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By Brian Formhals
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Issue 6 – Letter from the Editor

Sunday, April 7, 2013 13:51

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(Before It's News)

“…in a world where photographic images are ubiquitous a photography magazine can seem redundant if not irrelevant.” – Jed Perl, The New Republic, February 14th, 2013

What is the purpose of a photography magazine? After I read that quote from Jed Perl in his review of the re-launched Aperture, I knew this was a question I wanted to try to answer for myself. I’ve written four versions of this article, each one in a different tone and with a different conclusion. In one version I was sure that there was no purpose and concluded that I should just shut down LPV and be done with it. That feeling didn’t last long, but it’s always in the back of my mind.

There are numerous photography magazines out there these days. Some old, some new, some analogue, some digital. Photography is as popular as ever, or so the links on Twitter tell me. Aperture, FOAM, The British Journal of Photography and PDN all do an exceptional job of keeping readers current on trends, ideas, technology and innovative new photography. But can they cover everything? I think that’s doubtful given the current state of photography. There’s just too much out there. But that’s why we have blogs, and Tumblr and independent magazines.

Something Francis Hodgson recently wrote struck a chord:

One of the pleasing things about being interested in photographs is that it is really perfectly OK to admit to not knowing even important groups of pictures. In a narrower specialism, say in craft pottery or in modern literary fiction or in contemporary dance, it’s embarrassing to miss first-rate stuff. In photography you can even turn the whole argument around: far from being embarrassing to have missed something, it may be that to live only with those pictures that have good kudos in your particular neck of the photographic woods is to be limited, to lack curiosity and openness.

That’s something to think about. I know I need to discover a more diverse range of photography perspectives, but it can be tough in the daily information stream. Sometimes you get caught up in a current and it becomes difficult to take the time to look around. My hunch is that there’s plenty of interesting things happening beyond my field of vision.

So, where does LPV fit into the equation? I don’t know for sure. I’ve stopped thinking about it and have decided to embrace the uncertainty. The process is continuously inspiring and challenging, so I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. LPV was born out of the connections I made with other photographers on the internet and continues to evolve because of these connections. Creating these connections and then sharing them with others is the most fulfilling aspect of the process. I never really know what’s going to be in an upcoming issue. I’ve allowed serendipity and the connections I’ve created to guide me to the work I want to publish. I look, I ask friends, I think about it. Gravity brings it all together.

Welcome to LPV 6.

You can view the issue in the viewer below or buy individual issues on MagCloud, where you can also download the PDF for free.

Or you can subscribe!

$99 – 2013 Print Subscription

Includes all four print issues, delivered right to your door, just like any other magazine! Plus, you’ll be eligible for our end of the year photobook raffle, where we’ll be giving away three books.

United States, Canada and the UK only!

$7.99 – 2013 Digital Subscription

Do you enjoy the features we’re providing? Is The Digest a must read? Do you depend on our Twitter for good articles? Well, now you can throw us a few dollars to help support our editorial efforts. Yep, this is your chance to say you appreciate what we’re doing….but you can’t afford to fork over the cash for a print subscription. Don’t worry, if you don’t pay, we still like you! We’re in the same boat. We all have to make choices about what we pay for and what we consume for free. Here’s your chance to tell us how much you appreciate our efforts. Plus, you’ll be eligible for the photobook raffle at the end of the year. We think it’s a stellar deal.

$149.99 – 2013 Deep Pockets Subscription

Do you have more disposable income than the average chump photographer? Or maybe you want support independent publishing by throwing us a few extra dollars. Well, with this subscription you’ll get all four print issues, will be eligible for the end of the year photobook raffle, plus you’ll receive a very nice, personalized email from me, publisher Bryan Formhals. And hey, I’ll probably throw you a promotional tweet if we get along, or if you live in NYC, I’ll buy you a beer and talk your ear off about photography.