Submitting 4x5 Transparencies to a magazine - How?

Hi all, I have been invited to submit some photos from a recent trip to the Galapagos to a magazine...I've never submitted for publication before - well, at least not formally, I did get a couple of photos published in a membership directory once. Anyway, these are 4x5 color transparencies. I remember reading somewhere about how to submit to printed publications but...that was long ago and, I don't think I paid much attention at the time (because it seemed like such an impossible notion).

So, I guess, my question is:

Do I submit copies?
Should they be mounted some how?
What can I expect - process wise?
Do I need any written legal statement to accompany the work?

Anything else I should know or consider?

BradS said:

Hi all, I have been invited to submit some photos from a recent trip to the Galapagos to a magazine...I've never submitted for publication before - well, at least not formally, I did get a couple of photos published in a membership directory once. Anyway, these are 4x5 color transparencies. I remember reading somewhere about how to submit to printed publications but...that was long ago and, I don't think I paid much attention at the time (because it seemed like such an impossible notion).

So, I guess, my question is:

Do I submit copies?
Should they be mounted some how?
What can I expect - process wise?
Do I need any written legal statement to accompany the work?

Anything else I should know or consider?

Click to expand...

Scan them or have them scanned and submit them on CD. There shoul be no need to send film, originals or dupes.

Don Bryant

There are people here who have real experience, but I remember some advice from Galen Rowell--

he always submitted duplicates. He said they couldn't tell the difference, and that was with 35mm slides. Check with them now--if they accept the scans, this is a way to pay for good scans. You should include some statement about what rights they are getting--e.g. they are getting the right to reproduce it in one (or more) issues. They are not purchasing the image outright. They do not have the right to sell the image to a 3rd party.

Matt

Brad... whe I worked as a photo editor, I preferred 4x5 trannies to be sleeved, not mounted. You can either sleeve them individually, or in a sheet with four transparencies. Make sure you have small stickers with your name, etc. on the sleeves. You should have a delivery memo, and a xereox copy of each transparencey submitted. The delivery memo should stipulate that the photographs are for review... they should call if they want to use them. If you send originals, then they are liable. Industry standard (then) was $1500 to $2000 per slide if they are lost or damaged. State that on the delivery memo. Also state that they are due back on two (or three) weeks. If they still need them, you (or they) should call for an extension.

As Don says, sending a CD would probably work. We always got better reproduction from originals, but these days, that may have changed. You could certainly send a cd for review, and an original for reproduction, if they want. Make sure your cd is compatible with their system. If they can't open an electronic file, they'll never see it, and if the deadline it tight, well, someone else's pic will be selected.

Good luck!

MattCarey said:

There are people here who have real experience, but I remember some advice from Galen Rowell--

he always submitted duplicates. He said they couldn't tell the difference, and that was with 35mm slides. Check with them now--if they accept the scans, this is a way to pay for good scans. You should include some statement about what rights they are getting--e.g. they are getting the right to reproduce it in one (or more) issues. They are not purchasing the image outright. They do not have the right to sell the image to a 3rd party.

Matt

Click to expand...

Galen Rowell...That stimulates some of those old brain cells. I think it was Boyd Norton's book, The Art of Outdoor Photography that had a chapter (section?) on how to submit for publication.

Of course, everything has probably changed since then.

Large Format Nature Photography by Jack Dykinga also has a good page on it. It looks like he individually mounts each one with his name, image info, captions, etc. He also includes an inventory with thumbnails scans of each image. Looks like a good system if you need to send your originals.

L Gebhardt said:

Large Format Nature Photography by Jack Dykinga also has a good page on it. It looks like he individually mounts each one with his name, image info, captions, etc. He also includes an inventory with thumbnails scans of each image. Looks like a good system if you need to send your originals.

Click to expand...

Arizona Highway's showed some of Dykingas transparencies they accepted for publication. They were not orginals but dupes. Neddless of that, they were mounted and had the info on the margins.

As you have been invited Brad, I would either give them a call or drop them a note, asking for their guidlines on what they want submitted, that way you maximize your chances of being chosen for publication. and make sure you get their deadline, I work with quite a few magazines, and in the last few years, there have been a wide range of changes on what they expect and want on their submissions.

Dave

Satinsnow said:

As you have been invited Brad, I would either give them a call or drop them a note, asking for their guidlines on what they want submitted, that way you maximize your chances of being chosen for publication. and make sure you get their deadline, I work with quite a few magazines, and in the last few years, there have been a wide range of changes on what they expect and want on their submissions.

Dave

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Thanks Dave. I have a strong suspiscian that the invitation came as the result of a certain influential person whose acquaintance I made on the trip asking a favor of somebody on staff at the mag. I doubt the mag just asked me outta the blue. Anyway, I actually did drop them an email - first thing. I only asked here so as to spare myself some of the embarasment of asking them too many rookie questions. Well, that and to share some of my excitement - if in a somewhat disguised manner.

Brad,

First of all, congrats, as some one who has been invited with many mags over the years, I always make sure I ask when I am invited, that way I know exactly what they want....when asking, as long as you ask in a straight forward manner and assure them you are wanting to make sure you submitte the correct stuff, then it is not a rookie question, I know many when they get an invite will make sure they have the guidlines the mag wants....I thing I would strongly suggest, is do, or have some 35mm dupes done of the 4x5's that way you have them and don't have to worry about damage happening to the big transparancies.

Good Luck, I hope to see them in print.

Dave

OH! revelation! 35mm dupes...of course. The thought never occured to me but, now that you mention it...it is kinda obvious.

Man, I love this place!