First thing tomorrow: I'll call my favourite bookstore in Munich (Buch & Töne) and order a fresh copy of your book, Alan. Great idea to show the process of really making such a book.
Sold! If your photography alone didn't make me want to pick it up already, the details and care in the printing process definitely put the final nail in the coffin... Thanks for sharing this story and congrats!
You, through your video collection, have done something I never thought possible. I have been a press snapper for around 30 years. Now at 67, I want more out of my work, and you have shown me how to relax and take pictures. Thank you so much. (I'm buying the book!)
I got my copy in New York early in December 2023. It is fantastic Alan. Well done! The face profile of a man reflected in a double-glass window of a train in the south of France (p. 109) is a masterpiece.
Just bought the book Alan. I didn't really appreciate how big and heavy it was. It's great. The images, although familiar from following your work, just take on a new dimension now that I can see them so excellently printed in your book. One downside though. I need to carry it in my bag now every time I'm walking up and down the South Bank on the off chance of running into you again so that I can whip it out with a pen and you can sign it for me 🙂
Thank you for allowing us to be part of the printing process of this great book, which is super exciting and very informative. This book is something very special!
Congrats Alan ! Annie, Peter, Sebastião, Henri, Peter and now Alan : impressive ! Congratulations for your excellent work. I look forward to get a copy of this book that will become a best seller, for sure. Pre ordered on Amazon 🙏
Today I received my copy of this book after watching this video. I have to say that the images in the book are absolutely jaw dropping. A computer screen does not do them justice and that they absolutely must be viewed in printed form. Everyone interested in black and white photography should get this.
Just bought METROPOLIS today - after having to wait for the SECOND PRINT to arrive! Sounds like success. And well deserved! Funny thing: on the way to the bookstore (Buch & Töne in Munich, highly recommended!) there was some perfect "Schallerlight" and I clicked away with my NIKON plus 50mm lens. Rather deep early afternoon sun reflecting in wet sidewalks: perfect. So I "created" a new German verb: Ich habe einige Fotos "geschallert" ;-))). (= trying to shoot like Alan). 2-3 turned out quite fine. And the book? Pity I saw about a third of the pics already here on YT. Seeing them for first time in glorious print with those RICH blacks, would have been even better. The surprise-wow-effect was a bit lost for me... just saying. Great work, Alan! METROPOLIS is an impressive "low key bible" - but I must say that sometimes I prefer the lighter tones in it. What I missed: a good portrait of the artist! The distorted mirror ceiling image is cool, but here you can learn from the late Vivian Maier. Don't be shy, create an interesting self portrait for the next book. Please!
As a black and white photographer, and that i have you as one of my favorite photographers, i couldn't watch this video without being moved. If it had been me, I'm sure I would have shed a tear of emotion... while watching the birth of my book (!!!) 😊
Pre Ordered, thank you Alan for showing the process of the book making. It truly is an artistic collaboration between the photographer and the book printer. Can't wait to have it in my hands. Cheers!
Congrats, Alan... you are such a talented person and a huge inspiration for me and for thousands of photographers. I wish you all the best and can't wait to have one print of this book at home. Cheers and hope you are well.
Hey Alan. I've been inspired by your work since way back before Covid, have been part of several of your Leica virtual talks and classes and always wondered why you didn't have your images in book form. I just ordered Metropolis and now have about 30 days to buy a coffee table. Congratulations on the book it looks beautiful!
Congratulations Alan. It is magnificent achievement. I adore th smell of print and the weight of a substantial document and I vrey much look forward to holding a copy. Bravo!
Great stuff! I never thought of mixing black with a grey Pantone. I'd only go with the basic thought of mixing black with a percentage of magenta or cyan... or magenta's and cyan... and probably even yellow to get a rich black in the end. Of course, these smart guys came up with a Grey Pantone that usually has a warmer tone (reddish) or a cooler toned (blueish). Meaning: their grey already has a (probably) warmer tone mostly got from magenta. Nice! Again, great video. Alan's attention for detail even noticed their sprinklers to make this even more interesting 😊👌 6:52 😂🤣😂 "... Saints have savory snacks"? 😂🤣😂
Some of the greatest photographers in in world are total bores when they produce RU-vid content. Alan you are brilliant. People who aren't even photographers will enjoy this. I thought watching a printing press would be boring, but this was wonderful.
Just ordered my copy and can't wait to get it. Your work has been the inspiration that drove me into the Leica monochrom space and I can't thank you enough for sharing your talent. If you happen to pass by Rome (which happens to be the the most Italian place on the planet, aside from any happenstance trademarks...) I'd love to offer you an aperitivo, or a lunch, or simply a handshake.
Just pre-ordered my copy of your new book. I can't wait to get it! Thanks Alan. I really enjoy your work and look forward to seeing more videos from you.
Thanks Alan for sharing the process of your book it was very interesting the holy grail of printing. So when you were going through the printing process you were looking for a blacks and whites also Grays that match the old school of photography for your books brilliant 👌👍🎈📷
Congratulations on the book and great to see your father at the end of the clip. As a father (and grandfather) myself, I know how proud he must be of you and your accomplished career.
This was so fascinating as well as incredibly moving, both for Alan’s milestone and as in inside look at a great, traditional Italian company. Congratulations! I’ve placed an order and cannot wait to see, feel, and smell that beautiful book. (Oh, and quite incidentally, I viewed Alan’s current RU-vid series as well as looked back at his Leica [the company] videos and was inspired to purchase an M11 Monochrom this week. No book on the horizon, but plenty of great examples to learn from.) Grazie!
Worked for a cutting machine factory (guillotine how they are called) a few years back. Little bit sad this precision process was “cut” out. Pun intended
Loved this Alan, as someone who has worked in design and print for 30 years. I hope one day I can produce a book to this standard, high quality. Love the channel, keep em coming 😁👍
Congratulations on the book Alan. It’s awesome that you busted your arse taking these great photos, but you chose to focus on the printer, when promoting your book. We are fortunate that you are young and can look forward to a few more books in the future and hopefully multiple global workshop tours.
Magnificent! Especially intrigued by the gray tones uniquely formulated for each photographer. How did you arrive at YOUR color (7:00)? Was it a process of looking at test strips printed on your choice of paper stock? Swatches in a book? Or...?
Well, if I ever needed proof that this world is wonderfully small and full of coincidences then I’ve just experienced it… I had literally just finished watching this video (love your videos - keep them coming) and pre-ordering your book when I decided to go for a walk. I wandered by chance into the area where London’s main Leica store is located. Who do I cross paths with? Alan Schaller!! 💥💥 You’re a super nice guy!! Thank you for the wonderful chat! Love your photography - find it equally inspiring and mesmerising. I’m really looking forward to Metropolis. Once I have the book in my hands I’ll find a way of getting it signed. 😉 Here’s to coincidences and crossing paths with wonderful people!
I ordered this magnificent book and it is really a source of inspiration for any photographer. If you come to Paris or better to Compiegne, I would be happy to bring it back to you to sign it. It’s not cheap but maybe this is the price of the quality. Anyway with few prints, maybe 5 or 10 prints in 24x30cm the price could more acceptable.
