I agree with Tim about the March issue that arrived today - I haven't read it all yet but initial impressions from a flick-through were quite encouraging.
My subscription runs until August and - despite my recent concerns over the path it was taking - I'll happily keep it going if the content builds on that included in the latest issue.
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Roy
---------------- Weeping Ash
Herts, UK
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"We cannot compete with those English fellows."
- overheard by Alfred Stieglitz at the Joint Exhibition, New York City, 1891.
I’m pleased that you found so much of interest, with some of which I can concur. For myself it was with a certain anticipation that I pulled open the plastic wrapper, as something akin to a dead rat dropped into my lap. A supplement on RAW digi colour photography no less. Whilst I changed my clothes and scrubbed up, I considered this intrusion and came to the conclusion that a dead rat would have been far more acceptable; at least next doors cat would have enjoyed it.
Finally, and with some trepidation I opened the magazine, and was greeted by a double page review of a digibox, do I need this with my breakfast; I think not.
Sorry David, I can understand the publication pressure, but the cancellation letter is in the post.
The digi-listing is still consuming space Jaap Jan.
My issue arrived this morning, and I have to say I'm with Dave (and will be cancelling when my subscription comes up for renewal).
The Editor set out his "mission statement" in response to one of my earlier messages, and despite back-tracking a bit (no doubt because of the fuss on this site) is gradually changing the magazine into a black and white version of Practical Photography and / or Photography Monthly. Think I'm joking? Well this issue sees "your photographs" critiqued by the Editor and Lee Frost (and doesn't he seem to be doing a lot in the magazine these days) and we've already had the little articles on how to photograph cars, farms etc. over the past few months. Expect more to come (but I think rather slower than perhaps the Editor would have wished for) in the next few months.
Bottom line I guess is that circulation was waning, and the powers that be called in the team of Corfield / Frost to turn the magazine round - and they'll try to do that the only way they know how. Anyone want to guess how long before Will Cheung replaces Keith Wilson as Editorial Director
Oh for pity's sake guys give me a break! Have you any idea the pains I go through each and every month trying to keep everyone happy and then to have my insides churned up when I come on here and find nit-picking and bitching? It is truly tiresome and I'm very disappointed in your scathing reactions. Why not do yourself and the readership at large a favour and write me some features then? I'll happily pay you. Don't just sit behind a keyboard and take the easy option and pour scorn on all our hard work without first considering the commercial responsibilities we have. I try my absolute hardest to keep you happy and this really gets my back up. The RAW supplement I had no control of - totally out of my hands - but the rest of the magazine is changing for the good. Why not be a part of it? It's unique, it's growing and changing, and for the better if you'll just give me a bl**dy chance. If you want to cancel your sub, fine, that's your perogative, but this forum is supposed to be a positive place not an arena for flaming my efforts as an editor. Deal with me personally if you have serious issues. My email is in the mag along with my number.
No offence David, but slamming people for being critical is hardly going to endear you to your customers.
This forum is for people to speak freely on matters relating to traditional photography. If something is not to someone's taste then they have every right to say so (you think you've got it hard? think yourself lucky you're not head of Kodak). I certainly don't want to see nothing but writer's and editor's backsides being kissed. If something is not so good I want to know before I waste my money, likewise if something is good I also want to know. I would rather see good honest opinions, and for the most part that is what you get on APUG.
David, I'm looking forward to seeing how the magazine is changing, I've not seen ian issue since about August ad will have quite a few back copies to read when I visit the UK next month
You can't please everyone, but at least you make yourself available for comments on the forum and listen to our one side approach to B&W photography. If your publishers wish to add their Digital Colour supplements, that's fine by me if it helps keep the magazine flourishing, we can always put them straight into the dustbin.
Nice reply David and I hope some of the guys and gals on here will take you up on the offer. I too don't wish any more digi intrusion but do want a B&W mag rather than none at all. The Gum Printing thing was good and would love to see more alt printing stuff as well as trad darkroom. Thanks for coming here and reading some of this stuff.
"If you want to cancel your sub, fine, that's your perogative, but this forum is supposed to be a positive place"...
Erm, no. Where on Earth did you get that idea? Hopefully it is a place where people can be honest in their opinions.
I'm not quite as averse as Dave to the occasional digital content, accepting it as the inevitable fluff that I can just skim over (I may for example, be more annoyed by swearing and so-called "Advertorials" in magazines however...) and can construct my own similes to apply to digi-inserts (compost heaps spring to mind rather than Rattus rattus, for example...).
Dave has done you a favour by pre-warning me and so I will now know to dissect the shrink-wrapped magazine before making my purchasing decision - something I would not normally bother with and just walk away.
David,
I have taken every issue of B&W since the first, so cannot be accused of failing to support the venture. Latterly I have expressed my dissatisfaction with the direction that the content of the magazine is taking, as have others, and, along with those others agreed to wait and see if their was any change. From my perspective you have increased the number of articles in which I have little interest, and the magazine has now tipped over into what I consider to be poor value.
I could have quietly cancelled my subscription and you would have been none the wiser, would you have preferred that? It's heading towards "Emperors New Clothes” territory if all you want to hear is praise. For the record, I have written articles for the magazine, and had a devil of a job getting paid the agreed rate; so no more. Your companies valuation of readers submissions is abysmal, and a fraction of the worth given to them when the magazine was started, so I not surprised that you are struggling for content.
Don't just sit behind a keyboard and take the easy option and pour scorn on all our hard work without first considering the commercial responsibilities we have.
David,
My decision to buy a magazine is based on whether I enjoy reading it or not. Commercial responsibilities of those producing the magazine are just that - the responsibilities of those producing the magazine. Why should I therefore have to take these into account prior to expressing my opinion or buying the magazine?
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