eBook Review: Craft & Vision’s “Making The Print” by Martin Bailey

I have looked forward to this book for over a month, ever since the release of the free 11 Ways ebook last month hinted at the content. In all honesty, printing in the digital age of photography has been a fairly confusing and frustrating process for me. In my case I really do not print a lot anymore, my workflow and client needs have been much more digital output these days. So to read and review a book that seems written exactly at me should make for a good time.

I’m fully aware that printing remains a source of frustration for many, and that’s what we will work on in this eBook. – Martin Bailey

Review of Making The Print, Printing Techniques For The Digital Photographer, A Masterclass

By Martin Bailey

Consider this eBook a two-part course. The first course could be considered anywhere from ground breaking to refresher, depending on the readers personal knowledge and experience. The second course is a detailed breakdown of the colour management process and through paper and medium choice, and ends with the printing of images for gallery or canvas.

Part One: Getting Started

Part 1 walks you through each piece of info that you need to know, and includes a lot of tricks and personal experience from a photographer that has printed digitally for 15 years. The advice is as neutral as is necessary, but the author is not afraid to weigh in with his choice or opinion as well. Personally I love that combination of decent explanation of options and personal opinions, especially in an era where a lot of content is watered-down and too generic.

I particularly appreciate that the steps involving software is explained for all three of the major software products (Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture). This approach is an example of a writing style that communicates that there is more than one way to carry out your task. The result is a solid amount of how-to, and step by step process, with enough artistic freedom mixed in there to satisfy, most of us at least.

Part Two: Step It Up

With the solid foundation of Part One behind us, part two jumps into the oft confusing world of colour management. Having read a fair amount on the subject, I was quite pleased at the approach and depth of content that was written. Honestly you can read about colour management all over the web, but you the reader are often left to navigate that world (one you may not fully understand). I thought that the methodical and no-nonsense approach to colour management that the author uses here is tremendously valuable to all but the most seasoned digital photographer.

Now it is time to print. I know I have often wondered about the differences with the plethora of paper options that exists, so the overview and personal opinions here were welcomed. By ending the ebook with the printed work, in the grand display of a gallery show, or my favourite, the gallery wrapped canvas, I felt compelled and challenged to print and display more of my work. The answers and suggestions for questions that I didn’t even know to ask would give me the confidence to approach a larger printing project in a way that I would never have attempted before.

My Recommendations:

Prior to giving my buying recommendation, consider the following:

My recommendation is based from actually reading the ebook.
My recommendation is rooted in how the ebook struck or related to me and my experience. I do my best to explain my thought process.
My recommendation assumes that if you have read this far, the content matter in the ebook is of interest to you.

I believe this book offers a great value of information, laid out in a very logical and easy to follow way. The content is designed to be consumed in steps, depending on your starting point. I found that it answered most of the questions that I have about printing and really filled the missing pieces. It inspired me to branch out and try something new. I particularly liked the section the covered creating your own gallery wraps; I found that really valuable info for something that I really want to try.

Short story is that if you know how to print and manage colour confidently, you won’t learn too much more. If the thought of printing scares you, or you feel like you just need a little help with the printing process or colour management, then I think this book may be for you.

Click Here To Visit Craft & Vision for
Making The Print | Printing Techniques For the Digital Photographer

Discount Codes

Like any other new release of a Craft & Vision book there are two different discounts that apply for the first week of the eBook’s release (Jan 17 – Jan 22, 2012).

Get 20% OFF using the discount code (Get Vision is Better II for $4): Use discount code PRINT4 at checkout. (note: expires midnight Jan 21st)
Get 20% OFF when purchasing 5 or more ebooks: Use discount code PRINT20 at checkout. (note: expires midnight Jan 21st)
Check out the bundles & deals on the sidebar or in my Discount Codes page.
Jump over to the Craft & Vision site: Click here to visit Craft And Vision.