I am a regular buyer of the magazine but not in a subscription basis. I also receive the newsletter highlighting the coverage of the current issue, including the main contents/coverage of the mag. There were concerns in the forum that the publisher should come up with an ''INDEX'' (on-line) for readers/subscribers for easy referencing or browsing of past issues.

This thread could probably establish a good venue to request or encourage subscribers or even interested readers and members of the forum to share their views and comments relating to the salient features/discussions contained in the current issue and the succeeding issues of the mag.

For easier reference, we will start with the current month, June 2007 -ISSUE 60, having a front cover featured title: ''TAKE BETTER PHOTOS NOW...''

This is the link for the newsletter for the above issue, No.60 (June 2007). http://www.dcmag.co.uk/Issue_60_June_2007.YaIDkKVo_s2Diw.html

But if you want to share your views and comments on specific back/past issues, I suggest that you include the Issue Number and month of the publication for easy referencing. For the archive of the previous issues, please click the link:  http://www.dcmag.co.uk/Magazine_index.aP7Ng4s.html

Just to inform everyone that I also posted two reviews of the mag in two consumer sites in the UK, namely: Dooyoo and Ciao.

The reviews are identical in the sense that the original/first edition of the review was posted in Dooyoo late last year (2006) and the second edited version was posted in Ciao last April 2007.

For your reference, check these reviews and find out how on-line readers/members rated my reviews in different consumer sites. Just click the links as follows:

DCMag in Dooyoo site

DCMAg in Ciao site

Maybe you will notice the photo icon of the mag in Ciao site is not correct. It is not my fault but the site could probably mistaken this with the other photography mag with the same title. Nevertheless, I included photos of the review to show the real DCmag.  

The highlights of the issue include some tips in taking landscapes, wildlife and portrait images. The tips are easy to understand and most of us knew them, except that sometimes we forgot to apply it. I think the most difficult part is taking photos of animals especially undomesticated animals which require patience and fast moves to capture these creatures. "Out there" section featured images flowers, food and human body.

The "hotshots" section provide interesting images from the UK featured photographers. The "underwater" featured photographer is also informative which personally something to be explored in the future. New cameras like Sigma SD14, Nikon D40x and the compact Olympus FE250 were under review. Sigma SD14 got a good rating from DCM. Adobe Lightroom 1.0 software was also featured. Finally, the free CD contains techniques for potrait images using photoshop.

This is the link for July 2007 Issue 61 Newsletter:

http://www.c-f-1.com/HTMLEmail.aspx?emailid=NDQ5NjcxNDQ1

Unfortunately, the link for the reference index for this issue is not available in the forum site. It will be posted here as soon as it is available in the site for future refernce.

The July issue main feature was to have better control of SLR cameras in terms of exposure, flash and RAW images. The "out there" section was not really impressive as the guest Dave Willis explained his experience in outdoor photography. Frankly, cycling is not really an impressive outdoor action. I preferred to see motor riding and car racing in those pages. Anyway, the tips are basic to follow. Another featured photographer in this section is Rachael D'CRuze and he provided stunning images taken in New Zealand, Arizona and Australia which depicted his love of nature.

The main feature of the issue provided a "dozen" of practical techniques that only featured two SLR cameras, namely: CANON and NIKON! For members who have these units, then this is a good issue for you to fully utilise the features of these cameras. To some extent, there are envaluable tips that could be extracted from this section even though you are not a fan of Canon and Nikon.

The free CD featured Element 5 for photo enhancement like blur, mono conversion, and the layer blending which is fully discussed in this issue. As usual "hotshots" section featured stunning images compared to the last issue (June 2007). Finally, featured photojournalist Dan Chung shared his experience, including his "tell the story" images.

New gears in this issue include Canon Powershot S5 IS, Olympus E-410, Panasonic DMC-TZ2, Nikon Coolpix P5000, Canon Digital Ixus 70. I think Nikon Coolpix is really cool with 6 megapixels which captures bright colours. Adobe Photoshop CS3 software was also featured in this issue. 

