On February 22nd 2024, I had to opportunity to take part in a portfolio review with Mahtab Hussain. When faced with what work to show, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to treat it as a portfolio review and get feedback on all styles of photography. I recall asking for advice on what to show. I was advised to show the work I want to most feedback on. Which one will I benefit more from showing?

I opted to show my final major project photobook. I was praised for the photography and the sequence. And given different routes, books photographers and experiments to improve.

I was told to read In Phases of Shadows by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. This book was recommended to help me understand the beauty in the darkness which should help to improve my style of photography within my book.

Some select pages from my dummy book

The rest of the feedback was directed towards ways to improve my photobook.

RUN WITH THE DARKNESS.

-       maybe print on dark paper

-       use a black cover.

-       Make a photobook with just the dark woodland photographs.

-       Do a photoshoot on the next full moon

-       Make 10 different titles.

-       Hard back cover but with soft, thin paper

-       Rice paper

-       Emboss text onto tissue paper

- Some photographs would benefit from a crop. The horizon in some photographs are not needed.