Perhaps this post should be called Decisions, as that is what I have been thinking about a lot in the last couple of weeks.
Dynamic Range Magazine
This has been the one things I’ve been thinking about for a while really, but a lot more recently. It seemed like such a good idea, a way to support the photography of women, but the reality has been very different. It has actually been like that for anything I’ve tried to do to support women, help women get some equality. I’m starting to think that majority of them don’t really want it, or want it as long as they don’t have to do anything. I don’t really know,perhaps my cynicism is coming out, I just know that anything I’ve tried to do to help that inequality fails.
Now the decision has to be made about the magazine, continue or not. We do have to go on for a short time because of the subscribers, but we have made the decision to stop allowing people to subscribe. Which also means that we will have to go until August issue to see out the subscribers, or refund some money.
Another thing is to stop marketing it as a magazine to promote the photography by women. Perhaps people will be more interested in it if they don’t see that. Perhaps the perception is that the magazine is soft and filly, very pink in a way because it is by and for women. I don’t know, but something has to change. So we are going to change that aspect, and perhaps it won’t be a magazine to promote women’s photography at all, and may become more of a magazine that does a lot of landscapes and architecture, perhaps other sorts as well.
We will give another couple of months, but at this stage it looks like the August Issue next year will be the last, if not sooner.
The Six Seasons of My Backyard
My book is out and selling, well, let’s not go there, at least online. I’m making sales here from my friends which is great. At the moment we are trying to organise the book launch, that seems almost harder than it was to get the book done. Still we are narrowing down dates.
I know a few have said they wanted signed copies, which I am happy to do, but the price of postage to the US is so expensive from here. Not sure why I’m surprised, everything is expensive. If you want a signed copy, then it is going to cost USD$80. That is for a signed copy and postage with tracking. You can email me if you would like to get one.
Otherwise you can order the book from:
createspace
Amazon
If you have any questions let me know.
Website/Blog Changes
Another thing I want to do is get this blog going again with some kind of routine. I feel like it has been flailing a bit, so I would like to start doing some of the posts that I used to do.
I loved the Up for Discussion ones and would like to start doing them again. It was a good way to talk about some things that I think should be discussed. On my old blog I’ve had to delete a lot of things as I was paying for space and the domain, so I needed to get how much storage I had down. I’ve been deleting a lot of posts, so it will give me an opportunity to repost some, or rewrite and update others. I would also be willing to start accepting guest posts again.
I also want to start writing some reviews of gear that I get to try out. I write them for Digital Photography School, and I don’t want to step on their toes, but I also want to start basing myself on this website. I probably won’t review things that I’ve done for dPS, unless it has been sometime since I did them. I’m at a point where I’m being loaned gear to try and experiment with, which is something I love doing. So it will be good to do that.
I am also thinking of bring back the Introductions as well. I had to delete all of them from my old site, so I can start anew and reshow people, that should be fun. Though I might refer to them as features instead.
I reached a milestone yesterday 10 thousand followers. I don’t know what that means, if anything, but apparently it is meant to be good if you get that far. I suppose time will tell if anything great happens because of it.
Photos
I’ve been going back over old photos to see what I can process and it has been great to see some of them. I’m really pleased with some. Today I have some from 2013 and it was from a day in the city photographing the lanes. They are always changing, which is nice.
Please let me know your thoughts.
I wasn’t aware your magazine was to support women photographers. As one, myself, I think that’s a great idea, but it seems I’m late to the game :\ I’d be happy to help from the American side of things, if my physical location can be of use 🙂
Yes, it was, I thought it was a great idea too, but seems I was wrong. We have been international and have had people from all over the world helping out. Thank you.
Hey Leanne .. I saw the 10,000 on Insta. Congratulations ..fab! I would love it if you would bring back the introductions again. Sorry to hear about Dynamic Range ..that must be so disappointing.
Oh yes, so happy about that, time to find out if it will mean anything. Good to know, thank you, and yes it will be sad, but it takes so much work and in the end I could be spending that time on other things.
