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Feb 13.73

The 8 1/2x11 d.w. size doesn't work for proofs. It is a waste of paper because the prints aren't that good and the size is awkward to move around for layout or comparison purposes. It needs to be a smaller size for proofs, also they don't have to be as permanent so I can take them to school to dry in the dryer. I will try half size of 8 1/2x11:5 1/2x8 1/2" which gives me an image size of 7 1/2x5" about the same size I used for proofs in India. It was interesting trying the large proof format and I learned things.

I believe I have made the dummy for the Kentucky pictures too big 10 1/2x9 3/4". There would be no chance of getting it published. Also I am going to lay it out, two pictures to a spread, for economy sake. Surprisingly many of the pictures work well side by side, better than I thought; I will try 9x10 size with correspondingly small image size which means I have to redo the proofs I already did. The mechanical, technical side of photography takes so much time most of it wasteful and boring.

I have been working the past 3 weeks on the Kentucky dummy. I go from good to bad feelings about it. Some days I doubt that the recent pictures are any good. It is clear I shot very close into the subjects. I think

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I should have stepped back some and included more "environment"?

Anyway I remade the first proofs in a smaller size 8 1/4x5 1/2 for horizontal pictures - 7 7/8x5 1/4 for vertical pictures to be used in a 9x10 format.

I have made 3 drafts of each section using 2 pictures to a spread, it does not work too badly, though you are forced always to make both pictures blend as far as scale, tone etc. and the sequencing of pictures becomes tricky. I think I have gone as far as I can to a solution in that direction. I ended up with 80 pictures; 32 part I, 48 part II - Now I am not convinced the double picture idea is good. I am going to try the single pictures to a spread. My format is aprox. the same size (sq. in.) as Ramy Lyons book which has 196 pages and sold for $7.00 paperback. I plan about 168 pages. So maybe it will still be economical though the chances of publication are slight.

March 3.73

I have had the urge to photograph with the Nikon and tripod in the daytime with Pan X. on Myrtle Ave. - the stores. Just to render in clear detail what is there in a simple straight forward manner.