View Camera has ceased publication

[Louie Powell]

Haven't seen anything posted here on this item.

I've been attempting to find out what happened to my subscription (renewed last Fall). Finally got an e-mail today from Steve Simmons with the attached undated letter announcing154078 that he has ceased publication.

[Jim Noel]

I met and spent a short time with Steve. I am sad to see the magazine fold more because it was a labor of love for him than for any other reason. I certainly wish him well and am sorry that I am now too old to travel to one of his wonderful workshops. If you haven't been to one,and get the chance, do yourself a favor and go.

Good luck Steve,
Jim Noel

[brad martin]

Bummer.

[Bob Salomon]

One of the big problems that I had when I made the advertising budget for HP Marketing was seeing where we got the most bang for our bucks. We spent 5% of our sales on advertising and that included the preparation of the ad as well as the placement of the ad. But we had to determine where the ads were the most effective, over the years we tried different methods; we would include a special offer coupon, or we would offer some kind of other incentive and we monitored end users as to where they saw an ad, or read about the product. As a small company in the photo industry we had to place our ads where they did the most for us but magazines have frequency rates. Those rates dictated how often we would advertise as we wanted the most possible exposures to both buyers and subscribers but also to the magazines that had the most pass through to additional readers.

While we were an early supporter of Steve we eventually had to stop advertising there because there just wasn't a high enough readership for the cost per ad and problems with his publication dates. We were also one of the few that exhibited at some of his workshops. But I hate to see another good magazine go.

[Luis-F-S]

Bummer.

+1 really sorry to hear that!

[Jac@stafford.net]

While we were an early supporter of Steve we eventually had to stop advertising there because there just wasn't a high enough readership for the cost per ad and problems with his publication dates. We were also one of the few that exhibited at some of his workshops. But I hate to see another good magazine go.

Did you count second, third and later readership per copy?
.

[Tin Can]

All my fault!

I didn't renew yet and the notice is hanging on my monitor right in front of me. Now it's in my hand...

Times are tight, I have had to cut some expenses back.

I did buy a lot of back issues from members here and the old issues are very informative. I have a foot of them also at hand.

The last few new issues I got this year were vastly improved over a couple years ago.

Good luck to all paper printing and that includes our silver gelatin paper...:(

[Mark Sampson]

Jac, second, third, and later readers of magazines are the very definition of 'intangible' for both advertisers and publishers. In English that translates as 'no money coming in from those people who may or may not exist'. And that's how magazines go under.
I was a subscriber to VC magazine from 1989-2011; had i not lost my job I'd have subscribed to the bitter end. Despite my frustrations with the way it was published. VC showed me many new things; I learned a great deal from reading it, and I will miss it now that it's gone. I have kept all the back issues, unlike almost any other journal to which I have subscribed, and am not tossing them now.

[Jac@stafford.net]

[...]The last few new issues I got this year were vastly improved over a couple years ago.

I gave up when they misspelled Linhof and Deardorff in the same issue, and shortly after that Steve accused me of theft because I had recommended his magazine to our university library, which, of course, allowed multiple readers of one physical issue (and the ads, Mark Sampson). I canceled it.

.

[Light Guru]

I wanted to subscribe several years ago but only wanted a digital subscription.

They already produced a digital version but would not let me subscribe to it because I lived in the US.

I'm not surprised they went under. They would not take money for something they already produced. That's not a good business practice.

[bloodhoundbob]

As a long-time suscriber, I'm sorry to hear this. As many of you know, Steve volunteered to act as a conduit to those of us who have had troubles with Barry Cochran, which only ceased when Cochran quit communicating with him. I can only imagine how difficult it was to try to maintain publishing in this day and age. He took a substantial hit when Cochran quit advertising with him, for example.

[munz6869]

That's quite sad. It leaves 'Lenswork' as the last printed publication I'm subscribed to... 28 years isn't too bad though!

Marc!

