Black or White Pages?

Okay, you’ve probably seen these books before but I wanted to share them once again because I keep hearing this same conversation when I do talks and workshops.

The conversation really centers around black or white pages.

“I’m a serious photographer and I do documentary work, guess I need black pages in all my books.”

No. You might not.

This isn’t a “better or worse” scenario. This is a decision made on overall design, NOT because you think you are a serious photographer. And why would you do what you think you are supposed to do when your JOB as a creative is to take chances, blaze new trails, and be contrarian for the sake of being contrarian?

Whether you are using color imagery or black and white, the page background will make a tremendous difference in how your work is consumed. These images should supply a nice little conversation piece.

Typically, when I show these black and white page spreads, the viewer immediately responds with an immediate love of one or the other and then releases a torrent of impossibility at the other option. It’s what we do. I get it. It’s okay. Opinions are valid, caring, and much needed. Me, I try to ask myself WHY I’m so in love with one or the other. Again, no right and wrong … just different.

By the way, these books were only made as a test but I actually like them. 7×7 in., 240 pages, Hardcover Imagewrap, Proline Uncoated paper. Sadly they have both disappeared. If you have them, send them back and I’ll send you a prize.