For August 2007, this is link for the reference index:

http://www.dcmag.co.uk/Digital_Camera_issue_62_on_sale_now.YQxftQVoo2oJ6A.html

Fortunately, I was able to grab the latest issue (August 2007) as early of July. Honestly, I was surprised to see that the size of the mag is now reduced to A4! I am not expecting that there will be a reduction of the size. A4 is quite handly but I still prefer to have the original size which is much different from other existing photo mags available in the newstand. I think the lay-out of the new size will affect the size of the fonts, particularly with the photographs (condensed).

So far, only the size changed but the rest of the lay-out and the standard contents are the same with the original format. THE PRICE IS STILL THE SAME - £3.99 - which I think a bit expensive for a 164-page photo mag!

My review of this issue will be posted very soon.

How about you? Do you have something to share about past issues?

This is a long overdue review about the new size format of the magazine which started in August (Issue 62). Im very busy with work, but I bought all the issues from August to November which I will also do my comments on their contents later.

Size Reduction: I have read from one of the threads that the main reason why the size is reduced to A4 because of the retailers' (like Tesco) shelves requirements. Unfortunately, this reason is "shallow" considering that most of these retailers (in Northern Ireland) did not have any renovation or alterations on their shelves. What I meant by that is, the shelves are still the same when I started buying DCM since early of 2006 with the original size.

So, the decision of having it reduced was NOT on the requirements set by the retailers considering that these shelves are still the same two year ago! Ive seen other printed materials with the same size of the original DCM format as of today! Do these magazines are being fined? I doubt it, otherwise these magazines are not on the shelves 3 months ago.

Contents: August issue has the summer theme especially for Out There section. In particular, Andy Rouse's images of the gorillas in Rwanda are stunning! The main feature is the 24 hours to better photos which provides detailed accounts (preparation and set-ups) of having outdoor shots from early morning to midnight. The accompanying CD focuses on the application of Photoshop CS3 which personally I dont use this software at the moment. Other photoshop techniques include coloured conversion to B&W, and familiarisation of gradient tool and shadows/highlights feature of Photoshop Elements. Again, the Hotshots section contains bright coloured images from the readers.

How about new gears? Well, compact cameras like Ricoh Caplio R6 and Casio EX-17 and Lumix (Panasonic DMC-FX100) were under review, including reviews of SLR units from Canon (1D Mark III and IXUS 950 IS), and Olympus E-410 and E-510.

Advertisements: Well,on the positive note, with the size reduction there is also a reduction in the number of pages dedicated for advertisements or for sponsors.In the old format, there are 26 pages for advertisements, while in the new format, there are only 20 pages alloted for the ads. Well, there is a reduction of at least 6 pages which is really good for additional contents. Please note that these ads' pages refer to the last section of the magazine, excluding the ads found in few middle pages of the publication.

Cost: For simple calculation, the magazine has a total pages (including the hard cover) of 164 pages, inclusive of 20 pages for ads. If Im paying £3.99 , then the cost per page is 2.43 pence, including the sponsors pages. Below is a comparison with other leading photo mags, to find out if DCM is far cheaper or do I pay more!

Practical Photography @ £3.70 for 172 pages = 2.15 pence per page and 38 pages for ads

Digital Photo @ £4.99 for 148 pages = 3.37 pence per page, but it has a regular free CD-ROM. Using PP cost per page, the CD-ROM will only cost 52 pence. This mag is very useful for Photoshop users. In some special issues, it contains up to 180 pages

Outdoor Photography @ £3.50 for 116 pages =  3 pence per page and 22 pages for ads

Digital SLR @ £3.70 for 146 pages = 2.53 pence per page and 26 pages for ads

In summary, for the exclusion of the pages dedicated for ads, it shows that DCM is still CHEAPER than the rest of the magazines.

Anyway, I still love to have a monthly copy of this mag!

Unfortunately, the archive for this issue is not available at the moment. Im only relying from the newsletter that was sent to me every month.