[Andrew O'Neill]

What?? Really?? :(

[Two23]

I was going to bring this up in a separate post, but while I was in Edmonton, AB, I found a quarterly magazine from UK called "Hotshoe." It was mostly devoted to Don McCullin, one of my favorite film photographers. I'm thinking of subscribing to it--I'm impressed with this issue. Anyone know much about Hotshoe? And yes, sorry to see VC go. Steve is a great guy.


Kent in SD

[David Lindquist]

Just saw this on APUG and looked here: http://www.viewcamera.com

Personally I'm very sorry to see this.

David

[Roger Thoms]

Going to miss the magazine, always enjoyed it.

Roger

[stawastawa]

merge with other thread?
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?132905-View-Camera-has-ceased-publication

[Alan Gales]

I'm really sorry to hear this. I'm a subscriber and I loved the magazine.

[TrentM]

Sad news. I'm not (wasn't) a subscriber. Instead, I picked up my copies off the magazine stand at one of the few Barnes and Nobles still operating. I've been stopping by looking for the latest issue and there has been no View Camera for a couple of months now. I was getting worried, and my fears have been verified. Won't be going to B&N as much anymore.

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

Hello from France!

I was one of the happy European subscribers to "View Camera".
The last years, it was distributed here through a French retailer selling LF equipment. The guy retired, and I did not renew my subscription.
I was not interested by the digital version, I like to have a real paper magazine in hands: I already spend too much time in front of a computer ;)
Admittedly, there is a problem with transatlantic postage costs, I do not remember the premium I had to pay to receive "View Camera" in France but certainly it was about 50% or the US price.

The problem of vanishing advertising budgets is a common problem to newspapers and magazines in France, I guess it is the same in the US. So it is not a surprise, unfortunately, to see this problem of decreasing advertising support as one of the reasons for the end of a specialized paper magazine.

I also was a subscriber to "Lens Work" for a while, but did not renew my subscription, because the magazine is (IMHO) aimed at showing portfolios and targets people who wish to sell their work, which I am not interested in.

Regarding information relative to LF photography, I get my information from this forum and from the French web site http://www.galerie-photo.com and its companion forum http://www.galerie-photo.info/forumgp/ which is not dedicated only to LF but also deals with medium format film photography and full-frame (24x36 mm) digital photography.
The fact that our French forum is not restricted to LF has so far ensured that the forum has many visitors and contributors, unlike the Brirish LF forum, stricly restricted to film photography with a minimum film surface of 10x10 square centimeters.

And regarding paper magazines, after I stopped my subscription to "View camera", I subscribed to the German paper magazine "Schwarzweiss" dealing with B&W photography, film and digital.
http://www.tecklenborg-verlag.de/index.php/cat/c5_Schwarzweiss.html

Many examples of images published and discussed in "Schwarzweiss" are film images, and on a regular basis some of them are taken with a LF camera. "Schwarzweiss" is a relatively expensive magazine, 13.5 euro per issue, 6 issues per year, but the printing quality is superb, and there is very little advertising except 3 cover pages. You pay for what you read, exactly the opposite to "Shutterbug" where 75% of the magazine was a only advertising ;-)

The problem of postage costs to send this European magazine over the Atlantic does not seem as critical as for "View camera"; the yearly subscription to "Schwarzweiss" is 78 euros (not cheap) and postage costs to "worldwide" is only 4 euros.

Regarding film photography there is another German magazine, created in 2012, named "PhotoKlassik" dealing only with film cameras and images. Including LF of course but not only. 4 issues per year, 9.8 euro each, very little advertising inside, except cover pages.
https://www.photoklassik.de/
But those nice magazines are written in German ;)

[David Lindquist]

merge with other thread?
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?132905-View-Camera-has-ceased-publication

Yes. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized I should have checked "Resources" before posting this here.
David

[Bob Salomon]

Did you count second, third and later readership per copy?
.

I answered that.

