The Making of the Book
Fire Island Treasures: A Photo Graphic Journal
I began the process of searching for a master photo printer and bookbinder long ago. The process was long and at times, very challenging. I had standards, in that I did not want my portfolio of photographs to look like a standard "book".
Standard books are mass produced in large quantities. Photography books in particular, are no exception. Many short cuts are available to "maximize profit" and cut costs, like chemically coated photo papers and coated fabric covers, to name a few.
The papers used in these photo graphic journals are archival, meaning that they will withstand over one hundred years of discoloration. They are acid-free and are not treated
with sapphire, which prevents yellowing.
Translucent paper (vellum) flysheets are included at the front and back of each book. Each book is protected by an acetate, acid-free sleeve and packaged in a sleek black
cardboard presentation box, perfect for gifts.
The pages and end sheets are stitched together by hand, and then the book is finished by gluing the end sheets to the inside front cover and inside back cover.
The cover is made of finely woven imported linen (which is uncoated) from one of northern Italy's finest fabric mills.
The cover photo is recessed and affixed on top of the cover linen material. The cover label lies flush with the rest of the book.
So, with every attention to detail, each book is carefully handcrafted right here in America by master book-binders and artisans.
For simplicity I call it a book. When you have it in your possession, you will have a beautifully bound portfolio of archival quality photographic prints.
Edition 2 is the second edition as each year will produce another edition with different images. Next year I will visit the other communities on the island to expand this photo journal into a more comprehensive Fire Island photography journal.
Edition 3 is due next in June 2009.