What's new here?  Out there section provides basic tips on how to take photos on higher grounds and at the same time to 'stay safe on hilly or upland locations'. I think this section is relevant to people who do mountaineering or mountain climbing. The silhouette images for the Mission of the month are dramatic, and also the tips for low-light coastal landscapes are informative.

Practical technique main feature on micro landscapes is informative for people who are using Canon EOS series! Images for the pet portraits not to be missed especially for dogs and cats lovers! The CD-ROM is still a free gift for Photoshop users especially for Elements 5. 

The Hotshots section is still 'hot' of interesting subjects, especially landscape images which mostly coming from UK photographers.

How about new Gears? A variety of new gadgets featured this time such as: Pentax K100D, Olympus E-510, Canon Powershot S5 IS, Fujilfilm FinePix S5700 and Samsung L74, including macro lenses.

It seems that Olympus E-510 is a promising unit in terms of performance and value for money!

Again, no available archive link for this issue. Still taken from the newsletter that I received every month. The packaging for this issue is far better from the previous issues considering that it has two interesting gifts for subscribers!

What's inside? This is a 'special edition' for Black and White lovers! The Out There section is not impressive, except  for the article on Arctic shooting experience by Bryan Alexander. Details of his work could be found at www.arcticphoto.co.uk which I personally endorsed for its stunning and dramatic images of the Arctic region. Very very touching images - it seems that I feel the coldness or the freezing condition of the region while viewing these shots!

Any special gifts included? There are two freebies here: a 87-minutes expert-advice guide for B&W lovers for both Master RAW and Elements features; and the 68-page photo plus review magazine which the complete 132 pages publication will be available in September for £3.99.  Im just curious on the contents of this new publication differs from DCM! Browsing the pages, there is not much difference to DCM, otherwise, this new print is just a supplementary copy of DCM. 

Any interesting new gadgets available? Fujifilm FinePix Big Job HD-3W, Panasonic DMC FZ-18 and FX100, Ricoh Caplio GX100, and Casio Film Z1200. Frankly, I dont like these gadgets even the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ18 model as the DCM Editor's Choice!!!

What's new with this Autumn Issue? First is the 3-fold cover which is neatly done. Frankly, if DCM will continue this type of cover, then it is more professionally packaged compare to other magazines. However, it is more appealing as a collectors' item if the content headings are not printed in the fold! These prints at the edge of the cover spoiled the panoramic view of the image. On the other hand, the featured article at the back of the cover is neatly laid-out, brief and informative.

Secondly, is the extra 32-page guide not only for aspiring professional photographers but like me who takes photography as a hobby!The discussion featured in the guide that I loved the most is the building a website which is essential for photographers and the like to showcase his/her work to the public on-line. There are existing free servers that accommodate individual portfolio and DCM recommended this site: www.amazinginternet.com, www.lightblack.co.uk, www.it3.com or www.photographers-portfolio.co.uk.

Unfortunately, these website hosts are NOT FREE! Some of them will offer free-trial period. But if you are really into photography business, then these sites will increase your earnings and build-up your portfolio. Based from the demo available on these sites, the templates are really good...

How about the standard featured contents? The main feature on the creative photography is NOT impressive to me. It is only basic information on how to experiment the apertures, use of polariser, shutter speed!

How about the free CD? Well there is a free frame templates inside the CD for downloads. Im expecting that the featured techniques will enhance images taken during the Autumn season, unfortunately, the images were not really impressive, not even showing the colourful season of Fall!

The Hotshots section is not also showing images that reflect the season. It is an autumn issue but you cannot find good shots of the season.

However, while browsing the latest issue, November Issue 66 has the theme for Autumn. I think Issue 66 should be the Autumn edition!

On the positive side, the shot of the month is really 'stunning'... as a center fold.  But it will be better if it is one-side loose attachment (pin-up poster style). The folding at the middle of the image spoiled its impact.

Finally, I like the sub-section of New Gear where the hottest new models are briefly introduced. It is informative since the featured gadgets are the compact, point and shoot models of Olympus, Nikon and Canon. Olympus 790 SW is impressive for underwater use! 