[John Kasaian]

I'm saddened to read this. I happened across an issue of View Camera at a Barnes & Noble 19 or so years ago, and it re-kindled an interest I had when I was a kid when Ansel Adams had Best's Studio at the "old" Village in Yosemite Valley. That led to a copy of Steve Simmons Using The View Camera and a $20 Speed Graphic with a stripped tripod hole and leaky bellows. With LF gear going for pennies on the dollar because everyone was migrating to digital photography, I quickly found myself with an 8x10 'dorff, a 14" Commercial Ektar, a stack of wooden film holders, quite a few boxes of Arista (re-badged Ilford) from Freestyle, and eventually right here, on QT's forum where I learned from many of you outstanding (and very patient) folks.
So yes, I'll miss View Camera Magazine.

[StoneNYC]

That's a shame. So what happens to those who've already paid for their subscription?

Not to beat a dead horse, but to be honest, I subscribed and have only had 3 issues delivered so far, but I was actually really disappointed in the content and layout. I'm not surprised based on my limited view of the content, that the magazine struggled to survive. The imagery was inconsistent, some very poor and amateur, and some ok, but nothing really blew my hair back. The typeset and layout and content as a whole was very poor and reminiscent of a magazine from the 50+ years ago, not current. which I can see as a huge turn off for gaining newer younger subscribers IMO. I'm sure years ago it was much better.

I had thought about submitting some of my work to the magazine but wanted to see a few more to gauge whether the few I had seen were just a fluke. The last one I saw was a little better. I hope maybe there will be one more hard copy before it's truly over. I do know that newer e-zines are competing and having new and more modern content is part of their success, perhaps view camera can take what they have and market their online magazine to a different market and get the subscribership up?

[StoneNYC]

I posted this in the other thread but...

That's a shame. So what happens to those who've already paid for their subscription?

Not to beat a dead horse, but to be honest, I subscribed and have only had 3 issues delivered so far, but I was actually really disappointed in the content and layout. I'm not surprised based on my limited view of the content, that the magazine struggled to survive. The imagery was inconsistent, some very poor and amateur, and some ok, but nothing really blew my hair back. The typeset and layout and content as a whole was very poor and reminiscent of a magazine from the 50+ years ago, not current. which I can see as a huge turn off for gaining newer younger subscribers IMO. I'm sure years ago it was much better.

I had thought about submitting some of my work to the magazine but wanted to see a few more to gauge whether the few I had seen were just a fluke. The last one I saw was a little better. I hope maybe there will be one more hard copy before it's truly over. I do know that newer e-zines are competing and having new and more modern content is part of their success, perhaps view camera can take what they have and market their online magazine to a different market and get the subscribership up?

[Flauvius]

Consider a moment of respect for Steve, and all that Steve has done through his View Camera Magazine to promulgate understanding and appreciation of large format photography.

For those of use who value being able to see over the shoulders of those who "paid their dues" and opened visual paths for all of us to explore on our own terms: The loss of View Camera Magazine is really an endpoint to the artistic legacy that started with Stieglitz and continued through Edward Weston , and latter on latter through Sarkowski/Newhall and even Fred Picker. Steve, along with those whose writings and images have nurtured our passion for large format photograph, deserve our everlasting respect and appreciation. More than publishing a magazine, Steve identified and engendered a sense of a learned community that transcends the superficial nature of the world in which we live.

Thank You Steve, you have distinguished yourself with View Camera Magazine and shown that you are among the "Greats" in the history of large format photography.

Flauvius,

[Jac@stafford.net]

Consider a moment of respect for Steve, and all that Steve has done through his View Camera Magazine to promulgate understanding and appreciation of large format photography.

Indeed, true. I always recommend Steve's Using the View Camera (https://www.amazon.com/Using-View-Camera-Creative-Photography/dp/1626540772) and his online article Getting Started (http://www.viewcamera.com/documents/VC_Getting_Started.pdf) to new persons.

[Pfsor]

Consider a moment of respect for Steve, and all that Steve has done through his View Camera Magazine to promulgate understanding and appreciation of large format photography.


Flauvius,

Indeed, Steve deserves a medal for his publishing activity. I say it even if I stopped buying his magazine after about 7 years of subscription, bored with the content and more.
On the other hand the end of the magazine is only logical considering the time we live in. It was perhaps inevitable and Steve deserves the medal for perseverance.

