![\"newsroompicturebook4\"](\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fredboxpictures.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D190&media=http:\/\/redboxpictures.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/newsroompicturebook4.jpg&description=A+pair+of+tributes\" "\\"newsroompicturebook4\\"")
<\/div><\/p>\nChronicling the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s final days as a newspaper
\nwas a bittersweet experience. It was painful to endure the death of the
\nnewsroom I once loved, but I’ll always be glad I got to spend time with
\nmy co-workers, as they valiantly put out the P-I’s last printed editions
\nunder enormous strain.<\/p>\n
I recently finished putting together a book of the photos I took of that
\ntime. I’ve called it “Final Days: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
\nnewsroom.” I know that’s not too creative, but it does have an eloquent
\nintroduction from the P-I’s former manager editor, David McCumber. Thank
\nyou, David.<\/p>\n
Now I’m not one to toot my own horn, but I think the pictures capture
\nsome of the chaotic beauty of the newsroom: A place littered with newsprint;
\nfull of smart, eccentric people; and bristling with energy (and stress)
\nto get something new out the door every morning.<\/p>\n
So I whittled down thousands of photos into 200 images for this book,
\nensuring that almost everyone present during those last awful days was
\nrepresented. Then I offered a way for people to order a book for
\nthemselves (with no profit to myself, of course).<\/p>\n
But so far, out of 170 former employees, only 18 have ordered books. It
\ncompletely bummed me out! What gives? I spent more than 20 hours
\nproducing this thing, and I have to say, it’s pretty darn nice.<\/p>\n
Carol Smith — my all-time favorite reporter to work with (besides
\nVanessa Ho, but she’s my wife) — said the book was “hard to look at.”
\nI’m hoping she meant the photos evoked strong emotions.<\/p>\n
Perhaps chief copy editor Bill Fink said it best: “I’m not sure which is
\nmore unbelievable, you trying to sell $50 books to 150 unemployed
\njournalists, or you actually trying to cash their checks!!”<\/p>\n
I have a cheaper option for a softcover book ($34), but he does have a
\npoint. And BTW, he purchased a hardcover book, but I haven’t tried to cash his check.<\/p>\n
The book isn’t the only eulogy to the newspaper. This Wednesday evening (June 3), there’s a community tribute <\/a>to the P-I.\u00a0Admission is free, but reservations are required.\u00a0 — Dan DeLong<\/p>\n