Making a Dummy Photobook

Printing my images on Munken Smooth (240gsm) and bookbinding using the coptic stitch method allows me to collect my project and sequence all in one space. Having images printed always allows for a different perspective when sequencing but personally for me holding a product on my hand and being able to flip through the pages instills my passion for conceptual projects. It always feels rewarding, even when it’s not the final product.

It’s important when trying to sequence for a photobook to do this in a less permenant space for any changes down the line, thus the dummy book. This can be done in several different ways, from simply folding up paper and using blutack or sticky notes to something more complicated. Personally I went with testing a bookbinding technique at the same time, using a coptic stitch to create a square book to sequence my images. Using the coptic stitch was important to me to try and figure out whether I wanted to create a handcrafted book or if I wanted it to be something more easily mass-produced. The coptic stitch method also allowed me to have a book that laid flat and focus on the decision of the dimensions that I wanted. To create it I simply used a youtube tutorial: https://youtu.be/S2FRKbQI2kY

The materials are quite easy to gather and cheap depending on the shop which you buy the supplies from, though I’m sure you can also find them on amazon for pretty cheap. It took me about 2 hours to make the book (this includes measuring, cutting and stitching the book together). I have found this process very useful for managing my prints but also making something handcrafted can be very rewarding, it’s a possibility that I will explore this further throughout my practice.