Picture: Gold miners working hydraulic mining water monitors, blasting away at a hillside, Nevada County, California; circa 1866 Photo Credit: Library of Congress
That history-related book project I’ve been working on over these last many months is now, as they say, history. I am so delighted to report that as of this last weekend, my sixth book is delivered, and in the hands of my publisher. The book is called California; Yesterday & Today, and is part of a series of similar titles the publisher is producing. The book had originally been set for publication in the summer of 2010, but my accident last year forced a postponement of the project, something about not being able to hold a camera…broken wrist…yada yada yada. The premise of the book and project was for me to find subjects or places related to California, and / or its history, and show how it was (yesterday) and how it is (today). Stay tuned for developments and info on the actual publication date.
Picture: Hydraulic mining water monitor and eroded cliff, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada County, California
This is the first book that I authored in addition to being the principal photographer. I also was the photo researcher in charge of finding all of the historical images that would be used in the book. My previous experience with photo editing, photo research, and running a stock photo library was very handy for the latter aspect. The former aspect, the writing, proved to be a bit more challenging. What really caught me by surprise was the amount of time needed to do the photo and historical background research. I’ll be the first to say that I probably underestimated that aspect by a factor of two or three times.
In the coming weeks I’ll post a few more examples, namely from things that wound up on the cutting room floor, along with some of my other observations and experiences. For now, I am just delighted to have handed this project off to the publisher. Now I can start the process of reclaiming some of the balance that had recently been missing from my life.
Congrats on finishing up Gary, must feel great! I look forward to seeing it!
Nice comparison Gary. Malakoff Diggins has been on my list for a while now but it is pretty far out there.
Congrats Gary. Sounds like a great book. I love books that show the past and the present in that way. I’m really looking forward to owning this book and seeing what you post on the blog.