alexol

I want to create a coffee-table photo book, probably about 25-30 pages.

There have been recommendations here previously, but none (that I recall) have addressed a question about which I'd like some help.

Most of the book creation sites that I've visited - and it has been quite a while since I've done a book - required specific photo sizes or at least photo ratios; the usual 8 x 10 (4:5), or 16:9 etc

Some of the photos that I want to include are for example long thin panoramas, and many photos are cropped into sizes that are not standard/typical ratios. I want to be able to have a photo, for example, print on a page as 6-13/27" x 8-1/8" without being forced to crop it further to suit some arbitrary predetermined "this is the 4:5 shape your photo has to be" kind of thing.

Short version, I want to be able to include images cropped as I want them to be cropped, not to fit some drop-down list of "preferred" sizes or ratios.

And yes, great print quality is still a requirement. Last time I did this I used Shutterfly which was OK but not as good print/resolution quality as I had hoped for.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have used both Blurb and Shutterfly. Both accepted my photos as I had them. Just use the blank page template.

alexol

Thanks, I'll have another look.

Which of those two gave you a better end result, overall quality and image print quality?

cdayton

I’ve used Shutterfly for a dozen or so books and think the quality is very good. You can choose to use your own page formatting.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

I've only used Blurb, but was more than happy with the results. So were the people I gave them to.
On each and every page I cropped (or didn't) to the format I wanted the photos, even to rounds, ovals and other shapes!
The last one I did is already two or so years ago, and I'll soon be collecting photos for another book: New baby arriving in another 2 or 3 months! (Our 5th great grandchild -this Grandma is only a little bit proud!)

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Yes and if you use LR creating a book with just about any size/number of photo(s) on a page is quite easy. Strongly suggest you pout the pics in a collection so moving the photos around is trivial. Check out youtube. FWIW i looked at the web interface to BLURB and found wanting. LR did some work to make that transition mucho easier. Each year U vacation for about 4 weeks in Maine and each year I create hard back table book. Beats the heck out of trying to get people around a TV.

superdadplano Loc: Dallas, TX

I used Photobookamerica. It is a good blend of quality and cost.
For best quality regardless of cost, go with Printique

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

You can layout any size photos that fit on your chosen book dimensions if you use Blurb. I have done many books with them - all to my photo specifications.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Check out blurb. I have used them and could use whatever ratio that I wanted, per page or per double page spread. Best of luck.

Tony Hayman

Go to Costco, the cost is less, and in a direct comparison with Blurb, they have a Superior product

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Have you ever had a Blurb book made?

clickety

Just last night I watched a YouTube video by Terry White (Adobe Certified) showing how to create a photo book using Lightroom and blurb. I highly recommend watching it before proceeding. He covers all of what you wish to do.

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Ditto and they often have really good discounts - check their website and also Groupon.

Photec

I have had excellent results with "My Publisher". Able to spread panoramas across the pages and their print quality is excellent. Their dust jackets are also very good. See if you can look them up.

Badgertale Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Photobook America is having a black Friday sale!

https://www.photobookamerica.com/promotions/prepaid?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=EDM&utm_campaign=20220718_PRP_BLACKFRIJULY_US&__sta=vhg.luovqlvlfsvxemmhgq%7CHHJQ&__stm_medium=email&__stm_source=smartech