Guest Speaker 4: Max Ferguson

Max Ferguson is a photographer, curator and picture editor for magazines such as Port mag, Financial Times, and Splash and Grab. He talked us through different magazines and the work he had chosen for them, the importance of magazines in terms of design, theme and storytelling, and also his own work and processes.

His experience with the Covid Lockdown made him think about photography in a different way than before; how it affects memory, and the difference of memory when we take or look at photographs. The theme of memory appears occurs in a lot of his work. Physical sketchbooks are a huge part of his practice and the delicate elements in his work relate to how he makes sketchbooks.

Max believes that magazines are a key part of culture, as they are easily accessible to everyone and affordable. They are also a democratic form of photography, which is like an art for everyone while also being cheap. He expressed that Instagram is good to promote work, and should spend time on making it look good. Online presence is important and social media should be used as a tool. By making work, that is research.

“It’s not about finishing, it’s about making”.

Max Ferguson, 2020.

In terms of magazines and publications, he recommended a few websites to look at for research: Antenne Books, mag culture, stack magazines, printed matter, can com mag.

“Fonts are always important in printed magazines. They have the ability to combine text and images together that exhibitions don’t”.

The topics he covered in his talk and the way he talks about magazines made me consider my own practice and particularly how magazines, photo books etc. will engage people with my work and also how to use Instagram as a tool for promoting my work.

Max’s website: https://www.max-ferguson.co.uk/

Splash and Grab’s website: https://www.splashandgrab.co.uk/

Screenshot of Max’s website