Good photographic arts magazine?

February 22, 2005 11:19 PM

Any reccomendations for a good photography/arts magazine that has more than just drool over the latest lenses followed by 100 pages of ads?

My idea magazine would have a modern edgy sensibility, a bit of an AdBusters vibe, respect for digital, and a touch of film. This obviously rules out Popular Photography. It doesn't have to be 100% edgy Williamsburg-hipster, but not anything in the Popluar ____ line. Thanks!

posted by thedevildancedlightly to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (14 answers total)

Best answer: It's been decades since I subscribed to a photo magazine, but when I did, the three I subscribed to were American Photo, Aperture, and Darkroom Techniques. And I do mean decades ... as in 1985. So I can't say if they're still any good, relevant, or even still in circulation.
posted by crunchland at 11:40 PM on February 22, 2005

Best answer: I've always liked Colors Magazine. It's more about 'arts' than the specifics of photography, but every issue is full of great pictures.
posted by airguitar at 12:03 AM on February 23, 2005

Response by poster: Airguitar - thanks for the lead, seems along the right lines. Their site seems to be having a massage, but what I could see looks good. Will sleep on it, maybe subscribe if their site works tomorrow.
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 12:14 AM on February 23, 2005

Best answer: SHOTS.
posted by azul at 1:07 AM on February 23, 2005

wasn't there a new photo magazine started just a month or two ago? somehow connected to the web? for some reason i remember seeing a comment on matt's site saying how he'd received his copy and it was smaller than expected. which is odd as i don't regularly read his site (and can't find the post looking through the archives).

20 (ouch!) years ago i used to get a magazine in the uk called "photography" which was pretty good (perhaps a bit arts/traditional), but it seems to have died.
posted by andrew cooke at 4:17 AM on February 23, 2005

andrew cooke: maybe it was JPG Magazine?
posted by gi_wrighty at 4:22 AM on February 23, 2005

yep. thanks. (no idea if its any good)
posted by andrew cooke at 4:25 AM on February 23, 2005

Check out Blind Spot. It may be what you are looking for.
posted by marcschil at 5:20 AM on February 23, 2005

For fashion, W still has some great stuff.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:42 AM on February 23, 2005

Best answer: There are some decent online photography magazines. AK47 is pretty good. Other good ones include F-stop, {fire} and Blue Eyes Magazine.
posted by mds35 at 6:45 AM on February 23, 2005

Best answer: devildanced, by far the best photography magazine I've found for my purposes (which may not match yours) is Practical Photography out of the UK. There aren't nearly as many ads as in the US mags, and the focus is less on gorgeous shots than on amateurs getting out in the field and making photos. It's a great magazine, full of tips, projects, and articles appropriate for non-novice amateurs.

I love it.

Unfortunately, it's a bit hard to find in the US. I know that the Borders stores in the Portland area carry it, so I suspect all Borders would carry it.

I tried to find a web presence for Practical Photography, but had no luck. This is the closest I could find. I did find this photography weblog entry that discusses a recent issue. This page has a couple of short reviews.

I recommend Practical Photography without reservation.
posted by jdroth at 7:22 AM on February 23, 2005

Of course, I may have just misinterpreted your question and the kind of magazine you're after. :)
posted by jdroth at 7:23 AM on February 23, 2005

Response by poster: jdroth - pretty much what I was looking for, thanks! I live on the west coast so maybe I'll get lucky and find one at Borders!
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 9:03 AM on February 23, 2005

I like Big Magazine. It's not a photography magazine, but it has some great shots, usually.
posted by rfordh at 9:14 AM on February 23, 2005