Photobook design

Ciociaria copyright 2011 Douglas Stockdale published by Edizioni Punctum

I recently read a post from another photographer asking other photographers if they have any regrets with a photobook that they published. For me, three small details come to mind that I wish I could retrospectively tweak. 

First I would like to have listed my web site in the credits and regretfully I was offered a chance to edit this and I missed it. My bad.

Second, I should have deviled into more about how this project was a part of my ongoing investigation into memory and its preservation. As I wrote my essay, I have only myself to blame for what was stated. My advice, if you are considering the publication of a project and you intend to include your own essay, start developing it early, such that you have time to allow to mature. Then have others read it and provide feedback as to the message they perceive. (Yep, I did not do that well enough, as I had only one review of my written narrative).

Third and last, both Marco and I should have also taken credit for the design of this photobook. Marco agreed to this project while looking at my early galleries, but it was my book dummy that sold the final publishing, a direct reflection of my editing, image pairing and sequencing. For the final book design, fortunately I was provided the opportunity to again provide image pairing and probably 80% of the image sequencing, as Marco concentrated on the leading and first quarter of the photographs in the book’s photographic sequence. As you might suspect, photographers are not always allowed a say in the book design process by a vast number of publishers.

It was also my idea for the page layout for the paired photographs, with the left image surrounded by traditional white margins and the facing photograph a full bleed. For the pairings, I was able to provide changes as to which photographs were paired up and which side of the spread the photographs were positioned. I was able to provide input, if not approval, of the book cover and dust jacket design and graphics. Lastly, I also had a say in how the images were cropped if that became necessary, as it did with all of the full-page bleed photographs. So perhaps I was a bit shy about suggesting this change in the design credits, but looking back, I think that being listed as a part of the design team would have been fair.

I suspect that I will get these parts correct for my next book, but I will probably miss something else. Meanwhile as I work on my current photobook project, I have the book design that I want well in mind.

Cheers!

OCCCA Exhibition catalog available

copyright the artists, 2013 published by Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA)

When I arrived at the OCCCA to pick up my framed photograph that was in the “Give Us Your Best Shot” exhibition, I found that an exhibition catalog was published and available. In due fashion, the catalog has the photographers listed alphabetically with their exhibition photograph and a brief statement. Nice.

The stiff cover catalog is available for $10.00 from OCCCA. As a photobook reviewer, I would have preferred that they included the date the catalog was published, the exhibition dates and perhaps some information about the theme of the exhibition.

But then again, this is my first publication for 2013, a great start for the new year.

Cheers

Morolo Italy – Industrial decay

Untitled (Morolo) 2010 copyright Douglas Stockdale

Lately, I have veered away from the urban/industrial landscape in favor of things that are more ambiguous and tighter framed. Nevertheless, I have a ton of earlier work that pricked my soul and this abandoned industrial site, above, in particular.

When driving to an assignment, I prefer to take the back roads rather than a freeway directly to my destination. While working in Ferentino (Italy) and working on my project Ciociaria, my back road route took me past this group of buildings, with this one structure capturing my imagination in particular. It looks like the top structure of a ship, with the stacks looming over the terrain. I am not sure what it’s purpose was, but the locals do a lot of stone quarry work to support the construction in Rome and the surrounding area. Typically they just wear a local hill down to the nub, then when the stone or other natural materials are exhausted, walk away and leave all of the infrastructure in place in the hopes that it will eventually vanish.

Over a period of a year, I have been looking at this site, first while driving by, then when I found an appropriate parking spot, to then start walking the grounds. Even in places like this, sometimes the owners still like to keep a watch dog, but none of these were present. Looking at some photographs made during the mid day, I realized that I needed some additional moodiness to convey the forlorn melancholy feeling of this place. Thus one overcast morning while driving in, I realized that what external environmental conditions I had per-visualized was now present.

Industrial decay, devoid of any individuals or humanity, does speak to the past and memories, but in this case, there is no attempt to preserve the memories of things that occurred. There are many photographic projects about industrial decay, thus not a genre that I am interested in, but this image could help supplement another concept. Thus I will attempt to preserve this memory, one as it relates to my experience in making this composition and as I work on other concepts, might this photograph become relevant.

Cheers!

Mystical sorting hat

Untitled (Fiuggi Terme) copyright 2010 Douglas Stockdale

I had noted this table and cover on the grounds of a hotel in Fiuggi Terme during most of the Summer it was covered with green leaves and people were enjoying a conversation in the shade. Later in the Fall, the leaves were gone and so were the constant flow of guests, but what remained appeared more interesting. The tangle of bare limbs above the table were revealed and appeared to take on the look of an ancient cover. I could not help but think of the “sorting hat” in the Harry Potter series.

With some careful positioning, I was able to juxtaposition two of the lawn lights to appear to hove just above the table top in an attempt to imbue this with more mystical symbolism. This photograph did not appear to be a good fit for my Ciociaria photobook, but it still beckons me back for a second consideration.

Perhaps to afford a look into the future or the interpretation of dreams?

Nevertheless, I am not sure of the photographs eventual use but I am already considering the changes I may need to make to create a different image (I never have claimed to be a purist, as I am not a documentary reporter). I am thinking  to clone out the remaining while globes in the background, they create a visual distraction (eyes are drawn to the lightest parts of a photograph) and work against the illusion. Likewise there is a light colored structure in the background lurking above the plane of the table that needs to be either toned down or eliminated. Then I think my mystical sorting hat will be ready for prime time!!

