Buy The Book!
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Sky Crystals is currently available for sale for those that missed out on the funding campaign!
Get the hardcover book dedicated to the science and photography of snowflakes here:
http://www.skycrystals.ca/
Project Background
Photography is often a gateway to learning about the world around you. For as long as I have been a professional photographer, I have made the study and photography of snowflakes my winter passion. The project has taught me more than I could have imagined about physics, light, beauty and how we see the world. This book is the culmination of my snowflake project; I want to share all of my knowledge, images and inspiration with the world in a book that will last forever.
Details
The book is currently set to the following:
- 300 pages
- Hardcover, case-bound image-wrapped (I'm not a fan of "dust jackets")
- 8.5” square
The book will contain all of my snowflake images, and will detail every photographic and editing technique used in their creation – and I encourage you to try it for yourself! The book will also contain all of the science and physics of snowflakes that I can share without personally having a degree in molecular dynamics. I’ll keep the explanations easy to understand and graphic, but the science is fascinating and there are still many unanswered questions. The human mind will also be explored in this book, trying to unravel the mysteries of why we find snowflakes so beautiful and captivating.
Why Snowflakes?
Snowflakes: These tiny creations of winter have been a curiosity during most childhoods spent in Canada. As I grew up, I became less and less interested in these “trivial” curiosities, and only recently reconnected with them through the lens of my camera. As with most macro subjects, when photographing snowflakes there are many “what the heck is that?” moments as something mysterious is captured, and that childhood curiosity is reborn.
Using a steady hand, an old mitten, and freshly falling snow, you can produce an image worthy of sparking that childhood wonder in even the most jaded onlookers. Some people don’t believe my images are real, and that’s when I know I’ve created something worth talking about. Of course, some people simply think I’m crazy watching me take pictures of an old mitten in a snow storm.
Standing in frigid temperatures a meter away from comfort and warmth can be a daunting task. Using macro equipment that gives you incredibly little focus, it can be hard to even find a snowflake in the viewfinder. Freezing hands and shivering arms can make the situation worse. However, once you’ve got your first snowflake, you’ll smile at every snowfall from then on. But until you succeed, people will think you’re crazy for trying.
(Written as the cover description of Outdoor Photography Canada magazine issue 20, which featured one of my snowflake images.)
Quality
The book will be offset printed and the quality on each page will be outstanding. To showcase the details captured in each snowflake image, please take a look at this page: http://skycrystals.ca/magic-in-the-details/ - zoom in and navigate around the snowflake!
The Impact
I need the funds to publish the book, and without your support it simply can't happen. By purchasing a copy of the book through this campaign, you'll help in the book's creation for yourself and for others to enjoy.
In the changing world of publishing, self-publishing a book in this way is finally possible. With your support, this project will become a reality. Without it, all I can offer is scattered images and ramblings on snowflake science in the dark corners of the internet.
It's also my goal to have enough funding to get this book into libraries across North America and beyond.
Extra Perks
Greeting Cards: My snowflakes are available as thought-provoking greeting cards (blank inside, you provide the thoughts!). Each box contains 10 cards, each one different. By contributing a little extra you'll receive these cards to share with friends and family.
Fine Art Prints: A finished size of 14"x14" matted & framed, these prints make a wonderful accent to your home and will certain spark conversation. I produce them on a wonderful metallic satin paper that provides a subliminal shimmer to the image. You choose whichever snowflake image is your favourite!
Outdoor Photography Canada Subscription: As a regular contributor to Outdoor Photography Canada, you'll find my musings in the "Beginner's Basics" column of every issue. The magazine has offered to give away a number of 1-year subscriptions to contributors of this project!
Mittens: All of my snowflakes are photographed on a home-made black mitten, made by my grandma. If you're keen on replicating my work, I have just the thing. My grandmother has offered to knit some extra mittens to give away! She's only making a few, so consider it a valuable perk. :)
Preserved Snowflakes: Using techniques developed in the 1940's by Vincent J. Schaefer, I have been preserving snowflakes with a 1% solution of Formvar. This resin traps the snowflake structure on a microscope slide, hardens and leaves an impression of the original snowflake to marvel at. I have very few of these, as they are quite difficult to create. They will come in a small presentation box for safekeeping.
Limited Edition Book: Leather-bound hardcover, silver gilded edges, embossed cover, autographed and one of only 25 ever produced. I'll even add extra images to this book - it won't simply be better presentation. If you're a collector of fine art or books, consider this!
Stretch Goals
If I receive more than $15,000 in funding for this project, there are a number of enhancements I’d like to do for the project. A larger size would be great, fitting into a 10”x10” footprint. I could afford to hire a layout designer or editor to improve the quality on each page, or add additional content and images. It would be nice to produce more copies as well, which would allow me to offer the book at major retail locations and give copies away to libraries.
Other Ways You Can Help
Get the word out! Share this campaign with everyone - at the very least they'll enjoy the snowflake images. Spreading the message for this campaign is integral to its success, and I appreciate every little bit.