Leanne, I think that anything ongoing like the production of a magazine is a very big step to take – in that it is ongoing, on and on and on. I have been involved in such things over the years, and have learned that its very easy to get into them, but less easy to continue doing them interminably, when they can evolve into a considerable burden. And, furthermore, if you’re hoping for something financially viable here and that is not happening, then the writing I think is on the wall. Apologies for being downbeat here, but I hope I’m being realistic.
This thing about the underrepresentation of women in photography is true, I see it over and over and wish it were not true but, as if some other spheres, it is fact of life at the moment. And I think that you may be right in thinking that many women support it – as long as they don’t have to do anything to actively about it. This is not some barb aimed at either women in general or this magazine / gender issue in particular, this is I think a facet of human nature that occurs equally across the genders – and I know that I would be just as guilty of it as anyone else (male or female), unless I were faced with a really crunching issue that I felt extremely strongly about. Adrian
I think the writing is definitely on the wall Adrian and I couldn’t agree more with you. I had hoped to earn a living from it, but I am seeing that isn’t going to happen. It is a sad thing really, though I have to day the experience of doing it has been incredible.
It is so good to see that someone else has seen how women are underrepresented as well. It is incredible the amount of apathy, is that the right word, in our society, especially among women, you have to wonder how the hell we got to where we are when so few people are willing to take action. I’ve started wondering if it has something to do with the way women are actually brought up, to believe they are not worthy, or not as good as men. This is something I did feel strongly about, but I’m losing interest in it. I have to admit I’m getting a bit sick of it really. Maybe it is time to start looking after just one woman, me.
Thank you so much Adrian, great comment and I was just nodding my head constantly reading it, good to see someone else who sees what I see.
Lots of thoughts going on there, and it is great to read in the comments what others have mentioned. All of us can do photography if we work hard at it. Maybe dropping the label ‘women’ could be the way to go with Dynamic Range, or perhaps you could make it as a by-line or something. There is still that stigma women do just portrait and frilly photography as you mentioned – the more we draw attention to this, the more other women may speak up. Or maybe not if they are simply content on going about the photography they are doing. I think a lot of us, whether man or women, do photography for and at our own leisure and we rely on more than one source to improve our photography. There has to be a compelling reason for someone to buy or pay for content that is not readily available elsewhere, especially online.
I really like the Up For Discussion posts that you used to do. They covered a broad range of topics that photographers might be all too familiar with day to day or maybe at some point.
Congrats on 10k on IG. It is a big milestone, and I love all your photos on there. A lot of it is a numbers game, in my opinion. Then again, social media is an important marketing tool these days and it can double up as a portfolio too. Best of luck with it 🙂
We have the bit about women as a bi line now Mabel, or we did. That is the biggest problem with anything that I find now, everyone wants everything for free, they don’t care that people spend hours, days or weeks on stuff, that it is good quality, done for a reason, if they have to pay for it, they don’t want it. So many women spoke up when I first suggest, said it was a great idea, and then when it came to the crunch hardly any of them got behind it. It was incredibly disappointing.
Thank you, IG has been fantastic.
I see similarities with the IT industry which I work in. My former employer (and many others) do a lot to encourage women into IT, having schoolchildren into work to get them involved in IT and show what’s available, but I always felt that actually, not many girls were actually interested and those who were interested would probably make it into the industry anyway because of their nature. But it is important to inform people what’s available even if you don’t necessarily see direct results.
Yes I have heard of that about the IT industry. Though getting women to do photography doesn’t seem that much of a problem, it seems more trying to get them to stand up for themselves and say they are here and they won’t be pigeonholed. That is what I would like to see more of. I agree, it is important that people are informed. Thank you.
I’ve always enjoyed your Up for Discussion posts, and also the ones introducing other photographers, so whatever you decide to do I’m happy to carry on following you even if just to see your fantastc images – your blog is much appreciated, Leanne! 🙂
That’s good to hear Ruth, I’m looking forward to doing them again. Thank you so much Ruth. 😀
Great Text 🙂 But the pictures are so alive how do you get to that level?
