Photoshop Insider

My Six Favorite Magazines (They Make Great Last Minute Holiday Gifts)

By Scott on Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 9:53 am | updates.

Before I get to my list, first I have to tell you; I am just so thrilled at the response to our launch yesterday of our subscription-based online training. The first-day’s sign-ups were beyond what any of us had even hoped for, and we’re so excited to have you all on board. It’s going to be an amazing year ahead (with lots more surprises right around the corner). Thanks to everyone who came onboard, posted comments, and showed their support. It means a lot.

Now, if you’re looking for some last-minute Holiday gifts, here’s a list of my six favorite print magazines, and you can give gift subscriptions to any of these online at their Web site (I’ll include the links for each one). Here we go (not listed in any particular order):

> Outdoor Photographer
I can’t wait to see this one in my mailbox each month, and I particularly look forward to the monthly columns from people like George Lepp, Bob Krist, Bill Hatcher, William Neill, and Frans Lanting. Great stuff for the nature, landscape, and outdoor photographer on your list. Also, lots of great info on gear for outdoor photographers and they always end each issue with a photo that makes you smile. Here’s the link.

> PDN (Photo District News)
This is for the pro photographer on your list, but anyone will enjoy the wonderful images and article on industry pros. It has a heavy lean toward advertising and commercial photography, but here’s the thing; it’s amazing photography, the magazine is very well written, beautifully laid out, and is just slick from top to bottom (with a beautiful print job as well). Here’s the link to subscribe.

> Digital Photo Pro
The newest magazine of the bunch, but it rocks. A great layout, and lots of digital photography focused content (including Photoshop and Lightroom feature stories and tutorials), make this one of my absolute favorites. Good info on gear, on printing, and I really enjoy the Misinformation column on the back page. Lots of great photography and a layout that works beautifully to show it at large sizes that really make it hard to put down. Here’s the link to subscribe.

> HOW magazine
This one is for the graphic designer/art director on your holiday list, and nobody covers this market like HOW. As you might expect, the layout is just beautiful, but not the least bit “over the top.” It’s elegant, very readable and engaging. Lots of design-business articles, and one of my favorite columns has always been their “Workspace” column, which shows the interior of some of the coolest ad agencies, design shops, and creative companies in the world. Very inspiring. Also, lots of cool stuff on Type, which I dearly love. Here’s the link to subscribe.

> Shutterbug
In the last few years, I feel that Shutterbug has really moved to the next level, and it’s one of my favorite to sit down and read as soon as it arrives, because they focus on a lot of new gear, and I just love that. Of course there’s lots of great photography and feature articles, but when it comes to gear, this one has no peer (hey, that rhymes). A great pick for the photographer on your list. Here’s the link to subscribe.

> Popular Photography
The grand-daddy of all photography magazines still shows how it got to be that, with great articles, great photography, and perhaps most of all; really great in-depth product reviews. They also have a very nice online site as well. Great writing, a touch of Photoshop training, and lots of info on gear make it one of my favorites. Here’s the link to subscribe.

There you have it; my six picks for my favorite magazines. Now, I’m sure you probably noticed that I excluded the two magazines I publish (Photoshop User and Layers Magazine), because I’m kinda (very) biased about those two, and I figured those were implied.

Have a great weekend everybody. I’m going to take Monday (Christmas Eve) and Christmas Day off to spend with my family, so it’ll be “No Blog Monday and Tuesday.” I wish you all a wonderful joy-filled Christmas, and I hope Santa brings each of you a D3 or a Mark III (hey, that rhymes, too!).

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Comment form for this post

^#1

Thanks for another great year. Best wishes to you and your family.

Alan Morris on December 21st, 2007 at 10:13 am

^#2

Thanks for the last minute suggestions on the magazines.I just forwarded them to my husband…hint, hint! One of the highlights of my year was meeting you at DLWS CC AND Lightroom Tampa. I have learned so much this year from your suggestions and being a member of NAPP. I can’t wait where 2008 will take me…..thank you, thank you, thank you.

Happy Christmas!
Laurel

Laurel on December 21st, 2007 at 10:40 am

^#3

Merry Christmas to you, your family and all the people at NAPP.

If you need some snow down there in Tampa, would be glad to ship a few tons down for you to enjoy a “real” New England Christmas feel

Peter on December 21st, 2007 at 10:59 am

^#4

i signed up for a couple, you made subscribing even easier. thanks.

keith on December 21st, 2007 at 11:00 am

^#5

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and continued good luck in the new year! You’re my hero Scott, thanks alot! (another rhyme for you)

Robert Knight on December 21st, 2007 at 11:08 am

^#6

Scott, Merry Christmas to you, your family and all the people at NAPP.

You guys rock. After going to PSWorld in Vegas, I am hooked. Plus, I won the largest door prize - Dell Laptop. NAPP is the best !!

Ron @ www.sharringmylight.com

Ron on December 21st, 2007 at 11:13 am

^#7

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!

Thomas Thiger on December 21st, 2007 at 1:08 pm

^#8

Thanks for the list - I’ve always wondered what magazines you read in your “spare time”

Wishing you and your family a VERY Merry Christmas.

