althom1122

Yes, the picture quality was very good. I, too, was worried they'd be dark, but not so. I can heartily recommend them. In fact, I'm working on my second one, from my 2009 trip to Egypt with my daughter. It's for her birthday, which is next month. She's been enthralled with the events in Egypt, and i thought a keepsake book of our trip would be a nice gift.

dgunbug

You might consider using a black background. We used colorful pages on our Turkey book, but the black background for the Vietnam book, made the book look very professional and the pictures popped out more.

live42day

I used black for mine as well and love the effect

althom1122

Yes, I'm doing the black background for my new Egypt book (nearly finished!), and I like it a lot. I'm happy with the background I chose for the India book, though. It's very simple. I've seen some books where the backgrounds are more prominent than the photos, and that's definitely not good! Plus, I think a single background throughout the book looks more professional than a bunch of different backgrounds, and it ties the book together with a common theme. Same for fonts - no need to use just one, but limiting it to 2-3 fonts looks more professional. I'm not a graphic artist, but when I was in journalism, I did a lot of page layouts for newspapers (before the advent of the internet!), so I have a basic sense for good design.

pattyroth

Loved your mixbook on India--plus your photos are fantastic!!! I did make a Blurb book when we got back, but it is nothing like yours. You captured it all!

althom1122

Slightly off-topic since this is the Asia forum, but here's my new Egypt one with the black background. I hope DD will love it! (It's a birthday present for her, yikes, 30th).

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/travel/egypt-5216506

live42day

She will love it! You are very fast at that. This book makes me want to put Egypt to the top of my bucket list.

dgunbug

I loved your Egypt book. How wonderful that you were able to share such a fabulous experience with your daughter. Egypt is definitely on my list, although my DH says he won't go there. But that's what he said about India too and now we are planning that trip. Hope the situation in Egypt gets better so we can travel there in the future.

julia1

Loved your Egypt book! Thanks for sharing.

lipgirl

Hi Karen,

Going to check out your book as I was thinking of doing one with the India pictures.
Yes, I am back!!! What a trip!! It is really difficult to describe to people who haven't been there.

Any more plans for Turkey?? I just got home and am already thinking of where I can go next?
Problem is, my girls are all going to be busy for forseeable future!!!

Lost your regular email - mine is: [email protected]

Hope to hear from you soon,
Michelle

althom1122

Welcome home, Michelle! We'll be looking for a trip report - can't wait to hear all the details. (I'll send you an email.)