This is one of the best books on the holistic creation of a creative’s portfolio in quite a while. There are certainly quite a lot of portfolio books out there, and many of them are terrific. However, I like the total take on creativity and creating a unique presentation that is explored here. The full name of the book is: No Plastic Sleeves: The Complete Portfolio Guide for Photographers and Designers. The authors are Larry Volk and Danielle Currier. You can follow them on Twitter. Lots of insights for professionals presented there.

I have links and such at the end of this article, but let’s get right at it.

I pre-ordered this book when I first heard and read about it at the “No Plastic Sleeves” website. And Amazon delivered it a week earlier than expected. That gave me a chance to take in on the Santa Cruz trip and read it when I had the chance.

I found it hard to put down. The writing is direct, without much fluff and the authors get right to the point in each chapter. The way the book works is very helpful to photographers and designers of most every level. You don’t have to go from front to back, but can pick the chapters that are of most influence to you, at your point of portfolio work.

The book is directed toward designers as well as photographers. That can be an issue only if you let it be. Some of the concepts discussed here are more directed toward the designers than the photographers. That is great… if something you see directed toward a designer sparks an idea for you to work on then all is well. Ideas, concepts, hierarchical exploration of content and presentation are all worthy for consideration.

I don’t care what sparks my brain, as long as the sparks keep coming. Heh.

The chapters lay out from beginning portfolio planning and run through branding, book building and portfolio concepts. The authors do a good job of introducing a wide variety of information on the subject of brand and portfolio creation, but leave a lot of particulars out. I wish there were a bit more detail on some of the parts of the book… but that bias probably comes from what I struggle with, and your bias may want something more on another area. This is quite an extensive book, so adding more detail could also make the book unwieldy as well as more expensive.

As a designer as well as a photographer, I found the layout of the book very nicely done. Presentation of the work is clean, there is enough white space for the eye to relax and the portrait orientation makes the book feel ‘new’ and different. And, they are talking about presentation here, aren’t they?

Here is a link to their PDF of the table of contents and chapter one.

Contents
Introduction: Overview of Process;
Step 1: Develop an overarching visual identity;
Step 2: Create the visual “look and feel”;
Step 3: Page Design and Cover Design;
Step 4: Construct the portfolio book;
Step 5: Extend the visual brand to include the entire portfolio package;
Step 6: Creating Your Web presence;
Step 7: Develop resume and cover letter;
Step 8: Mailers and business Cards: extending your visual identity;
Step 9: Utilizing the complete portfolio package; Resources/Appendix

As you can see, the contents are quite ambitious, and this book will sit perfectly with more granular approaches to each of the areas you need more help in.

Chapters on placement of images and design are basic, but well crafted and the information is easily digested by photographers with a good visual literacy already established. The illustrations and images are detailed enough to get you thinking about the way you want your work to be shown. These pages are as much for photographers as designers, and there is much to be aware of when putting images in your portfolio.

There are examples of ‘story telling’ with multiple images, as well as creating dyptichs and tryptichs for presenting a group of related images. While these chapters aren’t extensive, they are deep enough to get you thinking about showing multiple images together.

One of the things they keep impressing on the reader is the need to keep the ‘brand’ or style cohesive throughout the presentation process. From web site to book to CD/DVD to mailers and leave behinds, the need for consistency cannot be overstated.

There is a section on creating your own books, and there are several methods shown. Some may feel that this is more geared toward designers, but I think that small groups of images, projects and some very special images could be created within their own book and make quite a splash when meeting with an AD or Editor who wants to see more work.

The book details:
ISBN: 9780240810904
Pages: 270
Format: Book – Paperback
Publication Date: March 10, 2010

You can get it at Amazon. And the price at Amazon shows a nice discount.

My recommendation is to buy this book if you are working on your first portfolio. Even if it is your second portfolio. The information in this book will make you think about presentation. Taking the time to concept a piece that shows your work in the best light is very important. Even if it is a simple paged book with sleeves and images, there are things that could be considered to promote the book and present the work.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but the concepts can be adopted to whatever level of work you are currently seeking. See our articles on portfolios here and here. No matter at what point you are in your quest to be a professional, the portfolio and presentation of your work is important.

