USEFUL PHOTOGRAPHY
A magazine published once a year focusing on overlooked and underwhelming images taken for practical purposes and is collected & edited by Hans Aarsman, Julian Germain, Frank Schallmaier and Erik Kessels. (Previous editors: Claudie de Cleen and Hans van der Meer).
Most people who survive a dramatic ordeal, narrowly avoiding death, are familiar with the urge to thank someone. Useful Photography #017 is dedicated to such expressions of gratitude via the form of ex-votos. Frank Kouws discovered a sanctuary in Italy where the walls are covered in ex-votos; small, framed collages, each featuring snapshots of wrecked vehicles and the survivors alongside their handwritten declarations of devotion and thanks.
COLLECTED AND EDITED BY HANS AARSMAN, JULIAN GERMAIN, ERIK KESSELS, FRANK SCHALLMAIER.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 148 pages, pb, English
Published by KesselsKramer PUBLISHING, Amsterdam, 2024.
Useful Photography #017
There is much concern about the internet being a breeding ground for antagonism and negativity but it is also awash with relentless positivity in the form of ‘affirmations’ - images, phrases and quotes that are designed to uplift, encourage and motivate. USEFUL PHOTOGRAPHY #16 focusses on the particular phenomena of ‘Good Morning’ affirmations, thousands of which are posted, re-posted, shared and re-shared every day. At the same time we would like to take this golden opportunity to wish our readers a very good morning!
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, FRANK SCHALLMAIER.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 68 pages, pb, English
Published by KesselsKramer PUBLISHING, Amsterdam, 2023.
Useful Photography #016
Useful Photography #015
Photographs from estate agent websites give a view on the changing inner world. For Useful Photography #015, Marlies Swinkels researched European real estate agent website for the corner in the room reserved for telework. Where the view is not as important as the background, for everybody to see on your Zoom and Teams sessions.
Collected and edited by Marlies Swinkels, Hans Aarsman, Julian Germain and Erik Kessels.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 196 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2022.
Useful Photography #014
This fourteenth issue presents the meticulous work of the ‘script continuity supervisor’ on a film set.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels and Frank Schallmaier.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 64 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2018.
Useful Photography #013
Useful Photography #013 explores another sub category of selfies, the penis selfie.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels and Frank Schallmaier.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 240 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2015.
Useful Photography #012
This issue focuses on the photographs used to guide puzzle makers in their endeavors.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 104 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2014.
Useful Photography #011
What scares a nation - gunmen who hold children ransom or infamous terrorists?
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 84 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2013.
Useful Photography #010
This tenth edition of Useful Photography is all about celebration. This time, the usefulness of an age-old ritual is explored: marriage.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 176 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2011.
Useful Photography #009
Photography is especially useful when it is aimed at helping the unskilled take better photographs.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 170 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2009.
Useful Photography #008
Pornographic films, websites and magazines all plough the same furrow - the repetition of the same act, in all its variations.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Guest editor: Adriaan van der Ploeg.
Color, 21 x 29.7 cm, 80 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2008.
Useful Photography #007
There is nothing as motivating as a large, sculpted, shining award in recognition of your personal achievements.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color and black and white, 21 x 29.7 cm, 64 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2007.
Useful Photography #006
Useful Photography #006 explores the wider implications of “before and after” as used in political disruptions, environmental disasters and more personal adjustments and improvements.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color and black and white, 21 x 29.7 cm, 88 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2006.
Useful Photography #005
A standard method is used worldwide to photograph cows and bulls.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21. x 29.7 cm, 88 pages, softcover.
Published by KesselsKramer, Amsterdam, 2005.
Useful Photography #004
Posters of Palestinian suicide bombers before their mission are put up after their mission is accomplished.
Photographs by Ad van Denderen.
Edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21. x 29.7 cm, 76 pages, softcover.
Published by Artimo, Amsterdam, 2004.
Useful Photography #003
Each one of the people pictured is missing - their photographs given to the National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) by their families or friends for the purpose of making public appeals.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color and black and white, 21.0 x 29.7 cm, 192 pages, softcover.
Published by Artimo, Amsterdam, 2003.
Useful Photography War Special
Every country in the world has its own camouflage design. Can you tell from the various patterns which country is trying to hide from you? Useful Photography War Special exhibits what different countries wear when they go to war and the products that keep them hidden in forward areas.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21. x 29.7 cm, 44 pages, softcover.
Published by Artimo, Amsterdam, 2003.
Useful Photography #002
The second issue of Useful Photography is a collection of photos that have been collected on auction web sites.
Collected and edited by Hans Aarsman, Claudie de Cleen, Julian Germain, Erik Kessels, and Hans van der Meer.
Color, 21. x 29.7 cm, 256 pages, softcover.
Published by Artimo, Amsterdam, 2002.
Useful Photography #001
Photography from sales catalogues, instruction manuals, packaging, brochures and textbooks.
