Class 102. Explore the Photobook Phenomenon: Create/Design Your On-demand Photobook with Suda House | Online via Zoom | Athenaeum Music & Arts Library | School of the Arts

Self-publishing one’s photographs in an on-demand photobook is more than just a fad. For more than two decades, photographers have embraced the process of creating, designing, and outsourcing their bodies of photographic works into small-edition books using various publishing software. By moving their images from the screen to the page, to an object one can hold in their hand, share with others, and memorialize visual projects into “a thing itself,” the photobook is the new paradigm shift for the photographic medium.

This online course will introduce the history of the photobook in the context of early 20th century photography to the 21st century, challenging one to ask, “Why the book?” Within this context, the purpose of one’s book will be explored. Surveying and selecting individual images within a series, then editing images into a cohesive body of photographs, will drive the design, including creating dynamic layouts and prototype mock-ups for review. Using presentation software, such as Keynote or PowerPoint, one’s first look will be to critically examine scale, sequence, the visual space of each page, text, and other construction elements to heighten the experience of one’s photographs within the flow of a book.

This is not a course on how to use publishing software. As the course proceeds, various publishing sources will be introduced and scrutinized from simple construction options to complex ones. Students will compare their level of skill with these proprietary software sources, selecting the best in regard to which book format has an acceptable degree and “ease of handling.” Further considerations for a publisher will be the design options needed to communicate the book’s purpose, selection of various papers, binding, and of course what is the final cost and turnaround time to hold the book in one’s hand.

Requirements for successful completion of the course:

Participants need a body of photographic works to create and design their book.

The selection of a book design software is cost-free, but publishing costs for one book usually start at about $25 plus shipping. Turn around times are usually 6–10 business days.

The course meets online consecutively for five weeks, taking one week off to outsource to publisher.

There will be a final online class meeting (6th week) to review and celebrate one’s completed book!

Max students: 12