(Caveat… Great work is first needed. Putting less than great work into the best of portfolio presentations will not be a benefit to anyone. Work first, presentation second. And good work simply presented in a folio with images will be seen by those who need to find good work to hire.)

Now to the books and such that would accompany this book for more detailed information:
How to Succeed in Commercial Photography: Insights from a Leading Consultant by Selina Maitreya (Amazon) and her first book (hard as hell to find, but at this writing Amazon seems to have a few copies left), “Portfolios That Sell: Professional Techniques for Presenting and Marketing Your Photographs” by Selina Oppenheim (since changed to Maitreya). You can also add Selina’s incredible audio package to your brain food by going here, and entering the code FOSLE into the box at checkout – save 50% ($100).

John Harrington’s book “Best Business Practices for Photographers” should be on your list as well as Elyse Weissburg’s book “Successful Self Promotion for Photographers.”

Lighting Essentials has several posts on portfolios and presentation in the Going Pro Category. Check out the articles there, and as always, if you have something to say… say it in the comments area. I am always ready to answer questions or send information.

Happy to announce that Jack Hollingsworth, Selina Maitreya and I have put the final plans together for our three date seminar series this fall: Going Pro NOW. We will start in Boston, then Chicago and finally end up in San Francisco. This full day seminar will be priced so everyone can attend and the information will be focused on the emerging photographer and what is needed to Go Pro in this ever-changing environment.

As always, follow me on Twitter and if you are interested in taking a workshop that will move you from beginner to advanced in lighting, check out Learn to Light. Hope to see you at a workshop soon.

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I discovered Nick’s work a couple of years ago. Surfin’ from link to link, I stumbled upon his opening page and the image there of a woman with some amazing flare engulfing her. I immediately liked that shot, so I took some time to look around his site. simply wonderful imagery. Easy to get view, with a sensibility that was so accessible that I bookmarked it immediately.

Every one of my workshop students know his name as it is one of the dozen or so that I through out as being totally involved with making great pictures with light. Nope… not tons of strobes, as Nick seems to use a lot of natural light, and bounced ambient with great success, but light that wraps and flares and seems so integral to the communication ability of the image.

Yeah… I’m a fan. Heh.

So when I heard that he was coming out with a book of travel photographs, I emailed a congratulatory note to him. I mentioned that I would love to review the book when it came out and he emailed back that an advanced copy was on its way. Even cooler!

I gotta tell you that if you are interested in travel photography, or photography of people in environments, you must get this book. It is available now on Pre-Order at Amazon, and at a price that is simply irresistible. Man, those Amazon folks make the pre-orders really attractive with a huge discount.

Before I continue with the review, I would like to thank everyone for the great response to the workshops. Santa Cruz is nearly filled, and West Palm Beach is filling nicely. I do have some openings in New Orleans and Omaha, so if you know anyone who is interested in a workshop this year – one that actually teaches a ton of stuff you will use – send them on over to Learn To Light for more information.

A few important links That you may have missed:
A Sense of Urgency: Are You Demanding More of Yourself and Branding Your Photography Business, A Realistic View right here at LE.
Heather Morton has two great pieces in a row on Branding and the issues of working in another city. In Canada they call it the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” – refer to it as the “Out of Town Expert… on steroids”. My buddy Kirk Tuck has a post on building the perfect camera for himself… ah that it were that easy, and Seth always has something great to say. This point of “Looking Successful” is something to think about.

On the personal front, we are all moved in to the new studio, the office is setup and everything has been taken from the boxes and carefully arranged (LOL) in my work space. I am antsy to get in there and start shooting some food and still life soon. Probably after this weekend in Houston. I will do a walk around with a video soon so you can get an idea of how the studio lays out and what the work flow there looks like.

Please don’t hesitate to offer an article idea or to ask questions regarding any aspect of Lighting Essentials focus. We are ready and able to answer most questions you have as an emerging photographer.

Well, take the jump on to Nick Onken’s new book, Photo Trekking.

