Beginner Magazines

swiftowl51

swiftowl51

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Philip
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Photography ones that is. Who reads what? I subscribed to Amateur Photographer for a while but I didn’t find it good value. Some of the articles were good and I enjoyed reading them but it depended on the issue.
Is there a particular one that people like, and why. Is it because is specific, like nature or landscape or some other reason?
Many thanks - I love reading but don’t want to waste money and there isn‘t much of a selection in my local W.H. Smiths:)
 
I’ve never found one that’s worth its cost. I do read some on Kindle Unlimited.
 
Outdoor Photography - because it's not about techy 'how to' stuff, but has interviews and so on. I get mine as a 'birthday present' subscription. Which means it's free for me, and saves my Auntie having to think of something new, that I don't actually want, to give me every year.
 
I quite enjoy Black and White Photography
www.blackandwhitephotographymag.co.uk

Black+White Photography

Black+White 289 Out NowSubscribe to Black+WhiteAnimalogramsZana Briski produces analogue photograms of wild animals – and there’s no hide or long lens in sight.Read MoreInto the lightWant to add impact to your monochrome images?Read MoreReady for your close-up?RankinLive offers members of […]
www.blackandwhitephotographymag.co.uk www.blackandwhitephotographymag.co.uk

I used to enjoy the British Journal of Photography, but it's NLA unless you subscribe.

I quite enjoy Studies in Photography

Studies in Photography

Studies in Photography is the biannual journal published by the Scottish Society for the History of Photography.
studiesinphotography.com
Edited by one of the lecturers when I was at uni, he is quite well respected in portraiture. Here in Scotland at any rate.

I don't get on with reading anything on a tablet etc:- luddite.
 
I occasionally read Amateur Photographer through my local library's app, but will look to see if they also have Outdoor Photographer.
 
In my case, it's Professional Imagemaker; as much as anything for the in depth reviews of inkjet papers and some of the articles.

I agree with the comments on Black and White Photography, although I no longer read it regularly.

My own inclinations are to black and white photography, using film in large format cameras, and as someone with no interest in digital cameras that makes a lot of magazines pretty much irrelevant. Older books cover the technical things I need to know, and that just leaves newer equipment in the form of printers, scanners and processing equipment to be covered. Very rare for anything new in those areas to come out now. What is more interesting to me are books on art, art history and books by photographers where things can be treated in more detail than in a short magazine article.

It might be a by product of my age, but I have to say that memorable magazine articles seem much rarer than they used to be; off the top of my head I can recall articles from the 1960s and 1970s, but very little after that :(
 
I have a digital subscription to Black and White Photography.

I'm inclined to spend on books rather than magazines these days.
 
+1 for Black & White Photography although I don't read every issue. I used to subscribe to AP but I found it would only take 15 minutes to read whatever vaguely interested me so it wasn't worth the subs (although I occasionally do one of their cheap 3 month trial subs). In truth I think the day of the commercial print magazine is over except for specialist niche topics as above. It's quite expensive in physical resources as well as staff time and expertise to produce one, and the advertising that used to subsidise mag's just isn't there any more
 
I remember as a youth, one of the main benefits of working for a large photographic retailer was that I could read every magazine and every book in my lunch breaks, which I certainly couldn't have afforded to do if I had had to buy them. Back then, magazines and books were pretty much the only source of knowledge, now almost entirely made redundant by the WWW
 
Similar to @PeteNaples in https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/magazines.759318/post-9482658 I buy Black and White Photography every month and by virtue of my membership of the SSHoP I have a subscription to Studies in Photography.

In addition to Studies in Photography, SSHoP also publish an occasional journal called Leaves, which has articles on photography, writing and their interaction with nature, which I find an interesting read,

I used to buy the occasional British Journal of Photography (The BJ) when it was sold on the newstands, and keep meaning to take out a subscription, but it's a bit pricey.

I also buy the occasional copy of The Source. https://www.source.ie/index.php. which I don't think anyone has mentioned so far. They introduce each new issue through a Zoom talk, including interviews with some of the contributors. These introductions eventually make it onto their Youtube channel.


I also have a few copies of Hotshoe. https://www.hotshoemagazine.com/. which is called a magazine, but feels more like buying a book. There are a few magazines like this, which publish a few copies a year, but I haven't bought any others.

With the exception of Black and White photography, all the above are publications about photographs, photographers and photography, with very little or any technical content.. You don't need to be a "photographer" to find them useful as they are relevant to anyone interested in the arts, or/and the use and value of photography in culture, society and history.

This is in contrast to Black and White photography, Outdoor Photography and the Amateur Photographer, which are only likely to be of interest to "Photographers", with content more about trying to help the reader to "take" photographs and buy equipment (not so much Black and White Photography), and less about helping them appreciate and understand the breadth of purpose and social value of photography.

