Strengths: Good layout, sound advice and techniques. Tabs on the outer edges of the left side are
helpful in easily finding the chapter numbers.
Weaknesses: Since the book came out in 2006 when moveable type was very common with
creating blogs, the book focuses on these techniques. While still valuable,
it you requre the need of blogger or other blog engines, you may to find
other resources or use this book
with others that you. Most others like blogger are much easier to use then
moveable type.
Introduction
I had created websites but did not know about
blogs and how they were different from websites. As I explored more, I found out
about their different uses. Blogs continue to be quite popular with many
computer users and it is nice to see that some blogs and websites actually have
education, visual or other value. One type of blog to create is called a
photoblog. The book called Create your own photo blog it one book to help you
get started for making your photoblog a reality.
The author is Catherine Jameson is a
photographer, writer and has an award winning photo blog called Utata. She has
written a book with many ideas and
resources and I was interested to
find some new techniques about blogging in general for this review as ideas
that might help me elevate the use of some of my blogs.
The book is nicely laid out. Throught there was
photos and screenshots that help illustrate the points of creating blogs. Ideas
penned as designer tips, pro tips, notes are found throughout the book. There
are also little icons that look like red mice that indicate where in the
screenshots the tutorials can find the information in the tutorials. More
authors should use some techniques like this (and some do), which keep one from
having to wonder where in the screenshots the focus is.
Twelve chapters encompass the three main
sections in this book: getting started, setting up (blogs); use of photos and
include Six ideas (page13)
detail six primary reasons for
using a photo blog. Mac and PC
users are given instructions how to start with general equipment.
Understanding styles and using styles for your
intent are outlined. Before 2006, many blogs used the moveable type publishing
platform which many still use. Since then there are more publishing
possibilities. If you do not want to use Movable Type publishing platform
(which allows the users much flexibility, unlike some other blogging creation engines).
This book may not be for you if you are using blog engines after 2006 (blogger,
xanga etc). They are not outlined in detail as the book came out in 2006. Still
the book is useful in many ways.
The book outlines (chapter3) the use of photo
sites, creating blogs from scratch and using other free photo areas to showcase
their photos (Flickr. etc). Learn skills with shooting your photos, create your
blog site, promoting your blog and improving your site are also included.
Understanding composition is highlighted (chapter 8). I particularly like the
section and how RSS feeds are explained (chapter 10).
Conclusion
This book is illustrated well and that it is easy to read. The book packs
a lot of good readable information. There are resources within the book that
can be used for comparing and contrasting other blogs and in that way learn how
to create and improve your blog particularly with Movable Type publishing
platform technology.
You can use this book to make your own or use Movable Type
publishing platform or some of the other blog engines and you could be fine.
The book excels at creating and finding information about photo blog and is a
wealth of resources. It is great
for learning about style and
making your site better is where this book excels. Blogs then and now can do
more than just post photos. If you purpose is focusing on photos then this book
and the authors insightful instructions can help you.