JPG Magazine: Stories: Personal Post: Why I play JPG

Why I play JPG

When the first cup of coffee tastes like washing up...

By Kristin Mitchell

16 July 2008

So here's the deal.

Initially, when I joined JPG, it was for the "it could be you!" aspect of getting published. I think I signed up about two years ago now, when I was getting into photography, and, admittedly, everything I shot was a work of art waiting to be discovered (they really weren't, but that's beside the point).

But as time went on, and new functions on JPG became available, my ideas have changed. I really like the functions. The ability to send you guys little messages or leave you comments and favourite your shots. I love getting comments too. (That's a subtle hint...). But because JPG isn't available in UK shops, it was always a magazine that was for "other" people. Namely North Americans. It was a bit frustrating, but it's one I'm used to, as there are a few U.S. publications that I've had to really look hard to find here, and certainly not something I've found a UK equivalent to.

Anyway. Then I got my subscription. It actually makes such a difference! I love getting my copy in the post. It's quite a treat. (I should add, that in writing that last bit, I feel like an 80 year old granny writing to a women's weekly magazine, saying what a treat it is to get said magazine, and here's a picture of Mr Tibblesworth the tabby cat "reading" that magazine while wearing some comedy sunglasses, can I have my £25 book token please?). But it is a cool magazine.

I feel quite chuffed (UK word meaning "pleased as punch" or "tickled pink" or "pleasantly proud") when I see some of my contacts printed in there. I think in my first subscribed issue, I saw an article written by Polly Cole, and when I took it into college, I'll admit I did my slight bragging bit ("yeah, these people have some really cool work!" etc). It's not enough yet to dine out on, but hey, I'm sure I could still blag a bit of chewing gum off a fellow student, or a sip of their soft drink.

There's a couple of things I would like to be able to do more of though.

I'd like to instantly see which images you've all submitted from your photo gallery to particular themes, including those that are voted on. I think I miss out too much on that.

I'm not saying that I instantly vote for my contacts. That's not how I work. I tend to look at the photo in the same way I'd look at a photo taken by someone not on my contact list. I'll even favourite photos, but not think that they work with the theme, and vote against them. (Don't think that's what I've been doing necessarily though!).

Stuff I like? Well, I like unusual approaches to a theme. I really love that, actually. I don't really care in the slightest for cliches, no matter how perfect the technical side is. I like the unusual. I like photos that make me think, and challenge my thought process. I like photos that make me laugh, or recoil in disgust. Anything that evokes a reaction is good. I don't care for greeting card photography. I'd rather see a photo full of technical imperfections, but with an absolute stroke of genius in terms of imagination.

Sometimes, just participating is about drawing inspiration. A lot of what I've seen on JPG has inspired me in my college work. I sometimes find myself studying photos on JPG. It's a lot easier to do than photo-sharing sites, where I've seen more photoshopped glamourpuss ladies, and those dreadful images of say, a "wolf" howling at a moon - the kind that reminds me of "save the wolf" "save the dolphins" baggy sanctuary t-shirts (on either white or black) from the early 90s. I like that here, it's your best work that you submit. It makes browsing so much more fun.

But also, I like the idea of challenging myself to come up with equally unique and unusual views on life. I find it a lot more easy and relaxed to do that here. I like the idea that it's one photo to a theme. I like the fact that there's no "submit one, comment on three" mentality as a driving force for themes.

Now I face the biggest problem though. I've never been very good at writing conclusions. But maybe thoughts aren't meant to have conclusions. I just thought I'd write this, so you know what I'm here for.

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