[Andrew O'Neill]

When I lived in Japan, in the pre-internet days, VC was my only connection with LF photography and photographers. I learnt a lot from its pages. I was a subscriber from the 90's until now. Sad. I hope Steve considers producing e-zine, similar to Looking Glass.

[Merg Ross]

Sad, but understandable. For almost three decades I have enjoyed the magazine, and learned a bit in the process.

Thank you Steve for your support and contributions to our niche over the years. I hope you are well, and find more time to devote to your own photography!

Best,
Merg

[John Kasaian]

Yes, I owe Steve a great deal for the knowledge he's shared through his magazines and books.

[Jim Jones]

Yes, indeed. Now, if only someone could publish a cumulative index of all of those articles from View Camera so we might locate articles of eternal value. . . .

[sanking]

Sorry to read that View Camera has ceased publication, but it had a long run and there is a lot of interesting information in the many articles published over the years. Hopefully all of that can be digitized by Steve, and perhaps offered on disk. I subscribed to View Camera for nearly all of it existence but in the interest of space sold my collection several years go.

My thanks to Steve for giving me the opportunity to publish some of my writings and work in the magazine. Especially the article on two-bath development because the work I did for that article significantly enriched my own understanding of some of the parameters of film development.

Sandy

[faberryman]

For those of us coming (back) to large format late to the game, here's hoping that the articles can be digitized so valuable information and experience isn't lost.

[stawastawa]

sounds like a kick starter...

anyone want to volunteer their collection?

I'd probably have fun with such a project.


Yes, indeed. Now, if only someone could publish a cumulative index of all of those articles from View Camera so we might locate articles of eternal value. . . .

[jnantz]

sorry to read the magazine is stopping.

stone: you missed the magazine's heyday when
ted harris was working there, it was a top shelf
publication, no errors just a thing of beauty .. but he
passed away a handful of years ago. he
not only was the person that really made VC published as
a magazine with few problems, but as a great person,
a moderator ( here ) and .. a great person.

ted, you are sorely missed RIP

[AuditorOne]

I have cut my subscriptions wayy back, but this is one that I held onto. I truly enjoyed the magazine, even with some of the quirks that occurred. There was certainly some valuable information being passed along in that magazine.

I guess I'll just have to start collecting back issues now.

[Peter Lewin]

As a subscriber since the first edition, I am sad to see View Camera go. At the same time, we in this forum should recognize that the LFPF is now the only large-format dedicated information and inspiration source remaining. My collection of View Camera copies now sits next to my collection of Fred Picker's Zone VI newsletters, sort of the death of print large format info. Sadly, the king is dead, but long live the new (internet based LFPF) king!

[Fr. Mark]

Definitely was one of the few must see magazines at B/N. I will miss it.

[Bob Salomon]

Definitely was one of the few must see magazines at B/N. I will miss it.

If all that was done was that people looked at in in B/N then that, in itself, goes a long way to contributing to the demise of the magazine and the store. B/N was a business, just like the magazine, and they needed sales, not just lookers.

[John Kasaian]

As a subscriber since the first edition, I am sad to see View Camera go. At the same time, we in this forum should recognize that the LFPF is now the only large-format dedicated information and inspiration source remaining. My collection of View Camera copies now sits next to my collection of Fred Picker's Zone VI newsletters, sort of the death of print large format info. Sadly, the king is dead, but long live the new (internet based LFPF) king!
I've saved all my issues of View Camera as well---on the book case, right behind me as I type this.
What is going to be missed---what I'm going to miss anyway---are the fine portfolios as well as the vintage equipment reviews. These were inspirations for many of us hobbyists and were regular features in View Camera's heyday.

[BrianShaw]

A couple of years ago I reluctantly sent many years worth of View Camera and Camera Arts to the recycle center... Only to find that the had resale value and now would soar in value. My bad.

This is sad. The end of an era for sure. Simmons was an inspiration and a frustration at times, but I'm really appreciative for all he did.

Film is one step closer to being dead now.

