Reviews For Outdoor Photographer Magazine


A Photo Magazine that inspires you to make good shots happen

Outdoor Photographer is my top choice among the numerous photography magazines out there. I became highly interested in photography as a serious hobby over 15 years ago and I believe I bought and/or subscribed to all the photo magazines around.

None of the magazines held my attention or were subscribed to again except for Outdoor Photographer. Not only did I continue to buy this magazine, but I have saved most of issues over the years as I just did want want to part with the beautiful photography, articles and reviews that filled the pages. I have gone back and checked out the competition to see if it has changed from year to year, but have always been disappointed in what those other photo magazines had to offer.

I enjoy photography and the excitement of finding and capturing the beauty of fog rising up into the mountains at dusk, in the shadow pattern from peeling paint of an old barn, of freezing the rush of water over sun-dappled rocks, of just so many things nature has to show us in just that one instant that the shutter clicks. Outdoor Photographer gives you those special moments in time in each and every issue.

I know I will see the beauty of our country, and world, in any issue that I pick up. And, just as importantly, I know I will not be overwhelmed by pages and pages of product advertisement that plagues so many of the other publications. I want to be inspired, I want to learn new techniques, I want to read expert reviews. I do not want to spend most of my time paging through advertisements looking for what I bought the magazine for in the first place.

Outdoor Photographer can be bought by subscription or at the news-stands. You will enjoy the glossy higher quality paper it is printed on as well as the articles that are user friendly as well as providing the technical advise you may need. The bulk of the magazine is on the art of photography, not on advertisement overkill. Pick one up and leaf through it and preview what you can have delivered to your doorstep for you to enjoy.



Recommended:
Yes

Accepts Freelance Submissions: Yes

Shoot Outdoors? This Is Your Magazine

You won't find more passion outside the bedroom than that of an outdoor photographer heading off in the pre-dawn hours to a shoot. While some amateurs yearn to be professional photographers, most pros barely make a living as outdoor specialists. It's the passion and not the bucks that drives the better outdoor photographers. Likewise, it is this love for the hobby that drives the success of "Outdoor Photographer".

As the name suggests, this monthly is aimed at those who shoot outside. Landscape, wildlife, adventure, travel, and outdoor action and sports are covered. Outdoor oriented gear including clothing and non-photo gear are reviewed. The periodical truly understands the needs of the outdoor shooter whether novice or pro.

The best part of this nicely produced magazine is its three regular columns by photographers George Lepp, Dewitt Jones, and Galen Rowell. They provide useful, insightful and, often, inspirational reading geared towards the aspiring outdoor enthusiast. Lepp is the technician. Crafty, resourceful, and out-going, he provides the perfect answer to the frequently and not so frequently asked question. Jones is the poet. His articles are more concerned with the thought process behind a photo than the actual image itself. Rowell is the intellectual. A world traveler with his feet on the ground (or dangling hundreds of feet on the side of a cliff) his writing invites and even pushes the reader well beyond what photography is to what photography means. All writers are compelling and, most importantly, extremely talented. Combined, the three make the magazine more than worth the price of admission.

The quality of photo reproduction in the magazine is superb, an obvious "must" for a publication of this sort. The format is clean and easy to read with a clear separation of editorial and advertisement. The ads and classified section themselves are useful resources and arranged thoughtfully rather than randomly throughout.

Of all the photo magazines that I read, "Outdoor Photographer" remains the one I read mostly for the inspiration and motivation. "Outdoor Photographer" is my favorite.


Recommended:
Yes

Accepts Freelance Submissions: Not sure

Want an Inexpensive Photography School?, Just read Outdoor Photographer

I don't care if you're an amateur or pro, If you know the basics and can't afford New York Institute of Photography tuition or some of the others, don't! The information in this mag (OP) is amazingly accurate, I've actually taken several copies of past issues with me in the field and used their shooting techniques. I have found more ways to shoot with bad light, foul weather, filters, tele-converters, macros and everything else imaginable to make a snapshot into a well-composed photograph. Another bonus is the "Favorite Places" page in the first half of the magazine. You get to read about destinations you would otherwise not read about in other mags and get quick tips on shooting subjects, suggested lenses for various wildlife or vegetation species and even reccommended films. The regular columnists speak their minds on their assignments and equipment used as if they were a college buddy or friend of the family. I also haven't seen as much detailed coverage on the digital camera end of things in other photography mags as in OP.

