Collaborated photobook “Interesting“
2021
11.3 x 14.5 x 3.2 cm
Photographer Mengjia Zhao @merveilles_410
70 images from 2019-2021 at New York and surrounding cities.
合作相簿《有趣》
2021年
11.3 x 14.5 x 3.2 cm
攝影師趙孟佳 @merveilles_410
70張相片來自2019—2021年間，於美國紐約及周圍城市
There are so many ways to view photos nowadays—smartphones, computer screens, you name it—but none of these compares to the feeling of holding an actual photobook in your hands. Start from selecting photos, printing, typesetting, hand-sewing to finishing book covers, the photos are no longer just scattered, plain images; the process gave the book a life beyond its function as a shell, making it an ultimate expression and experience of these photographs.
在這個時代，看照片的方式有很多種，不管是透過手機或電腦螢幕，都與實際拿在手裡的相簿有很大不同的感受。從挑選照片、打印、排版、手縫到製作封面，使照片不只是單薄的照片，書也不僅僅是外殼，而是照片的最終表達。
攝影師：什麼定義了有趣？這本相簿完全是我個人願意看了再看的一些照片，於是我定義為有意思。過曝、虛焦的都可以有意思。
What exactly defines “interesting”? This photo book is pretty much composed of photographs I personally would stare at for a while, that each time I see it I would pause and watch, and I define that as “interesting” to me. Overexposed or out-of-focused ones can often be quite fun. –by Mengjia Zhao
通常是一眼看不懂在拍什麼、要表達什麼，只是光影的遊戲而已，追逐一些鏡花水月的倒影，我和鏡頭玩得樂此不疲。它賦予了我完全的自由，在我的取景窗裡可以再也不接受任何束縛。
At first glance, these photos usually fail to clearly convey what the subject or meaning is—but that’s the fun part—it’s just a game of light and shadow. I am enjoying the process of chasing illusionistic and empty reflections with my lens. My camera permits me the total freedom; in my world within the viewfinder I no longer have to be restrained by anything.
談談裝幀細節
The bookbinding details
「裝版」是在印刷前就需要確定的部分，這次我選擇了美國信封紙對折兩遍，拿在手裡的尺寸剛好，也方便攜帶。
The imposition needs to be decided before printing. I used quarto on letter size paper, so that the book fits nicely in the palm and easily portable.
為了體現美麗的法式縫線，我選擇了磅數較高的霧面相紙，4張照片成一台（一疊紙），一共12台，其中每四台就換一個顏色的縫線，在書脊上可以表現多點色彩。
In order to present this elegant French stitches as visible on the spine, I chose a thick matte photo paper, and 4 folios in 1 signature. There are 12 signatures in total; each 4 are sewn in one kind of color thread, and the three distinct colors bring a rich flavor to the spine.
除了把裝幀著重在縫線上，有另外縫進了麻的緞帶，將緞帶鑲進封面卡紙中，使書的結構能夠更牢靠。
In addition to emphasizing the stitching, I also sewed linen tape into the cover cardboard, which makes the structure of the book sturdier.
在看了攝影師的作品後，發現這張鳥的照片特別有意思，於是決定挖個小窗讓鳥不經意的透出來，照片結合美麗的襯裡布就成了這有趣的封面。
Skimming through the photographs, I found this one of the bird quite interesting, so I decided to carve out a small window on the front cover, letting the little bird “unintentionally” peek through. The photo combined with the beautiful book cloth became this interesting book cover.
