BajaNomad

A Favor To Ask

Ken Bondy - 3-22-2007 at 10:30 PM

This is a little complicated for me. For the past year I have been working on something, I won't call it a "book" at this point, but it may end up being one. I started it primarily as a "posterity" thing, mainly for my grandkids and a few others. Now I am not so sure where it is going. But in any event it is substantially "done" now and at a point where I am willing to show it to some people I trust and ask for some feedback. That feedback will largely determine where it goes from here. Only a few individuals outside my immediate family have seen it.

As you know from my postings on this board, I have a genetic flaw, an obsession with underwater photography. This document that I have substantially completed describes, in pictures and words, five magnificent places I have dived and photographed in my lifetime, underwater and topside. Of course one of the five places is Baja California and the Sea of Cortez. Here is a link to the document:

http://www.kenbondy.com/Journeys.htm

The document includes a preface and 7 chapters. The first five chapters are the places. Baja and the Sea of Cortez is Chapter 3. The files are large because they contain lots of photos. The entire document is 30MB. Each chapter can be viewed individually, to save download time.

Please feel free to browse through all the chapters, but I would particularly like your feedback on Chapter 3. It will be particularly helpful to me. Any feedback, criticism, corrections, hilarious laughter, anything......will be appreciated. You all know that I have a particular fascination with Morro Bay. The preface and Chapter 1 might explain why.

I greatly appreciate your help.

++Ken++

bajamigo - 3-22-2007 at 10:57 PM

Just read Chapter 3. If I were browsing in the Baja section of any bookstore, I'd buy every available copy for myself, and friends and family. You have really captured the spirit of the moment and, I believe, have done us all a great service by preserving for posterity a corner of the world which, alas, may not be around for our grankids.

I would seriously recommend your looking for a publisher. While the book may need a little wordsmithing, it has tremendous substance. It will touch many lives.

Cardon - 3-22-2007 at 11:35 PM

Ken, You have created a real treasure. This book will be one of your families most valuable earthly possesions. You should toss in a few more pictures of yourself I think.
Great Job! Craig

Iflyfish - 3-23-2007 at 01:09 AM

I have in the past suggested that you do this.

I look forward to reviewing your work and will give you honest feedback.

An honest critic is a good friend to have.

Iflyfish

BajaTrooper - 3-23-2007 at 05:19 AM

Wonderful stories Ken. Your photography is stunning.

FJ40Mark - 3-23-2007 at 06:14 AM

Simply a great read. Thanks for sharing that.

Mexitron - 3-23-2007 at 06:15 AM

Beautiful Photography...nicely done!

osoflojo - 3-23-2007 at 08:30 AM

JEEEEEZ, What magic........I agree with all the above especially BAJAMIGO. Well done Ken.

tripledigitken - 3-23-2007 at 08:32 AM

Ken,

I'm looking forward to looking at your manuscript this weekend.

jettygirl - 3-23-2007 at 08:37 AM

WOW.
What a great way to see what I'm too afraid to go in the water and see for myself :o:o
Looking forward to some good reading later on and browsing the other chapters.
Thanks for sharing.

CWF - 3-23-2007 at 08:38 AM

I've only skimmed through the text and enjoyed the photos but agree that this is a book worth publishing. Well done! Amazing photos. How do you get the fish to pose for you like that?

My friend Lowell Lindsay owns Sunbelt Publications. You should contact him if you haven't already chosen a publisher:
Sunbelt Publications, Inc.
1256 Fayette Street
El Cajon, CA 92020

1-800-626-6579
info@sunbeltpub.com

Osprey - 3-23-2007 at 08:38 AM

Ken, you've kept the stories uncluttered so you don't need much editing. A map in chapter 3 would let the reader who doesn't know Baja, discover how to get to the place in the story.
Chapter 3 strikes a strong chord with me because my first air trip down here was in a very old Beech Bonanza to what is now Los Barriles in 1969 -- the whole place set the hook in my heart enough that I now live full time down here and have not gone back to the U.S. in 12 years. Love everything about your book.