OP really keeps you up to date on old school techniques which will always be important in photography as well as the new age digital trends. If you want to maximize your ability to photograph outdoor subjects and learn more than you imagined, Outdoor Photographer has it!


Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
Accepts Freelance Submissions: Yes
Recommended For: Anyone

OP ... is TOPS !

If you love outdoor photography 'in general' ... you're going to love Outdoor Photographer 'the magazine' ! It's tops ! From it's opening articles by top pros in the field, to it's excellent & informative product ratings segments, it's just what the photographer needs to make them better, or keep them sharp.

If you want to become a much improved photographer (at any level) ... then be sure to read the monthly articles by Outdoor Photographer's top pros ... like: Galen Rowell, George Lepp, Dewitt Jones, Leonard Lee Rue III, Franz Lanting or John Netherton. If you can't learn anything from these pros ... with their approximately "one million plus" years of combined experience ... & their excellent writing techniques ... then you really are ALL THAT ! And no ... you don't need this, or any other photo magazine. But, if you're like the rest of us, normal folks ... who can really use a monthly dose of good instruction ... then you better buy a subscription today.

I have heard people say that OP is just a magazine filled with "pretty pictures" ... but that's not true. It provides some rather in-depth articles every month, on a wide range of subjects. These articles are comprehensive, yet direct. No wasted verbiage or bantering about products, subjects or photographic styles. It's articles are written the way Chrysler says it designs cars: "With a no-nonsense, straight forward approach." And, that's a style, which I for one ... happen to really like !

I also love OP's oft-included "Letterman-style" Top Ten List articles. They may not be in-depth ... but they're GREAT little, informative reminders (like sticky notes) ... that you can refer back to from time to time ... & will help you remain fresh in your photographic vision. They remind me of a coach yelling out the basics, day after day, to a bunch of PRO ball players on the field ! Some people may say, "Hey coach, they're pros, not children ... they don't need to be reminded of the basics anymore !" They don't ? Well, have you ever noticed, that whenever a team goes into a tailspin, or is trying to maintain a winning streak ... the first thing a player will say is either, "We've got to get back to the basics," or, "We've got to stick with the basics." This applies photographically as well. If your photographic vision has grown stale or stagnant... you need to go back to the basics: Correct composition, look for interesting patterns, or make use of colors, hues, tones, etc. to create that special image. If you are on a hot streak & shooting great ... sometimes a few reminders will help you shoot even better.

I personally believe that a photographer will vastly improve their style, & the quality of their photos ... if they will study the masters of photography. Study the way they compose an image, their use of color or rhythm to tell a tale ... how, by keeping a photo simple, they tell more than with a wide field of vision. And, don't just give their photo a quick look-see. Study it ! Find out all you can about it. Be a good detective, photographically ! Find out how they captured that special image: What was the level of their tripod ? What was their camera angle to the subject ? How close to the subject were they? What direction did their light source come from ? Was it strong mid-day light ... or "sweet light"? (John Shaw) Was the light on the horizon toned down by the use of a graduated ND filter ? Was the glare removed with a polarizer ? Was fill flash used to lighten the foreground ? And so one. Never thought of those things in an image ? Well, if you're going to become a better photographer, you need to think of those things & a whole lot more besides !!! The fact is: The more you can learn from a great image ... the more you will be able to apply those same principles in the field yourself. And ... as a result ... your images will become much improved as well !

Bottom line: If you're looking for a top magazine ... that will help you to produce better overall images ... or challenge you to remain at your best ... then I believe you'll want to subscribe to Outdoor Photographer today ! It's tops in my book !