[StoneNYC]

I might add as a side note, a few people I know had told me that they stopped subscribing to View Camera several years ago, yet were still recieving copies, I wonder how many unpaid subscriptions lingered that might have hurt the magazine's bottom line. Individually that's bad on them, but collectively that's bad on Steve or whomever controlled that list.

[BrianShaw]

I might add as a side note, a few people I know had told me that they stopped subscribing to View Camera several years ago, yet were still recieving copies, I wonder how many unpaid subscriptions lingered that might have hurt the magazine's bottom line. Individually that's bad on them, but collectively that's bad on Steve or whomever controlled that list.
Probably in the "chump change" category when compare to loss of advertiser revenue and the need to turn a profit to fund a halfway decent lifestyle. Everything costs so much more these days and it's really difficult to run a successful small business... As I know you know!

[Michael Mutmansky]

Sorry to read that View Camera has ceased publication, but it had a long run and there is a lot of interesting information in the many articles published over the years. Hopefully all of that can be digitized by Steve, and perhaps offered on disk. I subscribed to View Camera for nearly all of it existence but in the interest of space sold my collection several years go.

My thanks to Steve for giving me the opportunity to publish some of my writings and work in the magazine. Especially the article on two-bath development because the work I did for that article significantly enriched my own understanding of some of the parameters of film development.

Sandy


I have to reinforce this sentiment that Sandy has expressed. I enjoyed the magazine and appreciated the opportunity to get some images and writing published in it with some of my friends in the past (the late Ted Harris, Clay Harmon, and others).

The magazine did run for a long time, and there is a lot of solid information in the issues that will not change with time, so the excellent resource that he produced will be there to help out the LF community for many years to come.

Also, Steve isn't getting any younger, and it must have been a terrible amount of work to produce an issue, so I'm sure that this has had to weigh in the decision as well.

I hope it gives Steve more time to spend with his horses out on the range somewhere.


---Michael

[Mark Sawyer]

I'll miss it too, though I can take some solace in having piles of back issues to go through. On the bright side, perhaps VC's demise will open up a small void allowing Looking Glass or some other e-journal to go hard-copy...

[Eric Biggerstaff]

I will miss VC greatly, both Steve and the magazine were important parts of my photographic life and Steve has been a good friend. He is off to work on other interests (such as his love for horses and riding) and he will continue to teach some workshops which is great. Love it or hate it, VC was an important part of photography in this country for many years and hopefully those of us who have a stockpile of the magazine will share them. It would be neat to have all issues available on a CD or as a download to be purchased, it would be sad to have that history lost.

I have been out of photography for much of the year, sort of lost my drive for a while due to work and family. However, picked up an old issue of View Camera I had and it motivated me to get back out there! Sad to see it go.

Good luck Steve and thank you for the wonderful contribution to photographic art in the United States (and abroad!).

[Bob Salomon]

I will miss VC greatly, both Steve and the magazine were important parts of my photographic life and Steve has been a good friend. He is off to work on other interests (such as his love for horses and riding) and he will continue to teach some workshops which is great. Love it or hate it, VC was an important part of photography in this country for many years and hopefully those of us who have a stockpile of the magazine will share them. It would be neat to have all issues available on a CD or as a download to be purchased, it would be sad to have that history lost.

I have been out of photography for much of the year, sort of lost my drive for a while due to work and family. However, picked up an old issue of View Camera I had and it motivated me to get back out there! Sad to see it go.

Good luck Steve and thank you for the wonderful contribution to photographic art in the United States (and abroad!).

I hope Steve stays on the horse!

[FredrickSummers]

So slightly off topic, I hear so many posts about Steve and his great workshops, does anyone have a link about them? I'm fairly new to the community and googling "Steve's Workshops" turns up a whole lot of unrelated junk. I'm intrigued :)

[BrianShaw]

So slightly off topic, I hear so many posts about Steve and his great workshops, does anyone have a link about them? I'm fairly new to the community and googling "Steve's Workshops" turns up a whole lot of unrelated junk. I'm intrigued :)

http://www.viewcamera.com/workshops.html

[henryp]

Sadly, publisher Steve Simmons has announced the demise of View Camera Magazine

154193

[FredrickSummers]

http://www.viewcamera.com/workshops.html

I guess there isn't anything recent then? Both were dated 2014 :(


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andrew O'Neill]

On Facebook...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/134289370064300/?fref=ts

[FredrickSummers]

On Facebook...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/134289370064300/?fref=ts

Thanks for the link.