DianaT - 3-23-2007 at 08:51 AM

Publish, publish, and publish! I knew you took great photos, but now I know you also write well. It was easy to follow and kept my full attention. I agree that a map would be helpful.

Thank you for sharing the sneak preview, and when you do publish, :yes::yes::yes: let us know the date.

So far, I only read the Baja part, but look forward to traveling to the other locations a little later.

Go for it!
Diane

David K - 3-23-2007 at 08:59 AM

Ken, check your u2u (by the way, great idea, and thanks for sharing with us!)

Bajagypsy - 3-23-2007 at 09:05 AM

Ken, you have to publish, it is wonderful.

boe4fun - 3-23-2007 at 09:13 AM

Que Stupendo!!!!

fdt - 3-23-2007 at 09:20 AM

WOW, I read your Baja Chapter 3 twice, it's great, I am amazed at all the other photographs you have , you are one of a very few. Thank you, thank you, thank you,gracias, gracias, gracias.
fernando

beautiful

sylens - 3-23-2007 at 09:56 AM

words and photos. definitely must be published. i would buy it with pleasure. as grover says, the utter absence of typos, misspellings and grammatical flaws is awesome. you have a heckuvan editorial knack or assistant;)

and as for the photos, they are stunning. thank you for sharing:bounce:

vgabndo - 3-23-2007 at 11:28 AM

Wow Ken. My wife and I just finished a (way too fast) review of chapter 3, and if WOW's were legal tender we'd be rich. We are indeed richer for having been allowed to share the product of your remarkable talent.

We'll be waiting for the book. Perry

Skipjack Joe - 3-23-2007 at 11:41 AM

Well, you certainly HAVE lived a full life, Ken.

I need more time in order to provide helpful criticism.

Don Alley - 3-23-2007 at 11:56 AM

I've read the chapters on the Channel Islands and Baja and they were wonderful. Great text, great stories and great photography.

I think this would make a fine book.

Bob H - 3-23-2007 at 12:32 PM

Absolutely FANTASTIC! I cannot wait to read more and see more of your photography! The expressions on the faces of your photo targets are just amazing, the eyes, the tilted heads, the mouths... everything about it. Just amazing photos Ken. I'm going back in to read more details. So far, very enjoyable. I'd love to have an autographed copy when you go to print!
Kudos, big time!
Bob H

[Edited on 3-24-2007 by Bob H]

bajalera - 3-23-2007 at 04:58 PM

Good text, Ken, and great pix. Go for it!

Oso - 3-23-2007 at 05:10 PM

Incredible! I need a lot more time to go back through this all very slowly. But, right now I want to put in an advance order for an autographed copy of the first edition. All the time my wife and I were working for the Johnson's at the Morro Bay Oyster Company we had no idea so much beauty was right under our feet. I was ON the water a lot, taking a bunch of teenage workers out to the flats at low tide to harvest the oysters and dump them in big steel crates, returning at high tide with the barge & crane to pull them up. But I never was UNDER the water in the bay. What a missed opportunity!

danaeb - 3-23-2007 at 06:46 PM

Ken - I think we all look forward to your photos. It's like opening an unexpected gift - "Oh wow, look at that baby whale's eye."

I just read the PNG chapter and have a question for you. I know little about marine life, but it seems that Milne Bay produces an extraordinarily flamboyant community of crustaceans and fish. What makes this place unique?

Ken

Baja Bernie - 3-23-2007 at 07:05 PM

I started at the front and have now read chapter one twice and took notes the second time around..............My first impression is that you do not need an editor to mess up you photos nor your verbage...together they make up a very distinctive voice that all have related to..............don't change the voice or the flow or you and your story will be deminished.
A little confusing where you say your friend came from north and you came from the south (where in the south) leaves the reader hanging.

Made me wonder why the increase in the 'triopha' Maculata.

At many points I wondered if you were describing the ever changing sway of mother nature...............but again you leave this non diver wondering.

So far what you have attempted is fantastic and to be applauded until the hands leak.

