always great to photograph. Sure they'll look at me funny but often if I ask they'll be happy to stop for a photo. I could go see a gig and capture some random unsigned musician playing a fantastic song. I could wander round at sunset and capture the best light that you'll get anywhere in the country against that stunning skyline. The photos in this book are a sample, 100 of the best from the past few years of documenting Liverpool. I feel like I've only just started too. I could spend my life documenting the city. Who knows what will happen in 2009. Who knows what will happen in 2029. Good or bad there will always be photos to take here. The city is amazing right now and it can only get better.
I gave it a quick scan and I'll read it properly when I'm not tired, but I could get a fair idea from the first paragraph or two. I don't know the intricate details of the book but I'm assuming it's the Amazon one linked above, and thus I suspect that what you've written is probably not what you need.
What you've written is about you. It's very interesting for sure, but generally I think an introduction to a book - (auto)biographies and novels aside - needs to be about the book - what the book is, why it is, and who you are now. The key is to grab the reader's attention and make them want to look at the rest of the book. Try and keep it short (a page or two at the most) and to the point.
If there's scope in the book for going into more detail about yourself, then that would be where the information above would go.
Try and find a book that's similar in style (not necessarily content) to what you're doing, and use that to get you started. Failing that, I suspect the publisher will be only too happy to give some guidance as to what they think it needs. :)
PS - this is only from experience of looking at books, not creating them.
PPS - no hard feelings I hope. If I've been insensitive then feel free to slap me upside my head with a slightly damp kipper. :)
Don't worry dude. I have no idea what I should be writing :) Its going to be 100% photos. I think they'll make the reader want to look at the book more than the intro will. I figured I'd write about how it all came about incase that was interesting to the reader. The photos are part of a larger project, which came about from getting into photography and such.
Davey_Pitch
13-06-2008, 11:04
I do wonder whether the first section needs to be as long, though I know you want to say how you got where you are now. I love the last paragraph though, no matter what you do please leave that in :)
Yeah I think I've probably talked too much about me. The book is about Liverpool. I'm rewriting it starting with when I made the blog. Thats how it started really. Definitely want to keep the last paragraph in. :)
Ok update.
In 2004 I started a website, a photoblog. Back then it was simply a site for me to dump photos on whenever I felt like I had something worth showing off. There was no real focus to the site. After running the site for a few years I found my feet in photography. I no longer wanted to photograph just "anything". I knew what got me out there: people and places. More specifically, the people and places of Liverpool.
Since creating the photoblog I've learnt more about Liverpool and its people. I've met so many great people through it and seen so many great places. Despite studying in Liverpool through 1997-2001, and having family there I didn't really know a whole lot about the city. Of course I knew the key places, Albert Dock, Three Graces and Sayers. However, I didn't know Duke Street from Dale Street.
So, armed with my Canon 10D I started looking for things to photograph in Liverpool. I started hearing about events like the Mersey River Festival, the QE2 arriving, and the Brouhaha International Street Festival. Fun events that allowed me to get in close and photograph people. When there were no events to photograph, I'd be out looking for nice cityscapes and interesting angles.
I learnt a lot about Liverpool by doing this. Most of all I saw how quickly it was changing. I knew that by taking photos I could document these changes. For example, some of the early photos on the site are of the rides on Chavasse Parkwhich which is now Liverpool One. The area around Mann Island and Albert Dock is also in a state of change. One of my favourite photos is of the Three Graces reflected in the dock at sunset. Its impossible to retake that photo now. The new Museum of Liverpool is being built on the left hand side and the warehouses have been demolished. Soon they'll build the new granite buildings and block the view of the 3 Graces. The same can be said of the people. In 10 years time fashion will have changed and the look on the street will be different. I'll have photos of what people were like in 2008. With Liverpool changing so quickly and the Capital of Culture year fast approaching I decided to rebrand my website from just my site to a site documenting Liverpool.
My site was initially inspired by David J. Nightingale's "Chromasia", which focused on Blackpool. His photos inspired me and changed my perception of Blackpool. In some way I hope my site can do the same about Liverpool. I can use my camera to document the people and places and then show them to the world. Liverpool is a fantastic city and my only aim is to show this.
I write this in the middle of the Capital of Culture year knowing that I can go out tomorrow and take a good photo of something in Liverpool. Perhaps it will be someone in town. They're always great to photograph. Sure, they'll look at me funny but often if I ask they're happy to stop for a photo. I can go to a gig and capture some random unsigned musician playing a fantastic song. I can wander round at sunset and capture the best light that you'll get anywhere in the country against that stunning skyline.
