152-Contributing to Australian Outdoor Magazines
Show notes
In episode 138 we talked with Craig Sheather who writes hiking guide books and in episode 135 we caught up with adventure photographer Danyal Taylor. In this week’s episode we continue the theme and talk with Gary Tischer about what it takes to be a contributor of both photography and written articles to the Australian outdoor magazines.
Gary has been contributing to some of Australia’s best known outdoor magazines for nearly 40 years and while you may not know his name, chances are you have read his articles over the years. Today we find out how he became involved in writing and photographing for outdoor magazines, and how the needs of magazines have evolved over the years.
Podcast overview
Have you ever wanted to contribute to an outdoor magazine? In today’s episode we talk with Gary Tischer, whose work has been featured in Australian outdoor magazines, about what it takes to get articles published.
- Gary’s hiking background
- How he got into hiking
- What type of hiking he is into
- Hiking likes and dislikes
- Print(?) Media
- When did you get into contributing to magazines? And how did this start?
- How has writing/photographing for magazines changed over your career?
- How has it influenced your hiking and/your perspective?
- Photography
- From your perspective, what makes a good photograph?
- Do you need to have high-end gear to take good photographs for magazines or can you get away with something more basic?
- Do you use just digital these days, or do you still use film?
- I’ve always been taught that spending a bit more time thinking about the photos you take will minimise any editing you need to do but given that most photographers use digital cameras these days, is this still the case?
- Words
- I believe your original focus was on photography and now you also write the articles
- How did this come about?
- Did the shift away from the visual to also telling the story in words change your photography?
- I believe your original focus was on photography and now you also write the articles
- Logistics
- Can you take us through the process of writing/filming for a topic from start to finish?
- When you go out on a trip that isn’t car based, what do you need to consider?
- Gear balance
- Pick just one lens or do you always carry multiple?
- Advice
- If someone is keen to become a photographer and/or writer and contribute to magazines, what advice would you offer?
- Tim and Gill’s final thoughts
- Close
See below for some of Gary’s images
Contribution guidelines
- Gary mentioned Wild Magazine in this podcast and you can request the contributor guidelines here
- Great Walks is the other well known hiking magazine and the contributor guidelines can be found here
Garys contact details
Listening to the Australian Hiker Podcast
You can listen to just one episode but the best way to listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast is by subscribing through iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher Radio, Spotify where the podcast episodes will be delivered to your device almost as soon as they are published. Go on, you know you want to!
You can listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast in the following ways:
- Through our website. All our episodes can be found here
- On Apple technology listen through iTunes at Australian Hiker podcast here
- On Android phones (as well as apple) we recommend Podbean
- You can also listen through the Spotify
In addition the are a number of other ‘podcatcher’ services that allow you to download our episodes. Below are a few options where to find us:
Australian Hiker Social Media
Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms
Contact us
Some of Gary's Photos
Gary Tischer on the Overland Track in 2019
Autumn colour in Tasmania
Tasmanian water scene
Larapinta Trail
Not yet winter on the Overland Track
Black and white images have their own special appeal