Camera Arts or View camera closing?

[WarEaglemtn]

Have been told by a number of photogs now that either View Camera or Camera Arts magazine will be closing the doors. Do not see any info on this anywhere else. I can't see View Camera going out of business but possibly Camera Arts with their new format. Anyone have any accurate information on this?

 

[Dave Parker]

Word has been out for quite a while about Camera Arts going down for the count, I have not heard anything about View Camera going out of business, but am pretty sure Camera Arts is either already gone or going away. Camera Arts was sold over a year ago to a new owner, so has nothing to do with View Camera Magazine anylonger.

Dave

 

[Konical]

Good Morning,

In addition, given the publisher's note and content in the latest Photo Techniques, I wouldn't want to bet that it will be around much longer either, at least in the same form.

Konical

 

[resummerfield]

.....given the publisher's note and content in the latest Photo Techniques, I wouldn't want to bet that it will be around much longer either, at least in the same form.....

I just received my copy today, and was thinking the very same thing. It's sad....PT used to be one of the best magazines.....

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Thinking of Photo Techniques, does anyone else here find it rather ironic that according to the publishers note, the printed periodical will have mostly traditional work, and the online/cd version will have digital, but the current issue in which he states this position is about 90% digital?

 

[Monophoto]

I dropped my subscription to Camera Arts several years ago, so I no longer see it on a regular basis. AD Coleman announced on his web site that Camera Arts had gone into Chapter 11 (see (there was a url link here which no longer exists)) and would be changing it's format in an attempt to control cost and attract readers/advertisers. The more recent editions I've seen at Borders have been smaller in size (approaching the Lenswork format) and much thinner.

I wouldn't mourn the loss of Camera Arts, or Photo Techniques for that matter, but View Camera addresses a very narrow niche market and it would be a major loss for it to go away.

 

[David Brown]

I just received my copy today, and was thinking the very same thing. It's sad....PT used to be one of the best magazines.....

What I find sad is that the latest issue is 40 pages. Forty! And half of that is ads. Very little content. It's become a newsletter. :rolleyes:

 

[Jim Chinn]

Thinking of Photo Techniques, does anyone else here find it rather ironic that according to the publishers note, the printed periodical will have mostly traditional work, and the online/cd version will have digital, but the current issue in which he states this position is about 90% digital?

Photo Techniques? They still publish that thing?

I find it hard to believe that it would be View Camera. Despite all the bitching and griping about the quality of the editing it still seems to have a pretty loyal following. Issues are usually pretty good and every few issues you get an outstanding one content wise.

Camera Arts on the other hand is like Photo Techniques. Trying to please everyone and doing a poor job of pleasing anyone with its content.

 

[Ted Harris]

First, View Camera ..... will be around for a long time to come. Kerry Thalmann and I continue to work hard as Contributing Editors. I am in constant touch with Steve Simmons regarding the magazine and plans for future conferences and have no fear things continue as normal ... slow but sure incremental improvements as well. While I am at it, next year's conference has been chosen, it will be Louisville, KY as requested by many. The conference will run concurrently with a travelaing exhibit from Eastman House and there will be a number of related workshops before, during and after the conference.

As for Camera Arts, they have been in Chapter 11 for many months.

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

There is so much camera and lens information now on the internet, it seems like it would be quite difficult to compete with similar content in a magazine. The photography gear magazines now look like they should belong in the computer section of the newsstand. Other than a few non-US photography magazines, it seems that many have lost their focus. Of course, there are exceptions like PDN and Picture, but they are more oriented towards the business of photography.

Enthusiasts don't have as nice a selection. View Camera will likely continue to have a following, though it would be nice to see something oriented towards younger readers who may be interested in practicing photography with a view camera; partially that would be somewhat contemporary images. I think Camera Arts completely missed it in that regard, because I feel they had that opportunity. The example of this is Photo Life out of Canada, which continues to publish compelling images.

I think some might only be willing to read so much about gear; at some point outstanding images will keep them getting the magazines. People interested in architecture can find great architecture images in some architectural magazines. Those interested in nature or landscapes might find better images outside the realm of dedicated photography magazines, though View Camera often has many great landscape photos. Other imaging interests are best served by other non-photography gear oriented publications (my opinion).

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

There is so much camera and lens information now on the internet, it seems like it would be quite difficult to compete with similar content in a magazine. The photography gear magazines now look like they should belong in the computer section of the newsstand. Other than a few non-US photography magazines, it seems that many have lost their focus. Of course, there are exceptions like PDN and Picture, but they are more oriented towards the business of photography.

Enthusiasts don't have as nice a selection. View Camera will likely continue to have a following, though it would be nice to see something oriented towards younger readers who may be interested in practicing photography with a view camera; partially that would be somewhat contemporary images. I think Camera Arts completely missed it in that regard, because I feel they had that opportunity. The example of this is Photo Life out of Canada, which continues to publish compelling images.

I think some might only be willing to read so much about gear; at some point outstanding images will keep them getting the magazines. People interested in architecture can find great architecture images in some architectural magazines. Those interested in nature or landscapes might find better images outside the realm of dedicated photography magazines, though View Camera often has many great landscape photos. Other imaging interests are best served by other non-photography gear oriented publications (my opinion).


Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Just to re-enforce Ted's comments, I just got off the phone with Steve Simmons. I did not discuss this thread with him (as I hadn't seen it, yet), but we discussed plans covering my contributions for the next four issues as well as plans for the 2009 Large Format Conference. Never fear, View Camera will be around for a long time to come.

Kerry

 

[Ted Harris]

And since Kerry mentioned plans for the 2009 Conference .... plans for the 2008 Conference are well under way as well. Announcement of sites for 2008 and 2009 coming soon.

 

[jp80874]

While I am at it, next year's conference has been chosen, it will be Louisville, KY as requested by many. The conference will run concurrently with a travelaing exhibit from Eastman House and there will be a number of related workshops before, during and after the conference.

.

Thanks Ted,

What are those dates? After a great first conference for me this year I would like to put those dates on next year's calendar.

Thanks,

John Powers

 

[doughowk]

View Camera Conference Louisville, KY

I was stationed near there many years ago, and have driven thru a couple of times but never stopped. Now I have the excuse; its a very photogenic town. Let us know the dates.

 

[Ted Harris]

Not too many details are worked out yet but the Coference will run from Friday, June 28th through Sunday, June 30th. There will be discounts for advance registration. I'll post more details as soon as they are available ... sometime in the next few weeks.

 

[jmailand]

Good Morning,

In addition, given the publisher's note and content in the latest Photo Techniques, I wouldn't want to bet that it will be around much longer either, at least in the same form.

Konical

As soon as took it out the mail the first thing that came to mind, is how thin this magazine is getting, then I saw explanation inside. The thing I thought was funny was how the editor was complaining that traditional product manufacturers don't advertise anymore. They been making this mag more & more digital and less conventional for quite awhile now so why would traditional manufacturers want to advertise in something that doesn't appeal to there customer base. I don't think I will renew my subscription after my current one expires.

James,

 

[MAGNAchrom]

The problem with Camera Arts is that they separated at the worse possible moment. Ostensibly, the focus of Camera Arts was medium format and VC of course, was large format. When they separated they each agreed to not step in each other's garden. Thus, no medium format articles in VC and no large format articles in CA.

Well, VC won the bet. Medium format cameras are going the way of the dodo. Whereas large format is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance (at least field cameras are. Studio cameras are selling on eBay quite cheap these days). Because of the digital demise of medium format, CA had to change their focus to digital. Trouble is there simply is too much competition out there for another "me too" digital magazine. Not sure how he could turn this thing around. Especially w/ MAGNAchrom launching very soon!!!

 

[tba1045]

Just to let people know, CameraArts is alive and well, contrary to what some may think. Both subscriptions and retail numbers are up. As most of you probably know, we have changed format and content. We are focussing on fine art photography, with few tech pieces. Our website has been remodeled extensively, and we will be adding an email newsletter as well as a blog in the VERY near future. Thank you for thinking about CameraArts

Tim Anderson, publisher

 

[roteague]

Just to let people know, CameraArts is alive and well, contrary to what some may think. Both subscriptions and retail numbers are up. As most of you probably know, we have changed format and content. We are focussing on fine art photography, with few tech pieces. Our website has been remodeled extensively, and we will be adding an email newsletter as well as a blog in the VERY near future. Thank you for thinking about CameraArts

Tim Anderson, publisher

Thanks for the update Tim. Your response leads me to doubt that I'll be seeing any work by Jack Dykinga or Joe Cornish in future articles - I get that feeling everytime some says "fine art".

 

[tba1045]

Robert,
As it stands for the legal content of CameraArts. According to the contract signed by both Steve and I, we cannot "tread" on each other's toes. In other words, I can't publish any related directly to large format, and he, likewise is not supposed to publishe anything directly related to small or medium format. We currently have an survey on our website (www.cameraarts.com). According to that survey, medium format is certainly not dead.

But getting back to your interests, Robert, we try very hard to make CamerArts as good as it can be. I personally go through ALL the magazines on the newsstands to see what is happening, etc. And, as some of the readers of this thread have indicated, they all look pretty much the same. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can make CameraArts better, I am very willing to listen.

Thanks for your time.
Tim

 

[eddym]

If anyone has any suggestions on how I can make CameraArts better, I am very willing to listen.

Thanks for your time.
Tim

Whatever you do, don't let anything happen to Jim Hughes. Try to get a sample of his dna for future cloning...

 

[Bromo33333]

Camera Arts

I just saw a new issue of Camera Arts on the newsstand (Pittsford, NY Barnes and Noble [Rochester area]) - couldit be they are back up and running? ?

 

[THardy]

Just to let people know, CameraArts is alive and well, contrary to what some may think. Both subscriptions and retail numbers are up. As most of you probably know, we have changed format and content. We are focussing on fine art photography, with few tech pieces. Our website has been remodeled extensively, and we will be adding an email newsletter as well as a blog in the VERY near future. Thank you for thinking about CameraArts

Tim Anderson, publisher

Yes, it is alive, well and just as good as ever. Amazing how 4-5 people on an obscure little corner of the internet try to speak for a whole population of photography lovers.