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Popular Photography

John_SD
Whiz

I'm sure that many of you already know this, but Popular Photography magazine has folded after 80 years, and its web presence will also soon cease to exist, according to what I've read. It seems that its March/April issue will be its last. 

 

Management's letter to employees reads, in part:

 

"The rise of smartphone-camera technology and its increasing ability to capture quality photos and video and instantly share them socially has dealt the photo industry formidable challenges. For our brands, these industry challenges have left us with insurmountable losses in advertising and audience support. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our committed colleagues at Popular Photography and American Photo, as well as our best attempts corporately to find a sustainable path forward, we are simply unable to overcome these market forces."

 

The statement makes perfect sense to me. I personally believe that DSLR photography, for many, is just too much. From what I've seen on various fourms, the newer users, in many cases, don't seem to have the ability to focus on anything long enough to develop technique and skill, and seem disinclined to do any kind of serious self-study that would help build understanding, skill and technique. Because so many rely on smartphones for snapshots, there just isn't the kind of audience these publications require to attract subscribers and advertisers. My opinion only, of course. 

 

https://petapixel.com/2017/03/07/popular-photography-dead-80-years-top-photo-magazine/

 

 

 

 

29 REPLIES 29


@RobertTheFat wrote:

@Tronhard wrote:

@John_SD wrote:

@Tronhard wrote:

Since I left school almost 50 years ago I have changed my career eight times - not just tweeks, but major changes that required me to retool my skills.  I did so in reaction to market forces I observed and opportunities offered by changes in location and technology.  The one thing I have learned is that nothing stands still, especially these days as knowledge and technology change our world.  There is no point in "railing against the machine", we have to change our thinking and adapt too. 

.


Understood, but I still miss Popular Photography. I wish it would have transitioned to a web-only publication rather than disappearing altogether. 


I wondered about that too.  I would have throught that a site on Popular Photography would just expend its activities to focus (excuse pun) on the ever-expanding market of cell phone photography as well as conventional cameras.  Not only that but the evidence shows that film is making a significant resurgence.  So, to me there is no lack of material, nor a lack of market.  I wonder if is the format that is scaring sponsors away.  If DPREVIEW can prosper, why can't PF?


"The evidence shows that film is making a significant resurgence"?? Where and what is that evidence?


Hi Bob:Smiley Very Happy

 

OK since you ask I am providing SOME of the links I have come across on this subject.  There are several other announcements of new film made recently on DPReview.com, and a cursory search found this link of links, showing quite a bit of activity in the market, particularly in 2017.

https://www.dpreview.com/tag/film

 

Logic tells me that if a company's marketing department is doing its job, they will not be encouraging the re-establishement of product lines for which there is no market.  Several manufacturers have made that decision, not least Kodak.

 

Anyway I shall let the links speak for themselves.

 

First Media Outlets

http://time.com/4649188/film-photography-industry-comeback/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-25/film-is-not-dead-film-photography-resurgence-brisbane/8210526

https://www.dpreview.com/news/9503675822/analog-revival-increase-in-film-sales-spurs-kodak-to-bring-...

Manufacturers making film again
http://resourcemagonline.com/2017/02/adox-is-building-a-new-factory-is-this-the-resurgence-of-film-p...
http://www.adox.de/Photo/adox-films-2/

 

Manufacturers' Websites etc.

Kodak:
https://www.dpreview.com/news/9503675822/analog-revival-increase-in-film-sales-spurs-kodak-to-bring-...
http://time.com/4649349/kodak-film-photography/

Kodak Alaris:

Formed in 2013 to market professional film among other products
http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/professional-photographers/photographers
From the Kodak Alaris announcement:
“Sales of professional photographic films have been steadily rising over the last few years, with professionals and enthusiasts rediscovering the artistic control offered by manual processes and the creative satisfaction of a physical end product. The reintroduction of one of the most iconic films is supported by the growing popularity of analog photography and a resurgence in shooting film. Resurgence in the popularity of analog photography has created demand for new and old film products alike.”


https://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-industry-news/kodak-ilford-film-production-news.html

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/black-white-film

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/ulf-2017/
https://petapixel.com/2015/02/04/30-film-shooters-younger-35-says-ilford/


cheers, TREVOR

"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris

I have nothing to prove this but film is such a tiny part of the photographic market as to not even factor into the business scale.  My local camera store still has a decent film section.  Everything, paper, chems, gear, etc all of it.  But the market is tiny compared to digital.  I will be surprised if film ever has a significant impact ever again.  I sure will be bummed out, too.  I got rid of a complete, I mean complete, darkroom.

 

They say vinyl is making a come back too but it will never be a significant part of the music industry either.  IMHO, as always.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!


@ebiggs1 wrote:

I have nothing to prove this but film is such a tiny part of the photographic market as to not even factor into the business scale.  My local camera store still has a decent film section.  Everything, paper, chems, gear, etc all of it.  But the market is tiny compared to digital.  I will be surprised if film ever has a significant impact ever again.  I sure will be bummed out, too.  I got rid of a complete, I mean complete, darkroom.

 

They say vinyl is making a come back too but it will never be a significant part of the music industry either.  IMHO, as always.


