Tutor: Angelo Karle
Photography has a rich history of self-publishing and DIY approaches to the sharing of work. This course is inspired by a more lo-fi way of making and will engage with the potentials (and pit-falls!) of photographic zine-making.
Over four sessions, we will cover the basics of photo-zines – from image selection, editing, and paper selection, to binding and printing options – with an aim to create a finished photo-zine or prototype. We will also explore how the zine format and DIY ethic has a democratising potential for artists.
Through this process, we will establish a view on the interrelation of ephemeral media and photography. We will consider the benefits of self-publishing your work and how to creatively work with the possible drawbacks, asking how image selection or conceptual direction can influence your choice of print and binding methods.
This course is designed as a space to promote artistic communication, so collaborative zine-making will be encouraged – but not necessarily required!
Please note: The zines will be DIY printed with a standard printer, so will not have the polished feel of a photobook. Participants are encouraged to prepare images or artwork in advance that they would like to work with during the course.
Course Outline
Week 1:
Introductions and discussing participants practices. We will explore the zine section of Stills library, cover the basics of what zines are and can be, and start discussing ideas for our own photographic zines. Time-permitting, participants interested in using Adobe InDesign will be introduced to this software for formatting their zines.
Week 2:
Form collaborative groups based on the introductory discussions. Collect content for, and begin formatting the zines, refining the image selections. Group presentations on where each group are at and what their aims are, and feedback on future direction.
Week 3:
Continue formatting to find the final placement of images (and text, if applicable). Discuss different and most suitable options for binding/printing each project, and how to achieve them if external resources are needed.
Session 4:
Printing and binding the final zines/prototypes in Stills facilities. Group reflections on the outcomes, including the benefits and limitations of the format. Discuss prospects going forward, especially in relation to zine distribution, audience, and larger print runs.
This course is run by Angelo Karle, creator of ‘the first word you see describes who you are’. Angelo’s practice explores themes of pathologies, transgenderism and (pseudo)sciences.
Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation.
Please read our cancellation policy before booking.
Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.