I look forward to reading your future journeys into a world so few understand.
Thanks

Ken Bondy - 3-23-2007 at 07:26 PM

I am overwhelmed, flattered, humbled by the feedback. The idea of the Baja map in Chapter 3 is outstanding. Why didn't I think of that?? Bernie your constructive comments are much appreciated, I will clear up the traveling thing, I knew where I was coming from (in the south) but I never said it. That's what you get when you are too close to the subject :). As to why there are now so many Triophas in the bay, I don't think I can answer that one. I have discussed it with several marine biologists and nobody knows. It may just be what you said, one of the normal ebbs and flows of nature.

danaeb Milne Bay is probably not all that unique. There are undoubtedly many other places with similar marine life in that general area of the Indo Pacific. I have dived in the Solomon Islands and off the northern end of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, and found the life very similar to Milne Bay. I think it has more to do with accessibility and whether there is an organized dive operation in the area.

I can't begin to express how grateful I am for all the comments. Mil gracias a todos
++Ken++

Ken Channel Islands left me dizzy

Baja Bernie - 3-23-2007 at 09:05 PM

Wild and free.......the words that echoed with me over this entire chapter.

Please do not be so humble about your contributions to Jacques.

Regarding the Garibaldi have they been overprotected.........I see them everywhere............say a little more about the sharks...............Goodness my man..........just please introduce us to 'Coleen.'

My friend, I do not know if I can continue ........your pictures and your words are so overwheming................Tomorrow...........just so you know I do not do burro stuff.

Ken Bondy - 3-23-2007 at 09:41 PM

Bernie you are TOOOO kind :). I don't think garibaldi have been over-protected, as far as I am concerned they add so much beauty to the reefs there can't be too many of them. Coleen is my daughter, I introduce her in the preface. Thanks so much Bernie. ++Ken++

DavidT - 3-23-2007 at 09:53 PM

I would like an autographed copy please. Where do I send my check?

SDRonni - 3-23-2007 at 10:21 PM

Ken, have you any idea that there are no words to describe your photographs? Stunning, beautiful, amazing....nothing seems to fit. I can see this book for sale in many places, but especially Costco before Christmastime! I know it would have a really great spot on many a coffee table! Would love an autographed first edition. I agree...where do I send my check?

Skipjack Joe - 3-24-2007 at 01:53 AM

Your "book" is wonderful, Ken. But you want some criticism so I'll do my best. I've never published anything so just take it with a grain of salt.

1. I feel that there are too many images of the same type shown consecutively. For example. In the Morro Bay the nudes are shown continuously one after another in a stream of pictures that aren't that different one from another (including too many of Hermissenda). Janolus barbarensis is your best in there. Another example are the siltertip sharks at Cocos Island. There are too many of them that look too much alike. Still another example are the natives of New Guinea. The two images of the tatooed back are too similar. The pictures with the faces with yellow paint are not different enough from one another.

I know that you have structured each chapter so that you go from subject to subject and show pictures of each subject thus producing a block of similar images. Sometimes it works well: the brittle star invasion is all one subject but there is great variety as different subjects appear with the starfish. The same is true of the Morro Bay pilings: one subject but a diverse community with a lot of different critters.

So I would use fewer images in some chapters. Intersperse them with others of a different subject. The mouth of the sea anemone was a great shot because it was a different way of looking at the animal. It lends variation to the expose on anemones. I don't find artsy images to be pretentious at all.

2. The chapters on Cocos Island and Papua don't fit well with the chapters on Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and Baja. The narrative in the first three chapters contain a lot of personal experiences that are shared with the reader. The Cocos Island chapter has been written more as as though for an article for a magazines extolling the dive sites and outfitters. The exception is the episode about the man who feared sharks (but the other chapters had more stories like that). The New Guinea chapter spends a fair amount of time on cultural anthropology and good dive spots and lacks the personal touch of the earlier chapters. So I would suggest more personal yarns in the last two chapters to match the first three because the narrative of the initial chapters was better. Your introductory chapter BTW (the one where you fly down the coast and remember) is your best piece of writing.

3. It would be nice to have images showing the scenes involved in the writing. You have wonderful pictures of sea life and some really neat stories about people and events that were important to you. It would be nice to see images that connect the two. This is my own personal viewpoint but it works fine the way you've got it as well.

