Tell it like it is
There is a lot to like in your 3 March issue. First, it’s excellent news that AP’s circulation is up. These are not comfortable times for the print media, so a circulation increase now is a more-thanmajor achievement. Second, it’s good to see ‘Inbox’ occupying two pages. It’s always good to hear other photographers’ views – and no, I don’t want to read them on Facebook! It’s especially good that AP does not see the need to reply to all the letters it publishes: other readers can reply if they wish, and this circulation of ideas and views is one of the things AP should be all about.
Third, I think that the real gem in this issue is Andy Westlake’s authoritative and hugely informative summary of image stabilisation (‘Keeping it steady’ in AP 3 March). Fascinating stuff and, as often happens, I stand in awe of Andy’s knowledge and expertise. Fourth, it’s always good to hear about photographers from the past, including less well-known ones – I refer to the coverage of Robert Doisneau in ‘Legends of Photography’. Finally, as always Roger Hicks’s column (‘Final Analysis’) is thoughtprovoking, and I have learnt significant amounts from his far- reaching ruminations.
The only section in this issue that I don’t like – and which I have disliked since it first started appearing – is ‘Back in the Day’, which is a summary of single AP issues from the past. To me, this looks like something that might have appeared in AP in the years gone by, and I can’t help feeling that the space might better be devoted to more valuable things, for instance, more readers’ photos or issues raised on AP’s Facebook page. But, all in all, a very good issue. Well done and, really, the increased circulation figures say it all. Adrian Lewis Adrian, thanks so much for the feedback! What do other readers think? We’d love to hear your suggestions – Nigel Atherton, editor