The photos in this book are just the start. 100 of the best from the past few years of documenting Liverpool. I could spend my life documenting the city. Who knows what will happen in 2009. Who knows what will happen in 2029. Good or bad there will always be photos to take here.
The city is amazing right now and it can only get better.
Update. Cover designs. I'm not sold tbh.
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/port_of_culture_cover_x3_low_res.pdf_%28page_3_of_ 3%29-20080718-114455.jpg
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/port_of_culture_cover5.pdf_%281_page%29-20080718-115329.jpg
http://idisk.mac.com/petermcarr/Public/Pictures/Skitch/Sent_%2860_messages%29-20080718-115551.jpg
Personally I like the last, because I did it. I'm very much a perfectionist and because of that I'm unsure as to whether what I did does in fact look better than what the book designer did (1 & 2). But then I think about how bad it would be to constantly see my book and think "Eugh I hate that cover."
I prefer the third one too, and that was before I read who designed it :)
I don't like the fonts on the first two, they look wrong.
Piggymon
18-07-2008, 12:08
The square building has a scary face :/
I prefer the third one too, and that was before I read who designed it :)
I don't like the fonts on the first two, they look wrong.
:) Annoyingly the design wants the book to flow. So the font on the front matches the font inside on the opening page, the title page and etc. It looks fine there but on the cover I just dunno. I don't have the font so I can't really play. The design I did was mainly for the layout.
The square building has a scary face :/
haha it does too :D
I agree the third one.
The other fonts hurt my eyes :( maybe if they were a little smaller like yours?
BB x
I agree the third one.
The other fonts hurt my eyes :( maybe if they were a little smaller like yours?
BB x
I agree. Looks like I'm going to have to get forceful.
i like third one. Subtle and makes you look at the photograph more than the text.
Exactly. I just want people to go "Wow" at the image and buy the book. So the title should be kept neatly out the way.
Just a quick question - do you not think Peter Carr reads easier than Pete Carr?
Obviously it's down to which you prefer, but for some reason it seems to flow better :)
It does but for Google reasons I'm going with Pete :)
I think the scary building is the war memorial??
Scary building is the Birkenhead tunnel air vent thing.
Prefer your one too mate, looks much nicer :)
Same again. To me it looks like they've over-egged the HDR - particularly the blues. So much so that the reflection of the boat on the right looks like it's glowing. Yours doesn't have that problem (don't know if that's a result of yours being a little smaller but I don't think so). Not sure if printing would tone it down a little.
As for the fonts, #1 is OK-ish, though contrast isn't great, #2 to me doesn't work as a result of where it is, and IMO it's too 'in your face' anyway. I think yours has the opposite problem though - it's too understated. Using the same font seems a bit of a lame excuse as I suspect very few try that. It's very common for titles to need a different font than the rest of the text for example.
Edit - thinking some more I'll assume you did the HDR on both, so it's probably some other post-processing (reduced colour count for printing?) that's caused the 'glowing' effect.
Same again. To me it looks like they've over-egged the HDR - particularly the blues. So much so that the reflection of the boat on the right looks like it's glowing. Yours doesn't have that problem (don't know if that's a result of yours being a little smaller but I don't think so). Not sure if printing would tone it down a little.
Ah I should have explained that. For some reason his copy of Quark adds a blue tint and the images are lowres.
As for the fonts, #1 is OK-ish, though contrast isn't great, #2 to me doesn't work as a result of where it is, and IMO it's too 'in your face' anyway. I think yours has the opposite problem though - it's too understated. Using the same font seems a bit of a lame excuse as I suspect very few try that. It's very common for titles to need a different font than the rest of the text for example.
According to the designer the cover font should match the book font. His idea is that it should flow nicely. I have books where they don't match. Arial isn't too far from the font he uses and I'm hoping when he gets back from his holiday in 2 weeks he'll go with my idea.
Ah I should have explained that. For some reason his copy of Quark adds a blue tint and the images are lowres.
It's not just the blue tint - seems to have given the sunset a bit of enhancement too. :)
Without that then it's just the text. Not sure it's just the font that's the problem though.
Trouble is, you don't want to leave the title so small to the point that people looking specifically for 'Port of Culture by Pete Carr' can't find it because the title is about 2cm long in the corner of the book...
Small update. The book is currently sitting in Waterstones Liverpool. Its on the ground floor in the local interest section. So, there we go :D I've had the advance a couple of weeks now. I got it on the last day of my 29th year, 1 day before my birthday. I had been a bit depressed about the whole turning 30 thing. Start of another 10 years of rubbishness. 10 years of feeling like I haven't done anything with my life. But then on the last day my book arrives and blam! Suddenly everything is good. Suddenly the computing degree, the time I spent as a web designer, the money I've spent on trying to be a photographer instead of leaving home and having a life all went away because I made a book. Its a whole real book. ISBN and everything.
