Module 4 – Week 7 – Some Considerations (publication)

Although it is my intention to follow the exhibition route for this task I feel it could be important to visit these considerations in case it comes of greater contemplation for the FMP.

Firstly, what format might a publication take? I like the prospect of distributing to the widest audience possible. Getting my imagery into the hands of as many people as possible. Despite the obvious cost of this I would much rather a ‘proper book’ to build up towards a legacy of photographic works that become collectible and exist long after I am gone.

Should you include just photographs?

Although much of my work contains huge backstory and influence, particularly my documentary work, I feel the most successful of photographic publications have the smallest possible presence of text. I would feel that just photographs would be the way forward I would want.

Do you start with ‘ready-made’ pages?

Being a bit of a control freak I would much rather the blank space of a page or an indesign document to build my project from the ground up. Part of my process would be mock up pages to masking tape prints to and experiment with positions and layouts.

When is your book finished?

At this point in time, for the work I am currently producing, the book would be finished when I finish it and have decided it is the finished article. It’s publication so to speak.

What should be left in/cut out?

I am very firm that only the very best should be left in, both from a technical and a conceptual stand point. This becomes more challenging as it all progresses and the body of work becomes larger but this only gives opportunity for sequel and growth down the line.

Is digital really your friend?

I feel that digital becomes more limiting. Although the advancements of AR are great, they still require the physical. Digital solely results in the artists intentions being lost. A book viewed on a phone screen loses certain qualities than if it were to be viewed on a projection. With a physical object it is exactly the size and form that the artists intends.