Overview: 3-Day Workshop (New York, Brooklyn Grain 75 Stewart Avenue, Suite 404 Brooklyn)

Dates: October 2–4, 2026

Schedule Overview

Friday, October 2 (Start: 10:00)

• 10:00–12:00: Introduction to the tutors, overview of photobook-making, and examples of handmade books.

• 12:00–13:30: Participant project introductions.

• 13:30–14:30: Lunch break.

• 14:30–15:30: Editing and visual narration introduction.

• 15:30–17:30: Group and individual editing sessions.

Saturday, October 3 (Start: 10:00)

• 10:00–13:00: Group and individual editing sessions.

• 13:00–14:00: Lunch break.

• 14:00–15:00: Introduction to bookbinding, bookbinding techniques.

• 15:00–16:30: Stitching exercises.

• 16:30–17:30: Introduction to designing layout.

Sunday, October 4 (Start: 10:00)

• 10:00–11:00: Introduction to designing covers, with examples.

• 11:00–13:00: Individual work on book dummies.

• 13:00–14:00: Lunch break.

• 14:00–16:00: Continued individual work on book dummies.

• 16:00–17:30: Final presentations by participants.

In Depth

Introduction to the tutors, overview of photobook-making, and examples of handmade books. Michael will introduce his photographic practice, focusing especially on his books. He'll show a few of his dummies — something he rarely does. Tomasz will show his handmade books, focusing on his personal projects as well as samples of books he's designed for other artists.

Participant project introductions. Each participant briefly outlines the project they're working on. This is done without showing images — the idea is to verbalise the core of the project and to bond with the rest of the group.

Editing and visual narration introduction. Michael and Tomasz talk through their approach to editing, show some examples, and introduce a bit of the theory behind editing.

Group and individual editing sessions. Each participant has their project edited by the tutors. We'll discuss different approaches and possibilities for arriving at an edit aligned with the core principles of the project.

Introduction to bookbinding, bookbinding techniques. We'll cover the basics of bookbinding and give practical examples of how creatively binding can be used to support the core of your story.

Stitching exercises. We'll cover pamphlet binding and Japanese binding, as well as the principles of signature binding. After the workshop, participants will be provided with instructional videos.

Introduction to designing layout. A demonstration of the basics of layout design. Using three different image sizes, we'll show you how to quickly assemble a working dummy to assess the relationship between images, and the flow and rhythm of the book.

Introduction to designing covers, with examples. The principles will be covered with real-life examples.

Individual work on book dummies. This is where you'll create your own dummy based on everything covered earlier in the workshop. Each participant will be guided by both tutors throughout the exercise.

Final presentations by participants. All participants present their finished dummies to the group, receiving feedback from the tutors and the rest of the group.

Why Participate?

This workshop isn't only for those putting the finishing touches on a project. If you're still in the middle of shooting, that's fine — perhaps even better. Working with material that isn't yet resolved can sharpen how you see it. The editing sessions are designed to help you understand what you actually have, not just what you intended.

Why Make a Dummy? There are things a screen won't tell you. Holding pages, turning them, feeling the weight of a sequence in your hands — this changes how you see your work. A physical dummy makes decisions visible that would otherwise remain abstract: pacing, rhythm, the space between one image and the next.

Paper Paper is not neutral. It carries light differently, absorbs it differently, and changes how an image feels to look at. Choosing the right paper is one of the quieter decisions in bookmaking — and one of the most consequential.

Size and Format The dimensions of a book determine the kind of attention it asks for. A small book pulls the reader close; a large one keeps a certain distance. Neither is better, but both mean something. Binding, too, is part of this — it shapes how the book opens, and how it's held.

Design and Photography Design shouldn't be an afterthought, and it shouldn't overpower the images either. At its best, it's invisible — it simply lets the work be seen on its own terms.

Whether you're beginning or nearly done, the aim is the same: to leave with a clearer sense of what your book wants to be.

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