I have two major passions that constantly draw me to either the screen or the camera: photography and design. For a long while, these two hobbies ran in parallel, but eventually, I reached a point where I wanted to combine them. I wanted to give my images a form that goes beyond simply posting them on social media.
Content Over Placeholders
I regularly come up with ideas for projects. To make sure I actually follow through, I’ve started "commissioning" myself – acting as a sort of one-man agency. In this particular case, it wasn’t just about the layout; I wanted the booklet to have actual substance. So, I started by creating straightforward content: a bit about the history of photography, some basics on the exposure triangle, and tips that have personally helped me along the way.
It was especially exciting to select images of my own that fit the booklet. I’m someone who usually shoots from the gut and rarely sticks strictly to the rules. While working on the layout, it was fascinating to see which of my photos – perhaps just by chance – aligned perfectly with a compositional rule, and which ones ignored them entirely.
For me, the greatest appeal lies in not stopping at a single stage, but in seeing everything through from the initial idea to the finished product – in this case, the booklet. That’s how you learn the most, and this project was the perfect opportunity for it. Beyond that, I also learned what I can improve or do differently in my future shots.
Creativity Is Meant to Be Shared
Of course, the journey wasn't always a straight line. Anyone who has ever spent hours tweaking a grid in InDesign knows how often you end up throwing everything overboard in the middle of the night. I don't want to get too bogged down in the technical details, though, mostly because I’m often unable to explain exactly how I achieved certain results. It’s a constant process, and in the end, it’s the result that counts for me.
I’m offering the booklet here for free because it would simply be a shame if it just gathered digital dust on my hard drive. I firmly believe that creative work should always be shared. You never know who might find joy in it, who might pick up some inspiration as a beginner, or who just enjoys flipping through a nice layout.
Whether you’re just starting out with photography or simply want to see how I’ve showcased my images: You can download the "Light & Focus" PDF free. Enjoy flipping through it!
