adm

I went to mailbox today and received a card from "Outdoor Photographer." The card stated that they were converting to a digital format. The reason cited was the risk due to COVID-19. This is interesting, since all the evidence points to COVID risks from mail as being minimal. Furthermore, if the magazine were delivered in an envelope or plastic bag, the risks would be reduced to practically zero. I have a sense that there were other factors, namely costs, that were involved here. Interestingly, I was receiving "Outdoor Photographer" to fill out my subscription to "Shutterbug," another venerable paper photo publication that had folded. This is disappointing to say the least. Although I have no objection to sharing and viewing photographs digitally, I enjoy them in the traditional paper format as well. To my knowledge, this leaves only "Click" and "Lens Work" as the only existing paper format American photo magazines, assuming that they are not planning to switch to digital formats as well.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I think the whole bunch will go the way of the brick and mortar camera shop. Sad situation

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

The setup and layout of print vs. digital is quite different. Talented (very talented) graphics artists can do all the work remotely, send their copy to the editors, on to the layout people and another few steps, then digital publish. Bam.
Print requires more staff, supplies, before the final product can be sent to the printer, which is probably outsourced and adds to the cost.
Though I most often read on a tablet, I miss the stacks of magazines that I would keep for years. Print just reads quickly, flipping back and forth is easier. Eye strain is less. But in (on?) my IPad, I have dozens of books, including behemoth science texts I used when teaching.
But I also have a large collection of print texts dating back to the 1870’s. There is no such thing as a digital, signed, first edition.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Caveat- ads pay for the publication. Good quality means good income.
You're basically paying the postage.

There seems to be a very common evolutionary branching path at work.
A group of gung-ho enthusiasts decide to make an organization catering to their specific needs.
A magazine is born. Some volunteerism, some unpaid overtime, lots of inspired work.
Time happens. Old timers drop off. More business, less progress.
Article submitters become contractors. "Assets". "Talents". Disposable, and replaceable.
Corps policy leans toward edutainment.No disparaging reviews. No comparisons with product rankings.
More fluff, less stuff. More ads look like articles. More articles like branded tour guide recommendations.
The business of business is business. Less costs = more profits. Corps culture "suggests" conform culture.
Lower pay for photog articles means lower experienced "field" personnel. And less of them.
"Class" separation grows. All business, all the time. Good enough is good enough.
Perfectionists and enthusiasts have been quietly rebelling, and disappearing.
And then it finally comes down to this. Modern, efficient, profitable, sustainable. Supposedly.
Digital only. Get rid of EVERYbody. A couple execs, secretaries, marketeers and sales, girls doing markup.
EVERYbody else is a contractor. New "gig" type economy. We're already legends in our minds.
Just like digital Penthouse. Computer Shopper. Pop Photo. Playboy. Etc. Even the "Weekly World News".
Anybody here actually take the time to peruse these publications online?
I'll give them a year before the golden parachutes deploy.

Properframe Loc: US Virginia

Damn that 5 page spread I was in the final stages of submission is now moot. (SARC)
Haven't even gotten my post card yet.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I receive only The New Yorker and Esquire in paper format. Both are much, much thinner than ever before. The reason, according to my friends in advertising is a combination of increasing costs of print production and decreased ad budgets targeted to paper. Just look at your local newspaper (if it's still in business) and you'll see the shrinkage in size. There just aren't enough column inches of ads any more.

I actually like digital content for the most part - and advertisers like it because they can target more effectively and precisely.

There is an alternative, if you're interested - many talented photographers and bloggers publish 'zines featuring their work and occasional articles on technique. Google "photographic zine" and you should get a number of hits.

Andy

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Why? I read Outdoor Photographer and N-Photo using the Zino app on my iPad, which gives me the same enjoyment/information as the print editions. Which I discontinued years ago.

Specialty publications cannot afford to exist on paper. With declining camera sales and digital replacing print, it was a matter of survival.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Literacy is required for such magazines and with the advent of Roku and other streaming TV who needs to read and who needs to get outdoors. Additionally, our cellphone cameras take excellent photos and send them quickly to friends ... who needs all the hocus-pocus intellectual junk about lenses and camera settings... With a Cellphone camera settings are automatic and excellent why complicate life with some so-called photo magazine? [eductio ad absurdum]

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

PWL46 Loc: Michigan

As a “baby boomer” I have always enjoyed reading magazines. I still do. I used to be able to get free catalogs from almost every manufacturer. I would save them and constantly go back to them. I still do - as much as possible. I now only get 1 magazine - Model Railroader - and I see the signs of having them go to digital only. I used to subscribe to the digital N-Photo, but couldn’t get the digital add on’s that are included with the paper edition. I’ll probably go back to the hard copy subscription. I’d rather have paper in my hands than a laptop or tablet. Remember the huge camera manuals? Now - on line and download. Now - and this is not to be controversial- the younger folks have a different “gestalt” about many /things: they are not “joiners” (churches, service clubs etc.), they “live” on their smart phones where they can carry around everything all of the time. They prefer to buy almost everything on-line whereas most of the older folks like to touch and hold items before purchasing and do not mind driving to a local store to buy it. Enough of my story while
I’m waiting for my $5 Woodland Scenic Catalog that I am paying $7.50 in postage to arrive!

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

JMO but a lot of things are being blamed on Covid-19 that really have nothing to do with Covid-19.
I just think its the easy excuse.
That being said I was probably going to cancel my print subscription anyway. It was mostly a few pics and a couple articles and a WHOLE LOT of adds.

redtooth

The most expensive part of every business is people .

dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH

Question RE: Harry0 (a regular here) Joined: Apr 18, 2018 Posts: 1800


What is/are Corps policy and Corps culture?

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

There is something special (magical) about holding, reading a book.. It just can not be replaced by a tablet I can't explain it. But it's true, and it can not be denied

Jagnut07 Loc: South Carolina

Agreed.
I spoke with the publisher yesterday (about a subscription problem). They said June and July issues are digital only but that they are going back to print issue with August onwards. I hope that turns out to be true.