This Time Around – Not Up to Snuff

When I sent my seventy photographs to my editor a few days ago, I made the grievous mistake of thinking, “Good! That’s done!” It was (I thought) the culminating act of months of hunting, gathering, selecting and actually taking some photographs, myself. All, I thought, according to the History Press specs that I had been sent last Spring when I signed my contract with them.

This marks the fourth book I’ve written with History Press or with Arcadia Publications with whom they have recently merged. Their requirements, photo-wise, have not changed. They involve “original photographs” submitted “uncorrected” and at specified resolutions. Since I know very little about photography, I try to follow their specifications exactly and ask my sources (often archival librarians) to do the same.

Last time, Yes. This time, No.

In the past, there have been questions about a few photographs and suggestions that I rescan or substitute another image if possible. “A few” are the operable words here. Like maybe half a dozen. Imagine my surprise yesterday to receive a list of twenty-nine (count ‘em, 29) photographs that “won’t be able to be printed! That is way too close to half of the 70 photos I submitted.

The list is and categorized and annotated. Five are “too small;” fourteen are “pixelated”; ten are in a general category called “print quality.”   There are no specific suggestions as to how to remedy the situation. Interestingly, several of the photographs have been used in past books for History/Arcadia publications. Apparently, they passed muster then, but not now.

Taken by Yours Truly but Unacceptable

Also, interestingly, in several instances there were suggestions as to “sources” for better photographs. One of those suggestions was the very source I had used! But then, even though my sources seemed to be of concern, I had not been asked to supply a list of them with the photos at this point… to say I’m flummoxed is putting the best spin possible on it.

I’m hoping that there is an easy fix – but I’m not counting on it. As Scarlett said, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Right now, I’m fine-tuning the manuscript which is due in less than three weeks. Presumably, I know what I’m doing on this written part. But… you can bet I’m not very relaxed about it. Not now, anyway.