Photography Magazines

[Biomech]

Good morning all.

I'm in the early stages of amateur photography (UK), I have a Sony A200 and a couple of lenses, flash etc and really like taking nice photos. I know a bit about aperture, shutter speed and exposures, manual modes, ISO, bracketing etc etc.

I have just won a years subscription to a photography magazine of my choice (via a photo comp), and was looking for input on what you guys think would be the one to go for.

So far I'm pretty keen on either Digital Camera and Practical Photography, I like articles that describe techniques, things to try both with the camera and with software (I have PShop CS4 and Lightroom 2). Things like advanced lighting and expensive kit use are abit beyond me at the moment so do you have any recommendations on a suitable magazine?

TIA

[Swisstony10]

This is by no means an objective opinion, as I haven't explored a range of the available mags in the UK, but I'm pretty happy with Digital Camera. There's a reasonable mix of shooting and processing tips, with the usual advice on how to make the most of what gear you do have. I quite like the section where they take a reader who's asked for advice on a specific area of photography out for the day and teach them in some detail how to do certain things.

And it was thanks to a random suggestion in an article earlier this year that I recently went for (and got) a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society - one single sentence in an article has made a massive difference not only to the way I take pictures, but the way I think about them before I take them and while I'm processing/editing/printing them.

Russ.

[cdgaskin]

i get practical photography every issue and find its a great magazine for tips and ideas

i also this book for CS4 and found it to be invaluble (especially as the first two chapters are on adobe bridge, which i now use to metatag all my images)

[pjnr56]

As a US reader it's expensive to buy the UK mags here but when I do I always choose either Practical Photography or Digital Photo. I espacially like the inclusion of CD's with additional tips and fewer advertisements than the US mags.

[Litchfield Hills]

Originally Posted by Swisstony10

And it was thanks to a random suggestion in an article earlier this year that I recently went for (and got) a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society - one single sentence in an article has made a massive difference not only to the way I take pictures, but the way I think about them before I take them and while I'm processing/editing/printing them.

Russ.

What was the suggestion?

[Swisstony10]

The article in the magazine was something along the lines of "20 Ways to improve your photography" - just a collection of little 1 or 2-line tips like "Always have a camera with you". One of the tips was "Consider working towards a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society." so I did.

Russ.

[theArchitect]

I'd say go for Digital Camera, CD can be useful too.