Welcoming the iPL for the first time to the West Coast, Gallery Carte Blanche in San Francisco will host the 3rd Indie Photobook Library feature-length exhibition curated by Darius Himes (Assistant Director, Fraenkel Gallery and Co-Founder, Radius Books) and Larissa Leclair (Founder, Indie Photobook Library). Concurrently, an exhibition of photographs chosen from the selected photobooks will be displayed in the gallery curated by Gwen Lafage, (Founder, Gallery Carte Blanche). This component will explore the differences in experiencing photography in books versus on the wall.

Framework

The early- to mid-20th century produced a handful of photographic styles with a photojournalistic or documentary vocabulary at their core. This “documentary tradition” flourished in the latter half of the century, as photographic equipment shrunk, film speeds increased and world-wide traveled became easier and cheaper. The last decades have seen an explosion in art-photography educational programs and self-publishing, coupled with a continuing desire to explore the world, near and far. As we stand in the morning light of a new century, already some 12 years old, it is worth considering the question, What of the documentary style? When it comes to approaching the world around us—its people, places, conflicts, development and intertwined societies—how have the languages within the growing world of photography changed and shaped the conversation we have in images?

– Darius Himes

Friday September 14^th, 6-9pm: Opening party

Saturday September 15^th:

11.30am-2pm: Photobook Club (limited space available)

2.30pm-6pm: 3 panel discussions moderated by Larissa Leclair and Darius Himes: ‘The Art of the Artist Book’, ‘Publishing a Photobook’ and ‘Documentary photographic styles in the early 21^st century’. The panelists will include well-known photographers, curators, photobooks publishers and experts including Lauren Henkin, Michael Light, Patrick Aguilar (Owl & Tiger Books), John DeMerritt, Nick Haymes (Little Big Man Books), Todd Hido, Darcy Padilla,  etc…

Sunday September 16^th: Spend the day with Daniel Milnor & Lauren Henkin.

Limited space available – Fee: $150 – $130 for early registration

In the morning, 10am-1pm: “How to make a book that works” with Dan Milnor.

[Dan is the friend I’ve mentioned who’s an expert on photo books.]

Daniel Milnor, Blurb Photographer at Large, will demonstrate how to make a professional quality photography book using the Blurb publishing platform. Milnor will walk students through a start to finish process of creating a print-on-demand book, from downloading the Blurb software, defining what their book is, editing and sequencing, through design and promotion.  Milnor will illustrate the range and nuances of the Blurb platform by showing real-world examples of books that work. Other topics will include choose the right cover, building an audience for a book, using the Blurb bookstore, adding eBook to your offerings and realities of making books in the print-on-demand world.

In the afternoon, 2-5pm: “Introduction to self publishing Artist books” with photographer and book maker, Lauren Henkin

This lecture will provide an introduction for photographers looking to self publish artist books. By presenting potential advantages/benefits as well as the challenges of publishing, explaining types of publications, and a walk-through of her own experiences in publishing, Henkin will leave participants with the knowledge of what tools, skills, and resources will be necessary to complete a self published artist book.