Lenswork #64

[doughowk]

The latest Lenswork is a good read with good portfolios. But I was disappointed that Joe Lipka's portfolio is only in the extended version which I do not currently get. I was tempted to order the CD version, but started to think about it. The CD extended version comes with the original Lenswork + additional portfolios. Some of the drawbacks, though, are I can see an excellent collection of Joe Lipka's work at his website ( in digital form similiar to Extended CD); unlike the paper version, there is no guarantee that the CD version will be readable after 3-5 years; the quality of Lenswork's porfolios in printed version is a better indicator of the quality of the actual print. For these reasons & others, I'll continue to only get the printed version.

 

[donbga]

unlike the paper version, there is no guarantee that the CD version will be readable after 3-5 years; the quality of Lenswork's porfolios in printed version is a better indicator of the quality of the actual print. For these reasons & others, I'll continue to only get the printed version.

I can still read software CDs made 6 years ago not to mention my music CDs.

Your logic baffles me based on my personal experience with CD media.

 

[doughowk]

General media deteriorization ( I believe archivists recommend conditions comparable to preserving prints), possibility of one scratch making the media unreadable, Adobe support for backward compatibility of their software, the CD format continueing to be supported by computer manufactureres (remember 5 1/4 floppy or, more recently, zip drive). Ultimately, though, my final reason is preferring a print media in evaluating a portfolio made up of prints produced thru traditional methods.

 

[donbga]

Ultimately, though, my final reason is preferring a print media in evaluating a portfolio made up of prints produced thru traditional methods.

I can certainly agree with that. One of the biggest problems of maintaining data on any media is the continued requirement to maintain it on viable media. I've faced this problem for many years in my career in IT. It is big hidden cost of archival storage of data. But still I really don't concern myself much with data stored on CD in particular the LensWork Extended issues. I find them to be a worth while cost. I also enjoy the format of LWE.

I also subscribe to Large Format Journal; I think that, going forward publications issued electronically will continue to expand. It is difficult though to browse a CD when one is sitting on the throne, taking a slow hot bath, or just lolling on the beach.

Finally, I recently needed to restore data to my PC. I was able to restore my Outlook PST files that extended all the way back to 1997. So as I said, IME I don't find data stored on CD as ephemeral as often reported.

 

[cdholden]

It is difficult though to browse a CD when one is sitting on the throne, taking a slow hot bath, or just lolling on the beach.

Get a laptop.

Chris

 

[donbga]

Get a laptop.

Chris

Using a laptop while bathing sounds like Darwin at work !

 

[lenswork]

I must admit that I am very flattered by this thread. Who would have thought that long term accessibility would be an issue for a periodical? The idea that you would find LensWork -- a periodical [media that is often fish wrap in 30 days] -- that you would find LensWork or LensWork EXTENDED worthy of keeping and having as a part of your long term photography collection pleases me. Thanks!

By the way, just for whatever it is worth, I personally prefer the print issue -- for it's portability and image-on-paper print quality. I also prefer the CD version -- for seeing the images larger, seeing more images, and particularly for the audio where I can listen to the photographers. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses. But that's just me and I'm just a wee bit prejudiced!
Brooks Jensen
Editor, LensWork Publishing

 

[SeamusARyan]

I have yet to experience Lenswork Extended, hopefully one day, but I have kept all of my back issues of lenswork as I consider them as important as many of the books in my collection, sadly I am missing about the first 15 issues as it seems to have come late to the uk, or at least to me it did.

Is there anyone on here from the uk with a full collection they wouldn't mind lending a couple of those back issues so I can see what I missed?

be well

Seamus
www.seamusryan.com

 

[roteague]

Brooks,

The quality of your magazine, in whatever format is exemplary. I don't buy every issue, but that is because of content. I don't like ink jet or digital camera reproductions. I buy LensWork for high quality B&W, and I don't consider either of those two methods "high" quality. Being primarily a color landscape photographer, when I look at B&W image, I want to look at the best.

Keep up the good work,

Robert

I must admit that I am very flattered by this thread. Who would have thought that long term accessibility would be an issue for a periodical? The idea that you would find LensWork -- a periodical [media that is often fish wrap in 30 days] -- that you would find LensWork or LensWork EXTENDED worthy of keeping and having as a part of your long term photography collection pleases me. Thanks!

By the way, just for whatever it is worth, I personally prefer the print issue -- for it's portability and image-on-paper print quality. I also prefer the CD version -- for seeing the images larger, seeing more images, and particularly for the audio where I can listen to the photographers. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses. But that's just me and I'm just a wee bit prejudiced!
Brooks Jensen
Editor, LensWork Publishing

 

[joneil]

Dumb question from the peanut gallery. Where - if possible - can you buy Lenswork in Canada? Yes I could subscribe but I don't have perect luck with my magazine subscriptions - I always seem to loose an issue here or there of anything I subscribe too.

joe

 

[lenswork]

Dumb question from the peanut gallery. Where - if possible - can you buy Lenswork in Canada? Yes I could subscribe but I don't have perect luck with my magazine subscriptions - I always seem to loose an issue here or there of anything I subscribe too.

joe

Joe,
We just heard last week that our distributor is adding LensWork to 11 locations of Chapters bookstores in Canada. PM me with your city location and I'll see if this is anywhere near you.
Brooks

 

[Vahid Naziri]

I enjoy both the print and the CD versions of the Lenswork for similar reasons mentioned by Brooks.
In 3-5 years, I myself might not be compatible with life (like, dead).