Something new here? As I mentioned in my Issue 65 review that this issue should be the autumn issue! It is misleading indeed that an Autumn issue does not contain any images as the theme implies...Anyway, I bought it for the sake of having my regular reviews here in the forum. Frankly, I dont know if members or DCM staff read these reviews, considering that nobody dares to say something per issue. Im asking myself, how many members really buy this mag every month?

Back to my review, are there new things to learn from the current issue?

1. Fireworks is the highlight of 'outthere' section which is beneficial for me as a photo hobbyist. Techniques are quite useful... but the basic steps did not mention the 'use of a tripod' while taking fireworks display. Maybe because it is already understood that tripod is essential to prevent blurry, shaky images. The featured firework images are not impressive!

2. Aside from the fireworks, urban landscapes at night are also good wher I could experiment thru my digital camera the basic techniques: framing, angle/location, lighting and exposure.

3. Photographs from the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the year 2007 are included. Details at www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto. The images in the site are very impressive. Highly recommended to have a look on the entries.

4. Your mission winners for the Pet portraits are also featured. It is noticeable that most of the winners sent their cats portraits, except for one dog entry! I think it should NOT be pets portraits, CAT portraits instead...

5. Not part of the contents, there is an 'insert' entitled Winter 2007 guide - featuring Fujifilm cameras -from SLR to compact ones. It seems that FinePix Z10fd model is very stylish and cool compact design.

6. The free CD featured an autumn leaf image enhancement using Photoshop CS2/CS3, including mono conversion and blurring techniques.

7. Well, hotshots and the interview sections are really far brilliant. The images are stunning and colourful! It is more as a summer image collection than a Fall season.

8. Finally, for new gear section... this is my favourite this time since it featured my future digital camera - Olympus u790SW model! I love this model especially for underwater shots. I intend to buy next year and do my underwater experiment - in a bath tub or aquarium...

I forgot to mention the promotional  FREE Photobook from Myphotobook (www.myphotobook.co.uk). The magazine printed the voucher code to avail the 12-page  photobook pocket format, a value of £12.85 (no cash alternative), until Nov 25, 2007. This offers valid for new customers only!

It is completely free, including postage!

Again, the voucher code is available on the November No.66 Issue. Sorry, I dont want to mention the page number where you could find the voucher code! I assumed that every copy of the mag has the same voucher code. I havent check this...

Surprise!surprise!...

Excellent packaging, indeed, but there is something "fishy" inside...I dont know why DCmag allowed this flyer/leaflet to be inserted in the publication. Im referring to the "scratch card" from www. purelycreative.com. These scratch cards are also inserted in local newspapers and when you claimed the prize, they will send you another card!

Maybe Im naive and I really want to travel which tempted me to find out if the rewards are true...Believe it or not... it is a scam! To dates, I have more than a dozen of these cards and all them were winners! Beware... I will tell you my discovery (few months ago) in my next review... Now, I fully understood that there is "NO" free nowadays! So, please ignore this card...

For the meantime, the Out there challenge and Hotshots are impressive! Subsription offer is 32% is quite tempting to grab as a Xmas presence for myself!

It is quite a busy new year after spending 3 weeks for a winter vacation in North America. Unfortunately, I missed to buy the January issue. Nevertheless, I already got the February and March hopefully be able to write the reviews in due time.

Im very pre-occupied with my uni research which somehow hinders me to do my regular reviews. But I promise to write them very soon, including the controversial "scratch cards" that I mentioned in my previous review which were inserted in the publication. Well, it is controversial for me because up to now the company is sending me letters telling me to claim my prize and to spend £10 of knowing it! I have already collected more than a dozen of these cards and as I said each of them is a "winner".

It will be good if members from the forum could also share their views on this regard, if they happened to take their luck from these cards! So far, they have not replied to my claims for my free 2 nights accommodation somewhere in the UK and free 7 nights accommodation in Majorca (Spain), including round trip tickets!