A Beginner’s Guide to Photographic Publishing

This 4-hour workshop offers an introduction to the art of reading and understanding photobooks. Participants will learn about the history and significance of photographic publishing and develop skills to critically engage with photobooks as a medium. Through lecture, group work, and collective discussion, attendees will gain tools to better appreciate and analyze photographic narratives in book form.

Prior to the workshop, participants will complete a questionnaire to help tailor the content to the group’s interests and experience levels.

Workshop Plan

Part 1: Lecture (45-60 minutes)

• What are photobooks? Defining the medium
• Historical overview of photographic publishing
• Why photobooks matter in contemporary photography
• Key examples and movements

Break: 15 minutes

Part 2: Group Work (90 minutes)

• Hands-on exploration with curated selection of photobooks
• Guided exercises in close reading and discovery
• Collaborative analysis: what do we see? How does it work?
• Exploring sequence, materiality, narrative, and design through practice

Break: 10 minutes

Part 3: Group Discussion (60 minutes)

• Examining photobooks participants have brought
• Collective feedback and insights
• Sharing observations and discoveries
• Collective reflection: What are photobooks? Why do we need photobooks?

*A discount is available for people with severe disability, students, trainees, pensioners, unemployed people, BFD and FKJ workers.