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3094-3.jpg
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3078-8.jpg
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3080-10.jpg
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3084-14.jpg
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3086-16.jpg
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3089-19.jpg
http://www.vanilladays.com/poc/IMG_3091-21.jpg
There is going to be a book launch. Details are being worked on. Looking to be the first week of Nov, either before or after bonfire day. Ideally after so people don't have a ready made fire for book burning ;) But yer, a bit odd that the book is out before the launch but its out. I'm not entirely sure when its properly available to buy on Amazon as its still a pre-order.
So thats book one. I'm currently writing book 2 which is the HDR guide book. Essentially how I did half the photos in book 1. That is currently available for pre-order on Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470412992/ref=s9sims_c6_14_img1-rfc_g1-frt_g1-3102_g1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0JP2FM3QNNGCP2D5A87B&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=222506491&pf_rd_i=468294). I have weekly deadlines. Basically I have to write 1 chapter a week. Thats on top of current commissions and working on the 3662008 book. I haven't had to work this hard since my final year of uni. The next 3 months are going to be hard work.
Kell_ee001
10-10-2008, 22:55
really proud of you Pete, although we never doubted you'd do it. well done x
Exactly what I wanted to say :)
really proud of you Pete, although we never doubted you'd do it. well done x
Exactly what I was going to say! You rock Pete :) Can't wait to buy your book :D
Looks fantastic! You must be mega chuffed :D
Creature
11-10-2008, 06:24
Well done dude, must be an awesome feeling :)
Super news hun :)
Can't wait to see it on the shelves :) (oh that'll mean I have to go into a bookshop - the hardship :D :o)
WOOOOOOOOOOOW!
Pete that looks AWESOME!
You must be uber chuffed and proud!! :D :D
*wants to show everyone*
Super news hun :)
Can't wait to see it on the shelves :) (oh that'll mean I have to go into a bookshop - the hardship :D :o)
Not sure its going to be nationwide, only about 1,000 copies really. More of a local book thats oddly been picked up by Borders USA and Chicago Press... um :) Thanks for your support guys. Gunna stop by later and get some pics on my way to a light show in the park.
I may drop a subtle hint in some appropriate directions about Christmas, assuming Amazon get some in in time. ;)
If Amazon don't get them, some of our Liverpool friends may be doing a bulk buy for the people of BD lol :D
Necropost time.
Amazon got them. I can haz book. \o/
Glad to see my favourite is in there (and I'm still after a print). Thanks muchly for the words inside the back cover (I'm not going to give the game away there so you'll just have to buy it :p)
Awesome :D Amazon must have a few now as they always seem to be in stock. I popped into the new Waterstones in Liverpool 1 to find they have about 6 or so out. They'll go quickly. Its still really odd seeing my book sitting there next to other peoples books. Some woman was looking at it and I said "Its a good book.... I did it, its good" she seemed to not know what to say and wandered off :D
Um... :p I shall text you now and let you know that its in Watersones! :p
Pete, here's something I bet you never thought you'd be asked...
Do you sign books? ;)
I do :) Its really surreal though. The 2nd book I signed the guy said "Don't forget to date it. Its worth more if you die." I was like "O....k..." Just don't see myself this way. I've got books I'd love to have signed by the authors and I know why people want them signed, just its only me really. I'm no big author type.
That must have been a bit of a surreal moment. "worth more if you die". Oh gee, thanks.
haha yer. Watch my back moment :)
Kitten has now seen the book. Dunno if that gets you off the hook though. :)
I guess I now nned to hatch some sort of plan to get this 'ere copy signed. :)
We got it for Phil's mum for Xmas, she loved it.
Unfortunately as Amazon kicked the first one to us, and we had to order a replacement, we didn't have time to send it up to you to get signed :)
Thought it wouldn't save him. :D
And muchos gracias for helping me out. It means the book has arrived in Liverpewl guaranteed kick-free. Hopefully it makes it back down here equally unscathed (will PM address when I'm back home and able to recieve). :)
;D
You going to scribble on Pete too then? :p
Blackstar
13-01-2009, 13:09
Great article, congrats Pete :)
LeperousDust
13-01-2009, 21:49
Wooooow i wish i'd checked this thread while i was back home! Damnit, wanna see your book in Liverpool One that would be perfect! Everyone i've shown your photos obviously thinks theyre totally amazing :) It's cool i know you :p
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