PDN Photo District Ceases Magazine Publication

Rangefinder Magazine Shifts To All Digital Format

The publishing industry for photography is changing once again. I am saddened as one of my favorite magazines throughout my career is shutting down its publication. The announcement made yesterday can be read below. We’ve seen several photography-related magazines and websites slowly fade away recently: Popular Photography, followed by Shutterbug, and most recently, the well-respected website Imaging Resource.  

These publications and websites were at the core of photographic publishing, and it is sad to see them go. I have heard from many sources over the months that major camera manufacturers have shifted their advertising focus to social media influencers and YouTube. The general feeling is that these publications are finding it hard to sign up newer and younger photographers to a subscription model. Without subscriptions and advertising dollars, these sites and publications just can’t survive. 

PDN was most closely affiliated with PhotoPlus, and for any of us who have attended over the last few years, we can see that the show was slipping in attendance and exhibitors. Like its big brother, Photokina, it’s a question of how much longer these kinds of trade shows are relevant. Times are changing, and there are so many other ways to reach audiences quicker these days. Plus, it’s quite costly to go to a trade show. Marketing departments are looking for better ways to get the most out of their dwindling budgets.  

For now, Emerald Expositions says that Rangefinder Magazine — a publication mainly focused on the social side of photography ( like weddings and portraits — will move to an all-digital format. Plus, there will be more focus on WPPI, which is a major trade show and convention for portrait and wedding photographers. This is interesting as the wedding and portrait market has swelled in numbers over the last few years with a proliferation of part-time photographers doing weddings mainly on the weekends. Maybe the numbers are there to support WPPI and Rangefinder in this segment with this new model.

Nevertheless, I am saddened by another departure from the publication and internet field of photography. PhotoPXl.com, my site has been growing at a better rate than expected. We are a very small operation and so far finding good support for what we are doing. But like every business, we are constantly reinventing what and how we do things. I believe we will see a few more publications cease publication and move to an all-digital format over the coming months.  

PDN – Press Release

NEW YORK — Emerald Expositions announced that as of today, Photo District News (PDN) will no longer publish content. PHOTOPLUS will still be produced this fall at the Javits Center.

“The photography industry has undergone significant changes since PDN was first published in 1980, and the needs of professional photographers have changed along with it. By adjusting our offerings, we can further our mission of providing streamlined, cutting-edge resources that help imaging professionals of all levels achieve their goals and live their passion,” said Johanna Morse, Senior Vice President, Conference Development.

Rangefinder will shift to an all-digital content hub with the WPPI exclusive edition distributed at the show this February 23-27 in Las Vegas. There will be greater integration between Rangefinder and WPPI.

“By evolving Rangefinder and WPPI together, we will build a streamlined, centralized information hub that integrates the online and live event experience while creating new opportunities for the broader community to connect,” Morse said.

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