4. One minor suggestion is that you often have a one sentence description introducing an image. I would just make it part of the text under the image itself.

There you have it Ken. I am not experienced enough to tell you that all of these suggestions would improve your book but I feel pretty strongly about my first one. The idea of organizing each chapter by going from species to species (actually family to family) is causing blocks of images which are too similar and not displayed to their full potential. I would suggest going from community to community, or ecosystem to ecosystem. Mix the pipefish at New Guinea community with other members of the community rather than a string of pipefish pictures.

P.S. The part about how important photography has been as a creative force in your life is right on. I have a similar background to yours and I completely related to the fact that engineering (in your world) and computers (in my world) are creative in their own way but the creativity reached through photography is far richer thing that just can't be achived in our professions. There were many other passages that hit 'home'. I've collected and photographed the central california coast for several decades and know many of the spots you write of.

Go for it!

baitcast - 3-24-2007 at 07:45 AM

Ya what Joe said,I always wondered if you would do something like this,GREAT STUFF,I have never missed any of it.
But there is one thing missing,that Guadalupe island trip I have been trying to get you to do,would make a fine addition..........Go for it Amigo.
Robin aka BAITCAST

Ken Bondy - 3-24-2007 at 07:53 AM

Igor

That is a tremendously valuable critique. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments. I think all four of your points are right on and I will do my best to incorporate them. I must admit I was a little stung by the first point, perhaps because it is so obviously correct (another one of those "why didn't I see that??" things), but on reflection I see you are absolutely correct. The manuscript was developed in bits and pieces over a period of about 15 months, and your criticisms made me realize that I never really sat down and took a critical look at the whole thing, how all the pieces fit together. When I got done with one chapter, collecting the photos and writing the text, I simply went on to the next one, working on it when I had the time.

I like what you said about the Cocos chapter, it needs personalizing. I have many anecdotes from those Cocos trips that can be incorporated and I will. Although I don't think any can compare with the "fear of sharks" episode. You are obviously right about the string of shark photos, fewer would make the point. I just think they are so beautiful, particularly the silkies, that I probably just overloaded here. With great pain I will pull some of the shark photos :).

I used the two PNG male back tattoo pictures to show that one pattern was symmetrical, one was not. As an engineer I guess I fixated on that but you are right again, to most observers the pictures look almost identical. I will have to think about that one :) :).

Igor I can't thank you enough for all the time and effort you spent with this. Your critique will make the final document, wherever it goes, much better. Thanks again,

++Ken++

[Edited on 3-24-2007 by Ken Bondy]

Ken Bondy - 3-24-2007 at 07:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by baitcast
Ya what Joe said,I always wondered if you would do something like this,GREAT STUFF,I have never missed any of it.
But there is one thing missing,that Guadalupe island trip I have been trying to get you to do,would make a fine addition..........Go for it Amigo.
Robin aka BAITCAST


Thanks Robin!! I am finally signed up for a Guadalupe trip on the Andrea Lynn (San Diego Shark Divers) this coming September 15-19. I need to get great white sharks checked off of my short list at long last, this should do it. The photos might not make the "book", but I will sure post them here :). Thanks again.

++Ken++

tripledigitken - 3-24-2007 at 09:09 AM

Ken,

I have just read the Baja chapter. Wonderful. I do have one suggestion. With your Baron you have the ability to take aerial shots. Why not incorporate some aerial shots, along with maps suggested by others? I think they would greatly enhance the book. Give a context to some of the places you highlighted. For instance I really enjoyed the above water photos you had of San Fransisquito.

What a gem you have created. I like others will want a first edition, signed of course. How about next years Book signing at the Pyramid?

Ken

[Edited on 3-24-2007 by tripledigitken]

Baja Bernie - 3-24-2007 at 09:21 AM

The only thing I disagree with from Skipjacks evaluation is this--" One minor suggestion is that you often have a one sentence description introducing an image. I would just make it part of the text under the image itself."--If anything I would expand it to three or five sentences--I believe you will find that this makes it more comfortable and rewarding to read.

Well, I guess I had better go back and start at the beginning.

