Browsing Frank D’Annunzio’s captivating and vibrant collection of nature, landscape and wildlife images, it’s easy to understand why one might want to spend a lifetime studying his subjects.
D’Annunzio’s love for nature, exploration and photography- to which he credits his parents’ encouragement- began to develop around age 13. Many years, much practice and several cameras later, D’Annunzio’s work drops you into the center of stunning landscapes and intimate moments with wildlife- all-the-while exploring some of the finest details nature has to offer.
D’Annunzio’s impressive collection of gorgeous captures needed to be preserved- and showcased. A Father himself, D’Annunzio and PhotoBook Press set out to create a special book – a kind of ‘thank you’ gift to his parents.
“ The natural world is wild and scenic and I feel obligated and privileged to instill in my children an appreciation for it’s beauty and grandeur, much like my parents did with me.”
Viewing this book is almost enough to insure D’Annunzio’s plan will succeed. His choice to build a large-format book including numerous full-page spreads, bleeds and a stunning graphic hardcover- Makes you appreciate the subject as if you were present in the moment where the photo was captured.
Near the end of 2011, PhotoBook Press had the absolute pleasure of working with Mark Frolick and his beloved “Cheetahs”.
“I have always loved cheetahs! They are one of the most magnificent animals in the world. They are sleek, beautiful, and lightning fast. Watching them run is like viewing a beautiful work of art. Only this work of art can travel 100 meters in just over six seconds.
This year, through the generosity of the Cat Ambassador Program at the Cincinnati Zoo, I was able to photograph cheetahs running. Very few zoos have a cheetah running program. If you have not had the opportunity to watch cheetahs run you are missing one of the great wonders of the world.”
And if you’re ever in Cincinnati, may we recommend you visit the zoo and learn for yourself about these beautiful endangered predators- and what is being done to meet the challenges to their survival. Learn more.
Thank you Mark, for sharing your experience with us through your most beautiful photographs!
Details about the structure of this book:
Dimensions: 10″ x 10″
Bindings: Hardcover photo book with sewn binding
Cover: Black leather with custom silver foil stamping
We have photographer Roger Bennett to thank for our latest visual tour de force.
“My Love Affair with Yosemite” presents 64 stunning black & white images, taken in over 30 years-worth of visits to Yosemite National Park.
Evolving and perfecting his techniques along the way, Bennett’s book achieves new visual heights in the marriage of old and new world technologies. The photography is supreme- the papers exquisite- and the quality of the 5-color Kodak NexPress black & white printing is world-class.
Just as breathtaking as Bennett’s masterful images are the sentiments behind them:
“My landscape photographs are borne from my desire to communicate the beauty I see in the natural world, and my love for nature, unaffected by our modern civilization. The unspoiled landscape is rapidly disappearing, and I think that we should be reminded how incredible the world is now, and to preserve that gift as much as we can”.
Details about the structure of this book:
Dimensions: 12″ x 12″
Bindings: Perfect bound spine with hard cover
Cover: Black leather with custom foil stamping
Protection: Custom graphic dust jacket
Paper: 120 lb. uncoated, archival
End Papers: Black BB
Pages: 120
Many special book ideas come to life at PhotoBook Press- and “Rage Against the Dying Light” certainly fits into that category.
A labor of love for all involved, this book is the result of a collaboration between Thomas Cekay and Stanford Chen. A historical mixture of stories and photos, the book chronicles dwindling salmon runs on the lower Columbia River and how the diminishing resource affected gillnetters whose livelihood depended on the iconic fish.
The process of building this book included the printing of proof copies, as sometimes it’s appropriate to refine the color and print quality prior to production. After approval, both hard and soft cover editions were produced.
The team here at PhotoBook Press was thrilled to receive the following testimonial from Beth Erickson, who finished this book in honor or her late Husband:
“We couldn’t have asked for anybody better to bring this project to fruition than you folks at PhotoBook Press. What a relief to find you after running into too many on-line publishers only willing to respond by e-mail or sending us to their FAQs, which never seemed to answer our questions. You folks were a breath of fresh air.”
