K: Well, I like what you said that a lot of people use the camera as a way of “being-in-the-world” but in my mind, the theme is a reminder to look beyond yourself... like, there’s a whole world out there, don’t lose perspective. “Photography” has quickly become its own topic, its own field of study, its own art form, its own hobby or passion. And it’s so easy to get lost in that I think that we have to keep reminding ourselves that it’s just one thing and even a silly little thing.
N: Hm, I agree that “photography and the world” helps us to get grounded, to be aware that the camera is only a tool to achieve something. This very basic thought is often forgotten and things become as if photography itself was the world.
H: Yes! I often catch myself reading out-raged rants online about everything from tattoos and tv-shows to photography and Foucault... And then I think, “what IS this? How can we all lose perspective so often?”

- from a chat session between editors Katherine, Nico B, and Helen

Created and launched during the ISSP 2019 in Zaļenieki, Latvia, the publication draws together the content of the first thematic edition of the International Summer School of Photography, "Photography and the World", including the plentiful questions raised by the ISSP participants, tutors and guests, as well as some passionate attempts to look for the answers.

Editorial team: Katherine Oktober Matthews, Helen Korpak, Nico Baumgarten, Nicolas Polli, Demelza Watts

Produced in partnership with Antalis, printed by NRJ Printing in Riga, Latvia, July 2019, edition of 300 copies

More information and free PDF here

Pelču leģendas - darbnīca Pelču iedzīvotājiem

Aicinām Pelču iedzīvotājus vecumā no 18 gadiem pieteikties radošai fotodarbnīcai "Pelču leģendas", kas notiks Starptautiskās fotogrāfijas vasaras skolas (ISSP) ietvaros no 2. - 3. jūlijam un no 6. - 14. augustam!

Selected participants - ISSP 2016

We are delighted to announce the list of the ISSP 2016 selected participants - 73 photographers from over 25 countries of the world! Thanks a lot for our great experts team - Louise Clemens (Format Festival), Salvatore Vitale and Paola Paleari (YET Magazine), Ann-Christin Bertrand (C/O Berlin) and Anastasiia Fedorova (The Calvert Journal) for helping us through the evaluations! We are looking forward for confirmations and for seeing you in Latvia soon!  

ISSP 2016 Applications open!

Dear friends! Finally, our new website is up and ISSP 2016 is OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS! Awaiting a brilliant turnout again - this time with Anouk Kruithof, Paolo Woods, Federico Clavarino, Jason Evans, Alejandro Chaskielberg and Taiyo Onorato!
August 6 - 14 in our lovely Kuldīga. Deadline for applications - 8 May! 

ISSP 2016 - dates

Dear all, we are preparing some nice surprises for the next edition of the summer school. The ISSP 2016 will take place in Pelči, Kuldīga on 6 - 14 August! We will announce applications in March, please stay tuned!

ISSP 2015 Short Movie

Sweet bits of summer for you to enjoy during the cold winter - flashbacks from ISSP 2015 are here! The beautiful video was filmed and edited by Katrina Sauskina.

ISSP 2015 final works online

We are happy to present the final works produced by the ISSP 2015 participants this August in Kuldīga - photography series, books and videoworks from 73 participants and 9 youngsters from Kuldīga district! See the complete collection at the Final works galleries on this website and in vimeo!

ISSP 2015 Final Exhibition

We cordially invite all photography lovers to explore the results of the ISSP 2015 - the 10th anniversary edition - at the Final Exhibition in Kuldīga! The group show of ISSP participants' works will be on display until September 20 in Kuldīga Arts Hall. Welcome!

ISSP 2015 - Evening Programme

The ISSP 10th Anniversary Edition will offer a series of fascinating evening presentations and talks by the masters and participants at the ISSP campus in Pelči, Kuldīga district from Sunday August 2 until Saturday August 8. The evening programme is free of charge - all photography lovers are welcome!

ISSP 2015 - workshop for local youth - participants

We are pleased to announce the participants for "Into the Wild", a workshop for local youth run within the ISSP 2015 by Vincen Beeckman (BE) and Vika Eksta (LV).

Priecājamies paziņot dalībnieku sarakstu fotodarbnīcai vietējiem jauniešiem "Ceļojums uz..", ko vadīs Vincens Bēkmans (BE) un Vika Eksta (LV)!

ISSP 2015 - selected participants

The list of ISSP 2015 selected participants is online - congratulations to 73 photographers from 23 countries! Unfortunately we could not offer places to many more qualified applicants - the waiting list is pretty impressive. We are looking forward to confirmations and to meeting everyone in August!