The Address Book– Sophie Calle

The Address Book was originally published as a serial in the daily newspaper, Libération in August 2- September 4, 1983. It is a narrative photobook taking us through her journey after finding an address book on the Rue des Martyrs, Paris; photocopying it and anonymously sending it back to the owner. Calle decided to contact some people listed in the man’s address book, whom she refers to as Pierre D, in attempt to find out more about the man through other people. This resulted in a fascinating mix of photographs and text, retelling the story she gathered about the man. Unfortunately, after Pierre D. threatened to sue, Calle agreed not to republish the work until after his death. I like the way this photobook utilises text to support the narrative and the indirectness of the photos.

The small red book is filled with abstract images paired with narrative text, which I think is very interesting. It is a hardback that is 5.25 x 7.5 inches with 104 pages, including 26 black and white images and 2 coloured images. This version of the book was printed and bound in China.

Suite Vénitienne– Sophie Calle

Suite Vénitienne was published in 2015 and is based on a project that Calle began in January 1980. It started with her deciding to follow a man in Paris, and although she lost sight of him in a few minutes (like most people she followed), she ended up meeting him once again at an opening. During their conversation, he revealed his planned trip to Venice, where she followed him. The book captures her journey, presenting us with detailed images from her stay in Italy. The comparisons between the text and images create an interesting insight to her thoughts at the time.

This is a small blue book is filled with juxtapositions between text and photos. It is a hardback that is 5.5 x 8 inches with 96 pages, including 56 black and white images and 4 coloured images. This version of the book was printed and bound in China.

Intimate Distance– Todd Hido

Published on November 9, 2016, this photobook presents us with a interesting contrast between landscape pictures of suburban houses taken at dusk and suggestive portraits of young women. This collection of 250 photos, the fruit of 25 years of work, presents the eminently cinematographic work of the American photographer with images as magnetic as they are strange. This book is made up from 274 pages and its dimensions are 10 x 1.14 x 11.77 inches.

It is interesting to see the way the photographer arranged such opposing images in a singular book, yet still creating a functional and effective sequence. Each photo has a similar theme in terms of lighting and tones, which causes them to all fit together. My photos are all edited into black and white, therefore this would help with the sequencing of my photographs. This book shows how important it is for every photo, especially ones present on the same spread, to have a visual link.

The pages with both portraits and landscapes causes there to be a direct juxtaposition between photos, which is something I could do in my own photobook. Although having different themes, Hido’s book and my project could have a similar layout, due to there also being a mix of landscapes and portraits in my selection of images.