PhotoBook Press is proud to have been a partner in creating Tim Corcoran’s latest photography book: “Mt Shasta the Beautiful”.
This stunning collection of Tim’s photographs salutes both the majestic landscapes of the Mount Shasta bioregion- and its inhabitants. Corcoran’s book explores the volcano and its surroundings as only a local resident (and very talented photographer) could.
We have published a lot of memoirs, but this recent one of a WWII aviator really stood out for its story and design. Michelle Nahom, one of our MemoriesSharedAffiliates, compiled and designed this retrospective of one hero’s experience. The story is compelling, and the design absolutely fits the subject. Even the “bomber jacket” brown leather finish, the custom dog-tags foil stamp and custom end papers were chosen to complete a book that is a tribute to a great man’s life and an heirloom for his family.
Fine art books quite often showcase work other than photographs. We just finished a book of stunning watercolor paintings by Troy Crowder. Click on the cover image to look inside.
Watercolors Revisited by Troy Crowder
What Troy describes as a “pleasant distraction” and “experimenting with the transparent colors”, has clearly turned into beautiful paintings by a very talented artist. This is a great example of “hanging your art” on the page of a book as well as on a gallery wall. Complete with titles, commentary and a nice biography, Troy says this book has impressed his friends. He said in an email to us, “Thank you all again for turning out a book of such high quality, and one that presents my watercolors so well.”
We recently posted a short movie showing the steps required to make our fine, sewn signature custom books. Take a look, and then let us make one for you.
We recently completed an amazing and original book for Bjorn Meisner. It is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that illustrates and preserves an inspiring story that family members had heard from a beloved elder.
Bjorn says about the book…
The writing has been retrieved after grandma Ann’s passing in December 2009. Her daughter, JoAnne (my mother in law), reflected on how important family has been to her mother and how she always loved to tell stories to her grand children. She hired an illustrator with the purpose of providing the visual elements that bring the story to life. The craftsmanship of the rendering as well as the simplicity of the story, the setting and the universal theme of friendship and overcoming adversity connect on a level that is touching and inspiring for children and adults alike. The quest for craftsmanship and relationships has been extended by choosing the best-in-class printing, binding and designing – Photobook Press – to pay tribute to the loving mother and grandmother we are keeping in our loving memories.
What a beautiful story and a great memory to share with family and friends!
Rebecca Field, photographer and author of The Great Blue Heron in the Rookery and Beyond sent us a very sad email yesterday.
In her email, Rebecca reported…
It was a very sad day today. The North Mississippi Regional Park island heron rookery that was the subject of my book took a direct hit in Sunday’s tornado. I was there today representing Audubon MN along with a few members of the National Parks, DNR, Animal Humane Society, and Watershed Dist.(with boats). It was billed as a search and rescue mission, but in reality we knew it was pretty hopeless. More of a public relations effort and an assessment. Nearly all the trees on the island, all full of nests with young chicks, were either blown over or stripped of branches and foliage. What was left standing was not much! There were 5 dozen dead heron chicks on the ground on the island, a few dead adults, an adult with a broken leg, and an adult with a broken wing. Since herons with broken legs and wings cannot be rehabed we did not try to rescue them. Great Blue Herons have bills that can be lethal if approached. We loaded two young chicks and one juvenile in crates into a car to be taken to the rehab center in Roseville. They appeared to me to be nearly lifeless, but we’ll see what can be done.
Rebecca’s photography and book are a wonderful documentation of these magnificent birds and their habitat. We are lucky to have her beautiful images and descriptive commentary to remind us of what a wonderful wildlife refuge this was.
Those of us who live near the Mississippi River marvel at the size and wonder of these birds when we see them on or around the river. We can only hope that nature will rebuild and that some day we will see these fabulous birds back in the park.
You can read more about the Great Blue Heron and the impact of the tornado on the rookery at:
