About the workshop

Why Participate? This workshop is not only for those who are finishing their projects. Even if you're still in the middle of shooting, this course offers invaluable insight into how to approach both the book and the project as a cohesive whole. Engaging early on allows you to see potential challenges and refine your vision with help of professionals.

Why Create a Dummy? Physical interaction with your work is essential. There's a unique experience in turning the pages of a book that just can't be replicated by viewing a digital file. The tangible qualities of a dummy help inform decisions about pacing, sequencing, and layout.

The Importance of Paper Choosing the right paper goes beyond how it feels; it can drastically influence the way your images are perceived. Different types of paper can enhance or detract from the visual impact of your photographs.

Book Size and Format The dimensions of your photobook directly shape the relationship between the reader and the work. A carefully chosen size can intensify the intimacy of the viewing experience, while technical decisions like binding can ensure the book lies flat, making for a more enjoyable read.

Design and Photography in Harmony The interaction between your images and the design of the book is crucial. Great photography elevates the design, and a thoughtful design enhances the impact of the photography. Finding this balance is key to producing a successful photobook.

Whether you're just beginning or refining the final touches, this workshop will provide the tools and feedback you need to create a compelling photobook. Secure your spot now!

Detailed schedule

The workshops are held daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

Day 1: Introduction and Editing Foundations

• Introduction of Tutors: Meet the experts from BLOW UP PRESS—Aneta Kowalczyk, Grzegorz Kosmala and Tomasz Laczny from Photobookworkshop—and get familiar with their experience and approach to photobook making.

• Introduction of Participants: Each participant will briefly introduce themselves and their projects.

• Setting Up the Walls: Each participant will set up a working space for displaying their images, allowing for ongoing editing and revision throughout the workshop.

• Lecture on Editing: Editing theory, covering sequencing, narrative flow, and visual storytelling within the photobook format.

Day 2: Individualized Editing Sessions

• One-on-One Editing for Each Participant: Tutors will work closely with each participant to refine the sequence and structure of their images. The focus will be on selecting the strongest images, ensuring a cohesive narrative, and maintaining balance within the book’s flow.

• Group Feedback Sessions: Peer feedback on initial editing, encouraging collaboration and diverse perspectives on the work.

Day 3: Layout and Design

• Lecture on Layout: Explore the principles of layout design, including image placement, pacing, and the interaction between text and images in a photobook.

• Introduction to InDesign and Canva: Learn the basics of layout software, focusing on tools that will assist in creating digital dummies and preparing files for print.

• Layout for Each Participant: Begin developing individual layouts, with hands-on guidance from the tutors. Participants will apply the principles learned to their projects, creating digital drafts.

• Creating PDFs for Printing: By the end of the day, each participant will have a digital version of their book, ready for test printing.

Day 4: Bookbinding Techniques

• Lecture on Bookbinding: Gain an understanding of various binding methods and their impact on the final product.

• Binding Exercises: Basic bookbinding techniques, including stitching exercises. Participants will experiment with these methods to understand how binding influences the book's feel and function.

• Printing Test Copies: Print initial copies of the photobook dummy. This step will help participants visualize the final book’s structure.

• Binding the First Dummies: Begin binding the printed copies with the guidance of the instructors.

Day 5: Final Production and Public Presentation

• Final Printing of Books: Participants will finish printing the final version of their photobooks, incorporating any revisions based on the previous day’s feedback.

• Final Binding of Books: Complete the binding process for each participant’s photobook.

• Final Presentation: Each participant will present their completed photobook to the group, receiving final feedback from peers and instructors.

• Finissage and Public Presentation: The workshop will culminate with a public event where participants present their books to invited guests. This event will also feature a presentation by BLOW UP PRESS, highlighting trends in the industry and opportunities for emerging photobook artists.

Testimonials: 

"The workshops Tomasz runs are truly enlightening. They are that rare combination of practice, theory, and something else I'd name intuition, but which sometimes feels almost mystical. He gives time and emotional energy to each project, and helps the artist at whatever level to think and rethink their images in the context of visual narration and as part of the material process of making something, stitching and sticking and cropping. On occasion to even enter the rare rhythm of a fluent visual storyteller - a quality which he personally always seems to possess. Tomasz's processes are both intellectual and physical, and the outcomes I witnessed were always inspiring: suggestive of more thoughtful future works to come. Tomasz makes us look at the book, and the art book, in new ways. An exciting and fulfilling exercise."

Robin Hunt -- participant of 2023 workshop  organised by Photobookcafe London

“This workshop with Tomasz allowed me to really put a new work in motion – his generous and precise insight brought a fresh dynamic as well as a new formal approach to the pictures. Since, the project has been shown in two exhibitions and has received a grant to produce the book!” 

Matilda Holloway -- participant of 2019 workshop organised by Espace Saint-Cyprien Toulouse 2020

“This is exactly what I expected as a workshop, constructive with a listening group, and a first book’s draft Tomasz understands right now and pays attention to everyone. He's full of ideas and knows how to give each one of the tips that match his project perfectly, with a great organization. Thank you. It was great.”

Daniele Boucon -- participant of 2019 workshop organised by Espace Saint-Cyprien Toulouse 202

Testimonials