As I have mentioned in prior posts, I am intrigued by the idea of the distribution of photographic images by PDF. I have now finished the instructional DVD by Brooks Jensen, who has really championed this idea. If anyone is considering producing a PDF photography book and does not have experience with digital documents, the DVD is an absolutely essential resource and I highly recommend it! It turns out that for someone that is not well versed in the use of the needed software there is a somewhat steep, but clearly surmountable, learning curve.
While I do think that the digital distribution of images opens a major chapter in the history of photography, I also believe the viewing experience, as it stands today, is lagging behind the production technology. I suspect that this lag has had a significant effect on its adaption.
I myself have purchased several PDF photography books and also downloaded several photography PDFs from various sites. However, I have to say that I have not fully viewed them and certainly not viewed them in the depth that I would read or examine a printed publication. Likewise, I find that I don't look forward to or regularly read on-line magazines the way I read those that I subscribe to and which I can hold.
I am not really sure why, but it is simply a fact that I just don't seem to give such publications the same attention that I do a printed book. I can think of several reasons for this:
1) It is hard to curl up in bed with a computer.
2) It seems harder to 'get into' the mindset of in depth analysis in front of a computer as opposed to a book, at least for me....perhaps this is related to my age of 51.
3) I tend to feel more rushed or in 'working mode' on a computer and tend to feel more relaxed and in 'free time mode' with a book.
Now, before attributing my feelings to being unable to adapt to new technology, realize that you are reading this on my electronic blog. If anything, I tend towards being a somewhat early adapter. For example, as it relates to digital media, I have an Amazon Kindle e-book reader. In fact, I have the most recently released version with enhanced PDF handling. It is magnificent for reading novels. In fact, for the novel reading experience, I prefer it to hard copy books.
But that same preference doesn't carry through for me when it comes to reading PDF photography publications. In fact, while I have the first 40 LensWork issues on my Kindle from a LensWork DVD I bought on e-Bay (great deal...I think it was something like 20 bucks), I don't find reading them this way to be an enjoyable experience and have largely given up doing so. I also subscribe to LensWork Extended and, while it is a marvelous production, I find I don't read/listen to each and every one of them like I do when it comes to reading the hard copy issues.
I suspect a good part of why I don't prefer reading PDF photography publications on the Kindle is that the technology is still not up to snuff for handling such material. It still doesn't display PDFs all that wonderfully and the resolution/tonality is not fully developed. And, of course, there is no color yet (though that is being worked on as well). As I mentioned, I find that reading them on the computer is simply not comfortable or terribly enjoyable.
In essence, I believe that, at this point in time, the technology related to delivery is ahead of the technology related to usage. However, I am heartened by what I read is currently under development......thin sheets of light bendable materials that one can use to 'curl up in bed with' and read digital media and other technologic 'wonders' in development. So, while I currently think that, at least for my usage, the ability to enjoy PDF publications is not quite 'there' yet, I do think that they are coming and will be here fairly soon. I hope that a few years from now I can enjoy digital media in the same way that I can enjoy a book.
I am wondering what others think and have experienced when it comes to interacting with digital photographic publications.
Jul 25, 2009
More Thoughts On PDF Distribution
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4 comments:
I am not satisfied with my experience with PDF/electronic documents. My issue is not the ability to “curl up in bed” more of a disappointment with the presentation. I have not tried a kindle but would think it would be fine for a novel or other textual document. The presentation of a picture via electronic media is just behind. However, I do believe electronic distribution is the way to go for several reasons:
1. Far easier to carry one electronic device than multiple books.
2. The ability to have your library with you at all times.
3. Less cost to publish.
4. Less impact on environment.
Can you prevent a person from making a copy of your PDF book?
Brooks did cover that a bit, as I recall, in the DVD. If I am remembering correctly, there are steps one can take to make the PDF secure so that it can't be altered and the pictures unable to be printed (though they are fairly low res anyway) or removed. However, he also acknowledges that, like really every method of distribution, if someone wants them badly enough a way can be devised to steal them.
In one of his podcasts he says something along the lines of security being used to keep the honest people honest but that those that are not honest will always figure out a way to get what they want if they want the images badly enough......I think he is right.
Take as a personal portfolio distribution. To protect pdf files there is the Adobe Digital Editions, but I don't know how it works for content creators.
BTW, Howard, do you sell your DVD from Brooks?
I think I am going to need to keep the DVD as a reference....my knowledge of InDesign is minimal and at some point I will make a PDF and need the reference. Definitely worth getting!
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