Deconstruct the narrative, concept and design of the book and apply theory above when considering -

Book in hand: how does it feel? Smell, sniff the paper –

Holding Genesis feels like holding a piece of the Earth itself. The book is fairly heavy, solid and full of raw beauty within the images. The thick, textured pages have a subtle, woody scent, like freshly printed paper. As you flip through, the black and white landscapes almost feel alive, with every detail standing out in the matte finish. It makes it feel like more than just a book, it’s an experience that pulls you into the untouched, breath taking world of nature with each turn of the page.

Paper and ink: use of different paper/ textures/ colour or B&W or both -

Genesis uses thick, matte paper that adds a tactile weight to the book. The black and white images stand out with depth and detail, enhanced by the subtle texture of the paper. The lack of colour lets the raw beauty of the landscapes speak for itself, creating a timeless, immersive experience.

Format, size and orientation: portraiture/ landscape/ square/ A5, A4, A3 / number of pages -

Genesis is a large format photobook, with an A3 size that showcases the stunning black-and-white images in landscape orientation. The expansive layout allows the breath taking landscapes to be displayed in all their glory, with plenty of room for detail. It has 528 pages.

Binding, soft/hard cover. image wrap/dust jacket. saddle stitch/swiss binding/ Japanese stab-binding/leperello –

Genesis has a hardcover with an image wrap, showcasing a striking landscape. It uses Swiss binding, allowing the book to open flat, and has no dust jacket, letting the cover image shine.

Cover: linen/ card. graphic/ printed image. embossed/ debossed. letterpress/ silkscreen/hot-stamping –

The cover of Genesis is made of linen with a printed image, featuring a sleek, minimalist design.

Title: literal or poetic / relevant or intriguing –

The title Genesis is both literal and poetic. It references the beginning or origin of life and nature, while also invoking a sense of awe and creation, perfectly aligning with the book’s exploration of untouched landscapes and the beauty of the Earth. It’s both relevant to the theme and intriguing, drawing readers into a journey of discovery.

Narrative: what is the story/ subject-matter. How is it told? -

Genesis tells the story of Earth’s most untouched and wild places, capturing pristine landscapes, indigenous cultures, and wildlife in their purest forms. Through stunning black-and-white photography, Sebastião Salgado showcases the planet’s natural beauty, documenting everything from icy polar regions to vast deserts. The narrative is told through his powerful images, which speak for themselves, immersing the viewer in the rawness and stillness of these environments. The photos invite contemplation and reflection, making nature the central storyteller.

Structure and architecture: how design/ repeating motifs/ or specific features develops a concept or construct a narrative -

Genesis is structured by geographic regions, each showcasing different landscapes. The black-and-white photography and repeating motifs of dramatic light and shadow create a cohesive narrative, highlighting nature’s raw beauty. The design flows naturally, emphasizing Earth’s untouched spaces and building a visual journey of its origins.

Design and layout: image size on pages/ single page, double-spread/ images/ grid, fold- outs/ inserts –

Genesis features full-page and double spread images, with a clean layout that lets the photographs shine. There are no fold outs or inserts, just powerful imagery and minimal text.