Photography
08.19.09
Command D
At Popular Mechanics, when designing feature openers, that's usually how it starts. I pow wow with my Photo Director and we pick the photo or photos that tell the story and are just plain cool. My Design Director weighs in, and we go back and forth on what we think will work best. Sometimes the opener presents itself right away. Other times it's a longer process, with me trying different selects until we're all happy. Sure, it's all subjective, but decisions have to be made.
Which brings me to this month's challenge:
Design the third installment in a set of features about Classic PM projects. This series follows our Home Editor, Roy Berendsohn, as he tackles old-school projects in modern times. From blacksmithing to building boats, Roy writes about his experience. Although slugged Classic DIY, our design goal is to make these look fresh and new, to bring what's considered an old craft to a new light.
Who doesn't want to smash a hammer against glowing hot steel?
(The Backyard Blacksmith: March 2009).
And wouldn't it be cool if you hit the lake in your own hand-made dinghy?
(To Build A Boat: September 2009)
This time around, Roy decided to build a stone bench. It's a great story about how his father instilled a sense of craftsmanship. Chiseling rocks and lifting huge slabs of blue stone, Roy built the bench for his dad. Very PM.
I've read the piece, gone over images with my team, and well, I'm stuck. After a few rounds of critiques, I presented these.
It's a mix of photos my PD, DD and I thought worked best. After some more debating, and still no select, I've decided to blog about it. I don't know where to go. Ultimately, we'll have to get EIC approval and then there will be a lot of back and forth on the design, but if I'm going to give this layout as much care and attention as Roy did the bench, I should make the first move soon, and pick an opening photo!