[DennisD]

It's a tremendous loss to the LF community and disappointment regarding VC's suspension. However, it's understandable Steve did not see fit to maintain a struggling publication.

Many have mentioned the possibility of "someone" digitizing the magazine issues which is a wonderful idea. There's a great deal of interesting and valuable content that should be kept alive.

It's important to remember that the magazine and its contents are the property of the copyright owner(s) and should only be reproduced with proper permission. Clearly the magazine assets are of value to Steve and he should be consulted and approve of plans to digitize.

Perhaps Steve may have plans to do this under the VC name. Certainly, it should prove financially rewarding and help cover recent expenses / losses.

[BrianShaw]

Thanks for the link. (Andrew O'Neill)

It appears that the only utility of the link I provided might have been the phone number!

[FredrickSummers]

It appears that the only utility of the link I provided might have been the phone number!

Nah, still the link to the magazine. My reply was supposed to be a multi-quote, but apparently Tapatalk said no.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike Reyburn]

My first issue of View Camera was purchased while visiting the Museum of Photographic Arts in July 1995. I became a subscriber in 1996 and have collected every issue since then. This magazine became an inspiration for my LF photography as many informative articles were published in the '90's and the following decade. I attended three VC conferences and they were very enlightening with memories of meeting some fine fellow LF photographers. Sorry to see the end of this wonderful era.

[TashaDaysxx]

My first issue of View Camera was purchased while visiting the Museum of Photographic Arts in July 1995. I became a subscriber in 1996 and have collected every issue since then. This magazine became an inspiration for my LF photography as many informative articles were published in the '90's and the following decade. I attended three VC conferences and they were very enlightening with memories of meeting some fine fellow LF photographers. Sorry to see the end of this wonderful era.

What's your replacement?

[goamules]

I'll follow the old saying that if you have nothing good to say about someone, say nothing at all.

[henryp]

Those rates dictated how often we would advertise as we wanted the most possible exposures to both buyers and subscribers but also to the magazines that had the most pass through to additional readers.

When ads in photo-oriented magazines was our primary advertising avenue we used to use different "800" telephone numbers for each publication and then tracked the rate of incoming calls. This goes back 20 years. We didn't have the sophistication to measure the number of orders or an order's value, but we could measure traffic. Nowadays of course, measuring ROI for advertising dollars is a considerably more sophisticated endeavor.

[Bob Salomon]

When ads in photo-oriented magazines was our primary advertising avenue we used to use different "800" telephone numbers for each publication and then tracked the rate of incoming calls. This goes back 20 years. We didn't have the sophistication to measure the number of orders or an order's value, but we could measure traffic. Nowadays of course, measuring ROI for advertising dollars is a considerably more sophisticated endeavor.

As we had no where near the time or funds to use different numbers we did it the simple way. Just asked each and every caller what motivated their call and what did they read.

Found out that where we thought that they read was not what they actually read.

[denverjims]

Yes, indeed. Now, if only someone could publish a cumulative index of all of those articles from View Camera so we might locate articles of eternal value. . . .


sounds like a kick starter...

anyone want to volunteer their collection?

I'd probably have fun with such a project.

Might want to get Steve on board with this kind of effort first as I'm guessing he owns copyright to most of that material. He was not clear in the message what he plans to do with it other than maintain the web site for a year. Maybe he has similar plans...

I agree, though, it would be a shame to not to broaden access to this wealth of knowledge.

To my eye (as an outsider), the loss of subscribers and advertisers were, for the most part, self inflicted wounds. I know that many, including myself, were critical of Simmons in the way that the magazine was being run over the last few years. IMHO, he made some big mistakes once he was on his own and maybe he should have asked for help to try to save it. But you’ve got to give him credit for creating something that had a lot of years of good to it. More than most of us have done…

RIP, View Camera Magazine.

