Les Rencontres de la Photographie
While the 4^th of July Weekend is a long awaited respite, often with backyard barbeque, fireworks, even a trip to the beach, many in the world of photography are headed to Arles, France for the 47th edition of Les Rencontres. The opening week, July 4-10, attracts photographers, publishers, gallerists and museum people to a nearly indigestible menu of events, with conferences, exhibitions, portfolio reviews and workshops, award presentations, and more spread among heritage sites of this beautiful Medieval town in Provence. Info Photo above © Tom Wool for DART, 2010

Photobook Master Class
But if you are in New York, there are many alternatives for photographers on the prowl for new ideas. For starters, the Bronx Documentary Center is hosting a Photobook Masterclass in September, with the submission deadline next week. In this five-day workshop, Teun van der Heijden and Sandra van der Doelen of the Heijdens Karwei design studio (Netherlands), together with photographer Ying Ang (Australia), will provide students with all the elements required to turn a body of work into a photo book. The masterclass is designed for photographers with established work who are interested in working on a concept, editing and sequencing for a book. The number of participants is limited to 12 to ensure sufficient time for each photographer to further develop their project. Info

For more about publishing photobooks today, read the interview with Lesley A. Martin, Publisher, Aperture Foundation in the new online issue of 1000 Words. In the latest installment of the Interviews series, Jeffrey Ladd leads a conversation on the current state of photobook publishing, the idea of misperceiving books as the most viable vehicles to launch careers, as well as her thoughts on the seldom-discussed phenomenon of publishers taking on projects by photographers who pay a premium of the entire book production. Read

A New Photobook Library in New York
The life and work of photographer and filmmaker Tim Heatherington, who was killed in action in Libya, in 2011, continues to be celebrated. The most recent is the opening of a photobook library, started with his personal collection, together with donations from Aperture and Radius Books as well as from photographers including Eugene Richards and Peter Van Agtmeal. The BDC is currently accepting photobook donations and will be open Saturdays from 1-5 pm and by appointment. Info

Pencil it in: Thursday, July 14, 6:30 pm
Opening reception, 6-8 pm: 2016 Aperture Summer Open: Photography Is Magic, curated by Charlotte Cotton. Aperture Foundation, 547 West 27^th Street, NY, NY Info The curator writes, “The photographic practices represented in the final selection…are rich with vitality and deep curiosity for the magical medium of photography. They share a fascination with and substantial knowledge of the historical roots and the contemporary state of photography. These artists actively play with the medium’s heritage—re-animating and re-contextualizing its alchemical properties—to render ideas about its contemporary material value….They invite us to pay attention to the thriving possibility of photography as an experimental platform, rich with materiality and visual sleight of hand.”

Opening celebration and walking tour of THE FENCE at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Meet at the picnic tables by Jane’s Carousel to view images by 40 photographers from around the globe, many of whom will be on hand to talk about their work. THE FENCE went on view yesterday, so you can get a preview before the guided walk. Info Photo above left © Stephan Falk