Are there any decent photo mags around?
Discussion
I'm getting seriously frustrated with trying to find a decent photography mag that goes beyond the likes of Practical Photography.
The typical supermarket shelf fodder was great when I first moved away from auto settings, but they seem to have a content loop of about 5 months, and if I see another "harness the power of mono conversion" feature, I'm liable to go and visit their editorial offices with a shotgun.
At the other end of the scale, I've tried a couple of the pro mags, and whilst the technical content of these is much more interesting, there's (understandably) at least as much about being in the business of photography as there is about photography itself, which is somewhat pointless for me, as I just want to improve my amateur photography.
Anyone got any suggestions as to titles worth a look? I know there's plenty of stuff on the web, but I do like having a magazine to browse on the train from time to time!
The typical supermarket shelf fodder was great when I first moved away from auto settings, but they seem to have a content loop of about 5 months, and if I see another "harness the power of mono conversion" feature, I'm liable to go and visit their editorial offices with a shotgun.
At the other end of the scale, I've tried a couple of the pro mags, and whilst the technical content of these is much more interesting, there's (understandably) at least as much about being in the business of photography as there is about photography itself, which is somewhat pointless for me, as I just want to improve my amateur photography.
Anyone got any suggestions as to titles worth a look? I know there's plenty of stuff on the web, but I do like having a magazine to browse on the train from time to time!
I've had the same problem myself. I think the only solution is to chop and change a bit. I started buying Digital Photographer which appeared to be on a 12 month loop. I then changed to Digital SLR Photography which was ok for a while but again eventually got repetetive again. I now buy Outdoor Photographer fairly regularly but to be honest I now find it better not to tie myself in to any one title. I no longer buy anything regularly but if I'm away on holiday with a bit of reading time on my hands I just go into a newsagents and see what's on offer. If one of the magazines has got a couple of interesting articles I'll buy it but if it's all stuff I've seen before I'll not bother at all.
'Creative Photography' used to be aimed at the gap between novice and pro, but I suspect it may be long defunct - haven't seen a copy for ages.
There are still a few really good magazines around, but they're a bit hard to find and well on the pricey side (~£7) so on the rare occasions I find them they need to contain something of great interest to me before I'll cough up. If it's pictures you want rather than 'how to' articles, these might do:
I used to buy Zoom regularly and judging from the website it's still going strong, but I suspect they may have withdrawn from the UK; I haven't seen a copy for sale in literally years. It used to be top notch.
More recently I bought a single copy of Source. I liked the work they were reviewing and thought it was well written.
The Brighton Photo Biennial had nearly a whole copy of Photoworks dedicated to it, so I bought a copy at one of the exhibitions. It wasn't at all bad either.
There are still a few really good magazines around, but they're a bit hard to find and well on the pricey side (~£7) so on the rare occasions I find them they need to contain something of great interest to me before I'll cough up. If it's pictures you want rather than 'how to' articles, these might do:
I used to buy Zoom regularly and judging from the website it's still going strong, but I suspect they may have withdrawn from the UK; I haven't seen a copy for sale in literally years. It used to be top notch.
More recently I bought a single copy of Source. I liked the work they were reviewing and thought it was well written.
The Brighton Photo Biennial had nearly a whole copy of Photoworks dedicated to it, so I bought a copy at one of the exhibitions. It wasn't at all bad either.
Eggman said:
'Creative Photography' used to be aimed at the gap between novice and pro, but I suspect it may be long defunct - haven't seen a copy for ages.
There are still a few really good magazines around, but they're a bit hard to find and well on the pricey side (~£7) so on the rare occasions I find them they need to contain something of great interest to me before I'll cough up. If it's pictures you want rather than 'how to' articles, these might do:
I used to buy Zoom regularly and judging from the website it's still going strong, but I suspect they may have withdrawn from the UK; I haven't seen a copy for sale in literally years. It used to be top notch.
More recently I bought a single copy of Source. I liked the work they were reviewing and thought it was well written.
The Brighton Photo Biennial had nearly a whole copy of Photoworks dedicated to it, so I bought a copy at one of the exhibitions. It wasn't at all bad either.
I get Zoom on subscription, http://www.zoom-net.com/Home.aspx still as good as ever.There are still a few really good magazines around, but they're a bit hard to find and well on the pricey side (~£7) so on the rare occasions I find them they need to contain something of great interest to me before I'll cough up. If it's pictures you want rather than 'how to' articles, these might do:
I used to buy Zoom regularly and judging from the website it's still going strong, but I suspect they may have withdrawn from the UK; I haven't seen a copy for sale in literally years. It used to be top notch.
More recently I bought a single copy of Source. I liked the work they were reviewing and thought it was well written.
The Brighton Photo Biennial had nearly a whole copy of Photoworks dedicated to it, so I bought a copy at one of the exhibitions. It wasn't at all bad either.
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