Vahid

 

[tim atherton]

I don't buy every issue, but that is because of content. I don't like ink jet or digital camera reproductions.

presumably all of Lenswork is ink print reproductions though...?

 

[tim atherton]

Dumb question from the peanut gallery. Where - if possible - can you buy Lenswork in Canada? Yes I could subscribe but I don't have perect luck with my magazine subscriptions - I always seem to loose an issue here or there of anything I subscribe too.

joe

Chapters (don't know if the latest is on the shelves yet) or any good news stand that stocks a decent supply of art magazines - we have at least a couple of such locally that stock lenswork

 

[jovo]

The idea that you would find LensWork -- a periodical [media that is often fish wrap in 30 days] -- that you would find LensWork or LensWork EXTENDED worthy of keeping and having as a part of your long term photography collection pleases me. Thanks!

Ha! Every now and then one sees a few score of "National Geographic"s in the recycling at curbside, but you also sometimes see them at thrift stores and used bookstores for sale (cheap!). Lenswork is an absolutely first rate periodical I plan to keep for as long as my vision holds up. The only fish my copies will ever get near will be those that are the subject of some future series on herring, hake, or halibut.

 

[roteague]

presumably all of Lenswork is ink print reproductions though...?

Really ... all this time I thought Brooks printed each and every page of each magazine in the darkroom. Go figure...

 

[lenswork]

Really ... all this time I thought Brooks printed each and every page of each magazine in the darkroom. Go figure...

Now that made me LOL!
Brooks Jensen
Editor, LensWork Publishing

 

[tim atherton]

Really ... all this time I thought Brooks printed each and every page of each magazine in the darkroom. Go figure...

so come on, how would you know if Brooks didn't tell that xyz portfolio was from scanned 8x10 negatives or such?

 

[Davec101]

Brooks, we seem to have a problem with supply around where I live, I only found out about Lenswork through our Borders in Cambridge, U.K, and I have not seen it on the shelves for at least 3 months. It is such a excellent journal that they should stock it. I have personally subscribed to Lenswork so its not a problem for me but others our missing out i am sure. One other thing can you tell me which copy of lenswork your portfolio of 'Made of Steel' is, as this is stunning, I had a little problem the other day with one of your sales team in determinig which issue it was in (41??)

Keep up the good work, i enjoy your pod casts too.

 

[lenswork]

One other thing can you tell me which copy of lenswork your portfolio of 'Made of Steel' is, as this is stunning, I had a little problem the other day with one of your sales team in determinig which issue it was in (41??)

Would you believe Made of Steel was in the LensWork #15 (Fall 1996) issue?
Geesh, I feel old all of a sudden.
Brooks Jensen
Editor, LensWork Publishing

 

[ceramicbrain]

I must admit that I am very flattered by this thread. Who would have thought that long term accessibility would be an issue for a periodical? The idea that you would find LensWork -- a periodical [media that is often fish wrap in 30 days] -- that you would find LensWork or LensWork EXTENDED worthy of keeping and having as a part of your long term photography collection pleases me. Thanks!...


Brooks Jensen
Editor, LensWork Publishing

Brooks,
I have spent MANY hours on the Internet, as well as MANY dollars in an attempt to aquire all the back issues of LW. I have all but five issues (one of which is the ultra rare premier issue) of all the back issues of LW. The quality
of the writing is great, and the reproduction quality has always been great. Looking back at the past issues, you have continued to improve the image quality throughout the years; I feel it is the finest B&W reproduction on the stand today, even in spite of other "B&W" collecting mags. ( I seem to remember one of the earliest issues of "Focus" trying to claim that their repro quality would be equal to or even BETTER than LW It has yet to happen.
As I wrote above, the writing has always been inspiring; I have often marvelled that someone writes about photography from the creative aspect, not just the technical aspects. Other photography magazines are always trying to get you to buy yet ANOTHER piece of gear that is going to turn you into a creative god overnight. Your magazine has always emphasized that all of us already own the most versatile piece of creative equipment available, and that we carry it with us 24/7. It is between our ears.
You have also been brave enough to expose your own creative processes to public scrutiny, in order to inspire or inform. ( Your printing of your 100 best images for example.) These projects were not always successful, if I recall,but you were able to shed light on actual creative thought processes by relating them. I don't always agree with what you write, but it always causes me to examine what I believe about a subject.
Well, I will bring this love-fest to a close, but I wish you and Lenswork continued success. Oh, and I also wonder if you ever plan to bring baack the "Special Editions " prints. Looking over the back issues, I am always sad that I missed out on the opportunity to get a few.
Thanks Brooks!