There are also online magazines such as OnLandscape https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/. which I have subscription for, but I don't enjoy looking at photographs online, even if the content is useful. I use to subscribe to a couple of online wildlife magazines, but, in the end, didn't find them all that useful to my photography, even if I enjoyed browsing through them.
 
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For anyone shooting (primarily) mobile, there's the excellent Mobiography. Available on iOS, Android, and on PocketMags, though by subscription only.

Home

Improve your Mobile & iPhone Photography featuring interviews, photo tips, tutorials, accessory and app reviews.
www.mobiography.net www.mobiography.net
 
I don't look at any routinely. They are less significant in the internet age, especially at the cheaper end which tends to hinge around encouraging readers to buy more stuff. What I do look at, on and off, overlaps a bit with what Graham (@myotis) chooses to.

I buy Hotshoe issues on an ad hoc basis when the content appeals - and as he noted, it's almost more of a book than a zine - but deeply rooted in the culture of photography. And I keep them like books - on my bookshelves, and long term. BJP was an excellent production that I would buy quite often from various newsagents, but has vanished from such retail shelves here at least - however over time I tended to chuck the issues I had out, anyway. The production was very good, but the format was too 'ziny'.

So it seems that the more it's like a book, the longer I'm likely to keep it.

'Source' (that Graham also spoke of) can be great fun. I've kept quite a few of those.

Odd that no-one's mentioned Aperture, or Foam ...

It could be said that overall, with magazines, there's a spectrum between the cultural & the commercial - and towards either extremity there will be increasing amounts of hype. So take your pick, or just don't bother.

If there's a crucial criterion, I feel that it should be to do with photography as culture (allowing of course for the mechanics & chemistry involved) rather than a cheap conspiracy that just wants people to buy more stuff.

The overall reference is that each of us is mortal - correct? Check. And that the planet we all live on & share is also 'mortal' - you want to argue? So where are we all headed? Let's keep perspective.

In the end, magazines are hardly in the mix. But for now, we're alive, & we do what we do ...
 
Interesting to see the various titles mentioned. I rarely go into a large town, and even more rarely into a large newsagent when I do, so many of the titles mentioned I never see. I think I've only seen  Aperture twice on the shelves, and even Black and White Photography at irregular intervals. AP and two or three magazines with "digital" in the title are the only ones I normally see on sale.

I am grateful for the pointers to others and Studies in Photography seems to be worth subscribing to.
 
My three are Black & White Photography, The Journal (The RPS mag) and occasionally Silvergrain Classics. The latter is focussed on film photography and it's expensive but has the same production quality as the Journal. I tend to check out what the content is before buying.
 
Another one I've never seen in the flesh. Where is Silvergrain Classics sold?
 
droj said:
I don't look at any routinely. They are less significant in the internet age, especially at the cheaper end which tends to hinge around encouraging readers to buy more stuff. What I do look at, on and off, overlaps a bit with what Graham (@myotis) chooses to.

I buy Hotshoe issues on an ad hoc basis when the content appeals - and as he noted, it's almost more of a book than a zine - but deeply rooted in the culture of photography. And I keep them like books - on my bookshelves, and long term. BJP was an excellent production that I would buy quite often from various newsagents, but has vanished from such retail shelves here at least - however over time I tended to chuck the issues I had out, anyway. The production was very good, but the format was too 'ziny'.

So it seems that the more it's like a book, the longer I'm likely to keep it.

'Source' (that Graham also spoke of) can be great fun. I've kept quite a few of those.

Odd that no-one's mentioned Aperture, or Foam ...

It could be said that overall, with magazines, there's a spectrum between the cultural & the commercial - and towards either extremity there will be increasing amounts of hype. So take your pick, or just don't bother.

If there's a crucial criterion, I feel that it should be to do with photography as culture (allowing of course for the mechanics & chemistry involved) rather than a cheap conspiracy that just wants people to buy more stuff.

The overall reference is that each of us is mortal - correct? Check. And that the planet we all live on & share is also 'mortal' - you want to argue? So where are we all headed? Let's keep perspective.

In the end, magazines are hardly in the mix. But for now, we're alive, & we do what we do ...
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When I mentioned other magazines like Hotshoe, I was thinking of Aperture, but didn't have time to check out links:

Aperture

aperture.org

Aperture | Photography

Aperture is a not-for-profit organization that connects audiences though photography—in print, in person, and online.
aperture.org aperture.org

Lenswork


and, Frames

readframes.com

FRAMES Magazine

FRAMES is a quarterly, printed photography magazine. We feature work of both established and emerging photographers of different genres and mediums.
readframes.com readframes.com

I don't think I've ever heard of Foam

www.foam.org

Foam Magazine | International award-winning photography publication

Foam Magazine is an international photography magazine published two times a year around a specific theme. View our latest issues.
www.foam.org www.foam.org

There are some other I've come across, but can't remember, and one of them turned out to be online only! I was sure they offered a paper version.

