We are excited to announce Simon Chang's fourth workshop, which will focus on the development and implementation of photography books.
We invite photographers of all levels, both professionals and enthusiasts, to bring completed or nearly finished photography series for an intensive discussion on selection, editing, sequencing, etc.
The workshop will include the following programs (cca. 14 hours):
- Three individual consultations with Simon Chang (1 hour per session),
- Three group discussions together with all the workshop participants (2 hours per session),
- Studio visits to the following studios (1.5 hour per visit):
- AA design studio (Anja Delbello & Aljaž Vesel)
- Maruji – Marujčki Studio (Maruša Hren)
- TipoRenesansa letterpress studio (Marko Drpić)
Participants will gain a first-hand understanding of book production by visiting studios and meeting with designers and bookmakers. These visits offer opportunities for face-to-face discussions, allowing you to gather practical advice for your book projects. The workshop will be held in English.
More about Simon Chang and his award-winning book Shepherds and the Slaughterhouse.
“I anticipate an enriching collaborative experience as we delve into the art of creating photobooks together. The workshop’s primary goal is for participants to craft their own photography storybook within five months – a professionally printed and hand-bound limited-edition collection. Unlike traditional gallery exhibitions, this experience involves creating a dialogue between images, establishing narrative rhythms and exploring the synergy between the text and photographs – whether between or among pages. Join us if you long for an intimate storytelling experience through a sequence of photographs and photobooks!” – Simon Chang
Workshop schedule:
March 2024
1st group meeting, Tuesday, 5th March 2024, 5 pm–7 pm
The group will participate in an introductory workshop meeting in March 2024, during which each participant will have the opportunity to introduce their project and discuss their goals for this workshop.
1st individual consultation
During the first individual meeting, workshop participants will bring all materials related to their book project. Together with Simon, they will discuss the potential for the book, strategies for editing, follow-up plans for the next phase of image editing, the key messages the photobooks is intended to convey, visual references, and collaboratively develop a work plan for the upcoming months.
Group visit #01 – the AA design studio
AA are known for designing captivating limited edition photography books with The Angry Bat and have collaborated with Simon on projects like his solo exhibition in 2022, the magazine Three Weeks behind the Castle Walls and the award-winning book Shepherds and the Slaughterhouse. Together, the participants, the AA duo and Simon will discuss the collaboration between graphic designers and photographers, exploring AA’s portfolio and insights into their work.
April 2024
2nd individual consultation
Simon will review the participants’ initial book drafts, assessing image selection, narrative structure and storytelling rhythm (sequencing), etc. Technical preferences, like book formats and size, paper choices for the cover and pages inside, design preferences and any specific layout requirements will be discussed. Image sequences will be finalised and the production schedule, including printing, handmade binding and other relevant aspects will be planned.
Group visit #02 – Maruji – Marička studio
The participants will be able to explore Maruša’s bookbinding studio, a unique blend of a museum and a production hub. They will be able to witness her ongoing projects and a diverse array of meticulously crafted bookbinding pieces in various sizes, materials and styles, spanning both image and non-image-based projects. Maruša’s expertise in bookbinding for photography books is exceptional and this visit offers a rare chance for direct discussions, advice and exploration of desired bookbinding styles. It promises to inspire and provide valuable insights for the participants’ own book production.
May 2024
Group visit #03 – TipoRenesansa letterpress studio
Marko Drpić’s studio, nestled along the Ljubljanica river, is dedicated to typography and printing heritage. Established in 2010, this meticulous reconstruction of an antique letterpress printing shop offers a glimpse into traditional printing methods. Marko, a master of typography, classical printing, handmade papers and bookbinding, applied his expertise to craft the cover of Shepherds and the Slaughterhouse using the letterpress technique. His profound knowledge of handmade papers certainly ensures valuable insights and ideas for photographers in book production.
2nd group meeting, Tuesday, 21st May 2024, 7 pm–9 pm
During the second workshop group meeting, each participant will present a brief overview of their photo books, covering the design concept, current progress, upcoming production plans and sources of inspiration. Drawing from the uniqueness of past workshops, these meeting have been enriched by diverse perspectives, nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The exchange and learning among participants, fostering a mutual learning and group discussions, are crucial aspects of workshops. Through these interactions, participants gain valuable feedback that enhances the depth and brilliance of their work.
June 2024
3rd individual consultation
Simon and the participants will focus on finalising the photobooks. Simon will look at the participants’ dummies with the actual size, image sequencing, high-resolution files, cover design, colophon design and other details. Proofs of the cover and selected interior paper will be reviewed and binding discussed. While adjustments are possible, the main goal of the consultation is to confirm production specifics and establish a timeline for printing and binding processes for both the interior and cover.
3rd group meeting, Wednesday, 19th June 2024, 7 pm–9 pm
The third and last group meeting will showcase the members’ projects publicly, allowing for open participation. Each participant will present their final work and reflections from the past months, sharing completed photography books, photo zines or at least the final dummy. This marks the first direct interaction with readers, incorporating their feedback into the works. The final works will also be exhibited at Galerija Fotografija at a pop-up exhibition, available for interested readers or collectors to view.
In short
Between March and June 2024, each participants will receive three individual one-on-one sessions with Simon Chang, subject to mutual agreement, and will have opportunities to meet with the group of participants at Galerija Fotografija. Participants will also be informed about the exact dates of the three studio visits a couple of weeks in advance.
Simon Chang’s fourth workshop primarily focuses on the editing and practical implementation of photography books and photo zines. The workshop will guide you in presenting a project, helping you set individual project objectives and goals. Whether you aspire to transform your project into a book or an exhibition, this workshop will enable you to contextualise and shape your approach to presenting your work.
Fees:
480 € full price
456 € early bird price (5 % discount)
430 € former participants of Simon’s workshops
The deadline for the application is Friday, 1st March 2024.
To apply, please send an email with the subject "Delavnica fotoknjiga od A do Ž", your name, surname and phone number to tina.deu@galerijafotografija.si.
In case of further questions regarding the workshop, do not hesitate to contact us.