Stacie C Morris on December 21st, 2007 at 1:53 pm

^#9

Hey Scott,

Best wishes all the way from Brazil.
Love you site.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Feliz Natal e um Próspero Ano Novo

Regards,
Luiz Lobão
www.lobao.com

Lobão on December 21st, 2007 at 2:15 pm

^#10

Scott,

I wondered if you ever found any spare time.

Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your time with the family.

Thanks to you and your team for extending my skills and vision with all your fantastic tutorials, books, videos and blog tips. I know I’m so much better as a photographer and photoshopper than at the start of the year.

Merry Christmas from the UK.

Scott Wiggins

Scott Wiggins on December 21st, 2007 at 3:03 pm

^#11

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy, safe, and prosperous New Year to you Scott, your family, and all the fine folks at NAPP…and every one reading this….and everyone everywhere!

Michael S. on December 21st, 2007 at 5:44 pm

^#12

Scott,

Thanks for sharing with us. I’m glad to know that you have something to keep you busy in your “copious” free time. I wish you, your family, and everyone at NAPP a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stephen

Stephen J. Zeller on December 21st, 2007 at 11:03 pm

^#13

Hey Scott,

This is an off topic question.

I’m looking to get a Mac laptop. I do a lot of photography & graphic arts for clients. I’m looking at the Mac Book Pro 17in. $$$$$!

What do you use & recommend?

-Michael

Michael on December 22nd, 2007 at 2:36 pm

^#14

I just ordered the “Scott Kelby’s 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3″ as a Christmas present for myself not just because of the knowledge/techniques I will learn from you, but the darn humors that keep me chuckle every time I go back and read a chapter, any chapter - or book from yours. Thanks Scott, God bless and keep it up for all of us.

Sam

Sam on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm

^#15

Hi Scott:
I need to merge/combine/blend in two jpeg files.

One of the jpg files is a nature scene and the other jpg is me with my motorcyle.

I need to know which software application to use and the STEPS to follow?

I bought one of your books (Digital Photography) and I like it…
Thanks,
Felix

Felix Rivero on December 23rd, 2007 at 2:04 pm

^#16

I cannot resist commenting on the mags. Having subscribed to many of these over the years, I believe that Pop Photo is the great grand-daddy with the most INTEGRITY of the bunch. Their reviews are actually reviews of tests they’ve conducted, with lens bench tests, etc. etc. They actually report the shortcomings of the products they test! Also, Herb Keppler has been writing inspired columns for Pop Photo since before anyone heard or thought of a pixel - probably longer than most readers of this blog have been alive! I have written letters to the editor there, and received a personal response from Mr. Keppler!!! I nominate him for patron saint of photography equipment! The mag has crusaded against disreputable camera dealers for decades.
By contrast, Digital Photo Pro and Outdoor Photography’s editor has never seen an advertiser’s product he doesn’t like. Both mags, especially Outdoor Photo have wonderful articles by he best in the field.

Happy reading!

Paul Barcewicz on December 23rd, 2007 at 5:48 pm

^#17

Dear Scott:
Many thanks for all your efforts in 2007, without you and the crew Photoshop would not be as great a success as it is today. Thanks for making Photoshop, an enjoyable and exciting tool for both pro’s and non pro’s alike. Thanks for all your great how to books, and thanks to Cory, Matt, Dave, and RC for your great tips and tricks. Cool Stuff
Warm wishes
and a Merry Christmas
Greg

Greg on December 24th, 2007 at 2:44 pm

^#18

Hey Scott!

Thank so much for all your hard work this year in making my learning experience of Photoshop as fun as it should be! I always find your shows to be very amusing as well as informative - they are the highlight of my week, so I tune in to EVERY episode without fail!

I’ve just bought myself a Wacom Bamboo tablet and I have to say that even though this is a low-end tablet, it seems to work very well for me in Photoshop and Illustrator. I really want to invest in a Wacom Intruos tablet down the road though, but for now at least, I HAVE a tablet!

Anyway like I said I really appreciate all the craziness that you, Matt and Dave put me through each week so I can improve my skills. I also pass on what I know to others and tell them about you and your show - you inspire me big time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Paul Guy

Paul Guy on December 24th, 2007 at 4:11 pm

^#19

Merry Christmas to you Scott and I wish you a fantastic 2008.

Thank you for all the wonderful tips and tricks, insights and inspiration you have given me throughout 2007.

Carl Pullein on December 24th, 2007 at 10:52 pm

^#20

Does Outdoor Photographer’s magazine have a lot of stuff that their site doesn’t? I find pretty much everything to end up in their site so I don’t have to spend on it.

That HOW magazine looks pretty awesome though.

My favorite is Practical Photography (UK). Very cool and creative articles on how to do stuff. I love how they present and explain things. They’ve got a really nice critique section too. And then I really like their feature articles and their gear reviews are not super comprehensive but just enough.

One of the few magazines I spend reading literally cover to cover (except there’s a section in the end containing all Jessops and other UK store ads and listings).

I’d love to read those other magazines you mentioned. Thanks for sharing!

Diego Jose on December 25th, 2007 at 2:29 pm

^#21

One photo magazine that I’ve found to be extremely helpful is PC Photo (my personal preference over Popular Photography).

BTW, I’m almost through the “7 Point System” book. It has to be one of the BEST - it’s provided a better understanding of how powerful the Camera RAW plug-in really is.

Big C on December 26th, 2007 at 9:21 am