I agree that compared to the total photographic marketplace the resurgence of analogue or film photography is not significant, that was never the question, nor was it implied in the articles I quoted. What IS significant is that within its own market space film has demonstrably reversed a trend of shrinkage and retrenchment and moved into a modest growth cycle.  That absolutely IS significant, especially to those who love shooting with film.  There is room in the world for both.

 

It is interesting to see that the main drivers for this are identified as under-30's and professionals who want the different look rendered by film.  The very nature that each shot costs money to take implies an imperative to take more care in capturing an image than we may do in the world of free and relatively unlimited digital captures. 

 

I grew up in the film era, and when I was doing my work in the business I was often working in isolated areas where I had no access to film stock or processing. When I decided to shoot a location I had to consider how many images I could afford to use, and in limiting that number I had to compose and meter with great care.  I still have that habit today, and when I shoot with digital I find that I use a lot less frames than many of my digitally native associated.

 

I still have some of my film cameras but they are keepsakes, and I am not planning to return to shooting film, but I am glad that film still exists and hope it will prosper for those who enjoy the medium.


cheers, TREVOR

"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris

We shall see.

 

I still have all my film cameras.  I still use them upon occasion.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

There have been two new releases of film:

 

Japan Camera
https://www.dpreview.com/news/0098511810/japan-camera-hunter-streetpan-120-black-white-film-is-now-a...

and Zorki Photo
https://www.dpreview.com/news/7672181287/zorki-photo-launches-its-first-film-zorki-photo-mono-100-is...

have both got into the film supply market

 

Either they are economically suicidal or their marketing people have faith in the film market expanding, despite your misgivings! Man Wink

 

Maybe it's my misinterpretation but you seem very down on this.  Personally if film makes a comeback and it engages more photographers I am very happy for them and the industry in general.

 

 


@ebiggs1 wrote:

We shall see.

 

I still have all my film cameras.  I still use them upon occasion.


 


cheers, TREVOR

"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris

ebiggs1 wrote:

We shall see.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!


@Tronhard wrote:

Personally if film makes a comeback and it engages more photographers I am very happy for them and the industry in general.  

 


I agree, but I don't see film making any real headway in the marketplace. Yes, there may be a niche market for it, just as there is a niche market for vinyl records. But despite some growth in that area, I don't see vinyl posing any real threat to downloads or streaming. 

 

Personally, I believe that smartphones have been the biggest block to DSLR cameras. For every guy I see with a Canon or N*kon, I see about a thousand snapping away with their iPhones. My perceptions only, of course. 


@John_SD wrote:

@Tronhard wrote:

Personally if film makes a comeback and it engages more photographers I am very happy for them and the industry in general.  

 


I agree, but I don't see film making any real headway in the marketplace. Yes, there may be a niche market for it, just as there is a niche market for vinyl records. But despite some growth in that area, I don't see vinyl posing any real threat to downloads or streaming. 

 

Personally, I believe that smartphones have been the biggest block to DSLR cameras. For every guy I see with a Canon or N*kon, I see about a thousand snapping away with their iPhones. My perceptions only, of course. 



@John_SD wrote:

@Tronhard wrote:

Personally if film makes a comeback and it engages more photographers I am very happy for them and the industry in general.  

 


I agree, but I don't see film making any real headway in the marketplace. Yes, there may be a niche market for it, just as there is a niche market for vinyl records. But despite some growth in that area, I don't see vinyl posing any real threat to downloads or streaming. 

 

Personally, I believe that smartphones have been the biggest block to DSLR cameras. For every guy I see with a Canon or N*kon, I see about a thousand snapping away with their iPhones. My perceptions only, of course. 


For me it was never about film making a comeback at the expense of digital - absolutely I would NEVER expect it to threaten the digital dominance of the market. Why anyone would think it will threaten digital is beyone me... 

 

I think we all see how smartphones are eating away at the lower end point and shoot sector, but I have hopes I can still use my trusty DSLRs and maybe MILCs until they put me in a box.Smiley Very Happy

 

I too see film as a niche market, I am pleased to see it come back from the brink of extinction, and I don't feel threatend by it..  As I tried to express earlier the improvement is about the halt in the decline of users and materials to a modest improvement in both..  I don't see it as a competitive thing to digital, more a complimentary engagement for those who want the outcomes unique to the medium.

 

TO consider a parallel universe: it's like those who like riding horses, a wonderful thing to do in many respects, but it does not replace the motor vehicle.  What is going to displace the internal combustion engine is alternative tech - in particulal electric cars as the technology becomes cheaper and more efficient. 

 


cheers, TREVOR

"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris

The film camera has gone the way of the steam locomotive. Yes, there are still a few of them around, but they're a curiosity, not a significant plsyer. Any talk of film making a serious "comeback" is silly.

Bob
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA


@RobertTheFat wrote:

The film camera has gone the way of the steam locomotive. Yes, there are still a few of them around, but they're a curiosity, not a significant plsyer. Any talk of film making a serious "comeback" is silly.


I think you are using a definition of  "serious compback" in a different context to me, despite my efforts to eplain myself.  I have clearly defined my parameters and I hope I have made it clear that I am talking about the reversal of a negative (excuse the pun) trend in both the use and supply of materials for those enthusiasts.  So I am not going to own the label silly, nor would those companies who are putting a lot of money and commitment into producing film products and services. I was asked to give evidence for what I have said and I clearly done so, and nothing so far has been presented to contradict those sources.

cheers, TREVOR

"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris
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