Recommended:
Yes

An Essential Magazine for Any Photo Aficionado

The first time I saw Outdoor Photographer was two years ago on the newsstand. I was drawn to the cover photo which was of a waterfall. I am a big fan of waterfalls and I decided to check out the magazine. One of the main articles that caught my eye was a story on a photographer who recently got back from a photo shoot in Venice, Italy. For anyone who knows me, my ultimate dream is to tour Italy (especially Venice). I immediately filled out one of their subscription cards and have been a subscriber since August '98.

What I love most about Outdoor Photographer are their articles. The photo contributors offer great tips and insights on taking great photos from the amateur photographer to professionals. From shooting birds in flight to nighttime photography, the tips are simple and easy to understand. There isn't a lot of technical terminology, simple phrases are also used to help the reader understand what needs to be done. Anyone can benefit from this magazine.

The photos in the magazine are a sight to behold. The colors are sharp, clear, and they almost speak to you. There are also great tips on photo equipment, photo vendors in the area, and the best film to use on certain trips. I read through this magazine religiously and have learned some great things from their writers. There are also some contests that are offered in their magazines, which I have entered. The photo on my member page is one that was submitted to a photo contest.

If photography is just a hobby of yours or something you wish to pursue as a career, check out Outdoor Photographer. There's something here for everyone.


Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Photographs
Accepts Freelance Submissions: Not sure
Recommended For: Hobbyists/Enthusiasts

Focus on Nature


I have subscribed to Outdoor Photographer for a number of years. I get it, as well as a number of other photography magazines. Of all of the photography magazines I have read, I find that Outdoor Photography does the best job in the area of nature photography. The writers of the articles ARE nature photographers - they do it and know all aspects of their craft. When they write articles on how to take photos of certain subjects - such as wildflowers - they give specific and excellent pointers on how to achieve the results for which you are looking. They go into the best cameras and lenses to achieve the results looked for as well as the film most suitable to the particular situation. They frequently give you new insights to taking particular types of photos or new ways of looking at your subjects - giving you a fresh point of view. I have frequently used information gleaned from the articles that has proven quite helpful in taking my own photos. I have especially found their film reviews helpful, not only telling you what the film(s) does, but showing you as well. Their product reviews are effective and to the point. Again, they look at equipment more from the nature photographers point of view. Finally, in each issue they have information on sites you can visit. They highlite what you can photograph, the best time to go to the area and how to get there.


Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
Accepts Freelance Submissions: Yes
Recommended For: Hobbyists/Enthusiasts

No here is something man has done for earth...

What else can I say besides great photo's? Well for starters, the editor in cheif really knows what he is doing! The reporters know how to write their stories so well that it makes you feel that your actually there. The photographs are taken so well that you can almost feel the breeze, and the advertisements are not all that bad. Some of them are actually good ones. The olny thing I hate about this mag is all of the stuffing. You know, all the papers that fall on the ground when you open it up. But that goes with just about all mag's. Anyway, I recomend the you get yourself a copy today, and a subscription tomarrow! FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!


Recommended:
Yes

NOT packed with advertisments!

I have looked at many photography magazines - many of them are just filled with ads....not what an amateur is looking for. I wanted indepth articles, helpful tips and information to help me improve my craft. I found it here. I read every issue cover to cover and back again. I find helpful information in every issue. I highly recommend this magazine - even if you aren't purely an "outdoor" photographer.

My Favorite Photography Magazine

Equipment,technology, technique and clothing: this magazine has it all. Any tip that helps the amateur photographer capture and improve his or her scenic, travel and wildlife images can be found within its monthly pages.

If you like landscapes....

If your thing in photography is outdoors- landscapes, sun sets, dawn, mountains, lakes, wild life, etc., then this is the correct magazine for you. The techncial level is just right for a serious amateur photographer, or even professionals. The articles and the ads are very useful. Price is good; results are excellent.

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