British Journal of Photography Relaunches

Speaking of new looks...as part of a complete graphic and editorial makeover, the British Journal of Photography—the oldest continuously published photography magazine in the world—says it is "returning" to a monthly format. I love that "returning"—the last time it was a monthly was in 1857!

It's been a weekly for quite some time now—since Victoria was Queen of England and the American Civil War was still being fought.

An article from around the time the BJP went weekly was auctioned at railsplitter.com last October, with a pre-auction estimate of $60–$80. Railsplitter's interest is Lincolniana—the issue recounts that "A New York photographer has published a portrait of President Lincoln, which is likely to prove acceptable to all parties. At first glance it appears to be a photograph of 'Old Abe,' taken when he had the smallpox a few months ago; but on a closer examination the seeming pustules are found to be minute photographic likeness of the distinguished generals, statesmen, politicians, literary and scientific men, actors...The likenesses, which are scattered all over the physiognomy of the President, number upwards of 400...and are so exceedingly well executed as to be at once recognized...yet, taken together, they constitute as ugly a picture of 'Old Abe' as any of the others that have been published."

A change in publishing frequency is generally enough to be considered a "relaunch" in magazine publishing terms, and a relaunch is a fraught period for a publication—the old business models cease to adhere and the new ones are not yet tested and established. Unfortunately, an annual subscription works out to upwards of $300 in the States, so not many American photographers are likely to see the new old publication. But we wish those at the BJP much success.

Mike
(Thanks to Oren)

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Featured Comment by Simon Bainbridge, Editor, British Journal of Photography: "Hi, surface mail to the U.S. is £118 (around $180), but we are negotiating with U.S. distributors such as Borders and Barnes & Noble. Thanks for your interest."

Comments

[Simon Bainbridge]

Hi,

Surface mail to the US is £118 (around ¢180), but we are negotiating with US distributors such as Borders and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks for your interest,

Simon Bainbridge,
Editor,
British Journal of Photography

[Bill OBrien]

BJP needs to look into electronic format, like team up with APPLE, you could get a free iPad with the mail savings.

I just do not understand why magazine publishers are not branching out into the digital world, guess the old Mission statement still requires paper.

[Ken Tanaka]

Huh. First I've heard of this. I've been a BJP subscriber for quite a few years and have mostly enjoyed the magazine. Frankly found it a bit more informative than our own PDN (which I decided to drop this year).

Weekly did often seem a bit too frequent for photo news (especially from Britain). But I guess I'll have to approach the "new" BJP as a whole new publication. I hope it's successful.

[Joe]

"but we are negotiating with U.S. distributors such as Borders and Barnes & Noble"

Please do!

[Matt Bamberg]

Looking forward to reading. That's a great portrait you have there. It's always fascinating to have portraits involve one human interacting with another, especially if it's in a strange way.

[hugh crawford]

Am I the only one thinking of Luis Buñuel with that cover? It seems very Un Chien Andalou.

[Eolake Stobblehouse]

I like the new look of the mag.

I like the BJP. It's the only magazine I'm still subscribing to.

That being said, I'm much looking forward to getting my iPad, and if the BJP would launch a version for that, I'd be happy to get that.

[Eolake Stobblehouse]

"I love that "returning"—the last time it was a monthly was in 1857!"

That is so very British, the long view on things. Gotta love it.

[Peter Rees]

Un chien andalou

[robert e]

I'm sure BJP was inspired by TOP's recent transformation.

The March cover is very enticing. Too bad it's hard to find in the U.S., though they do seem to put a generous helping on their web site. I hope they plan to continue that practice.

[Robin Parmar]

My only problem with the change is that now there will be only one great cover a month, not four.

[David Dyer-Bennet]

"Returning": In America, 100 years is a long time. In England, 100 miles is a long distance.

[Roger Bradbury]

I'm pleased to say that the BJP is one of the few photo magazines that regularly has a black and white cover photograph.

[david cummings]

I will miss getting the BJP weekly. Of course it was a couple of weeks late, but I read it the day it comes and will not enjoy waiting a month for the next one. So many good articles...now there will be less. But it will still be worth the expense to the US.

[Julian Love]

I've been a subscriber for several years and received my new monthly copy yesterday. All I can say is that apart from a slightly dodgy font that I'm sure they'll fix, the change is excellent in every way. There is less news (we get it all on the internet now anyway) but much more in depth and interesting features, great interviews, and beautiful photos, all printed on quality paper. This is what the professionals' magazine should be - well done BJP! A very happy subscriber...