How to Make a Book with Steidl

The finest photography books in the world are being produced in an old publishing house in Göttingen: on top comes in the idea, at the bottom comes out the book. Almost 40 years ago, 19-year-old Gerhard Steidl established this publishing house. Today, internationally most renowned photographers queue to work with him. Our film shows Gerhard Steidl working with Joel Sternfeld, Robert Frank, Ed Ruscha, Robert Adams, John Cohen and many others. Prominent encounters, an incredible number of edited books and the work in the house impressively presents the dimensions of Steidl's work and, last but not least, shows the importance of photography books for the art. Inbetween he visits his old companion Günter Grass. He equips exhibitions, visits ateliers and book stores all over the world and every week he meets Karl Lagerfeld in Paris to discuss the new Chanel catalogue. After his short, but far trips, at 5 in the morning he is already in the printing works, awaiting the change of shifts. His ambition makes want to control for himself every sheet that comes out of the printing machine. Made in Germany, but at home everywhere in the world.