"In early 2012, an old analog photobooth was installed in Brussels, in a cultural center located near the home of Thomas VANDEN DRIESSCHE, documentary photographer and member of the group Out Of Focus.
Following in the footsteps of artists like Topor, he decided to use this medium and its constraints to tell stories about the little world of photography he knows so well, through these strips of 4 pictures.
These 'lessons' were basically distributed weekly through the Internet but soon began to form of a real little guide to Contemporary Photography (How to be a contemporary, kitsch, conceptual, war, school of Helskinki photographer, etc.).
Armed with his Valentine typewriter, Thomas gives his lessons with a very personal humor and a gentle irony, highlighting stereotypes and excesses of some contemporary photographic trends. The author, personally embracing many influences from the mainstream of documentary photography in his own work is not sparing himself and also questions, in a way, his own approach." (publisher's note, © André Frére)
"In this small, tongue-in-cheek booklet, Thomas Vanden Driessche outlines how to be a number of photographer types in four simple steps. Using humorous stereotypes, photo booth self-portraits and no little amount of self-depreciation, he enlightens the curious layperson who seeks to become, for instance, a contemporary photographer, war photographer, conceptual or surrealist photographer, wildlife photographer or modern photojournalist, and even goes so far as to include a (bad) amateur, wedding, kitsch, crowdfunded or emerging photographers. Steps toward becoming a photographer aligned with either the Helsinki or Düsseldorf school are an added bonus."
About the photographer, Thomas VANDEN DRIESSCHE:
Thomas VANDEN DRIESSCHE is an award-winning photojournalist; he has worked with the United Nations, the Red Cross and contributes regularly to the Belgian weekly 'Le Vif l’Express'.
Following in the footsteps of artists like Topor, he decided to use this medium and its constraints to tell stories about the little world of photography he knows so well, through these strips of 4 pictures.
These 'lessons' were basically distributed weekly through the Internet but soon began to form of a real little guide to Contemporary Photography (How to be a contemporary, kitsch, conceptual, war, school of Helskinki photographer, etc.).
Armed with his Valentine typewriter, Thomas gives his lessons with a very personal humor and a gentle irony, highlighting stereotypes and excesses of some contemporary photographic trends. The author, personally embracing many influences from the mainstream of documentary photography in his own work is not sparing himself and also questions, in a way, his own approach." (publisher's note, © André Frére)
"In this small, tongue-in-cheek booklet, Thomas Vanden Driessche outlines how to be a number of photographer types in four simple steps. Using humorous stereotypes, photo booth self-portraits and no little amount of self-depreciation, he enlightens the curious layperson who seeks to become, for instance, a contemporary photographer, war photographer, conceptual or surrealist photographer, wildlife photographer or modern photojournalist, and even goes so far as to include a (bad) amateur, wedding, kitsch, crowdfunded or emerging photographers. Steps toward becoming a photographer aligned with either the Helsinki or Düsseldorf school are an added bonus."
About the photographer, Thomas VANDEN DRIESSCHE:
Thomas VANDEN DRIESSCHE is an award-winning photojournalist; he has worked with the United Nations, the Red Cross and contributes regularly to the Belgian weekly 'Le Vif l’Express'.
- Format
- English ed., pb. (no dust jacket, as issued), 11 x 17 x 0,5 cm., 56 pp., color ills., text language. English