Posted by Todd Caudle on February 11, 2009 at 2:14 PM
For those of you who subscribe to Outdoor Photographer magazine, take a look at the article on page 64 titled "Southwestern Safaris." Have you ever seen more grotesquely over-sharpened photos in a major photo mag? Is it just me, or do others see it, too? Makes me dizzy just looking at them!
Posted by Bret Edge on February 11, 2009 at 3:09 PM
I got my OP last night but haven't thumbed through it yet. Will check it out tonight.
Just cracked it open - yeah, they're way overdone, esp. the neon snake and flowers. Yuck!
Posted by Don Grall on February 11, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I'll have to hunt one down on the magazine rack. I stopped subscribing about 5 years ago.
Posted by bill meikle on February 11, 2009 at 6:52 PM
The whitetail has a nice halo.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 11, 2009 at 7:27 PM
I was browsing through Borders a few days ago when I happened on a Colorado photo book with the same problem. It looked like the offset was OK, so the only cause I could imagine would be oversharpening. That would really be an expensive whoops.
I haven't subscribed to OP for a few years either. Might take a look next time I'm at the newsstand.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 11, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Mel, I know what book you're talking about. Yuck!
Posted by Don George on February 11, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I saw the same thing yesterday at the coffee shop and agree. While on the subject I don't believe I've seen so many poor quality photography books published as lately.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 11, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Just got my issue and Todd is right. These photos are not OP quality. Is this a printing problem or the photographers fault?
Posted by Nick Moore on February 12, 2009 at 9:12 AM
I too agree, these are definitely over-cooked, the snake image on the final page is glowing too!.
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on February 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM
perhaps we should send a collective letter to the editor!
Actually, what chapped my hide about the latest OP is that it's the fourth issue in a year to tell you how to shoot like Ansel Adams.
What's next? "Take a Dump Like Ansel Adams!" "Wash Your Socks Like Ansel Adams!" Enough, already. Move on...there are other photographers worthy of technique emulation besides AA.
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 12, 2009 at 12:40 PM
I've seen so many poor quality photography books published as lately.
Hey Don, don't get me started here, I agree with you 100%.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I just saw this post--ive already voiced my opinions on OP in the "hot topics" forum here. I think its a vast conspiracy to destroy good photography
Posted by Bill Brennan on February 12, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Let's all write to editor to let them know our feelings.
Bill Brennan
Posted by Bill Bean on February 13, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Clearly, OP has moved from the Galen Rowell Memorial period to the Ansel Adams Memorial period. I'm looking for a good reason to renew and having difficulty finding one. Any suggestions on other mags out there that place a digital emphasis on Nature photography?
Posted by Chris Rice on February 15, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Perhaps they need a lesson by the folks at Lenswork....
Posted by Ed Fuhr on February 18, 2009 at 10:56 PM
I used to really look forward to this magazine's arrival but I, too, have had it. There is so much repetition, story lines, who they feature, even their covers. This may be a magazine that has just lost its way and can't compete with what the internet provides.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 19, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Even back in the days before the internet, I found all the "popular" photography magazines to be rather repetitive. After about a year or two subscription, everything gets recycled. Today, with the internet, any new technology articles are pretty much ancient history by the time they get published.
Chirs, I agree. Lenswork is the only photomagazine that I subscribe to. I love the photo essay format. Great print quality. Wonderful photography. I really hope they have a strong enough base to survive the economic downturn.
Discussion
18 repliesI haven't subscribed to OP for a few years either. Might take a look next time I'm at the newsstand.
What's next? "Take a Dump Like Ansel Adams!" "Wash Your Socks Like Ansel Adams!" Enough, already. Move on...there are other photographers worthy of technique emulation besides AA.
Hey Don, don't get me started here, I agree with you 100%.
Bill Brennan
Chirs, I agree. Lenswork is the only photomagazine that I subscribe to. I love the photo essay format. Great print quality. Wonderful photography. I really hope they have a strong enough base to survive the economic downturn.