While as a child my perspective of a “real” desert was a complex mix of reality and the shrouded truth of camera angles and a mistaken imagination. I thought a “real” desert should be like the nearly-lifeless, rolling sands of the Sahara as depicted by National Geographic or Tatooine. I thought a desert should be nothing but monotonous sand and sun. I did not see the beauty found in the rock-strewn Mountains and scrubby sage covered plains of the Mojave. In fact, the Mojave is considered one of the vastest and ecologically diverse deserts in the World. As an adult I have a greater appreciation for this diversity and majesty of the Mojave and its inhabitants.

Not only do I now see the Mojave as a real desert, but also I see how its topography and ecology make it perhaps the most interesting desert in the World.

As a publisher I see as much diversity among digitally produced coffee-table picture books as I do the World's deserts. We may call any photo or art book a coffee-table book, but do all such books offer the variety and depth as the Mojave?

You can take the same content from one artist or photographer and have two companies produce books and get one Sahara and one Mojave. Two critical factors play into the production of photo and art books which make a huge difference in visual quality and interest in the final printing.

Materials and printing technology contribute to the depth, vividness and vitality of the printed book. Equally important is the attention to detail, customer service and experience provided by the publisher. Too often, the printers offering single copy “digital” color books, especially those offering seemingly low-priced Internet offerings, provide Saharan dull prints. These books may look impressive until you compare them to a much richer fit and finish.

Compare for yourself, the quality of two or three different publishers and printers. If you are considering printing a photo, art book, or even a family photo album, compare your options. Have each company print two or three different pictures from your book as a sample of final reproduction. Look at the color variation, at the realistic skin tones, the “pop” or depth of each image. Choose a printer who will not only take the time to work with you, but can also provide you the very best results for the money.

Find a short-run publisher who can help guide the process and provide you color rich Mojave-like books. Often their price will be comparable, or even less for multiple copies, than the Internet-based alternative.