I recently came across an essay on CNN online. My first thought was “Why am I looking at this work on CNN?” The work screamed for print, and I know how much more impactful it would have been on a nice saturated paper stock. Plus, I could see the work better and could take my time engaging with good page design as well as the images themselves. The days of publications running essays like this are mostly behind us. Advertisers don’t want to see this work. Magazines want and need to make money and work like this isn’t going to light a fire under the population like celebrity or click bait does.
So, when I got an email from Raw Society telling me about their new print magazine, I was intrigued. (pre order now) Print is a different animal. I still run into plenty of photographers who have never used print and some who have never printed a single image. At the highest levels of the industry, print still reigns. It may not get the immediate love but when the dust settles it is what most high-level pros want more than anything else.
Getting in print, getting a book deal highlight the wish list.
The folks at Raw Society asked me to write an an essay for the first issue. A big thanks to Susan at Blurb who did the editing. She basically saved me from myself, but it feels good to have something in print once again. Several years ago, during one of the endless sales pitches the industry made in regard to showing work online, there was an essay produced by a well known photographer in a well known publication. The digital presentation was new, different and moved in ways I had not seen an online essay move. And it completely failed in allowing the viewer to actually see the story itself. The hype lasted less than a week before the world and the industry moved on. That essay and that work are now impossible to find and nobody is utilizing the same approach. Once again, a swing and a major miss.
But don’t be fooled. Print is a nightmare. The cost and effort involved in producing a magazine like this is considerable. I know, just ask me about AG23. Everyone I know who gets involved in something like this, at some point, walks away with the Thousand-yard stare. So give credit where credit is due. Most creatives DON’T take these chances. Raw Society did. So, if you are so inclined. Have a look, have a listen.
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I looked at their site but I don’t think they ship to the USA…
What makes you think they won’t? It very much seems to me that they will – and it looks like they’ll do it without charging anything for overseas shipping (customs fees and VAT may still apply)! So either they can sell (print…) locally in the US or they’re being extremely generous. In the end, you can very easily find out… just go and fill the order form, no need to “ummm but I don’t think they…” 🙂
Jerry Wade, we absolutely do 😉 you may not have continued to the next page and so perhaps missed it. Here it is: https://www.therawsociety.org/product/the-raw-society-magazine/
If you do end up buying it, thank you!
Christelle Enquist
The Raw Society co-founder
looks good
Markus maybe I’ll just go to the source instead of more here say. I did go to the order form and found it curious there were no provisions for currency or shipping cost. I’ll dig a little deeper.
Thank you Christelle!! I’m on it…
Intrigued. I liked the video overview. An introduction. If Raw Society is checking in here – I’d slow that video down just a tad. The photographers fly by for an aging brain. (I know the emphasis is on the printed work, but I think lingering just a bit longer with each wouldn’t turn it into a youtube essay.)
Hahaha I do understand Scott, though it is on purpose because we want to blow everyone away when you get your magazines 😉 Noted though for our next edition!
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Just have some Jolt Cola. Solved.
I saw Ed Kashi. I ordered. Dammit Dan, stop spending my money.
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I’ve got some swamp land I’m attempting to off load.
Ordered.
They ship to Japan at no extra cost. What a surprise!
When we say it’s not for profit, it really is not for profit hehe. Hope you love the magazine. It’s being printed so it’s going to take a few weeks to get to you.
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There is a God. Clearly.
Looking forward to my copy.
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Me too