I've been researching the world of self publication and self publication tools/applications (specifically easy means with-which to create a book). iPhoto has a built in function that allows you to easily create a photo book using the photos from your iPhoto albums; simply drag and drop images into one of several well-designed templates. One thing I don't like is the lack of template options. Another self-publishing tool is Lulu. Lulu not only has an online application that allows you upload photos and place them into templates, but also a PDF upload option, where you can create your own book and upload it. The problem with Lulu is that its fairly complex and robust; almost too much for a simple photo book with some text -- it does have endless options for design and templates, but the process is somewhat confusing and daunting.

Now there's Blurb. Blurb combines the ease of use of iPhoto with the customization options (within templates) all in one simple application. Blurb allows you to pick from dozens of book types (soft bond, hardcover, etc), with hundreds of page layout options within those (colors, fonts, text placement, size, image resizing, colorization, etc). Blurb also connects directly with Flickr -- an option neither Lulu nor iPhoto has (QOOP also offers photos books (via Flickr, Facebook or Photobucket) but without the variety of templates and no customization).

Some of the drawbacks include speed; the application is a tad slow (on my Dual 2GHz G5), and if you use many fonts (like I do) the application doesn't find all the weights of a font family (which is frustrating). Other than those fairly insignificant drawbacks, Blurb is a great tool, with competitive prices and great quality print. The prices range from $13 (for a softcover, square format 20-40 page book) to $160 (for a hardcover, 13" x 11" format 321-360 page book), including volume discounts and the ability to sell your books through Blurb (setting your own profit margin per book).

I'll let you know my full review after I get my book (of my 2:45am portraits) finished!