Posted by Morris McClung on December 27, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Has anyone besides me wondered why there is no monthly publication dedicated to strictly landscape photography? My wish for the new year is that someone who has the wherewithall to start something like this will. The photographers on this site alone could keep something like that in circulation, not to mention all those who visit this site and many, many others. I would hope it would match Nature's Best in quality, and have columns as interesting as Outdoor Photographer. The only thing I would not care for is the same well known talent from Outdoor Photographer dominating the pages of this new mag. Oh, and I would also wish the ads would not approach the volume as in Popular Photography and others like it. I wish I had the funds to start something like this, because I think it would be a hit. Any takers?
Morris
Posted by Greg Maklae on December 28, 2009 at 7:11 AM
Its a start, but I just stumbled on http://www.nd-magazine.com/.
Posted by Don Gemmecke on December 28, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Morris, check your local neighborhood newstand for a Brit mag called "Digital Camera." For the most part, it's dedicated to landscape photos, Photoshop, Elements, etc. and comes with an interactive teaching CD. It's a bit costly ($100+) but offers a lot more than any US based magazine I've seen. Very nice, full spread photos, user friendly, very informative and they run regular spreads of Consumer Reports-type gear and services critiques, irrespective of their advertising. I stopped renewing OP because it was too bound up with ads, company news releases and interviews - no teaching materials or how-tos. Occasionally look at Pop Photo but, as you said, it's also chock full of ads and seems to be written more for model photography and high end pros. BTW, the editors at Digital Camera also offer a Canon-unique magazine. From what I've seen on the newstand, there are no US based mags like this.
A paper magazine would be very risky to start in the current environment. Overhead costs are very high and, with the rise in use of the Web, subscriptions would be a tough cell. One of the reasons there are so many ads in magazines is they are the main revenue stream for the publisher; subscriptions count for very little.
Also, I don't see how one could completely count out the "same well known talent from Outdoor Photographer dominating the pages of this new mag." If the editor is doing their job and receives submissions from "well known talent" that are better than other submissions, the credibility of the mag may then be suspect, with a resultant loss of revenue. Of course, the editor has the right to accept or deny any piece, but folks who buy mags look for articles and/or photographs by those who inspire them. By all means, the mag should seek out and encourage new talent, but "old talent" in the mix will help sell copies.
Having said all this, I am not sure if a purely 'landscape photo' mag would do well. Landscape photography is a niche avocation, just like avain or macro, and so it may be difficult to obtain an audience large enough for the mag to be profitable. Now, it may work if there were illustrated articles about locations, weather, geology, outdoor gear, safety, wilderness travel, etc. that are tied to landscape photography.
It sounds like an interesting endeavor for someone who wants to spend $2 million to make $1 million.
Preston, I couldn't agree with you more. I'm an editor, and right now I wouldn't start any sort of magazine. The risk is too great, the publishing environment too unpredictable and publishers too fickle.
Plus I don't believe a title dedicated to landscape photography would have a large enough circulation to survive. As for 'too many ads', it's a common complaint from readers all over the world, but without the ads you have no magazine.
Frankly, from what I've seen of the publications dealing at least in part with landscape photography, any novice would learn a lot more by submitting his work to NPN for peer review. You get a one-on-one connection with NPN, 'personal service', as it were, something you'll never get from a magazine. If you're serious about learning to be a better landscape photographer, this is the place to be.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 29, 2009 at 8:48 PM
There are some truly outstanding photography magazines focused on the art of photography, but I don't think I would class Outdoor Photographer in that group and those that are do not focus on landscape. Some photo mags are much lighter on ads. Pick up a copy of lenswork, aperture or view camera for example. Just be aware that these magazines do not focus on landscape work.
Heres a quarterly that I get http://www.naturephotographermag.com They have some articles and a lot of photo's all supplied by members. It's a good read.
I have been getting Outdoor Photographer for over 10 years now and it's turning into more of a "catalog" . It's become a platform for a few contributors to rehash the same thing every month (yawn). Also, why do they have to do a " How to do HDR" lesson 5 out of the 10 issues a year? I still shoot film! LOL, Also I'm sick of the new super duper must have and it only cost $8K camera and lens reports. Who has that kind of $$ to spend on a hobby in this economy?
Discussion
6 repliesMorris
Also, I don't see how one could completely count out the "same well known talent from Outdoor Photographer dominating the pages of this new mag." If the editor is doing their job and receives submissions from "well known talent" that are better than other submissions, the credibility of the mag may then be suspect, with a resultant loss of revenue. Of course, the editor has the right to accept or deny any piece, but folks who buy mags look for articles and/or photographs by those who inspire them. By all means, the mag should seek out and encourage new talent, but "old talent" in the mix will help sell copies.
Having said all this, I am not sure if a purely 'landscape photo' mag would do well. Landscape photography is a niche avocation, just like avain or macro, and so it may be difficult to obtain an audience large enough for the mag to be profitable. Now, it may work if there were illustrated articles about locations, weather, geology, outdoor gear, safety, wilderness travel, etc. that are tied to landscape photography.
It sounds like an interesting endeavor for someone who wants to spend $2 million to make $1 million.
--P
Plus I don't believe a title dedicated to landscape photography would have a large enough circulation to survive. As for 'too many ads', it's a common complaint from readers all over the world, but without the ads you have no magazine.
Frankly, from what I've seen of the publications dealing at least in part with landscape photography, any novice would learn a lot more by submitting his work to NPN for peer review. You get a one-on-one connection with NPN, 'personal service', as it were, something you'll never get from a magazine. If you're serious about learning to be a better landscape photographer, this is the place to be.
Mel-
I have been getting Outdoor Photographer for over 10 years now and it's turning into more of a "catalog" . It's become a platform for a few contributors to rehash the same thing every month (yawn). Also, why do they have to do a " How to do HDR" lesson 5 out of the 10 issues a year? I still shoot film! LOL, Also I'm sick of the new super duper must have and it only cost $8K camera and lens reports. Who has that kind of $$ to spend on a hobby in this economy?