[Drew Bedo]

Has View Camera magazine ceased publication?

[Kevin Crisp]

Yes, long thread on this recently, they have ceased publication.

[Robert Opheim]

I subscribed in May to View Camera Magazine wanting to get more exposure to images and large format info. It has been some time after sending money in through Paypal and not hearing anything - no conformation of purchase. I logged onto the View Camera Magazine website and it said that they have suspended printing and would have a presence for a while on the web.

[Jon Shiu]

Maybe you can get your money back from paypal. I think there is a 6 month time frame.

Jon

[vinny]

good luck!

[Light Guru]

This is old news there have been several other threads about them spotting printing.

[Robert Opheim]

Thank you Jon I will contact Paypal.

[Milton Tierney]

Why are they still taking subscriptions?
http://www.viewcamera.com/store.html

[Jim Graves]

I'll follow the old saying that if you have nothing good to say about someone, say nothing at all.

You just violated your "old saying" with that post.

[Jim Graves]

First, I consider Steve a friend ... I attended two of his workshops (Sacramento and Monterey) ... and he very graciously invited me and my wife to an event at Gordon Hutchings' house here in Sacramento ... probably because my wife shared his interest in horses ... his second passion.

To have published an excellent magazine (and, sure the quality varied ... as with all magazines) for a niche market for as many years as he did with a tiny staff and limited budget demonstrated an enormous commitment to our craft/business/hobby. He certainly did not get rich doing it and it took an amazingly persistent determination to get it out month-after-month-after-month-after-month-after-month-ad (ALMOST) infinitum.

While some had issues with Steve ... deserved or not ... he continued with a dogged determination ... to produce a very valuable resource for us all. I've subscribed for 10 years ... never had a delivery missed ... and got something ... actually a lot ... out of every issue. I still refer to the CDs he produced for subscribers.

I wish Steve well ... and hope he'll call when he comes through Sacramento again ... there are some great places to shoot here in the valley, the foothills, and in the Delta. I'll also keep an eye out for his workshops and hopefully find one that fits my schedule.

[EdWorkman]

Issues??
Yeah I have issues
Very deserved
He stole my stuff and refused even to say why or ???
No name calling allowed here, but there are several that are appropriate

[Merg Ross]

To have published an excellent magazine (and, sure the quality varied ... as with all magazines) for a niche market for as many years as he did with a tiny staff and limited budget demonstrated an enormous commitment to our craft/business/hobby. He certainly did not get rich doing it and it took an amazingly persistent determination to get it out month-after-month-after-month-after-month-after-month-ad (ALMOST) infinitum.

[Ed Richards]

I am also sad to see it go. It's quirkiness was one of its charms, even if it was frustrating at times. Just like large format photography in general.:-)

[Toulcaz31]

Hope some realized here that this gentleman took people's money, delivered nothing, ignored emails, ignored voice mails, ignored Facebook messages, but has apparently no issue in organizing workshops or other businesses on the side...

[FrancisF]

We all owe a debt to the magazine. I came to it rather late and it became the publication I looked forward to every few months. A friend gave me his back collection and I re-read them regularly - always learning something new.

[Tin Can]

I also bought many back issues, I will buy more.

[jnantz]

We all owe a debt to the magazine. I came to it rather late and it became the publication I looked forward to every few months. A friend gave me his back collection and I re-read them regularly - always learning something new.

i wouldn't say a debt. it was a magazine ... sometimes good, sometimes less good.
the publisher was one of those folks who some people liked, and some people didn't.
i did my best to try to like him, even tried to write a detailed article with a chemist who
used to write for lester&morgan photo lab index ...
but after a variety of events he was directly involved that affected me
and others i know and worked with both personally and virtually i ended up in the other camp.


I also bought many back issues, I will buy more.

i had a few years worth of subscription i gave away for the
price of shipping a few years ago. the publisher rubbed me
the wrong way enough i gave away everything i had
to get it out of my house and burn some sage/smidgestick.

i can't remember who i mailed them all to, i do remember
the box weighed a ton and being shipped thousands of miles.

