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?
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
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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
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