MONOVISIONS - Black & White Photography Magazine

Welcome to MONOVISIONS, Online Black and White Photography Magazine! Your Everyday Source of B&W Inspirations.
monovisions.com
 
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The only 1 I subscribe to is EOS magazine. I find it has some very good articles and technical information, but of course it's for Canon users
 
The only print comic I get is Black and White Photography, and I have to subscribe as the local WH Smith’s stopped selling it about 8 years ago (and is now shut).
As I subscribe to Readly, I do take a look at Amateur Photographer which I quite enjoy (apart from the letters page, which is hilariously terrible). It’s definitely a better magazine than a few years ago.
Just had a look at Frames - it’s a bit pricey! Is the digital content worth the subscription?
 
I recommend you see what your local library has available on their magazine app - free to view and you can see if there are any you find appealing to you
 
Many were full of adverts, and I found that the articles were near enough repeated every season. Sometimes a decent article appeared, but many were skipped over.
 
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Reactions: Nod
As Steve says just above, many are (or at least were when I bought them!) full of adverts but for me, that was part of the attraction, especially the weekly updated Mifsuds ad in Amateur Photographer. As he also says, technique and subject type articles tended to be repeated/updated.

Now I have what I think is all I'll ever want, I don't buy any of them these days but if I was to weaken, I'd probably buy AP, unless there was a particular article in one of the others that I wanted to read. I personally hate reading more than a few lines on a computer screen so won't be using Readly or similar.
 
StephenM said:
Another one I've never seen in the flesh. Where is Silvergrain Classics sold?
Click to expand...
Analogue Wonderland has it but some copies sell out quick and ones that don't sell get discounted. (The Widelux Revival with the Jeff Bridges interview springs to mind)
analoguewonderland.co.uk

Film Photography Magazines

A selection of the best analogue-inspired film photography magazines on the market today. Premium printing, creative and inspiring. Shop now!
analoguewonderland.co.uk analoguewonderland.co.uk

Lina Bessanova did an interview with them about the Widelux project, but they do talk about the magazine and the thinking behind it too if memory serves...
View: https://youtu.be/5tHl4yAP6qc?si=9q9BIlXWnaJNpN3W

(Apologies for the thread semi-hijack)
 
Ive subscribed to a number of mags over the years, however now I take a look at the mags on the shelves and if there is one of interest I will buy it but at todays prices they have to be something special. As Nod says I found they all repeated themselves every year or so. Dont see me subs ribing to anyone again
 
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viewfromthenorth said:
The only print comic I get is Black and White Photography, and I have to subscribe as the local WH Smith’s stopped selling it about 8 years ago (and is now shut).
As I subscribe to Readly, I do take a look at Amateur Photographer which I quite enjoy (apart from the letters page, which is hilariously terrible). It’s definitely a better magazine than a few years ago.
Just had a look at Frames - it’s a bit pricey! Is the digital content worth the subscription?
Click to expand...
As I mentioned Frames, you may be expecting a reply from me, But, I don't subscribe, and haven't got much further than getting the newsletter and watching the occasional video they produce. I have however, heard the occasional good comment about it and it looks interesting.
 
myotis said:
As I mentioned Frames, you may be expecting a reply from me, But, I don't subscribe, and haven't got much further than getting the newsletter and watching the occasional video they produce. I have however, heard the occasional good comment about it and it looks interesting.
Click to expand...
I should have @ you to ask, I kind of got lost in the posts somewhat! I’ve followed them on Instagram for a while and I think I might go with the newsletter at first as the subscription is very expensive. I did subscribe to a very good publication a while back who went bust and I never got my years subscription money back. Then they restarted and wouldn’t honour the subscription, tossers. Shame as it was a very good mag, can’t recall what it was called now though.
 
I haven't bought one for many years. I used to read Amateur Photographer but I can't remember when I last bought one.

Sitting reading a magazine with a cup of tea does sound quite nice and maybe it's my age but having spotted this thread I think I would like to read a magazine again and I suppose Amateur Photographer would be the one I'd recommend so sorry you didn't find it good value Philip but maybe that goes for many magazines these days.
 
I love print as a medium - it has that tactility that a screen can never have. You've got the texture of the paper, the layout, the typography, the binding (though really that's more to do with books) ...

With magazines, the content can often be 'bitty', which can be unsatisfying and a bit like being cheated. But it's a broad church and some are more satisfying than others. One I still miss was Ag under the helm of the late Chris Dickie.
 
At the risk of going off topic and bringing up a pet peeve if mine, in general books use white paper and black ink, whereas magazines in the name of modern design can use either white or black type over pages that can be all the colours of the rainbow with no regard to minor things like legibility. In many ways, photographic magazines are the worst offenders, using a full page for an image and superimposing the text over the picture.

So to me, magazines can be too difficult to read, making books preferable.
 
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