1. Research a photo-book and describe the story it is communicating  with reference to subject-matter, genre and approach to image-making.

FEMALE- Jitka Hanzlova

This photobook explores the concept of femininity through reflective photographs of women. It is composed mainly of portraits of women taken in various parts of the world, showing the different lives people live. Many photos capture the personal lives of women, including vulnerable moments, presenting them as natural and spontaneous. The images in Female are deeply sensitive and evocative, with Hanzlova’s characteristic soft, atmospheric style.

2. Who is the photographer? Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? (any press, reviews, awards, legacy etc.)

Jitka Hanzlova is a Czech photographer, who uses photography to address the ways in which surrounding environments shape identity. Her work often focuses on the themes of identity, memory and the human connection to environments. She gained recognition for exploring identity through her portrait photography and landscape images. Through her photographs in her book Female, she creates a sense of quiet reflection of women

3. Deconstruct the narrative, concept and design of the book and apply theory above when considering:

• Book in hand: how does it feel? Smell, sniff the paper.
• Paper and ink: use of different paper/ textures/ colour or B&W or both.
• Format, size and orientation: portraiture/ landscape/ square/ A5, A4, A3 / number of pages.
• Binding, soft/hard cover. image wrap/dust jacket. saddle stitch/swiss binding/ Japanese stab-binding/ leperello
• Cover: linen/ card. graphic/ printed image. embossed/ debossed. letterpress/ silkscreen/hot-stamping.
• Title: literal or poetic / relevant or intriguing.
• Narrative: what is the story/ subject-matter. How is it told?
• Structure and architecture: how design/ repeating motifs/ or specific features develops a concept or construct a narrative.
• Design and layout: image size on pages/ single page, double-spread/ images/ grid, fold- outs/ inserts.
• Editing and sequencing: selection of images/ juxtaposition of photographs/ editing process.
• Images and text: are they linked? Introduction/ essay/ statement by artists or others.  Use of captions (if any.)