I have been a fan of the MagCloud publishing platform for the last several years since two students of mine published the PSRI Focus magazine. Since then, I have published close to a dozen magazines and experimented with their new single-sheet format. Recently I read on the MagCloud blog that the Lightroom 4 Book module could be used to produce two sizes of square format books since they had found a way to map the Blurb format to MagCloud requirements.
The process is straightforward as outlined on the MagCloud Blog. You pick the square format, small or large from the book size options and pay attention to the PPI settings. For the small square book, it is set to 360 PPI, and for the large square, 310 PPI. Read the MagCloud post for details. Then create your page layouts with photographs and text and create your PDF file to upload to MagCloud. This is what I did for the two publications in the free download link above. It worked well, and I am waiting for my proof copy of the magazines before I order more copies.
MagCloud Platform Works Well
The reason I used a qualifier in how well it worked has nothing to do with MagCloud but the restrictive layout options in the book module provided for Blurb. I chose the largest suitable frame for my photographs and adjusted the margins in the image frame of the layout. That gave me more flexibility when needed. The cover of London was done entirely with the available options in the module. It was tedious, but I was equally determined to remain within the publishing framework available in Lightroom.
Limited but Usable Lightroom
This is certainly a much more approachable method for most photographers who may not have layout programs like InDesign which I have been using until the last two examples. When Adobe allows plugins to the book module, MagCloud may choose to offer its dedicated module allowing direct and seamless access to all their sizes and formats. Until then, the available formats for MagCloud PDFs will be the two square formats in the Blurb publications.
That said, I wondered if I could develop a workaround to create an 8.5″ x 11″ format magazine in Lightroom. After a few attempts, I developed a method that worked for me. However, it requires Adobe Acrobat, not acrobat reader but the full product that can create PDF files. I will present that method in a separate post. In the meantime, if you have Lightroom 4, try the method described in the MagCloud blog and create a book with your photographs in a bound publication.
Printed Photographs Have a Different Feel
The method of presentation does make a difference in the enjoyment of photographs. A printed copy, especially a collection of photographs shows the photographer’s commitment to the photographs as they appear, presents a cohesive body of work, allows for a verbal narrative if necessary, and creates a more intimate relationship with the photographs.
Try it, you may get hooked! Get an account on MagCloud and publish your work. Yes, you can!
Binnaz Melin
I have already received my download this time. Thanks, Cemal! Kırlangıç is certainly a very stunning piece of work, and Mt. Ida is equally moving.