ABC’s of the Photo Book

Photographs form a language of their own. When sequenced with intention, they create a rhythmic visual text—a narrative shaped by the relationships between images. The structure of these sequences follows a kind of grammar, one that can be expanded or subverted to reveal the full conceptual and visual range of a photographer’s work. The photo book becomes the natural form for this exploration, housing the complexity of a photographic project in a tangible, structured medium.

Led by Berlin-based curator, educator, and photo book publisher Thomas Gust, this four-hour seminar approaches the photo book from both theoretical and practical angles. It guides you through key ideas in image analysis, the construction of image pairs, and the shaping of narrative through sequence and design. Drawing on his experience as co-director of Buchkunst Berlin and instructor at institutions such as Ostkreuz School of Photography, Thomas provides insight into how influential photobooks build meaning page by page.

He traces the full arc of the photo book process from foundational elements like cover design, endpapers, sequencing, and image relationships (contrast, reflection, visual echoes), to the role of text and archival materials. Thomas also addresses the realities of contemporary publishing, including types of photo books, pitching strategies, market understanding, and navigating both analog and digital distribution channels.

By the end of this program, you gain the tools and insight to understand how photographic projects come together as books, whether self-published, pitched to a publisher, or produced collaboratively.