Thank you, you will if you want, it is all experience, just getting out there and practicing, having fun, if you love it, it will happen.
Leanne, I am sorry to hear that you aren’t getting enough subscribers signing up for your Dynamic Range magazine. It is one of the most beautifully produced online magazines around, and the quality of the photographs and the articles is simply outstanding. It is such a pity to hear that you are considering discontinuing it.
I have been meaning to write about it on my own blog since I bought the first issue, but because I have hardly found time to blog at all in the last year, I haven’t (yet). It would be so nice if your subscribers could at least mention it on their own blogs; perhaps that way you can get more people interested in reading it and even submitting articles to it.
Your initial idea of it promoting women photographers was great, actually; most of the online photographers I’ve encountered have been men – it’s been mainly men reviewing gear, presenting courses, marketing themselves, etc. So the exposure that you’ve given to women photographers has been wonderful and inspirational. I hadn’t thus far considered it as a downside or a limitation. I wonder what other readers of your blog think about these issues.
What a lovely thing to say Reggie, thank you, good to hear from someone that enjoys the magazine. I don’t want to, but it does take a lot of time and in the end the time spent is too much for it not to be making money. I do need to earn a living, unfortunately.
I thought the promotion of women would be fantastic, but it is only good if those women or women get behind it. I did want to help improve how it is for women in the photography industry, but maybe I should just concentrate on doing it myself. I don’t know, I’m at a loss. Can you tell.
I’ve noticed that when it comes to the photography industry there is a view that women only do portraits and weddings, I was trying to show we are capable of so much more.
Thanks Reggie.
Leanne, has the problem with the magazine been one of not having enough subscribers to make it worthwhile, or not finding enough writers (women and/or men) willing to write articles for you, whether on a more or less regular basis, or only once-off?
I think you have so far not gotten advertisers (of photographic gear etc.) on-board, as there aren’t any adverts in your magazine (which I actually love, as I find it annoying when magazines are so full of adverts, advertorials, infomercials, etc. that genuine articles get lost in the noise), but is that something you’re considering? You’ve mentioned in this blog post that you are often loaned gear to try out and review, etc. – would the same companies consider taking out adverts in your magazine?
I just wish there was a way you could keep going with the Dynamic Range – it’s so beautifully put together that it’s a real pity to discontinue it.
Writers aren’t really the problem we haven’t had any problems getting people who want to write.
You can’t really get advertisers until you have a fairly large audience, we didn’t, and advertisers just laughed. They would on my blog I think, but not the magazine, it would be a waste of money for them.
It is a pity, but it seems that very few people want it, and it takes so long to do it. I just feel I need to go in a different direction.
Thank you Reggie.
Leanne, I do not consider myself a motivational speaker and no one have ever referred to me as such. And I do not have any experience in marketing and advertising. But I think you should push your products harder.
Hundreds of people are waiting to buy your book, and magazine but they don’t know about it. You need to step up your marketing game. Don’t be shy to do shameless plugs on your websites. Your followers will understand.
Also, take advantage of free advertising in Local Newspapers, on Radio and TV. Network with other bloggers, etc. Did you know Darren from DPS has a podcast with a broad audience? Matt Granger has a successful YouTube channel and website. Anyone of those two guys can help push your products.
You can also take advantage of low-cost advertising on Twitter and Facebook. There are also several crowd funding website that you can pitch to raise funds for advertising.
Another thing you could try is to solicit the services of a college student who major in marketing and advertising at one of the colleges near you.
Lastly, you have to do a better job at creating buzz for your products. How about giving away a signed copy of your book and magazine on your website? One more thing cut back on the use of words like Magazine, Book’. Use the word products.
Hang in there!
I’ve been pushing them as hard as I can Noel, I started a page for the magazine on Facebook and on Instagram, I speak about it a lot here on this blog and have links on the blog, on the first page of my website. I’ve tried paying for ads on Facebook, nothing, no results. My book is going to be a completely different and I know the audience for it is local. The magazine was something I thought people were interested in and wanted to get behind it, I was wrong I suppose.
