Magazines: Best, worst, dead

[segedi]

After dropping about $70 on magazines at a trip to Chapters (Canada's version of BN/Borders), I'd like to subscribe but want to avoid magazines that are dying...

So what are you all reading and why? And what should I avoid due to poor subscription management or because you sense the grim reaper is soon to bring the magazine to its final resting place?

 

[CGW]

After dropping about $70 on magazines at a trip to Chapters (Canada's version of BN/Borders), I'd like to subscribe but want to avoid magazines that are dying...

So what are you all reading and why? And what should I avoid due to poor subscription management or because you sense the grim reaper is soon to bring the magazine to its final resting place?

Are we talking photo/imaging/graphics titles or what?

 

[segedi]

Photo titles yes.

 

[benjiboy]

I don't buy magazines any more they are full of articles about digital photography that I'm not interested in, I prefer to buy photographic books about the branches of photography that I am interested in, because there's much more hard information in them than you get in magazines

 

[segedi]

I've been reading books as well. Luckily the public library system here has a great selection.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Same as Ben, above, I don't go near any of the photo mags - they'll full of advertorials, articles on how to copy someone else's style and screen grabs from software programs. Total dross. The only exceptions are probably Aperture and Lens Work, the latter being extremely expensive due to international postage costs.

 

[Wayne]

I don't buy magazines any more they are full of articles about digital photography that I'm not interested in,

Me too. I look at the bookstore, but I very rarely buy any photo mags anymore. B&W was the last one I bought regularly. When they started allowing digital a few years ago, I dropped it. Same with View Camera, only that one I dropped a loooong time ago. Tis a shame too, I liked it when it was all film based, and i still have stacks of them.

I'd love to find a magazine to replace all the ones that have been lost, but it doesn't seem likely to happen soon. Emulsion was the last best hope, and that fizzled fast...

Here's an idea: magazines with mixed content should have print version of all analog content, and web-based versions of their digital content. It wouldn't be that hard to do...

 

[M Stat]

I think the truth is that all magazines are in danger of failing. Having said that, the best periodical on photography is "Lenswork", which is only available by subscription. After that, "B and W" ("Black and White Magazine") is also excellent as well its' sister publication "Color". I just recently renewed my subscription to "View Camera" and I would urge anyone who is interested to subscribe to it as well. In the past VC has published invaluable information for the large format enthusiast and has given to its readers exposure to many fine photographers and their work. An upcoming monograph of George Tice's work will be published by VC soon, I believe in March. That is one issue you probably won't want to miss.

 

[CGW]

For a hit of pure eye candy, I always go for Interview.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I have been buying out of print photography books a lot the past couple years. The library grows in leaps and bounds. I also try and purchase obscure magazine issues, 70's on back.

 

[mbsmith]

I've picked up a few copies of Silvershotz magazine, and enjoy looking through most of it. It's an international 'folio type publication rather than an informational based. But they boast that of the 100 pages, there are only 6 that are adverts (I didn't count to verify that).

It does include digital and mixed media, but a good portion (more than half?) is film/analog and alt process.

Subs run $77 for Can/US.

 

[mono]

Today I only buy the American "Black&White" because all other photo magazines have gone more or less d...... which I am not all interested in!
Like others above I buy books on photography with themes I am interested in. And that´s mostly analogue photography because I have been a totally black&white enthusiast for ages now.

 

[CGW]

Recently got a couple of boxes of Camera and Darkroom from the early 90s up to its demise in 9/95.

Online resources have really eclipsed what are now niche titles in analog photography, few of which have much chance of sticking around as print publications.

 

[Black Dog]

I go for Ag, which continues to print a good range of work to a high standard and actually credits its readers with a bit of intelligence.

 

[removed account4]

if you like polaroid and polaroid manipulation ..
look for old issues of TEST magazine. it was
the best !
john

 

[segedi]

M Stat - I've been able to get Lenswork at the store, not sure if it was my local camera shop or the big box bookstore. And I do enjoy it. I've also picked up B&W and Color and have considered subscribing.

Wayne - nice idea on the analog/print, digital/online versions. I wouldn't mind subscriber to any magazine digitally as I think it's more enviro friendly - my perception - but the one mag i did that with the photos were lo-res so it was awful.

Black Dog - Ag?

mbsmith - I've a couple of Silvershotz on the shelf too. Found it enjoyable.

I also like Light Leaks, but it is a bit expensive (small subscriber base so I understand the real cost to make this). Not many pages, but almost no advertising.

I worked for a publisher a few years back and realize that adverts keep things alive, so I'm not adverse to them.

 

[flatulent1]

Ag = http://www.picture-box.com/

 

[Trask]

If you can read French, try out Polka magazine. Interesting work shown, and there are tags on individual photos in the mag that let you see more on websites. Website: http://www.polkamagazine.com/

 

[Trask]

I should add that Polka is more about photography and images than developing/films/papers etc. I have the impression that a lot of the photography is film-based.

 

[erikg]

Lightwork is a great bargain and I find Aperture to be worthwhile. Lenswork is beautifully printed, nothing like it.

 

[MattKing]

Lenswork is printed here in Vancouver, BC, in case that influences anyone's decisions.

As to why it costs more to subscribe to it if you are Canadian - ???????

 

[Chazzy]

I would subscribe to Lenswork if the format were large instead of tiny.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I don't buy magazines any more they are full of articles about digital photography that I'm not interested in, I prefer to buy photographic books about the branches of photography that I am interested in, because there's much more hard information in them than you get in magazines

I'm the same way.

Jeff

 

[BWKate]

I buy "Lenswork" from an awesome photo gallery called "Luz" here in Victoria..I also am a diehard "B&W Photography" collector...the one from England...

 

[Sirius Glass]

I don't buy magazines any more they are full of articles about digital photography that I'm not interested in, I prefer to buy photographic books about the branches of photography that I am interested in, because there's much more hard information in them than you get in magazines

That is what I would have posted, if I were to post on this thread.

Way Beyond Monochrome, second edition comes to mind. [Another shameless plug for Ralph's book].

But I am not posting anything on this thread.

Steve