Street Photography Magazine

Visual Storytelling and Zine Creation – Fred Ranger

Oct 20, 2023

Fred Ranger, visual storytelling expert and YouTuber, discusses the creation of his first zine titled 'Humans After All'. He emphasizes the importance of seeing his work in print and the magic it brings. Fred used BookWrite, a free editing software, to design and sequence the zine. He also made a digital PDF version available. The chapter topics range from discussing the French language and travel plans to the process of creating a zine and transitioning from film to digital photography.

44:59

Creator website

Episode guests

Fred Ranger

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Printed zines allow photographers to bring their work to life and provide a different experience for viewers.

Sequencing and creating a cohesive narrative are important aspects of designing a zine.

Deep dives

Creating a Zine: A Reflection on the Process

The podcast episode features a conversation with Fred Ranger about his experience creating a zine and the process he went through. Fred talks about his motivation for publishing a zine, which included a desire to move away from instant gratification platforms like Instagram and to see his work in a different light. He explains that he wanted to edit a sequence of photos that made sense together and created a meaningful story. Fred also discusses the ease of using the Blurb platform to create and publish his zine, and shares his thoughts on the importance of printing and holding physical copies of photographs.

Introduction

2min

A Casual Conversation about the French Language and Travel Plans

2min

Printing and Publishing a Magazine

12min

Selecting Photos for a Zine and Book Creation

3min

Transitioning from film to digital photography

18min

Creating a Zine: Inspiration and Rejuvenation

6min

Where to Find the Guest's Zine and Social Media Handles

3min

Fred Ranger, from Montreal, is not only a visual storytelling expert but also a YouTuber and gear junkie. We had previously talked about visual storytelling, but this time, we decided to dive into how and why he created his first zine.

Fred’s zine, titled “Humans After All,” is a collection of moments that celebrate the beauty of everyday life. Fred wanted to bring back the focus on humanity and showcase the small, poetic stories that often go unnoticed. From four old Italian friends waiting for the bus to a woman interacting with cats in Portugal, each photo tells a unique story.

When Fred decided to publish the zine, he opted for a different approach. Instead of relying solely on digital platforms like Instagram, he wanted to explore a different medium. He believed that seeing his work in print would bring out the true magic and allow viewers to experience his art in a different light.

To bring his vision to life, Fred used BookWrite, a free editing software provided by Blurb, to design and sequence the zine. He found it to be intuitive and user-friendly, which made the process smooth and enjoyable. Fred also emphasized the importance of seeing his work in print, as it added a whole new dimension to his photography. After publication, he was thrilled when Blurb reached out and featured his zine in their staff picks section.

Not only did Fred create a physical version of the zine, but he also made a digital PDF version available for those interested. He wanted his art to be accessible to a wider audience, and the digital format allowed people to experience his work on their devices.

Fred shared his love for capturing those fleeting moments that make life beautiful. And his journey of selecting and sequencing the photos in “Humans After All” was a reminder of the power of storytelling and the impact it can have.

Have a listen to our conversation about Fred’s journey into the print world and Street Photography Magazine subscribers can view photos from Fred’s zine in the October issue beginning October 24.

Links from the show

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Street Photography Magazine

Visual Storytelling and Zine Creation – Fred Ranger

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Creating a Zine: A Reflection on the Process

Narrowing Down a Selection of Photos

The Publishing Process and Reflection on the Experience

Benefits of Printing and Connecting with Other Creatives

Links from the show

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts