A hand made photobook: Somewhere Between The Two

Something to hold in your hand

I wouldn’t say my photography is random, but it might sometimes come across like that - especially to me. Like anyone else, I’m simply drawn to what interests me on the day and wherever I happen to be. It’s only later that either I notice themes appearing or I sort of accidentally discover that I’m noticing similar subjects and developing a theme or topic. I’m fairly sure that this is how most of us operate. It’s an unforced, casual and, quite frankly, relaxed way to approach photography.

Once I realise that I have a theme/project on the go, there’s no stopping me. Or rather, there’s no stopping my mind’s eye from delivering things for me to photograph. For me, it then morphs into an active process whereby I’m seeking out and homing in on similar and tangentially related subjects. I’m drawn in; emotionally engaged; immersed.

This is how my ‘windows’ series of analogue photographs came about. I’ve no real idea how many I’d taken before I realised I’d selected several of the photos to print as photopolymer etchings (my primary route to printing my work). All windows; some obscured; two featuring security glass.

Photopolymer etchings from 35mm negatives. All of these images are in the book albeit not as photogravures.

Slowly but surely the themed project grew to the extent that a pause to take stock was needed.

I firmly believe that if you want to look at your photographs again and again, and to share that as a mindful and fun experience, they need to be printed. This can of course take many forms and my primary mechanism is via photogravure prints of individual images. These I submit to exhibitions (occasionally successfully).

The logical next step for me is photoboooks; and this is the route I’m taking with a number of my projects. The process builds on the techniques and methodology I used on my first book that I wrote about here recently because it’s simple, cheap and reproducible.

A5. Waxed linen thread stab binding. Tipped in cover image. Pages 170gsm, cover 300gsm. 32 pages.

Somewhere Between The Two is the result. It includes a few images from my 1980s archive - I’ve obviously been drawn to the subject for quite a while, albeit subconsciously.

I’m very pleased with this book and it’s convinced me, as I knew it would, that I have many more such photobooks in me.

To hold in your hand a physical manifestation of your work is quite something. It’s more than that in fact - it’s highly motivating and inspirational.

All my work is analogue: all based on 35mm negatives.

Copies of the book are available at fairly nominal cost on my website.

If you’re interested, some of my photopolymer etchings (photogravures) are available to purchase from my Etsy shop.

I’ve started to put together a downloadable cheat sheet that covers my bookmaking techniques and the tools I use along with sourcing links. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you a copy as soon as it’s ready.