Better Photography completes 13 years; launches a 600-page special issue

The niche magazine has introduced six supplements along with the anniversary issue

Better Photography, a niche magazine, completes 13 years of existence this month. And to mark the occasion, the magazine has launched a 600-page special edition.

The special issue of Better Photography contains over 600 pages of tips, tricks and techniques on photography, including four pocket guides as part of the newly launched Secrets of Shooting series. Titled The Natural World, People & Portraits, Beautiful Landscapes and Stunning Macros, each pocket guide has approximately 100 pages dealing with these genres of photography.

Apart from the pocket guides, this collector's edition has several exclusive offerings, such as tips and insights from 13 legends of Indian photography and an interview with renowned photographer, David Alan Harvey.

"This issue brings together the 13 biggest names in Indian photography for the first time ever. These legends are masters in their respective genres of photography, and debate on ways of seeing, understanding the perfect moment, and also give over 150 simple tips to become a better photographer," adds Madhavan Pillai, editor, Better Photography.

Talking about the magazine's plans, Amit Seth, marketing head, Better Photography, says, "We also plan to bring out a number of pocket guides and other add-ons throughout the year."

In the July issue, the magazine will announce a new set of awards for film photographers, apart from the announcement of the already existing annual awards, 'Photographer of the Year', 'Wedding Photographer of the Year', 'Young Photographer of the Year', and the 'Better Photography Excellence Awards'.

Infomedia18, the publisher of Better Photography, plans to spend about Rs 45 lakh on promoting this issue.

As part of promoting the special issue, the group has planned a 360-degree media campaign, which includes television promos across five channels of Network18 -- CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNN IBN, IBN7 and IBN Lokmat. The magazine is gung-ho about its digital platform as well. Apart from this, Better Photography has entered into a tie-up with National Geographic magazine, for a joint special subscription offer from this issue.

'Winathon' contests are also being organised, where at least 200 winners would get a chance to win prizes. Apart from this, the group would also conduct a series of photography workshops across the country throughout the year.

The special issue bears a cover price of Rs 150, as opposed to the regular price tag of Rs 100. The issue has 60 per cent editorial content, as opposed to the usual 70 per cent. The magazine has changed its cover price three times since its launch in 1997. While the initial price was Rs 50; it was later changed to Rs 60, then Rs 75, and finally Rs 100.

The magazine has a claimed circulation of more than 1 lakh. According to Seth, internal research indicates that very few copies of the magazine are resold; and during its lifecycle, each copy is read by over 10 people on an average.