Why photography and magazines should go hand-in-hand

What happens in the magazine industry can be seen from various perspectives. Obviously, the editor’s perspective is the first and foremost to consider, but a magazine is never created solely by editors. My lecture conveys what I have experienced and seen, using appropriate case studies of what happens in the magazine industry from a photographer’s point of view.

In my opinion, the images are crucial part of a magazine; in terms of visual language. My job is to let readers have a fantasy about things that are introduced to in a magazine, which they may have never known or experienced before. To do that, there needs to be a constant and clear communication between an editor and a photographer so that we can together work on creating the best outcome that can attract readers. This is not easy for both parties. However, in order to make it work and to draw the best outcome that both intended, a photographer and an editor must sufficiently share the common sense, knowledge, trends, expectation, and intention. With constant communication towards the same goal, both parties achieve the correct balance between editorial and photographic content.

For my students, I must teach them that magazines are a visual media using both image and text. Whether it is texts or images, the outcome should be the very best quality overall. Sharing my point of view as a photographer broadens students’ perspectives. As the course itself covers many topics the students benefit – as they have a better understanding of the magazine industry as a whole, in a relatively short period of time. After the completion of the courses at Kaya School of Magazine, students can use what they have learnt from different view-points to come up with their own creative way to accommodate the changing world of magazines.

As there is no regular recruitment or official route to enter the magazine industry in Korea, it makes hard for potential candidates to move into this industry. This is why I became a lecturer at Kaya School of Magazine, as I felt this course greatly helps them, and I consider all students I meet on the course to be future editors or professionals in the magazine industry. 

All the courses are currently lectured in Korean, however, Kaya School of Magazine plans to have English lectures as well in the future for those who are enthusiastic about creating magazines all over Asia and other parts of the world. A new semester begins in March and September each year. Classes are three-hours long, once a week for fifteen weeks for each semester. For more details about the course go to Kaya Media‘s website or FIPP’s website.

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