The Most Satisfying Thing We Did This Year 2012 - Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA)

IPA Singapore Photo Books Day

Book fair, showcase, pop-up exhibition – call it whatever you want – IPA Singapore Photo Books Day, held on Saturday 13th October 2012, was one of the most satisfying things we did this year. Here’s two key reasons why:

1) It was truly a community affair. The event was made successful through the encouragement and efforts of the community at large – the photographers, peers and consumers of photography and books. Hundreds of visitors came with genuine curiosity and supported the photographers by conversing with them, browsing and buying their photo books.

2) We wanted the day to be inclusive, and it was. On showcase were over 100 Photo Books with representation from Conceptual Photography, Documentary and Street Photography, to the Salon genre. Participating photographers ranged from serious amateurs to professionals in Singapore.

Signed poster for IPA Singapore Photo Books Day

The day wasn’t without hiccups (Expected. The event was a last minute, first time, light bulb, conception) but we’ll be sure to iron these out moving forward.

Big thanks to everyone who supported the event. We’re psyched about the future and eager to turn yet another page as we plan for our next edition – See you all again at IPA Singapore Photo Books Day 2013!

Here’s what some had to say about IPA Singapore Photo Books Day:

“An amazing day well spent with great people at the biggest photography book [non]bookstore! There is certainly no lack of photographic talents locally. Looks like this is gonna be one of the “not-to-be-missed” events from now on. History is made once again.”
Chow Chee Yong

“Congratulations to IPA and everyone involved with the first Singapore Photo Books Day. It was pleasing to see the variety and quality of photo book maquettes, many of which were expressly made for this occasion. All we can wish for our books is an audience, and this event brought a large and ravenous swarm. I hope this event will grow and continue to foster a culture of self-publishing in Singapore.”
Nguan

“I was pleasantly shocked by the number of Singaporean photographers out there who are still interested in the printed form. Books are a very very special ‘animal’ in a photographer’s life. The ability to make a book is not something that can be replicated in the social media arena.”
Tay Kay Chin

“It was a unique opportunity for photographers and fellow enthusiasts to discover great work from local artists for inspiration as well as mingle and share through our common love for photography. It was more than just a photo books day… it was a social photography day. I’m really looking forward to the next one!”
Danny Santos

“The huge turn up for IPA Photo Books Day probably beat any SIPF (Singapore International Photography Festival) event today, I think, or at least, I’d like to think this way… It was a great day for the local photography scene”
Weilun Chong

“I think we started this without much expectations, since book collection doesn’t really figure big in our ‘national conversation’, much less PHOTO book collecting of any kind. The response however, was phenomenal and I think everyone who has good work waiting to be put in a book should go out and do it NOW!”
Darren Soh