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I was thinking about a thoughtful gift I could get for a female friend of mine for Valentine's Day, and apart from the typical candy+flowers thing (since I'm not in the same area as she is, and I won't be able to make it up to visit her), I was thinking that she would really dig a subscription to a photography magazine. She's currently attending a small private arts university and majoring in photography, and she's already done a bit of paid work.
I was wondering if any of you lens-lovers could recommend a magazine subscription I could get for her that would have a lot of cool stuff in it (compilations of award-winning photos, interviews, and stuff on technique and subject matter etc. etc.) that might impress the person I have described?
Honestly, I do not subscribe to any magazines--and I'm a photographer--because the info in magazines tends to be so old by the time you get it. I get most of that kind of info--industry, tips, tricks, etc.--online from various sites.
What I find more helpful is looking at photographs in ANY magazine, ad, etc. and try and figure out how I'd shoot the same image to get the same effect or to do something differently.
How about getting a gift certificate from B&H or Adorama or even Amazon so they can get something they've been wanting for photography?
I used to subscribe to Outdoor Photographer, but that was years ago and when I'd just bought my first SLR, and it was relatively inexpensive. It still is, so while something like it might be a good (inexpensive) gift, depending on your budget, I would second the idea of a gift card to a photography equipment store she could use. Otherwise, just about any magazine would make for a good gesture. As for magazines themselves, I found National Geographic more inspiring than photography magazines for the purpose.
Or, perhaps a good book on America's backroads or national parks, that could help towards photography?
I used to subscribe to Outdoor Photographer, but that was years ago and when I'd just bought my first SLR, and it was relatively inexpensive. It still is, so while something like it might be a good (inexpensive) gift, depending on your budget, I would second the idea of a gift card to a photography equipment store she could use. Otherwise, just about any magazine would make for a good gesture. As for magazines themselves, I found National Geographic more inspiring than photography magazines for the purpose.
Or, perhaps a good book on America's backroads or national parks, that could help towards photography?
Yes. I bought a few photography magazines when I first really got into it, but I never really got much out of them (except about a thousand advertisements). I learned a lot more looking at my dad's old National Geographics. Also, if you could find a book containing some of the most famous photos from history, that might be a nice gift.
I used to subscribe to Outdoor Photographer, but that was years ago and when I'd just bought my first SLR, and it was relatively inexpensive. It still is, so while something like it might be a good (inexpensive) gift, depending on your budget, I would second the idea of a gift card to a photography equipment store she could use. Otherwise, just about any magazine would make for a good gesture. As for magazines themselves, I found National Geographic more inspiring than photography magazines for the purpose.
Or, perhaps a good book on America's backroads or national parks, that could help towards photography?
Excellent suggestions. Natgeo has awesome photography.
I really like the idea of getting something which points out local areas of interest where it might be good for a photographer to go either for nature/landscape shots or for outdoor portrait spots. Throw in interesting other places like a zoo or a museum and there are lots of places worth shooting at near almost all of us.
Thanks for the responses, all.
I think she does have a few books that she'd like to have, so we'll see what they are. An Amazon gift card is actually a wonderful idea, too.
If she has a Kindle, there are many downloadable eBooks from Digital Photography School as well.
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