Photobooks - A Critical Companion To The Contemporary Medium by Matt Johnston

“An accessible but rigorous guide to the contemporary photobook—finally a book that speaks to both readers and makers.”

— Lesley A. Martin, Aperture Foundation

What is a photobook, and why does it matter today?
Photobooks & is a groundbreaking exploration of the photobook as a vital cultural form in the 21st century. Author, educator, and founder of The Photobook Club, Matt Johnston offers a compelling, reader-centered examination of how photobooks are made, read, shared, and understood in an age of overwhelming digital imagery.

Spanning six deeply researched chapters, Johnston moves beyond celebration to develop a critical framework that interrogates the photobook’s intent, materiality, and audience. With clarity and insight, he maps out how photobooks intersect with community, access, technology, and purpose. Drawing on interviews, academic research, and years of global community engagement, this book is essential reading for photographers, publishers, curators, educators—and anyone passionate about the power of visual storytelling in book form.

Inside the Book:

• A working definition of the photobook that embraces form, intent, and materiality

• Deep dives into post-digital and post-photographic contexts

• Discussions on reader engagement and the “reading economy”

• New taxonomies and purpose-informed lineages for understanding photobook discourse

• Critical insights into access, exclusivity, and the responsibilities of publishing

• Contributions and reflections from publishers, curators, librarians, and artists

Perfect For:

• Photographers and visual artists

• Art and design students

• Photobook collectors

• Educators and librarians

• Publishers and editors

• Curious readers exploring new visual forms