Task: Split Apart a Group Photo to Accommodate the Gutter of a Double-Page Spread
A photograph, when used large, across a double-page spread is impactful. But, it creates the challenge of accommodating for the gutter. If the gutter is not taken into account, the result can range from less than expected to outright disastrous. Finger-pointing and contentious discussions between the client, the printer, and the designer is all but guaranteed.
What Is The Gutter?
Let’s start by clarifying the term “gutter”. When talking about the gutter in this context it is referring to two areas on the page. The gutter and the gutter margin. The gutter is the blank space where two pages meet at the binding. The gutter margin is the inner margin of a single page. A photograph that is placed across two pages (referred to as a double-page spread) will occupy the gutter and the gutter margins of both pages.
When a book or publication is bound, the content in the gutter area will be hidden; referred to in industry jargon as “lost in the gutter”. Part of the content in the gutter margins will also be hidden, or at best, hard to see without breaking the binding of the book.
The amount of the image that is lost to the gutter and gutter margins will vary depending on the number of pages, and the place in the book the spread appears; i.e the beginning, middle, or end. The thickness of the paper and slight variations that occur in the printing, trimming, and binding also come into play.
The Cardinal Rules of Double-Page Spreads
There are two cardinal rules for double-page spread layout designs relating to the gutter. Never place diagonal or horizontal lines across the gutter—they may misalign when the book is bound—and never, ever place a person or face (human or otherwise) in the gutter.
The second rule presents a huge barrier when the layout calls for a photograph, with twenty-four people, to be used across a double-page spread. Someone’s face or body is bound to be lost in the gutter. That, for a high-profile project, is unacceptable.
The Solution: An Exercise in Craft & Technique
All is not lost. The design does not have to be scrapped. With some serious Photoshop manipulation and compositing work, an image can be edited to move important content away from the gutter, and then have it appear rejoined in the printed piece.
Calculate the Space Needed
The first step is to determine the amount of space that needs to be added. It’s a calculation based on the page count and where in the book the spread appears. In consultation with the printer, it was determined about three-quarters of an inch would do the trick for this board of directors photo.
Next, we needed to decide where to make the split. Right down the middle did the trick. This would create a balanced composition with just one person needing to be re-photographed.
Like Pieces in a Puzzle
The gentlemen in the first two rows could fairly easily be reassembled after splitting the photo into two. However, the gentleman in the back row created a challenge. I needed his legs. So another photo shoot was in order.
We (the art director and myself) provided the photographer with a mockup and clear instructions on what I needed. He then supplied the photo pictured here. It was the last piece of the puzzle. I now had all the elements needed to accommodate the gutter and rebuild the image.
The Annual Report
The final result. The completed photo as it appeared in the IMF’s annual report. The retouching undetectable, and the group reunited in print!
The Takeaway
Don’t be timid about designing pages with images large, across a double-page spread. It creates an arresting design. But plan well. Reach out to me early in the project. I’ll guide you through the production process. You can look to me as your trusted partner providing technical guidance and flawless Photoshop and imaging work.
Adding People To a Group Photo
You probably noticed, I’ve only talked about half of the story. What about those “insert man here” instructions? Click back to the previous image for the first part of the story. That’s where I talk about Part 1 of this project; creating a seamless photo composite to add three people to the original group photo.
Client: Beth Singer Design, LLC
Art Direction: Howard Smith, Principal
Photography: IMF (International Monetary Fund) In-House Photo Studio
Copyright Belongs to the Respective Image Owners
