Photo magazine

fabphoto

fabphoto

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Fabien
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Hi,

Sorry if it has been discussed before.

My family knows that I am a keen amateur photographer, but still a beginner.

They thought a magazine suscription would be a nice present for Christmas and I have received a voucher to subscribe to either Digital photo or Practical Photography.

In the long term I would like to earn extra cash from portrait photography, so my problem is to find the right magazine towards that goal and I don't think those 2 magazines would really help as they are too generalist.

Any suggestion and comment would be very appreciated.
 
If I had to pick one I would pick Practical photography. If you can get away without offending the family, flog it on ebay or get settled in here and post it in the classifieds. Then use the money towards some equipment. No mag is really going to be what your after. Getting involved in the forum is a good way to improve. There are sections for constructive criticism and advice. Maybe a book on portraits and posing would be more useful that a mag
 
I just finished reading my first copy if Practical Photography. A lot more readable than the other magazines. And it seems to be more designed towards people who want to improve their shots, rather than those who already know what they're doing.

I got 3 issues for £3 but will probably keep my subscription after.
 
I can't comment on the magazines I'm afraid but I reckon I've learnt more of this forum in the past year or so than I had in twenty years of reading random mags. Don't get me wrong there is a lot to be had from these mags and I still keep a lot for reference and browsing, but TP I get down and humbly prostrate myself in front of you.
 
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It depends how you approach the magazines to be honest.

If you buy them with the sole intention of learning you will probably be disappointed, books and the internet are far better for this.

If you just want to read general things about photography then magazines are hard to beat!
 
i get a free subscription to Prac Photography through work, BUT over time the content tends to be recycled. Maybe with a slightly different slant from a different writer, but all the same, landscapes/portrait in subways or house/ low light night topics do come round regularly so you're not far from all manner of subject matter.

Overall the mag is very good iMO as its content is mixed between tutorials/competitions like POTYear and articles by guest photographers. Section at back for advertising feels like its kept to a minimum and doesn't over power the rest of the content. usual reviews of new equipment/gagdets etc..

But getting stuck into the PHOTO52 and POTY on TP is one of the best ways to get *** critique of how you can improve. look at other ppls take on the theme of the week. it is my goal this year to enter both, i'm not expert .. its not too late for POTY.

:thumbs:
 
oh ..and i got tons of books from the library...most said exactly the same things.. and i could have spent the last year with my head in a book... BUT i found if you see a technique you like... read up..but then go out and try it.. and try again..post it in the sharing area... and go out and improve... looking ina book or mag isn't the same as looking at a subject/landscape etc... through the viewfinder AND without the VF...
 
I'm subscribed to Digital Photo but often also buy PP. I believe PP is a better read, digital photo tends to seem very quick to flick through and forget, but has some really good photoshop guidance and advice. I would lean towards saying digital photo is better for if you really want to be doing PS with your photos, but then people would probably say PP does that equally.
 
Having subscribed to a couple of photography magazines, I wouldn't recommend it. They all (even the so called professional ones) aim at the amateurs and provide little in the way of decent advice which you couldn't find here anyway.

I would say, under no circumstances subcribe to Professional Photographer, it's basically a monthly journal of the editor with bits in between to pad it out.
 
I exchanged the voucher for a refund. I have ordered Digital Photography V1,2,3 by Scott Kelby. I might also order light: science and magic
 
I get practical photography and digital slr on subscription as a present,i'm still learning but so not at the recycled stage for me yet:)
 
I use to get Digital Photo. Learnt most of my PS skills from their DVD each month. :thumbs:
 
I'd get Practical Photography. They always have these nice little tutorials that give some inspiration.
 
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