[BrianShaw]

I wish I had known that folks were interested in old back issues. A year or so ago I sent many years worth to the recycler.

[Tin Can]

Fahrenheit 451

[denverjims]

Hope some realized here that this gentleman took people's money, delivered nothing, ignored emails, ignored voice mails, ignored Facebook messages, but has apparently no issue in organizing workshops or other businesses on the side...

The fact that he has not returned the money that subscribers sent him was not totally surprising. I do not know the circumstances under which he 'went under', but he may be in debt due to publishing expenses which he could not see his way out of and so, decided to quit while he was behind. Based on my impressions (gained between here at the Forum and through personal acquaintances) subscriptions were probably falling off so revenue was decreasing but the fixed costs of creating an issue were still there. Sad indeed, but...

To not apologize to his subscribers to whom he owed $$, to not explain to his subscribers who counted on him to provide information and assistance through his publication, to not communicate with any of his subscribers in any way other than say "so long and thanks for all the fish": well, IMHO, that is inexcusable. To also carry on with the workshops he taught in conjunction with the magazine - as if nothing has happened - just shows that either he is either so embarrassed that he does not know what to say to people or he is totally tone deaf and callus to ethical considerations.

Again, things happen; businesses fail for many reasons and we don't know the circumstances of this one; but how you comport yourself under those circumstances says a lot of what kind of person you are.

[valdormar]

View Camera publication enabled far to many cons in our industry to keep ripping people off for years. Steve knew of the fraud, but continued to let them advertise due to greed and being a swindler himself. I for one was glad to receive the news of the fall. What's Steve to do when someone he owes money shows up at one of his work shops?

[Michael Jones]

knew of the fraud... and being a swindler himself.

Whoa, pretty strong strong words! Got proof?
Be careful, Karma is a bitch.

Refund or not, I received far more than what I paid for subscribing to View Camera for over 25 years.

Mike

[John Kasaian]

Nobody and nothing is perfect, but View Camera was a great resource during it's run. I still refer to my collection of back issues and, of course Using The View Camera

[bloodhoundbob]

Nobody and nothing is perfect, but View Camera was a great resource during it's run. I still refer to my collection of back issues and, of course Using The View Camera

Amen, John. I had just renewed when Steve folded, but have no hard feelings. Besides the great issues and his book, he also volunteered to help me and others in our travails with Cochran, and did so.

[John Kasaian]

Twenty years ago, View Camera was the only magazine dedicated to LF photography. B&W offered a few LF portfolios every so often and once a year Shutterbug would feature an issue rich with technical articles on large format (remember Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz?) But every other month View Camera came out full of interesting articles (especially interesting to me were reviews of old gear, which was all I could afford) and downright inspirational portfolios from incredibly talented photographers. I let my subscription lapse when the content ran out of steam in more recent times and I elected to spend my subscription $$ buying more film instead.

Still, View Camera was a worthy magazine in it's day, in my opinion anyway

[Merg Ross]

Twenty years ago, View Camera was the only magazine dedicated to LF photography. B&W offered a few LF portfolios every so often and once a year Shutterbug would feature an issue rich with technical articles on large format (remember Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz?) But every other month View Camera came out full of interesting articles (especially interesting to me were reviews of old gear, which was all I could afford) and downright inspirational portfolios from incredibly talented photographers. I let my subscription lapse when the content ran out of steam in more recent times and I elected to spend my subscription $$ buying more film instead.

Still, View Camera was a worthy magazine in it's day, in my opinion anyway

I share your opinion, John. I was an early subscriber. Through the decades, acknowledging its flaws, I respected Steve's efforts in providing a great resource to the large format community. View Camera magazine was unique in that pursuit.

[john borrelli]

Historically, much has been said on this forum regarding this magazine. If I could pick one word to express the range of sentiment it would be ambivalent. I believe it was an ambivalence borne from caring.

[Jim Graves]

Easy to cast stones ... very hard to produce the amount of work and support for large format photography that Steve did ... for very little reward ... over so many years.

[BrianShaw]

Amen to that!