Big Data in 2016

In an age of big data analytics let’s not ignore the available visual information, it’s not only about spreadsheets and numbers. In my consulting work I  encourage specificity and direct targeting a client. As a photographer it’s important to fully understand how your work will behave inside a magazine. What features, departments or essays are you a natural fit for?  Here’s a simple exercise with a year long snap shot of three different magazines who share some of the same space in the market. What do these grids tell us?

 

1. cover consideration involves strong portraiture for all. The Red Bulletin and Outside, photographing people, National Geographic it’s photographing animals.
2. Both Outside and The Red Bulletin require action and environment on a consistent basis.
3. Outside and National  Geographic covered National Parks for the 100th anniversary, big sweeping landscapes necessary.
4. No women cover subjects.

these are just a few elements we can see. If you want to work with a magazine, know their brand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s another sample.

1. It may seem obvious but the Food&Wine has to cover just that, on the cover from time to time they include a glass of wine.
   Bon Appetit, not this year.
2. They both cover Thanksgiving in November, one with turkey, the other with pie. Cook Like a Chef, Cook like a Pro: The same editorial concept, both in March.
3. Bon Appetit has human elements keeping in step with cultural influences (tattoo, smartphone food pictures). Food&Wine didn’t have a human element this year.
4. For both titles April had a bright element of color.

Food photographers can see where their style may fit better, where there may be some overlap. Again, if you want to shoot for a magazine, know their content, know their brand.