#001 - Behind the Zines
Creating the concept or theme for this publication
As I prepare to create and release my first zine, I thought it would be fun to share a behind the scenes (zines) look at my work. Being my first self-published zine, there is a lot of details I am figuring out as I go. I think it is important to note though, that this is not a step by step process.
who writes Process has a wonderful step by step tutorial on the subject here on Substack. He has not finished the series yet but I have picked up quite a few tips along the way that have helped me personally.Really, this series of articles is just about me sharing my personal process of developing the zine for you. I was thinking it would be good for those who read this newsletter to see the steps I am taking to make what I hope is a quality work of print for everyone.
Coming up with a concept
This was probably the most mentally time consuming parts of making a printed zine so far. Just creating this newsletter and molding what I want it to become has evolved so many times over the last few weeks. And that is the way it has been with my goals for making a printed zine.
My brain has been flooded with ideas, wants, and want not’s. Originally, when I was working on the planning phase of this newsletter, my idea was to create a series of zines that would be released multiple times throughout the year. I realized though that I was maybe a bit too ambitious.
The truth is, it takes a lot of time and energy to do this work. And, while I am always happy with the pictures I take, I can’t honestly say that every time I go out with a camera guarantees an amazing photo. Some days are just duds in photography. If I get a one or even two really good photos to choose from, that is a good day.
So to produce multiple zines through a year would inevitably lead to disappointment in myself. But to you as the reader, you would possibly come in possession of something that I could not be truly proud of as a body of work. If anything, the I think each zine should be special. It should truly represent work that I am completely proud of and something that I stand by.
So, I realized that reducing it down to one zine per year was a more realistic goal. Still a good challenge, but within a years time, I should have thousands of photos to choose from, which can then be whittled down to a select amount. Thereby, putting my best work on printed page.
Should I have a theme?
This is a question I kept asking myself. When I first started in street photography, it was always more about the story than just a single picture. I went about my photo walks as an opportunity to in some way tell a story of the day. By creating a series of say 10 images, there would be a cohesive theme, same edits, coloring, and so on.
Going along with that mentality, I originally thought about having each zine focus on one specific subject. It could be something like Summer Heat is the theme and every picture or set of pictures leads you down a tale of life in the hot humid weather here in Florida.
It’s just one of many ideas I had like that. But then I started thinking about photographers who inspire me. Ones like Saul Leiter and Henri Cartier-Bresson are my absolute favorites. Could I do a series of work that in a way pays homage to them and how they inspire me? Perhaps showing work of mine that stems from the inspiration they give me.
These are all good concepts I think, but inevitably not quite right. I want what I share to be more than just pictures on a page. I want each photo to represent who I am as a photographer. I want there to be opportunities for self-reflection through a photo or opportunities to explore the subtle nuances of what was captured. In a way, I want the collection to show the ebbs and flows of the year.
One of the biggest challenges I face within my own photography is sticking to one style at all times. I think my photography really speaks to who I am at that moment in time. Times of happiness are usually filled with more playful work. Times when mentally I am in a dark place I tend to seek out chaos and confusion within my work.
So for me to have a body of work that is completely cohesive in the sense of following one theme, just does not make sense to me. However, I do think it is possible to create cohesion even with different moods. After all, I doubt any of us can say that we are always happy or always sad. Life ebbs and flows constantly and as a creative, I love how that is represented in my work.
I came to the conclusion that instead of coming up with a theme, I would just turn each zine into a years worth of work. Let the pictures take the viewer through different phases and moods, while hopefully still telling a cohesive story. I think going about it this way has quite a few benefits as well.
Rules for myself
By making it a years worth of work, I am pushing myself to keep going and to keep looking. To keep Chasing Lights. Eh, see what I did there… shameless plug.
If I set a rule that I have just one year to create the work, then all photos need to be from that year. I can’t cheat myself and go back to old stock just to fill a void. I need to push myself to make the work stand out in its own way and be a true representation of time.
Doing this too I think leads to a good opportunity to see how I have grown over the years as a photographer. It would be my hope that the zine I publish 3 or 8 years from the first edition shows more skill or style than earlier work.
I have not settled on a number of pictures just yet. I am thinking somewhere around 80 images. Maybe 40 black and white and 40 color. Truth be told, I don’t want to just produce a photo book though. I want to add a few extra elements in there to add to the experience.
For example, I think it is important to have an essay in there. Something for me to share that tells a tale of the body of work being presented. Even throughout, I want to share thoughts and opinions about photography at this moment in time that I think would be valuable to look back at.
I was thinking it would be nice to have a cutting room floor section. Perhaps two pages of thumbnail size photos that are like honorable mentions in a way. I’m not sure yet what else I may or may not add, but these are the ideas running through my brain at this moment.
The Wrap-Up
So if you made it this far, here is where we are at with the series of zines I will produce.
The concept is simply a years worth of work.
Title will be something as simple as “Chasing Lights Collection I”
Roughly 80-90 pictures
Essays and text to support
Thumbnails of cutting room images
Glad my series has been inspiring to you, Ronald. Excited to see the final product!