I’ve thought of the student thing, and did it, but it didn’t work out, young people aren’t always that reliable, so I’ve found. Actually I tried a couple of students.
The book isn’t the problem Noel, and the magazine isn’t printed, so I can’t do signed copies.
My problem is that I have other projects I want to try, so if people are not interested in the mag, then I have to ask why keep trying to push it. I could be spending my time on things that will be more successful, that is the problem that I am facing.
Thank you so much Noel, I appreciate all your thoughts.
I did find it interesting that your magazine was promoting female photographers as I did not notice any difference compared to Australian Photography. I bought two copies and then decided it was not for me, it felt like the other mag, very landscape emphasis(that was my impression overall).
I take that as compliment that you didn’t notice a difference, that was the point, except for the fact that all articles are written by women and all the photography was by women, that was the aim. The point of the magazine was to show that women do far more than portraits and weddings. Many magazines when you look closely it is rare to see a woman who has written something that doesn’t involve some sort of portraits.
I am surprised at your summary of the magazine as well. We have covered, yes landscapes, but also macro, architecture, long exposure photography, birds, wildlife, underwater photography, the zoo, tutorials, conservation, myths about photography. Fair enough the second issue was mainly landscapes, but when we get offers from people to write for us, who are willing to do it for free, then sometimes we have to take what we can. We do try to offer as many different subjects as we can. I think maybe you gave up on it too soon, though feedback has been a massive problem as well.
I love your Up for Discussion and Introduction posts Leanne and would look forward to reading reviews too.
Good luck with all your decisions x
That’s great to hear Robyn, planning one soon. Thank you.
It would be sad to let go of the women’s photography magazine. Not sure about your guess of women’s ambitions, I always thought we women getting together and sharing ideas and experiences might make us stronger holding against the still a bit too male dominating photography market. Have you ever thought about offering webinars for women photography? I am not sure, just trying to think of other possibilities you could explore. I loved writing for your magazine and sharing my images from India. http://www.corneliaweber-photography sending you greetings and strenghts.
It would be Cornelia, but there is only so long you can go if people don’t get behind, unfortunately. I think the same, couldn’t agree more. I don’t know what the answer is either, I have plans for some other things, so I have to make a decision. Thanks Cornelia, glad you enjoyed the experience.
My two cents that popped into my mind regarding the magazine’s “mission statement”: instead of it being aimed at empowering women, have it aimed at empowering the feminine. Although that might be just as problematic. But, and I guess i’m speaking from the perspective of a man, those who see themselves as falling into the category of men can feel they have something to contribute, something to glean and have illuminated, which might not be perceived with the current mission statement. Feminine and Masculine are not synonymous with Woman and Man (although culturally we tend to equate the two), so engaging ‘what is feminine? how am I feminine and not feminine? what value does it bring the individual? the community?. I guess this in part derives from my own personal view that while the empowerment of women is fundamentally derived through and by the actions of women, it is also a consequent of men internalizing and embracing this facet of the paradigm rather than just tolerating and begrudgingly accepting such empowerment. [One way to look at creating an environment that facilitates rather than suppresses the effort to empower.] I’ve rattled on a bit more than I had intended, but I’ve been focused a bit on the nature and dynamics of social inclusion / exclusion, as well as the related actions of socially and politically legitimizing and delegitimizing the Other.
I’m not quite sure what you mean, sorry. The problem for me about the feminine is that it then goes to the stereotypes of women and what they are capable of, or perceived to be capable of. We have been trying to show that women do photograph a lot more than portraits and weddings.
It sounds like you have a lot going on and I think trying something and making changes if it’s not working is much better than not trying. I’m all the way in Canada but would be interested in guest blogging if you get that going. Good luck with your decisions! Debbie
I do, I think Debbie, yes, some changes definitely need to be made. I don’t care where anyone is really, we are an international market. If you have an idea for something, email me, leanne@leannecole.com.au
Thanks Debbie.