Ian Macdonald: 'North by North East'

North by North East

North by North East, the inaugural published comprehensive survey of Macdonald's oeuvre, delivers from a number of established and renowned projects and unveils lesser-explored yet equally significant facets of his photographic practice. Including previously unpublished portraits of teenagers, captured in Northern secondary modern schools, during his time as an Art teacher.

The work provides a considered visual narrative that not only documents people and place - but in fact encapsulates Ian’s unique ethos and practice.

Specification

The book will be 310 x 240mm (TBC), portrait format and approximately 164 pages, Hardback, cloth bound cover printed duotone in Italy. 

Bio

Renowned British photographer Ian Macdonald has spent five decades chronicling the changing face of working-class life in Teesside and the wider Northeast of England. His lens has followed the rise and decline of industry through the creation of an extensive archive of the region, creating a body of work that stands firmly within the tradition of British documentary photography that flourished in the late 1970s and 1980s — a period defined by political upheaval and social change.

Macdonald’s photographs have been exhibited at leading institutions including the Royal Academy, The Photographers’ Gallery, and the Serpentine Gallery, and now form part of major public and private collections worldwide: the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), the Danish Royal Library (Copenhagen), the Navigation Foundation (Boston, USA), Side Gallery (Newcastle), the Martin Parr Foundation (Bristol), the Shipley Art Gallery (Gateshead), and the MIMA Collection (Middlesbrough).

Why Kickstarter 

Investing in this photobook helps preserve an essential visual record of the North East, supports a respected documentary photographer, and enables the creation of a high-quality, artist-led publication that might not exist without community backing. Macdonald’s work is grounded in long-term engagement with the communities he photographs.

This is not surface level documentary practice—his images are shaped by familiarity, trust, and lived experience.
By supporting this project, you’re not just buying a book—you’re helping to document, celebrate, and protect the cultural identity of a region and its people.

Rewards

One signed copy of North by North East
A copy of the book, printed offset in Italy and signed by Ian Macdonald 

Two signed copies of North by North East
One to gift and one to keep!  

A signed copy of the book with an archival pigment
Receive an early copy of 'North by North East', signed by Ian Macdonald, with a 10 x 8" archival pigment print of Salmon net drying rack, Greatham Creek, Teesmouth, 1974. 
EXCLUSIVE TO KICKSTARTER! This digital print is not available outside of Kickstarter
Limited edition of 25 prints
NOTE THAT THIS IS A DIGITAL INKJET PRINT. SILVER GELATIN HANDPRINTS MADE FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE ARE AVAILABLE

A signed copy of the book with a lithographic print
A copy of the book, printed offset in Italy and signed by Ian Macdonald with a 16 x 20" lithographic print of Cote Hill Island, Autumn Equinox, Greatham Creek, Teesmouth 1974. 
Limited edition of 25 prints

A signed copy of the book with a handmade silver gelatin print on Fibre-based paper
A copy of the book, printed offset in Italy and signed by Ian Macdonald with a handmade 10 x 8" silver gelatin darkroom print on Fibre-based paper, signed and numbered, of Family at the end of South Gare, Teesmouth, 1980 OR Ken Robinson by his cabin at Greatham Creek, Teesmouth, 1973. 
Each print is limited to an edition of 10 prints each.
EXCLUSIVE TO KICKSTARTER!

A signed copy of the book with two handmade silver gelatin prints on Fibre-based paper
A copy of 'North by North East', signed by Ian Macdonald, with two handmade 10 x 8" silver gelatin darkroom prints, signed and numbered, of both 'Family at the end of South Gare, Teesmouth, 1980' AND 'Ken Robinson by his cabin at Greatham Creek, Teesmouth, 1973'. 
EXCLUSIVE TO KICKSTARTER!

A signed copy of the book with a 12 x 16" handmade silver gelatin print on Fibre-based paper
A copy of 'North by North East', signed by Ian Macdonald, with a handmade 12 x 16" darkroom silver gelatin Fibre-based print, signed and numbered on the verso, of 'Three Cobles (Traditional North Eastern Designed Fishing Boats) Moored in Greatham Creek'. 
EXCLUSIVE TO KICKSTARTER!
Limited edition of 10 prints each.

A signed copy of the book with a 12 x 16" handmade silver gelatin print on Fibre-based paper
A copy of 'North by North East', signed by Ian Macdonald, with a handmade 12 x 16" darkroom silver gelatin Fibre-based print, signed and numbered on the verso, of 'Michael'. 
EXCLUSIVE TO KICKSTARTER!
Limited edition of 10 prints each.