I recently cancelled the subscription to my last photography publication. Once upon a time I subscribed to all the usual physical magazines – Pop Photo, Outdoor Photographer, Shutterbug, etc. That I happened to hang on to Lenswork has no significance other than I had not bothered to cancel it previously. Realistically I could never figure out how to cancel it, until one day I happened to be on Paypal and found that I could cancel my recurring payment through Paypal. It just so happened that it was the day before the day they were planning to send the renewal payment!
At one time I found the articles in all these various magazines to be informative and inspirational. For an aspiring photographic rookie who had never processed film in a darkroom, went to school to be a banker then spent 40 years behind a desk, these publications were a source of information that helped me build the inventory of vision and inspiration that I have today. The “old school” magazines (are they even in business?) slowly became a collection of advertising disguised as articles, with even more and more actual ads and very little inspirational content. Lenswork is a fine publication, and of course doesn’t have any advertising, but listening to Brooks’ ramblings and looking at endless sepia toned photographs just wasn’t doing it for me. It was past time to move on.
So where so we get inspiration these days? Once upon a time I was an avid listener to several excellent podcasts, where I learned about the history of photography, the creative side of photography and the craft and vision of photography. Sadly those podcasts have gone dormant or their owners have gone a different direction, and they have been replaced by endless camera reviews and videos about the latest software or newest Photoshop trick. And let’s not get started on all the non-photography shows with people shouting about all the things we should be scared of or peeved off about.
I’m sure there are still quality shows out there, but – ironically – I haven’t been motivated to look for them. I follow a lot of photographer’s blogs, and have a very closely curated list of photographers – and nearly only photographers – that I follow on Instagram. I’d much rather read a book than watch videos so I don’t spend a lot of time on YouTube, but I’d be interested in suggestions of quality sources of inspiration and motivation. I don’t even mind paying for content if it is worth it – this isn’t about the money although there is a limit to my generosity. I don’t really want to deal with another so-called social media platform, but I’m open to suggestion. Let me know in the comments if there are any recommendations.
We’re off on another adventure shortly and I may have a few postcards to toss out along the way, so stay tuned!
I don’t follow any of the old (older?) photo mags anymore, either. I get inspiration from all the blogs I follow and a few pros that have a creative edge. Also, working at the Museum is very stimulating for me. I do miss paper mags every once in a while.
Just as Monte indicates below, there is something comforting in reading an actual magazine or a book. I would expect that working at the museum would give you plenty of exposure to inspirational and motivational art.
I relate to everything you said. I don’t read those magazines like I used to. I think some are online now. However, they did help me in many ways with the craft of photography. I never have gotten into podcasts or videos. Give me a book.
I love a good book, especially one that transports me out of my usual world. A good photography book is also a treat, although a bit harder to come by at a reasonable price. Getting chintzy in my old age, I guess….
First off, this is a beautiful group of images! It’s proof that we can find good photographic subject matter everywhere. Of course, here it helps that I’m naturally drawn to old “stuff”, but these are just wonderful and get me to do what photography is good at – look more carefully at something that I might not look at with that degree of scrutiny.
Secondly, the notion of “where we used to go” for inspiration and information is a good one to contemplate. I did note the reference to ” several excellent podcasts, where I learned about the history of photography, the creative side of photography and the craft and vision of photography” – thanks.
At the time I started doing those things, the number of online resources devoted to them were between Slim and None. In fact, I specifically wanted Camera Position to NOT be about gear and f-numbers and ‘how many pixels can dance on the head of a pin.’ I wanted instead to talk about the harder side of the medium – where to stand and what to say. I think the podcasts did that, but I also think that podcasting (and similar on-demand media) changed over the years. They became far more numerous and a great deal more sophisticated in terms of presentation. At some point, I felt like I had said what I needed to say and the whole thing just sort of wound up like that winery that’s in these photographs – slowly grinding to a halt.
Maybe sometime I’ll find another voice – “An Old Guy With a Camera and a Bottle of Bourbon – The Podcast” (working title).
I do sometimes find interesting ideas in a couple of YouTube channels. Sean Tucker is a good photographer without a lot of flash and bother – just solid images and often interesting ideas behind them: https://www.youtube.com/@seantuck
Similarly, Thomas Heaton has some good content (but a lot of time is spent not on photo stuff) https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasHeatonPhoto
I do wonder how these guys find the time to put out this content, though…. I know how much time it takes to produce a simple audio podcast – these are full-fledged video productions. Personally, I’d rather be out just shooting and not trying to figure out how to divide the time between making photographs and figuring out how to do the footage for the video.
I’m gonna go back and look at these good old winery photographs now…
Hi Jeff, and thank you for the thoughtful comments. I like your concept of “An Old Guy With a Camera and a Bottle of Bourbon – The Podcast.” Maybe we could co-host it. 😉
I know I baited you a bit with the text but didn’t think you would mind. Those old podcasts meant and mean a lot to me and have been very instrumental in my photographic upbringing. I’ll be sure to check out those links and see where they lead me. Just like your comments about producing a podcast, I much prefer to spend my spare time planning travel and making photographs.
We head to Prague on Thursday, arriving Friday. I have Josef Sudek’s studio on my short list. I thought of you when I realized it was there. There should be plenty of old stuff to see in Prague and along the Danube. I’m not taking a computer but have worked out how to transfer JPEGs from my camera to my phone, so I should be able to send some digital postcards.
Sounds like another great adventure around the corner … well, since I’m late to the party, today! Enjoy!
You guys are always on the go … makes my head spin!
Yep, here we go again! Hoping to catch up with you in November. We’ll be home for a while, but not for long! 😉
I’ve had an on-again-off-again relationship with B&W Magazine but that’s all I’ve subscribed to in a long, long time. I had a subscription to Lenswork and found that I kept them just because they were so damn good photographically and production-wise. I compare it to keeping all those National Geographic magazines; too nice to toss but they just accumulated. Now, I buy books for inspiration. I also agree with Jeff about Sean Tucker, he has a nice philosophical approach to photography as an art form and I enjoy his videos.
The collection of images you’ve posted here would look great in Lenswork! 🙂
Enjoy Prague!
Thank you Joe. So far, so good!
My thinking when seeing these images fell in alignment with Joe – these would make for a great series in Lenswork. 🙂 Very nice!
I used to subscribe to some, OP, B&W, Digital Photo Life, Photoshop User, Lenswork. The only one that remains is Lenswork. The business financials of running one these days has to suck, not to mention the competitive pressures from social media and all these other platforms, influencers, etc. That’s probably why Lenswork remains, it seems mostly to be more a passion of love than anything else, even if the musings aren’t for everyone.
I imagine it is very similar with a lot of other interests. Signs of a changing world, perhaps faster than many of us want to try to keep up with.
Again, beautiful series of photographs you posted. I like the analogy Jeff made to gears winding down.
All media seems to be struggling, but especially those catering to a niche market.
I’ve thought about submitting to Lenswork, but could never get past the idea that they never seem to show anything like I shoot. Whenever I see the results of juried shows and exhibits it just reinforces that feeling. I know that is selling myself short but it never seemed worth the effort.