jps246's Full Review: Outdoor Photographer Magazine
Who is that dragging a tripod through the mud over there? How about the guy that been trying not to slip off the rock and into the lake? It must be one of those outdoor photographers trying to get the perfect shot. Unlike studio or portrait photography, those of us who enjoy outdoor photography also have to deal with the unpredictable attributes of weather, location, sunlight and more. Therefore since outdoor photography is so distinct, it is only natural that outdoor photography has its own magazine, aptly titled Outdoor Photographer(OP).
Thus, OP is right up my alley, having grown up spending much time in the great outdoors, I also gained many of my photographic skills while out there on those same trails. From as early as I can remember, my parents always had given me a camera when we traveled or outdoors and it was “mine” to document the trip as we went along. I have still got some of those early photographs, from when I was like 9 or 10 and using a cheap point and shoot 35mm camera (fine art, they are not). As I grew up, the cameras grew up with me and the photographs improved. One way those photographs of mine have improved, is with reading magazines like OP. There is nothing like having one of those “oh yeah,” kind of moments, when after years of struggling with something, you read a story about the same sort of problem and suddenly you have a solution that seems so simple in retrospect.
The Basics
Outdoor Photographer is published 11 times a year. The publication schedule is generally monthly, except that January and February’s issues are combined into one single issue. A subscription to OP direct from the magazine will run you $14.97 but online you can find it anywhere from $4.97 to about $10.
Each issue has about 120 to 130 pages and consists of five different sections. The five sections are: Features; How-To; Equipment; Columns; and Departments. In addition to the sections, there are plenty of ads. Well over half of the magazine is advertisements; in fact, the last 20 to 30 pages of the magazine are solely ads. However, it’s not as bad as some photography magazines and in general, the magazine is very readable and it is easy to go from article to article (or even from one part of an article to another) without getting lost in a maze of ads.
What’s In The Different Sections?
Features, as you would expect, contains the cover and feature stories of each issue of OP. On average, there are about five feature stories per issue. The articles are longer (about 6 pages on average) and much more in-depth than any other stories in the magazine. They also tend to break into two types of articles, those either on people and their photographic methods, or travel stories and the opportunities for photographs on those trips.
The How-To section is again, self-explanatory. Generally there are between four and six how-to stories per issue. The issues covered, run the gambit from the challenges of working with digital to taking consistently successful wildlife photography.
Equipment contains three or four stories reviewing new equipment, which runs from new cameras, lenses to bags and vests for helping out with all the gear while you are outdoors. The reviews are well written and get to the point. If they are reviewing some gear you are considering, then you will be better informed before you purchase. If not, at least you will have a better idea of what equipment is out there and what is available to you.
The Columns section includes writings from various authors and is on various topics and finally, the Departments section is made up of several smaller sections. These sections include a letter from the editor, a news section, quick reviews of various locations to photograph, upcoming travel and workshops, a reader information service, and as in almost all photography magazines, a closing shot on the last page.
Well, Should I Get This Magazine?
I do, I used to pick it up every several months, but now I have a subscription that I got a few months ago. No other photography magazine beats out Outdoor Photographer for helpful hints, stories and information on outdoor photography. OP is well worth the cover price should you pick it up at the newsstand or wealth worth the subscription should you decide to go with that route.
If you’ve ever wanted more information on outdoor photography, you can’t go wrong with Outdoor Photographer.
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