Photo Trekking is a different sort of travel photography book. From the outset you notice the landscape layout and the large, oversize images. Mmmm… big pictures! I like that! The printing is very nice, and for a photobook, that is really important.

But it is the content that is mixed with the images that set this book apart from a lot of other travel photography books that I have seen. Content that is real, easy to follow, and conversational… as if Nick were standing there telling you about traveling all over the world shooting known and exotic locations.

The table of contents shows how in depth the book really is: From Preparation to Tips to what to do After the Shoot, the information is delivered in easy to understand bites that don’t necessarily have to be done in order. Each chapter stands on its own. And that means you can read it any way you want. If you want to start with the Tips for Taking Great Travel Photographs chapter, go right ahead… it is self contained and full of great tips, tricks and professional working methods that are sure to increase the quality of your travel photography.

Nick starts by giving a real world evaluation of travel photography today. He cautions the unprepared and slowly guides the beginner through a potentially challenging maze of potential roadblocks. Traveling around the world, with bags and bags of camera gear is part art, part alchemy and a whole hell of a lot of planning. At every turn Nick takes the lead and tells the novice how to prepare and be ready.

This information is well stated and laid out through out the book as it relates to the different chapters, and I found that refreshing. Sometimes we need to be told a few times how something works, and keeping the challenges mixed with the fun of the imagery reinforces the serious side of such a fun lifestyle.

Nick Onken loves to make photographs.

And that truth is on every page, from setup shots and tests for his book, to once in a lifetime moments that are captured with his unique style, the imagery simply rocks. The larger size landscape images make such a great presentation.

Preparation is a fantastic chapter. Nearly all you need to know about preparing yourself, your gear and your mind’s eye to get the most out of a photo shoot on the road. Much of this advice is practical for the shooter who simply stays near home, but it is even more important for the ‘Trekker’ who may find it a bit difficult to get a sync cord in the middle of a Tibetan village in a snow storm. Funny how a $6 piece of gear can take the whole shoot with it when it goes.

Onken stresses the vision of the photographer. How to nurture it, press it, push it and develop it into a style that is unique to your shoot plans. Planning Your Images in Advance (heh, LE Workshop students… you have heard a bit of that before) and delivering them when the moment presents itself is one of the most important take-aways for the photographer who bought the book with hope of increasing the quality of their work.

The Tips Section is the one that will become dog-eared first in most folk’s books. From time honored suggestions of rules of thirds, through color and juxtaposition to the use of lens flare, there are some eye opening ideas and images that reflect the concepts.

Whether you are a newbie to digital photography or a long time pro, there will be something for you in this chapter. Nick presents it tightly, with examples and challenges for you to consider. One of the things a lot of photographers will like is the little personal commentary throughout the book giving the reader a glimpse into what he was thinking and doing at the time the image was taken. This insight is remarkable.

As a photographer as well as a designer, I must give kudos to the design team on this book. Beautifully arranged, with just the amount of white space and ‘air’. All of that leads to a more enjoyable read, for sure.

In the final chapter, Nick goes into detail on marketing travel photography, the creation of web sites, email campaigns and portfolio design. He uses his own portfolio and bound books to show how photographers can begin to market their travel work to ad agencies, NGO’s and magazines. Well presented and concise, the information is rock solid and easy to manage.

All in all I found the book to be an excellent addition to my collection. If it has a drawback it is that it makes you want to run off to the wilds of Argentina or Africa or… well, you get the picture. While some of us may have to settle for that cool road that goes from Sacramento to Mariposa (49), or a trip up the Eastern seaboard on the smallest two lane we can find, others will be inspired to pack it all in, grab their gear and go. Just go.

I recommend this book to any and all photographers who are interested in photographing people, developing a style, working on location or simply wanting to get a creative kick in the ass. Nick Onken’s “Photo Trekking” will deliver.

I would be remiss if I didn’t direct you to Nick’s new website – www.nickonken.com and his not to be missed blog at www.nickonken.com/shoptalk. Two sites that will inspire you as well as entertain.

Thanks for dropping by. You can follow me on Twitter – Nick too – and I hope you tell your friends about Lighting Essentials.

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