Words to describe you photographs--I don't believe they can be found because they cause so many different reactions--color-composition--light--freedom--knowledge--creations of nature---this list could go on forever depending on each individuals reactions.

Without even finishing my reading I will say that you have tapped into a subject with the same reverence that John Muir attacked Yosemite.

And like I already said that ain't no burro stuff!

[Edited on 3-24-2007 by Baja Bernie]

Skipjack Joe - 3-24-2007 at 10:09 AM

I don't know much about the ethics of publishing photographs, Ken, but have you thought about photoshoping your images? Instead of two images of men with tatoos perhaps one could be just the shoulders, or a closeup of the scars. Instead of full views of the sharks at Cocos perhaps one could be a closeup of the head.

The whaleshark pictures are a great example of grouping done well: one image is of the fish in the water and the other is of it in relation to those people in the raft. The two work well together.

I believe I read that you don't like to do that sort of thing. I don't even know if those dive magazines allow you to do that. I suppose to some extent it stops being your photograph after a while.

I certainly don't suggest that you pull the pictures. Just rearrange them. There's one image of the cocos beach palms that stands considerably above the rest, the one with the palms on the left and the huge rock on the right. But because it's there with the others it doesn't stand out as much as it deserves. The viewer may not see how outstanding it is.

Speaking of Cocos it would be great if you added more writing to your 'topside' (as you call it) descriptions of your explorations of the Costa Rica rainforest. I imagine there must have been interesting episodes associated with the search for those frogs and alligators. That section is a bit light on verbiage.

I guess there is always room for change. It's think it's great as it is. I don't wish to give the impression that I'm making suggestions because I don't think highly of it. I do. I took a fair amount of time on this yesterday reading and analyzing the purpose of your manuscript and trying to decide whether it met your goals.

Igor

TMW - 3-24-2007 at 10:46 AM

Great read Ken and the pictures were outstanding.

Ken Bondy - 3-24-2007 at 10:51 AM

Igor, once again I appreciate your thoughtful comments. I manipulate my digital files in Photoshop to some degree, but I try not to do anything I couldn't do with a film image in my darkroom (for many years in the "film era" I did all my processing and printing in my own darkroom). So I will without hesitation crop and adjust contrast and brightness with PS. All that I could do in the darkroom with my enlarger, and my dodging and burning tools. It is part of the art of photography, both with film and digital images. But I don't use any of the more exotic PS tools. That philosophy isn't driven by any huge ethical constraints, I just want the image, to the greatest degree possible, to look like what I thought I saw, rather than what I can make it look like in Photoshop. That said, I really like your suggestions about a tight shot of the scars along with a full back shot of one of the men, and some head shots of the sharks rather than full body. And now that you mentioned it, memories of great experiences from my Costa Rica topside travels are flowing back, some really funny and some just interesting and, I think, worthy of including.

Ken thank you for your review and your comments. I like your suggestion of more aerial images. When I was flying in Baja I took some aerial photos but unfortunately I didn't fully realize what a great opportunity I had, and I didn't take as many as I should have. But I do have some and I will root around to find them and see if any will work in the Baja chapter.

++Ken++

Paula - 3-24-2007 at 11:06 AM

Ken,

I have looked at all of the pictures and read most of the text. Your writing is interesting, well organized, and supports the photos beautifully.

The photos are the heart of the book. To say that there are too many sharks, or too many nudibranches, or too many of anything, is like saying that there are too many waterlillies among a collection of Monet paintings. I do think that Igor makes a good point above about the outstanding palm shot. Perhaps in publication some of your images may be full page, and some grouped several to a page, or placed among text, thus highlighting what you choose to emphasize.

Please put me on the list of those awaiting a signed copy!

Absolutely Fantastic

Keri - 3-24-2007 at 11:46 AM

Ken ,I'm inviting you to next years book signing now before you get to famous. I think you should come this year and do hand shaking and shoulder rubbing with your adoring fans and hoist a beer or two with them . They would like to meet you in person and chat I'm sure. Please stop by May 5th. I do believe Sunbelt Publishing will be here you might be able to strike up some business for yourself while having fun with the rest of us.Then you can get your book published and be ready for next years event. That would be great for all of us that want a signed copy Hope you'll join us May 5th at Pyramid Resort. It's the place to be,k:yes:;):saint:

Natalie Ann - 3-24-2007 at 11:54 AM

Ken - u2u - twice.:yes:
And... if you do publish this work, why not use the "best" photos (from the viewpoint of composition) as intros to each chapter, as well as using them as placed within the chapter.
And and..... wow!

