Best Photography Magazine?

[jcgandia]

Hi. I'm looking to purchase a photography magazine. What's the best magazine to get. I've been in digital photography for quite some time but am looking to enhance my skills and knowledge. Please let me know if you guys have any ideas.

Thanks.
Jun

[RichardTaylor]

What are you main photography interests?

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

What are you main photography interests?

I saw this topic and had the same question... (not hijacking) but I'll respond to your question Richard, mine of course is Model Photography, in advertising/commercial photography primarily.

[ishootRAW]

For all around I like Pop Photo. For my style(landscapes and nature) outdoor photographer is great.

[jcgandia]

Mainly for tips, techniques. To help me become a better photographer. And also have some photos for ideas. I used to be a photo art major and now want to get back into photography. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Jun

[RichardTaylor]

I purchase far too many magazines - with some of them on subscription.

The general purpose ones are mainly from the UK and tend to repeat themselves.There will be a portrait/flash/macro/B&W/Landscape issue etc for a year or so and then it starts again.
I'm thinking of Digital SLR Photography/User.
They also can be very country specific (the UK) when it comes to places to shoot.
Probably good for a 1 year subscription.

My fave of these is the (English) Photography Monthly closely followed by the US Digital Photo (It's fairly thin as it doesn't have heaps of advertisements).

There is a relatively new English magazine "Advanced Photographer" which looks very promising. However I have only purchased a few issues so far.

Of the Australian magazines Better Photography appeals to me as it is full of good info and doesn't push equipment at you all the time. I only sometimes buy this one if the contents interest me.

The only subject specific magazine I subscribe to is the US Outdoor Photographer.
Even though I took out a 3 year subscription a couple of years ago I will not be renewing it. Probably a lot better for those who live in the USA as it is very US orientated and tends to push (especially new) equipment a lot. I don't keep any issues as a reference, except for the Landscape Annuals.I must admit I drool over some of the workshop ads.

I feel that once you have the basics down pat then maybe only make an occasional magazine purchase get get most of your info from the library or book purchases (on specific subjects), on the net or do some workshops.
I also believe (and this is from personal experience) shooting with other photographers can sometimes be an eye opener.

As far as photos for ideas just look at some of the better photographers on the net or pick up any magazine (not just photography)

[Biomech]

Personally I find that most of the magazines just repeat the same stuff every 6 months.

But if I had to recommend one, I'd say Practical Photography Magazine... because they published me

[mosgood]

Originally Posted by Biomech

Personally I find that most of the magazines just repeat the same stuff every 6 months.

But if I had to recommend one, I'd say Practical Photography Magazine... because they published me

I've noticed the same thing, Biomech. Most mags do repeat the same stuff. Plus American mags also focus heavily on equipment articles.

That said, I have a subscription to both Shutterbug & Pop Photo. Shutterbug is geared more towards serious photographers. Some of their articles do overlap with Pop Photo.

Some of the British mags I've checked out have had some outstanding advice. Far better than what I've seen in American magazines. Why is it that ours are so much less useful as far as techniques go?

[NathanFranke]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I saw this topic and had the same question... (not hijacking) but I'll respond to your question Richard, mine of course is Model Photography, in advertising/commercial photography primarily.

Know your audience. Get the fashion mags if you don't already. Back when I still spoke to my sister (completely obsessed with haute-couture), she read Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire, probably a few others.

If you can't reverse engineer a shot, you need to learn how. Strobist will teach you how to do that, and then the "general consumer" mags will teach you as much about photography as the photography magazines will.

Magazines.com has great discount rates on lots of titles--you can probably pick up 5 or 6 subscriptions for the newsstand price of one year's worth of one magazine.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

IThere is a relatively new English magazine "Advanced Photographer" which looks very promising. However I have only purchased a few issues so far.

I just found this last week, I'm about halfway through it.. So far it's the most interesting I've found.