PHOTOGRAPHY ZINES AND BOOKS NO: 63
北海道へ (To Hokkaido) by Johan Brooks
Who?
Johan Brooks is a Tokyo based photographer and member of the photo collective, Void Tokyo. He currently has an accompanying exhibition to this zine at the newly founded Zero Space Gallery in the suburbs of Tokyo now until the 23rd of August.
What?
The zine documents a nostalgic summer road trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido. That nostalgia is heighten not only by the style he shoots with, but the technical aiding in his choice of lens exclusively shooting with a MS Optics 28mm 2.0 Apoqualia G-II (we have the latest version on sale here). He has his own review of the lens here.
Here is the zine’s press release:
“In the peak of summer 2022, six friends embarked on a road trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido. Driving along the coast, they stopped at two of Tohoku’s biggest matsuri before taking a ferry and continuing on, eventually arriving in Engaru. Johan Brooks recorded these memories, now showcased in this zine.”
Why?
To most, albeit subconsciously, photography has always been most associated with travel. Because without any pretension, it simply is about the memories that photography serves to help one cherish. The talent then comes in where others can understand and appreciate your memories and get a better sense through the photographer’s eye. However, main point, is that the photographer is doing it for themselves, which is generally conducive of better photography. His zine is reflective of this.
Details.
50 copies limited edition, signed by the artist
20 Pages
210×210
Thread sewing machine saddle stitch
Paper: Cotton snow white 116.3g
Printed in Japan
Where?
The zine can be purchased through the Zero Feed Back website here. The price is modestly set at 11 USD.
Yorumo Hirumo by Glen Snyder
Who?
Glen Snyder is a Kanagawa/Tokyo based photographer. This is his second zine review for the site, you can see the other (and now sold out) zine review here.
What?
Without reading any background on it, I saw it as work he shot during his commute. The repetition of which becomes its charm. Coinciding with an exhibition at the newer and often featured Tokyo suburban gallery Ephemere , here is the press release:
“Drawing from Glen Snyder’s daily work commute, Yorumo Hirumo offers a unique view of life along the Tama River, which separates Kanagawa from the urban metropolis of Tokyo. This photo book coincides with Snyder’s first gallery showing at ephemere. , featuring 92 pages of black- and-white photography that masterfully blends digital and traditional film techniques. The captions, influenced by a traditional Zen verse, delve into the relationship between light and dark, adding depth to the visual narrative. Hiro Arcode’s Japanese translation further enriches the experience, making Yorumo Hirumo a cross-cultural journey through time and light.”
Why?
Perhaps because we all can relate as not everyone can just go out and shoot everyday. So you sharpen your eye, by simply shooting every chance you get, and to me that is at the heart of the book. Just that love of shooting whenever possible.
When I first discovered photography, it made a miserable commute something better as I would just day by day look at the same things at different times, light, weather conditions, seasons, etc and the repetition of it all, heightens the eye.
Details.
First edition: Numbered and signed by the artist
Format: Softcover with dust jacket, perfect binding
Pages: 96 pages, black and white digital printing
Size: H29.7cm x W21cm (A4)
Printing: Tokyo, Japan
Publisher: ephemere.
Year Published: 2024
Where?
The book can be purchased directly from the Ephemere publishing section of their website here. With a 100 copies they should have good amount of stock left.
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Thanks to our two guests for their submissions, it is a really cool thing to be able to share them all with you. And remember, this is open to everyone. If you would like to have your zines or books featured then all you have to do is mail me. Hopefully there will be plenty more of you who want to get your books and zines out there to the world. Another installment will be coming soon.
Thanks,
JCH
