THIS MONTHS UK B&W MAG

[kevs]

Hi all,

Having bought Black and White intermittently from the beginning, I've seen the magazine mature into an image-based publication rather than an equipment and technique one. I am hoping the balance doesn't tip too far the other way. It was a fantastic resource during my recent studies; several articles ended up in my dissertation bibliography.

What makes me buy a magazine is the 'something different' factor; either an interesting photographer, a striking portfolio or unusual technique or something along those lines. I'm interested in images and image-making. I want to see engaging images and texts that challenge me and makes me think. Recent issues have improved in this respect.

What doesn't really appeal to me - in either analogue or digi flavours - is 'how to...' articles. I have books and the internet for those, and studied photograhy to degree level. The aforementioned critique feature is aimed at beginners; pros and experienced amateurs will know whether an image works or not. I usually find them condescending and pointless.

But you can't please all of the people all of the time. Commercial pressures mean that a mainstream magazine must sell advertising space to survive; if the mag's readership declines below a certain threshold it fails to attract advertising and gets pulled. So it must appeal to a broad audience and perform a balancing act to keep its regular readers interested. I suspect that's what's behind the change of editorship and the style of content of B+W.

If the magazine fails to interest me, I won't buy it. As long as B+W keeps my interest, i'm a happy customer. I don't subscribe because i'm not willing to risk my money on something I might not want. I'd rather spend it on film.

BTW, Pentaxuser, the Northampton town centre branch of W.H.Smith stocks B+W regularly, and will reserve you a copy if you ask them nicely; I'm sure the Weston Favell branch would do the same.

[hka]

I agree with Ian.

[kram]

I also think the Feb issue is back on track ( and my copy arrived on the Saturday before the Thursday issue date, unlike the last 3 isues which all arrived the same time it appeared in the shops). Like others, I don't like the AP style critique. And an article on large format...sweet.

[jpeets]

Having read this thread all in one go, I can only shake my head in disbelief.

We are all apprehensive about changes to our favorite magazines - I have seen many disappear or morph into something ugly.

There seems to be a sincere desire from the magazine to listen to APUG members. Some great suggestions for the mag, and some absurd. In 2008, it is quite mad to expect a photography magazine to ignore digital content and survive.

We're spoiled here on APUG because the content here is so focused (sorry!) on our interests. Magazines cannot do that. We are talking about one of the few magazines that still has any detectable analog content, and yet some bright lights are walking away because it is not purely analog. Well, I see the glass as half full - I can look at interesting images, and read articles involving analog photography. Hooray!

Yes, there are a too many other sources of info for digital, and we don't need another, IMHO. It is a small price to pay though, to keep analog coverage alive. If analog photographers don't support publications that cover analog photography, the end result is predictable. Also, us old farts had better keep in mind that we need to keep attracting new recruits to keep analog photography alive and vital: magazines like B&W are important in exposing (sorry!) a new generation of photographers to the world of film and paper.

"We have met the enemy, and he is us!"

[GeoffHill]

There are 5 pages in the march magazine that cover specific digital content, maybe a few which are based specifically on images, that may have been taken on digital media, but where the media is irrelevant. Its about as far from being a 'digital photography magazine' as i can think.

I'm really looking forward to reading this issue during a long journey tomorrow, and I'm probably going to subscribe, because I missed the Februrary edition. Keep up the good work David, B&W is, imho currently the best photographic magazine about.

[arigram]

Funny.
I just got January and February issues together, found on my doorstep one on top of the other.
Now, that's kinky.
What is also strange is that I woke up with the thought of asking the post office about them.

[sausage100uk]

just got march issue, even a beginners in the darkroom bit (something i wanted earlier in this thread) which I am going to enquire about.....more power to your elbow Dave

[Lol999]

I have to say I do like this months magazine, mainly because it has articles about photographers I rate and some of their photographs such as Trevor Crone, alothough if I was picky the article could be longer with more photos!
Nothing really to switch me off, although I have noticed almost every article seems to be by either the editor or Lee frost. This leads to possible conclusions such as: the mag is financially in the mire and saving money, or, because of the aforementioned photo critique feature the mag is following the route of another photographic magazine with a double act.
Overall though a very good issue.

Cheers, Lol

[lesd]

I had not bought the magazine for 6 months but just got the latest issue. I cannot see that much has changed in the general content/approach of the mag.

I find that there is a lot of emphasis on the HOW of photography and perhaps less on the WHY, but this is the case with most magazines.

I would like to subscribe to Lenswork but the cost of shipping is as much as the subscription.

Les

[EmilGil]

Amazing, issue #83 arrived today! Issue #82 was almost three weeks late so this was a pleasant surprise. Let's hope it continues like this!

Looking forward to reading it tonight!