Photography News Issue 30

Photography News Issue 30 absolutephoto.com

News

Thank you! Nearly three years old, and Photography News is thriving. And it’s all thanks to you, reader… and the photographic trade…

I’ve been in photographic magazine publishing for longer than I care to remember, and before joining the business I was a keen reader. Yes, I have been around for a while and in all that time, I have never seen anything quite like Photography News . Well, of course, I edit the thing so I am mildly biased and am bound to say that, but how many of you have seen a tabloid-sized national newspaper whose focus (excuse the pun!) is solely on imaging – and is FREE! Let me tell you, you haven’t because Photography News is out on its own. Now in its third year, it goes from strength to strength. So, thank you, dear reader, for picking it up or reading it online and to our advertising clients for making Photography News the publishing success it has become. Rarelywouldyou findme – or any editor – thanking advertisers. But in the case of Photography News – and I am not revealing any trade secrets here – the thing is free so guess who pays for it! I can tell you it’s not a Bruce Wayne-type philanthropist (he’s Batman to those wondering) nor an oil-rich state keen to invest its millions in a free photo newspaper instead of a football club. The fact that PN is free (have I mentioned that before!) is no guarantee of its success. Would anyone pick up a free newspaper without thinking they would get something out of it? At train stations during rush hour you can’t take a step without someone thrusting a free publication in your face; I admit I only take one if I’m going to read it. It’s only logical. Copies of PN go out to the UK’s camera clubs and through key independent photographic retailers. A recent initiative is distribution to colleges and universities running photography courses. As paper, print and couriers cost a lot of money we are not able to send

out lots and lots copies – enough for every member of a camera club for example – and that is why there is a free online edition. Register on absolutephoto.com and you get an email each time the latest edition is available. So if you are a club member and miss out in the scrum when copies arrive at your club, get your own copy online. Now where was I? Oh yes, I was saying that PN ’s success is down to the fact that it is free and, equally importantly, it has stuff inside that photographers want to read – and this is where we, the editorial team, can pat ourselves on the back, and give a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed in some way. What you read From feedback, one of the first pages camera club members look at is Before the Judge. Here, awell-known photographic judge or exhibition selector reveals what they look for when deciding competition winners or picking pictures to ‘hang’. Despite identical objectives it is fascinating what different judges look for in a submission and really useful feedback for photographerswanting to gain recognition for their output. To be honest, it is such an interesting read I’d be disappointed if Before the Judge wasn’t enthusiastically received every month. Speaking of contests, in most issues we take a close look at the latest winners and contest launches and talk to the organisers asking them what they expect from entrants. This feature is another very popular one. Again that is no surprise given the numbers who enter the big yearly contests keen to scoop a big prize and gain national or even international recognition. One thing I would like is more salon/exhibition organisers getting in touch. PN offers great and free publicity to a keen audience so if you

Where to read PhotographyNews

Thank you, dear reader, for making Photography News the publishing success it has become

At your camera club, photographic society, college or university We send copies to a great many UK clubs but omissions can occur, so if your club is not yet receiving PN let us know on info@ photographynews.co.uk. We can’t send copies for every member so we do rely on members circulating Or subscribe Get 13 issues of the print edition of Photography News delivered to your door for £19.99. Pick it up from these retail partners Calumet, Cameraworld, Castle Cameras, Jessops, London Camera Exchange, Park Cameras, WEX and Wilkinson Cameras. Many of these retailers have multiple outlets so check with your local store. Read it online Go to absolutephoto.com , sign up (or log in), go to Magazines > Photography News to read the latest issue. Then, when a new issue comes out, we’ll email you. copies within the club – or registering to read it online.

want a higher entry level, then drop me an email in plenty of time. Before I bore you (too much) with all this ‘how great we are’ stuff, I’ll just say our reviews are popular too. Every month we test the latest kit in depth. While some magazines dedicate 1000 words to the latest Canikon DSLR, you won’t find the same coverage on a bag or the latest tripod. I’m proud to say you will in PN because we want to help you

make the right buying decision. Simples, as a meerkat might say. I have, naturally, assumed this isn’t the first time you’ve seen PN so please forgive me if you have got to here not having seen a copy before. All I can do is apologise and say read the panel to see how you can be a regular Photography News reader and be part of a publishing success story. Oh, in case I haven’t mentioned it before, it’s free!