POLL - the new look AP

[Damien_Demolder]

I can never decide between ‘A change is as good as a rest’ and ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ - two oft quoted wisdoms that seem, on certain levels at least, to think in contrary directions.

Last time we asked the opinion of our readers in a survey you told us that, on balance, you liked AP just the way it is. Some prefer one part of the magazine and ignore another, while others relish and pass-over in the opposite fashion – effectively cancelling each other out. But while you seem in the most part to be happy with what we present to you each week that is no reason not to make some changes – so we have.

The largest part of this ‘refresh’ comes down to a few new colours and new ways of displaying our articles. But we have also introduced some exciting new people – wildlife photographer Andy Rouse will be recounting his exploits for us every week, while expert photographers Brett Harkness, Paul Hobson and Lee Frost have joined Clive Nichols on our Masterclass team. We will still be catering firmly for the tastes of the more sophisticated enthusiast, with advanced techniques and thoughtful features, but without leaving the beginners behind. I hope you like it.

So, let us know what you think by taking part in this week's poll My first impressions of the new style AP are, and I promise not to delete the thread if you're not all gushing with praise!!

Damien

[Nod]

Have to say that the only difference I noticed was the girl in Smiths asking me for £2.50 rather than £2.40!

[Fen]

As I was discussing with Estelle yesterday, I like it. If you could've been bothered to stay at FOCUS for another day I would've told you as well, but as it was I got to talk to all the pretty ladies instead... So glad you weren't there

New fonts, layout and styling is nice. Much more rounded and pleasant to the eye.

Even more impressive... AP actually turned up on Saturday this week for the first time this year!

[Terrywoodenpic]

Did not notice.
only unimportant minor visual differences, compared to the last change.
Content is a moveable feast anyway.

[PRW123]

10p rise, that's killed it!

A.P. or a pint of Adnams?

[AlexMonro]

In line with Tharg's opening para, I found it better in some ways and worse in others, but the wasn't an option for that, so I voted "It's OK".

The good: There seems to be less of the hard to read coloured text on coloured background, and Andy Rouse's piece looks promising - I'm looking forward to more from him.

The bad: The changes to the graphics in the head to head camera test make it harder to understand the information, particularly for the dynamic range graph and the points summary. The noise and resolution tests seem less clear too, unless it's just that my copy was badly printed - it's hard to see the difference at the best of times.

[gray1720]

Not quite sure what's been done to the masthead until I find an older one to check, but it's certainly easier to spot on the shelf.

Adrian

[Roy5051]

Ah! The New Look was intended to mask the 10p increase! It didn't work, did it?

Nice to see Lee Frost back, though.

[Learning]

The noise and resolution tests seem less clear too, unless it's just that my copy was badly printed - it's hard to see the difference at the best of times.

Indeed the 'posh paper' recently introduced by a different photographic publication would be good, but not at the expense of being a monthly. How much would such a paper raise the price of AP? Would we pay it?

[cpfc12]

I feel the mag is now complete. I don't really need to buy anything else. I haven't read the articles from the new contributers but I'm really looking forward to them.Yep I like the new mag very much. Might even take a subscription

[Learning]

Only 'Might take a subscription' Show some commitment and do it.

[cpfc12]

No,I'm waiting for a better offer, the Bag which is currently available is not what I need and bags are being offered everywhere. Would like a Lee Filter starter kit,or a radio trigger for my flash gun, something interesting anyway.

[Barney]

No,I'm waiting for a better offer, the Bag which is currently available is not what I need and bags are being offered everywhere. Would like a Lee Filter starter kit,or a radio trigger for my flash gun, something interesting anyway.

Gifts which come free with subscriptions have never been an inducement for me. By their very nature their value is low, and I'd much rather buy the right kit for me than make do with something that came free.

[Done_rundleCams]

.... cuz I can't see diddly squat difference in the this format and it'll be sometime
around Canada Day when I get to see the new look Amateur Photographer Magasine

Cheers and, OOC, Mr. Demolder do you mind me innudating your inbox with all that cr@p thinly disguised as wanna-be PJ pics??????????

Jack

[TimF]

Shan't see AP until tomorrow; as per usual whether I hand over the dosh depends entirely on the interest level of the contents - the D3X/A850 clash sounds promising however.

I'll certainly take a look whenever Brett is featured though!

[PeatSmoke]

the D3X/A850 clash sounds promising however.

Are we talking about a game of camera body conkers here, or what?

If I were not a subscriber, I wouldn't have known about the "new look". I've vowed not to buy any magazine that heralds a "Head to Head", Slug it out", or even a "Clash" of items of kit. FFS, why can't the writers/editors show a little orinal thinking once in a while?

As for this current iteration of AP's "new look", it'll do I suppose, better than the last one. Maybe the page layout artists could "fight it out" in public next time there's a change in the offing.....

Despite the above, I'm niether grumpy, or old

[TimF]

I've vowed not to buy any magazine that heralds a "Head to Head", Slug it out", or even a "Clash" of items of kit. FFS, why can't the writers/editors show a little orinal thinking once in a while?

If they did it in a Harry Hill style would that be OK?

[PeatSmoke]

I've vowed not to buy any magazine that heralds a "Head to Head", Slug it out", or even a "Clash" of items of kit. FFS, why can't the writers/editors show a little original thinking once in a while?

If they did it in a Harry Hill style would that be OK?

I take your point, I'll have to think this through. I don't much like what we get now, but I accept that it could be a lot worse.

Perhaps my use of the term original is the issue here, maybe???

[SqueamishOssifrage]

I have just zoomed into the shop and picked up my copy, and quickly scanned it. I think the changes are all pretty sharp, and the new layout is well developed. I will enlarge on that statement, and say that the team’s resolution to push the changes through was exemplary. Everything appears to be fixed, nothing let slide, leaving no risk of exposure to negative comments. The clarity of the changes is a positive contrast to the old style. Initially I was rather agitated that the quality might fall, but the new composition shows great flair. Focussing on the changes, I can see no aperture for complaint, and believe the market will not become saturated with unsold copies.
(That's quite enough puns, thank you very much - Ed.)







By the way, I like it a lot.

[TimF]

I've vowed not to buy any magazine that heralds a "Head to Head", Slug it out", or even a "Clash" of items of kit. FFS, why can't the writers/editors show a little original thinking once in a while?

If they did it in a Harry Hill style would that be OK?

I take your point, I'll have to think this through. I don't much like what we get now, but I accept that it could be a lot worse.

Perhaps my use of the term original is the issue here, maybe???

A "clash" may not be original, but for better or worse it's basically similar surely to what we all do when deciding to buy one lens or another (or camera body, or software package etc etc).