I’ve been thinking for a long time about publishing a zine dedicated solely to panoramic film images. The first iteration in a way, was the Monochrome Mania issue No. 9 featuring the works of 4 photographers using the Ansco Pix Panorama camera. Instead of being a typical portrait 8.5 x 11” format, I switched the layout to landscape format, so that the page was 11” long and 8.5” high. It worked well, but there was a lot of white space, which in the presentation of Monochrome Mania, is quite okay. However, I didn’t feel that it was the best way to convey the panoramic idea on the page. It would have been even better to have a page 11 or 14” long and about half the height. I started looking at the page layout offerings of my printer (Mixam) and found that they have a 4 1/4 by 11” print size. That could work. So, after developing the negatives from my Sprocket Rocket from my mid-September trip to Michigan, I immediately started working on the first issue in the new format, and PANOZINE was born.
I feel pretty lucky to be able to afford to have a zine printed and then be able to sell it, and with Monochrome Mania already established as a three-issues/year zine, I have a ready audience for any new venture. At least I hope so. My plan is to sporadically publish PANOZINE, with each issue featuring the results from a particular camera. I also would like to be able to print in color, as well as feature other photographers. I’m not yet sure how I’ll do that, as I don’t want a situation where I get a hundred submissions from random people for a single issue. Given that panos are not something that everyone does, and fewer do well, I think the opportunity to present other photographers’ work could be quite interesting. I can envision issues either featuring a certain camera or a theme as being something that could work. I will probably do what I did for the Ansco Pix MM issue, and invite photographers that have already produced quality panoramic images.
This first issue of PANOZINE features images from my Lomography Sprocket Rocket, a camera that certainly has a distinct look, and provides pretty good results within in its capabilities. My camera has a bit of history, as I bought it from Trish Korous in Chicago, back in early 2017. I have been using the camera every so often, and when I see my negatives, I usually wonder why I don’t shoot with it more than I do. Anyhow, after my September Michigan trip, I realized that I had enough shots with it to put together at least a proof-of-concept zine with the name I had stored away in my head - PANOZINE, which of course, sounds a bit like some Italian dish.
My run of this initial issue is 60 copies, as I am not quite sure how the sales will be. If you are interested in a copy, it’s 32 pages with covers, in b&w, and the cost is $7.00 + your state tax and $1.50 for shipping via first class mail. I am selling only in the USA at this point. You can order it from my Etsy store.
So, perhaps you’ll see color and more pages in future issues, but I guess that depends on how well this first attempt sells. I do have high hopes for this venture, though. It’s certainly been a really fun zine to put together, with minimal text and one photograph/page. If you have purchased a copy and are reading this, I would definitely appreciate any feedback.
Good evening (from France).
ReplyDeleteI'm the owner of a Horizon 202 (Russian or Ukrainian) panoramic camera.
This camera has a very good lens, but handling is, to say the least, uncomfortable (mainly : film loading).
But I have kept my H202, enjoying the landscapes compositions it allows:
https://jfbonninlogbook.blog/category/_panorama/
I you decide to ship overseas, I'll be very interested in your publication.
Thank you for your website.
Jean-François Bonnin
Panozine looks like a great bargain. I'm looking forward to seeing it and have recommended it to our New Mexico Film Photographers group on Flickr.
ReplyDeleteMike - Thanks. I sent out your copy today.
ReplyDeleteYour writing always manages to put a smile on my face. Thanks for spreading positivity!
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