I'm not one to make a big deal of publishing, I get a goot bit of coverage (could always use more - LOL), but I really like this image and it's on the cover of one on my favorite wildlife magazines!!!!

That is REALLY nice!!!!

Hey Tony,

This is quite excellent. Well done! When was the shot taken?

James

spring 2006 - 500 f/4, d2h. Who said 4 megapix is not enough. . . ?

May I ask when you sent it to the magazine? Specifically, when you send shots in, do you send in last year's spring shots in the winter? i.e. do you try to send shots in when they are seasonally appropriate? Or, do the magazines sit and hold onto them?

James

James, there are no standards. It’s soup to nuts! That griz shot was submitted back in November. Some magazines are 3 or more months out. They also try to publish spring shots in the spring, so its almost impossible to get a spring shot published in the spring of the same year, especially when they ask for the shots in December. You do have to think about next year. I have images that will be published in calendars and magazines that were selected and accepted in 2006 for 2008 publications! Keep in mind 2008 calendars are being printed in the summer.

There usually are exceptions and it may depend on the shot, and what the publisher wants. I've been called days before a publication prints for shots. I’ve been called a week or two before a printing, for a shot. You really have to get to know each editor and what they want and what they need, they also must get to know you. And, you MUST be able to supply it when they call. Keep in mind if they call you and you dont have the shots, they may not call again. There are 100's of great photographers. You cant just have one or two good images, they want LOTS of shots. Editors will also know to look at my shots over some cold call or someone they don’t know. After a while they know what you send in is good so they always look at it.

That said, ALL the magazines are different. I dont really plan for what they want, I shoot what I want (not very smart, but that’s what I do). If I get good shots, I figure out what to do with the images later. I have thousands upon thousands of publishable images that never have seen the light of day. I am VERY picky about what I send in. It’s better to send in 10 great shots than it is to send in 10 great shots mixed with 5 poor ones. You have to be a good editor too! I am not a good editor of my own material.

If I know that a specific magazine needs certain shots, or is in search of a shot I'll keep my eyes out for it and shoot it. It really helps to know biology, and wildlife. The better a naturalist you are and the better you know the species youre after, the better are your chances at getting the image you want.

Some editors send out photo calls. If youre good enough to get on the list, you will sometimes get a heads up for shots. Some magazines give you a list for the next year while others ask for shots two to three months in advance. There also are shots that you just know, from experience, will sell. It comes from knowing animal behavior and light.

Like I said, there are no standards. There are rules, but they are different and they change without notice. You have to get to know each editor and each publication. You can ask to keep your shots on file or you can have them destroyed of sent back . . .I hope that answered your question.

Congrats Tony....gerat shot and good reason it made the front cover.

;-)

Roman

Congratulations, Tony! Awesome shot of the grizzly and sure looks good on the cover.

Best regards,

Dick:)

congrats...nice shot