Photo magazines for newbie?

Brooklyn · 10-08-2013, 07:26 PM

Hi eveyone, I've been sifting through some of the more popular (i.e., ad filled) photo magazines and am looking for recommendations for magazines that are a bit more on the aesthetic/artistic side of things. I have books aplenty for the technical aspects, with plenty of eye catching, jaw dropping photos. I have in mind something like Aperture, but hopefully not as pricey, if possible.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

**jatrax** · 10-08-2013, 08:05 PM

A lot of the trade mags are mostly ads. Which isn't always bad as sometimes you need to see what is for sale too

A few that I find have worthwhile info:
Outdoor Photographer
Digital SLR Photography
Digital Photo Pro
ct Digital Photography -- This one is my favorite, not cheap but when they do an article they do an article not a couple pages of mush that doesn't really tell you anything. Not a lot of articles per issue but very in depth.

I have moved all magazines to digital using Zinio, if you don't mind reading them on screen it is a lot cheaper.

ASheffield · 10-08-2013, 09:18 PM

Popular Photography

**rbefly** · 10-08-2013, 10:18 PM

Hi Brooklyn, Welcome to the Forum!
I like Digital Photography best, for the reasons jatrax mentioned. It costs more, but is well worth any two of the others. Less 'puff' pieces, less ads and the most useable info per issue.
But occasionally I'll buy Popular Photography, Outdoor Photography or ShutterBug, just to catch up on the latest ads. There's also a Black and White photo mag, but it's hard to find and expensive.
If you're near a public library, check 'em out for free!
Ron

BrianR · 10-09-2013, 05:44 AM

Photo Life is kinda nice for not being saturated with ads.

You can also head into magazines aimed at other kinds of artists. Though I don't paint, I usually flip through International Artist Magazine at my library (I'll second the library as a great place

).

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-09-2013, 12:07 PM

You might also want to check out some european mags, although in North America they can be pricy. I like some of the french magazines, but of course you end to know a second language some times. The UK mags are also pretty good and some times european editors and reviewers have a different take on things, which can be interesting also

Brooklyn · 10-29-2013, 07:23 PM

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions!

lesmore49 · 10-29-2013, 09:10 PM

Popular Photography.

**Miguel** · 10-29-2013, 09:20 PM

Originally posted by Brooklyn

Hi eveyone, I've been sifting through some of the more popular (i.e., ad filled) photo magazines and am looking for recommendations for magazines that are a bit more on the aesthetic/artistic side of things. I have books aplenty for the technical aspects, with plenty of eye catching, jaw dropping photos. I have in mind something like Aperture, but hopefully not as pricey, if possible.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Most of the popular photo magazine are more about equipment rather than making photographs. The artsy ones are pricey, but unlike gear mags that get tossed within 6 months, I hang onto them for years. B&W and Lenswork are excellent. Also the website ASX (American Suburb X) should crack yer head open some. Some gems, some dross.

M

reeftool · 10-30-2013, 07:35 AM

The only mag I read regularly is Shutterbug. There are others I will buy off a news stand if a particular article catches my eye.

mikeSF · 10-30-2013, 11:37 AM

I enjoy an occasional periodical to supplement my interest in various things, cars, guitars, jazz, etc...
That said, I have over the years subscribed to several Photography magazines and have never been happy with any of them. If you are a serious shopper looking for adverts and reviews of [mostly Nikon and Canon] gear, these mags may be useful. For that purpose, however, i'd argue that you'll find more current info via web research. If you want a magazine that can provide you with a few shallow tips on "getting sharper photos", "mastering white balance", "choosing a tripod", etc, this is pretty standard fare. I find the same topics seem to cycle through , so a one year subscription may be all you need before you know everything you will ever learn for your effort.
I lately have gravitated to "outdoor photographer" which was super inexpensive and seems to have a decent balance of location topics and photographer profiles. When my issue arrives, I usually throw it on the stack of unread issues for the occasional air travel when I bring 3 or 4 of them with me for light reading. Dang, I probably need to cancel the subscription and join a forum.

