Shutterbug

To begin, the magazine sells for $3.99 at the newsstand, but a 1-year subscription (12 issues) is only $17.95. When you open it up, you may notice that the back 1/3 is printed on newsprint paper, much like Computer shopper. This likely saves costs for the publisher and weight and thickness for the consumer. The back 1/2 of the magazine is full of advertisements. The key is that only a select few advertisers are reputable enough that you should think about giving them your time and money. So, it could be stated that the majority of these ads are from less reputable companies and should be ignored.

The front half of the magazine is mixed with solid articles and more ads. This past month (June) some of the main articles dealt with practical issues such as "How to take good photos in bad weather", "10 tips to help protect your photo equipment during air travel", and "Quick tips for spectacular sunsets". These are just a few. There are usually 2-3 test reports of new equipment, (lenses, camera bodies, scanners, printers), as well as "First Looks" at new and innovative products.

When compared to other photo magazines, Shutterbug's lean towards advertisements becomes more apparent. This is not to say the there is less useful information, just more ads, meaning more magazine, and more cost. In addition, the paper that is used for the pages of Shutterbug doesn't always do the photos their due justice as that of Outdoor Photographer for example.

All in all, I feel this magazine is a good one to pick up every few months, as prices for equipment change and you may want to peruse the pages to keep adding to your wish list. If the above is true, and you decide to pick up an issue every few months, then a subscription shouldn't be out of the question, as 4 copies a year plus tax would pay for a years subscription. I suggest you stop by your newsstand and flip through a copy. If it looks pleasing to you, then take it home (pay for it first).

I have gone back to several older copies and found that if I look closely, there really is some good information for every level of photography enthusiast. It is just often tucked between the sometimes cumbersome advertisements.

Thanks for your time...


One of the Best.   February 6, 2003
mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

I have subscribed to Shutterbug for a couple of years and previously purchased it on the newsstand from time-to-time. It is my favorite photography magazine at this point. Shutterbug is a general photography magazine in that it will cover just about any subject relating to photography. I believe their intended readership is intermediate level to professional photographers. I like Shutterbug so much because it exhibits the most variety in it's coverage of photographic technique. For one thing, it has not become dominated by digital imaging like so many photo magazines have. That is not to say that Shutterbug's editors steer clear of digital -not at all. Shutterbug's March issue is dedicated to digital. There are frequent articles on scanning and Photoshop techniques. And David Brooks' monthly Digital Help column is the most useful question and answer forum on the digital darkroom that I have ever encountered. If you are having Photoshop/printer/scanner/pc problems, he is the person to ask. But Shutterbug also covers film extensively... and not just 35 mm film photography. There are articles on everything from subminiature to super-large format. Traditional wet darkroom how-to's are also featured. One of the things that separates Shutterbug from other popular photography magazines is that it does cover so many types of photography and equipment beyond 35 mm. And it always has articles on studio photography, with a particular emphasis on portraits. For the professional, there is a Business Trends monthly column dedicated to marketing and managing tips.

If you are looking for product reviews and tests, Popular Photography has the best lens tests, but is limited to 35 mm. Shutterbug has the most and the best reviews of scanners and printers. And it sometimes reviews large or medium format cameras and lenses.

For those who like black-and-white photography, Shutterbug dedicates their February issue to black-and-white. It features articles on large format fine arts photographers, digital and traditional output, and more. It's always my favorite issue of the year. And there is plenty of information on black-and-white films, papers and digital technique in other issues throughout the year.

All reasonably priced photography magazines have a lot of ads. Photography magazines that don't have ads cost $30-$40 per year for 6 issues. Those with ads cost $10-$20 per year for 10-12 issues. The ads pay for the editorial content. Shutterbug has a lot of ads. Most are in the back of the magazine and can easily be avoided. And Shutterbug's ads are unique in one respect: There are many ads for used, vintage, and collectible equipment. So if that's what you're looking for, Shutterbug is your magazine.

As of February 2003, Shutterbug is being published in standard 8"x11" format and with better quality paper. So saving your favorite issues is no longer a problem. Their previous "tabloid" format fit on no bookshelf and into no briefcase.


99% Commercial Magazine   August 19, 2003
21 out of 25 found this review helpful

I don't want to talk a lot about this magazine because the reason is so simple THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS MAGAZINE except ads and ads and ads from the very first page till the last one !"you will find few pages of ads even before the index "
it might have 7 or 9 good pages in each issue but so what ? you can find such info anywhere !!
...
lets say an honest word about it
if you are one of those who likes to sell and buy cameras it might be good for you , but if you are interested in real art photography think of something else


Shutterbug Magazine Review   August 21, 2002
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

Shutterbug magazine is a great magazine for people intersted in purchasing camera equipment due to the large amount of advertisements included in the magazine. Also the magazine includes reviews and previews of new camera equipment. The one problem with the magazine is that it gives very little photographic advice. So if your interested in purchasing new equipment and reading reviews and previews for new equipment, shutterbug magazine is for you. Because not only does shutterbug tell you about whats new and what to buy in camera equipment, it has around 30 different camera stores advertising cameras with two of the stores each with around 20 page ads.If your not interested in purchasing new equipment, and your just interested in photography advice, stay away from shutterbug.


Junk   February 22, 2004
B. America (East Stroudsburg, PA USA)
18 out of 31 found this review helpful

I am cross posting this most of these photo magazines are published by the same company under a different name. I have read them ALL!

First, 77%+ of this magazine is advertisements. That leaves under 25% of material. The material that does remain is bare minimum informational and tends to just show "pretty photos". Coverage on camera gear appears skewed since EVERYTHING is GREAT. This leads me to believe advertisers sway them.

In short, this is an advertising pamphlet with a cover price. If you need information, typing "photography" in any search engine will give you more information in 30 seconds then a 10 year subscription.

I wrote the main company about the 77% issue and they stated that they are aware of the amount of advertisement and quoted a percentage higher then I stated. That this was necessary to continue producing a magazine of this quality.

Quality? OK, if this is quality then I don't know what to say other then the semi professional magazines are free of charge from the publishers, contain actual subjective information, and are produced on high quality paper with fewer than 30% advertising.