The Power of Self Publishing
First things first, what is a Zine?
Before the Internet, zines allowed fans to create networks, share ideas, and collaborate on writing and artwork.
Zines (ZEENS) short for magazines are independent publications that cater to niche audiences and showcase powerful visuals, stories, and culture. They originated in the 1930s but gained popularity in the punk rock communities of the late 1970s and 1980s. Zines made a comeback in the 1990s with the rise of the "riot grrrl" and third-wave feminist movements.
Despite the rapid changes brought about by technology with social media platforms, photo zines are becoming an important platform for photographers to express their ideas and reach new audiences.
Our first issue “Hint Of Humans” is out now and you can pre-order it here.
Pick your type
Obsession Zine
Collection Zine
Interview Zine
Literature Zine
Bio Zine
Illustration Zine
Art Zine
Travel Zine
Photo Zine
Why make a Photo zine?
It makes you think outside of the 1:1 box
Aren’t we all tired of having to crop our images to fit on Instagram? Zine-making provides a space for you to express yourself without the need for external validation or approval, which allows for a greater sense of authenticity and honesty in your work. The core of it is to let you have the creative freedom that you crave.
Declutter your drive
Some people might struggle to organise their work because after putting it out on social media, we all forget about this very important step. Making a zine can force you to be disciplined about how to archive your work and in doing so you might find a similar theme/story or a pattern in your photographs that you may not have seen before. It can also be a good way to end a project that you’ve been struggling with. Here is another article by the Blurb that can help you.
It is Pocket friendly and makes you a better editor
Making a zine can be extremely cheap as there are no rules to stick to a particular print quality. It can be very personal and handmade to enhance the viewing experience of your audience. When you start thinking about your work in a tangible form, it can make you a better editor too. Deciding on the visual flow of a project can enable you to critique your work more closely. Let’s get DIY
In his book, "Show Your Work!", Austin Kleon emphasizes the importance of creating things by hand and the unique value that it brings. As technology increasingly dominates the creative process, the tactile experience of working with physical materials is being lost. One of the great advantages of making zines is the hands-on process it involves in choosing the paper, printing your work and trying our different binding techniques. This process allows you to have complete control over the intricate details and how they contribute to the overall look and feel of your project, which is a unique and rewarding experience that cannot be replicated in the digital realm.
Get noticed in the community
Devoting your time to creating something concrete can garner others' respect and attention. Self-publishing can enhance the visibility of your work within the community and facilitate connections with individuals who share similar interests.
A Dummy for Dummies
While as photographers we often aim to have our work published by an established publishing house, it's important to remember that opportunities don't always come knocking. However, creating a zine can serve as a viable alternative to bridge this gap. Zines can act as a dummy/ prototype and can act as a stepping stone towards your first monograph. Not only is it an enjoyable and less pressure-filled learning experience, but it can also be a fun way to experiment with new ideas.
The digital FAST we all need
Zine-making slows you down and this can be a good thing! One of the most important aspects is that photographing something and creating a zine is a physical pursuit. Making things require a lot of patience and because we live in the world of instant gratification, working on a project that requires you to physically move can be a good way to step away from the digital world. The reward is seeing your work how you intended it to be viewed.
What next?
Submit your zines to festivals, and online communities and share them with your local independent bookstores, libraries, and other places where zines are appreciated.
Bombay Zine Fest, India https://www.instagram.com/bombayunderground/
Edinburgh Zine Fest, Scotland - https://www.edinburghzinelibrary.com/submit
L.A.Z.F, California - https://www.lazinefest.com
Offprint, London- https://www.offprint.org/en/index.php
Nice Zines- https://nicezines.skynash.co.uk/contact/
Ted Forbes- https://www.youtube.com/@theartofphotography
Gaysi Zine - https://gaysifamily.com/zine/
Are you working on a zine or have an idea but don’t know how to design or publish it? Reach out to us with a brief at uncommonstudio.in@gmail.com.
Inspirations
Alison McCauley is a Photographer, and visual artist based in Geneva and Cannes. She sells handmade photo zines and her photographs are instinctive, open-ended and subjective. She weaves her images together to create non-linear, intuitive narratives. Alison’s work often explores the idea of identity, belonging and memory. Her images are frequently infused with melancholy and feelings of restlessness and loss. Check out her work here.
Tum Wuthipol is a Bangkok-based self-publisher, zine marker and graphic designer who makes photographs to make books and zines. His Eye candy and minimalistic frames go well with this eccentric zine-making style. Check out his work here.
Kaamna Patel is a visual artist and bookmaker currently based in Mumbai, her home city. She is the founder of Editions JOJO, a publishing imprint & platform for contemporary visual culture in India. Check out her work here.
Sources https://www.zineculture.de https://daily.jstor.org/start-a-riot-and-a-zine-grrrl/ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/88911/brief-history-zines
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