Was considering delaying the SoFoBoMo start/finish dates but possibly I'll just start on the 1st or 2nd April... who knows if I will finish it by May 2nd [or ever] though!

Following the example of other SoFoBoMo'ers - an update on the preparations is in order:

The SoFoBoMo timeline and progress log page is ready and will will be updated as I make progress with the actual process.  Counting  chickens before they are hatched? probably

Equipment will be the D2Hs + a couple of lenses: Nikkor 17-55mm DX and Sigma 10-20mm DC-HSM.

For the past many weeks the WIP photo project for «The Jungle Book» production at AIS/D Elementary School had taken up all of my shooting time. Am not complaining! in case that is what it sounded like. It was a great experience, both photographically and to witness the progression of the learning process the kids went through... and to then finally watch the fantastic performance where each one of them shone like stars! The Work In Progress photo record/essay runs into 100's of [final] images and these are grouped in separate PDF files [full resolution JPG's] for each session. 5 sessions + 1 from the Dress Rehearsal + 1 lot of backstage photos + 1 lot of group photos of the cast + 1 lot from the final performance night. I probably shot around 2000 frames and culled these down to a manageable number. I might post some sample images from these sessions a bit later once the photo-CD is done and produced.  You can take a peek at The Jungle Book CD-Cover if you like. This image is a conversion from one of the photos.

I've not shot much in the last many days as the post-processing job took [a total] around 80 hours... and so those itchy fingers have been missing the familiar feel of the ridged focusing-ring and shutter-release button.

I've been observing the Starlings [Sturnus contra] and Crows starting to build their nests high in the Mahogany tress.... and this one particular crow is extremely alarmed every-time I take a peek out the window at the nest being built. The Starlings are building a nest much higher in the other tree but are very watchful and can notice me even if I am behind a window screen. Today I was able to get a few images before the Starlings flew off to watch me from another tree.
 

Updated [a few hours after posting the above]:

I decided to post a few assorted ones from the work-in-progress photos of The  Jungle Book rehearsals in no particular order.....

Images from the «Work-In-Progress» during rehearsals and also some images from the performance day of The  Jungle Book - by the AISD Elementary section. The main performances were on the 13th and 14th March 2008.

More to be added soon....

 
Start/End date:
Need to shift the start date from 2nd April to 14th April [upcoming travel during the first two weeks in April], and the end date to 14th May.

Book format:
Adobe PDF Presentation.
A painless approach is to output the photos and text via PSCS to a PDF Presentation. Lots of little small tweaks possible. File size, though, does become massive unless I opt to compress JPG but that will probably result in too much of a compromise on image quality. Will probably still do one full resolution PDF - just for my own use and distribution to friends on a CD.
P.O.D. options.
Have read what others have to say about the various POD options available.....
Decided why not try all or a few of the most popular online Print On Demand services.... what better way to find out the ins, the outs and the final quality of the printed book? Will give it a shot with 3 - Lulu, Blurb and MyPublisher and will try document all/any issues for each process and also a final analysis of the finished product.

Color or B&W:
I prefer to do one other the other and not mix the two. But I have not decided on this yet. It will be dictated by subject matter.

Theme:
Do I need a theme? Probably yes. But i could just go out and SHOOT and then decide if the lot fit into some sort of a «theme» or story..... Not a very good idea since my SoFoBoMo process is supposed to be about trying to structure and discipline myself into starting and completing a predetermined path. Will put some more thought into this aspect of the project over the next couple of weeks.