Nena

[Edited on 3-24-2007 by Natalie Ann]

Ken Bondy - 3-24-2007 at 12:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann
Ken - u2u - twice.:yes:
And... if you do publish this work, why not use the "best" photos (from the viewpoint of composition) as intros to each chapter, as well as using them as placed within the chapter.
And and..... wow!

Nena


Saw the u2u's and got back to you. This is a great idea Nena. I was really nervous about asking for help on this board, now I don't see how I could do without it.

Thank you all again,

++Ken++

Ken Bondy - 3-24-2007 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Keri
Ken ,I'm inviting you to next years book signing now before you get to famous. I think you should come this year and do hand shaking and shoulder rubbing with your adoring fans and hoist a beer or two with them . They would like to meet you in person and chat I'm sure. Please stop by May 5th. I do believe Sunbelt Publishing will be here you might be able to strike up some business for yourself while having fun with the rest of us.Then you can get your book published and be ready for next years event. That would be great for all of us that want a signed copy Hope you'll join us May 5th at Pyramid Resort. It's the place to be,k:yes:;):saint:


Keri thanks so much for the invitation and the very kind words. I don't think I can make it this year but save a Pacifico for me next year :)

++Ken++

oxxo - 3-24-2007 at 01:20 PM

Ken, I have not looked at the "book." I have seen enough of your work on this board to know that you should publish. I want to reserve at least one copy right now with the caveat that you personally sign it for me. Heck I'll even meet you in Morro Bay for the signing.

Go for it guy!

elizabeth - 3-24-2007 at 05:07 PM

You definitely have a fantastic "family" book already: however, there is a great potential here for a published book. I think that it needs a little more focus on the diving/underwater photography, and a little less on the above water in some, and a little more in others, just for a sense of place. I think the suggestion of a map is a good one, not only for the Sea of Cortez, but for everywhere.

I started out thinking that there were too many similar photos, but when I tried to figure out which ones should go, I couldn't. I think Paula's artist eye got it right. Some full page, and others in groups of smaller photos.

With a little help from a publisher and a professional editor, this could be a great addition to diving books which generally don't have the intimate personal commentary of yours.

I started out just thinking of reading a little, but couldn't stop until I read it all.

Your words and photos truly reminded me of what a privilege we have as divers to live for a little while in the under water environment. Your cold water images were almost enough to make me, a dedicated warm water diver, want to dive in Moro or Monterey Bays!!! Almost.

Thanks for posting this.

Ken Bondy - 3-25-2007 at 08:37 AM

Thanks oxxo and elizabeth. elizabeth I bet I am as warm inside my drysuit as you are in a lycra in warm water :) :). But you are much more nimble. Thanks again, ++Ken++

Osprey - 3-25-2007 at 08:45 AM

Ken, I downloaded the whole post, put it on a disc, changed some names, edited a little (added a couple maps) and it's ready for the printer. The title is Diving with The Osprey. I want to give you credit too. Before I send in the galleys is it Kenneth or just Ken?

Ken Bondy - 3-25-2007 at 08:50 AM

Osprey I prefer just Ken. Kenneth is a little too formal. Thanks for the credit :) ++Kenneth++

Bajafun777 - 3-25-2007 at 10:01 AM

Ken, I enjoyed the readings and pictures you have put together for this book you are thinking about doing. This book would appeal to anyone that goes to Mexico or other places where they also love diving or seeing what divers see. Hope to meet up with you some day on one of the Nomads get togethers. I would definately buy your book and steer my friends to do the same. Thanks for putting something like this on the board to share. I never get surprised by the thoughtful comments and encouragement that other Nomads give to other Nomads trying to put themselves out there on new challenges or adventures. Good Luck!!!