Any dreams requiring interpretation?? Inquire within.

Cheers!

Live wire juxtaposition

Fiuggi Citta 2010 copyright Douglas Stockdale

As I review the photographs from my project Ciociaria, I find myself thinking of Hiroshi Watanbe’s “Findings“, a project that was a compilation of photographs that he drew on from a diverse set of circumstances and conditions. There are a number of photographs from my Ciociaria project that I think will have a life beyond this initial photobook. With this photograph, above, I can anticipate using it to augment another project to investigate the concept of memory and its preservation.

The old city of Fiuggi Citta (initially built up about 1250) has a maze of narrow corridors, walk ways and interior plaza’s in which the citizens live and it seems to me that they make use of about every square inch of available space. This old patched wall speaks to me about the past and ancient memories. The line and plastic clothes pins are grounded in the present. The clothes pins were found just as they were arranged, very colorful and almost sequenced into a musical arrangement.

The fact that the clothes pins are empty is a reference to an expectant future, in anticipation of these things yet to come.

Cheers!

Ciociaria at OCCCA

Lest I Forget – Ciociaria copyright Douglas Stockdale

I am very happy to announce that my photograph “Lest I Forget” from my Ciociaria project and photobook, was curated into the December group exhibition at the Orange County Contemporary Center for Art (OCCCA).

The exhibition will have two opening, the first is this Saturday, December 1st, from 6pm to 10 pm and the second reception will be on January 5th, 2013, also from 6pm to 10 pm.

A very nice way to finish the year! (and of course, to start the new year) My thanks to the curator, Jeff Alu.

Cheers!

Doug

BTW, the Ciociaria trade edition as well as Limited Edition book + print are still available from both photo-eye and Ampersand Gallery.

Ciociaria – Limited Edition Book + Photograph set

Copyright Douglas Stockdale 2011

I recently published two small versions of a Limited Edition Book + Photograph set in conjunction with my hardcover book Ciociaria. The edition size for both versions is 25 and I choose two photographs which were not included in the design and printing of the book. Both the photograph and book are signed and numbered, with the photograph printed on archival stock. After a number of discussions with Susan Burnstine during the development of this Limited Edition set, I opted to go with an inexpensive version to keep my costs low and a reasonable for this Limited Edition, which is priced at $150.00 per set.

The initial interest in the two Limited Edition sets is good and I am nearing the halfway point for selling the editions. I can’t say they are selling like hotcakes, but doing well enough and building a small reserve fund to finance my next book that I hope to be able to announce shortly.

The Fiuggi Edition, photograph below, was an interesting turning point for me while working on this project. I had been deferring to a more topographical investigation of the memories of this area, which is to say photographing the landscape without the presence of any individuals. As this scene unfolded before me, it spoke of another way to create a narrative as to how memory is preserved. But as book designs go, with the choice, pairing and sequencing of the images, this photograph did not find a good home within the book. So it seemed a nature to include this as a special edition.

Fiuggi Editon

 

The other version of the Limited Edition is the Morolo Edition, which includes the photograph below. I saw this lyrical web of branches with the different phases of the decaying fruit and hints of the surrounding residences. It speaks to the past memories intersecting with the current moment.

The Limited Edition Book + Photograph sets will be available from speciality photographic bookstores.

Now available at:

Ampersand, Portland Oregon

Coming soon to photo-eye > UPDATE now available at photo-eye

The standard hardcover book at $55.00 is currently available at both Ampersand and photo-eye.

Additiona interior photographs from the book and links to some of the book reviews can be found here.

Check back as I expect this bookseller list to grow.

Best regards, Doug

Morolo Edition

MACRO acquires Ciociaria Limited Edition Photographs

Photographs copyright Douglas Stockdale 2012

I am now able, as well as extremely happy, to share some wonderful news. Over the past month, I have been in discussions with Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Roma (MACRO), the largest contemporary art museums in Rome Italy, regarding the acquisition of three Limited Edition photographs from my photobook project Ciociaria. This week I received the really grat news that the acquisition has been completed. The three photographs that they acquired are provided in this post. The photographs will become part of the museums permanent collection of contemporary photography.

What I am finding out is that with many museum acquisitions, the process can become very complicated. In this case there was a need to balance what the museum wanted in the number and size of the photographs with their acquisition budget, which initially did not add up very well. Thus I brought into the process a small group of my collectors who provide underwriting (financial gifts or now museum patrons) assistance with the museum’s acquisition. And the deal slowly came together.

This is my first museum acquisition as well as my first inclusion into a permanent photography collection. To now be a part of the MACRO’s contemporary photography collection is an honor, as the MACRO is becoming a very well-known contemporary art museum in Italy as well as in Europe.

Updating blogs

Somewhere over the MidWest USA, December 2011 by Douglas Stockdale

It seems like this blog is becoming my de-facto website as it much easier to incorporate updates. So today was a little bit of a housekeeping day for this blog, mostly to provide some links on the “Ciociaria” side bar, both for some of the bookstores which are carrying my book and other places to obtain book information.

Looking ahead at 2012

Ciociaria by Douglas Stockdale copyright 2011 Edizioni Punctum

Looking ahead at 2012 is attempting to read tea leaves or perhaps in my case, peer into the dense fog while yet still hurling steadily forward.