10-08-2013, 07:26 PM	#1
Brooklyn New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	Photo magazines for newbie? Hi eveyone, I've been sifting through some of the more popular (i.e., ad filled) photo magazines and am looking for recommendations for magazines that are a bit more on the aesthetic/artistic side of things. I have books aplenty for the technical aspects, with plenty of eye catching, jaw dropping photos. I have in mind something like Aperture, but hopefully not as pricey, if possible. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

10-08-2013, 10:18 PM	#4
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Digital Photography Hi Brooklyn, Welcome to the Forum! I like Digital Photography best, for the reasons jatrax mentioned. It costs more, but is well worth any two of the others. Less 'puff' pieces, less ads and the most useable info per issue. But occasionally I'll buy Popular Photography, Outdoor Photography or ShutterBug, just to catch up on the latest ads. There's also a Black and White photo mag, but it's hard to find and expensive. If you're near a public library, check 'em out for free! Ron

10-09-2013, 05:44 AM	#5
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Photo Life is kinda nice for not being saturated with ads. You can also head into magazines aimed at other kinds of artists. Though I don't paint, I usually flip through International Artist Magazine at my library (I'll second the library as a great place).

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is there much interest in vintage photo books/magazines?	Alliecat	General Talk	14	04-17-2012 01:23 PM
Photo Magazines want you to belive	Rick Clark	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	12-01-2010 09:06 PM
Photo management/editing software for COMPUTER newbie?	the_snark	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	11	01-29-2009 07:53 AM
Good photo magazines. and on line courses	dudlew	General Talk	8	11-29-2007 07:37 PM
Photo magazines	vievetrick	Photographic Technique	7	09-21-2006 07:19 PM

10-08-2013, 08:05 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	A lot of the trade mags are mostly ads. Which isn't always bad as sometimes you need to see what is for sale too A few that I find have worthwhile info: Outdoor Photographer Digital SLR Photography Digital Photo Pro ct Digital Photography -- This one is my favorite, not cheap but when they do an article they do an article not a couple pages of mush that doesn't really tell you anything. Not a lot of articles per issue but very in depth. I have moved all magazines to digital using Zinio, if you don't mind reading them on screen it is a lot cheaper.

10-08-2013, 09:18 PM	#3
ASheffield Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 329	Popular Photography

10-09-2013, 12:07 PM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	You might also want to check out some european mags, although in North America they can be pricy. I like some of the french magazines, but of course you end to know a second language some times. The UK mags are also pretty good and some times european editors and reviewers have a different take on things, which can be interesting also

10-29-2013, 07:23 PM	#7
Brooklyn New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions!

10-29-2013, 09:10 PM	#8
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,345	Popular Photography.

10-29-2013, 09:20 PM	#9
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by Brooklyn Hi eveyone, I've been sifting through some of the more popular (i.e., ad filled) photo magazines and am looking for recommendations for magazines that are a bit more on the aesthetic/artistic side of things. I have books aplenty for the technical aspects, with plenty of eye catching, jaw dropping photos. I have in mind something like Aperture, but hopefully not as pricey, if possible. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks. Most of the popular photo magazine are more about equipment rather than making photographs. The artsy ones are pricey, but unlike gear mags that get tossed within 6 months, I hang onto them for years. B&W and Lenswork are excellent. Also the website ASX (American Suburb X) should crack yer head open some. Some gems, some dross. M

10-30-2013, 07:35 AM	#10
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	The only mag I read regularly is Shutterbug. There are others I will buy off a news stand if a particular article catches my eye.

10-30-2013, 11:37 AM	#11
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I enjoy an occasional periodical to supplement my interest in various things, cars, guitars, jazz, etc... That said, I have over the years subscribed to several Photography magazines and have never been happy with any of them. If you are a serious shopper looking for adverts and reviews of [mostly Nikon and Canon] gear, these mags may be useful. For that purpose, however, i'd argue that you'll find more current info via web research. If you want a magazine that can provide you with a few shallow tips on "getting sharper photos", "mastering white balance", "choosing a tripod", etc, this is pretty standard fare. I find the same topics seem to cycle through , so a one year subscription may be all you need before you know everything you will ever learn for your effort. I lately have gravitated to "outdoor photographer" which was super inexpensive and seems to have a decent balance of location topics and photographer profiles. When my issue arrives, I usually throw it on the stack of unread issues for the occasional air travel when I bring 3 or 4 of them with me for light reading. Dang, I probably need to cancel the subscription and join a forum.