http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

15 ways to help get your photos published by DIG

Don't be a double dipper. No editor wants to get sent scraps...

9 Apr 2015

DIg vegan

Words by Joey Spinoza Original Article printed in DIG 93 'The Photo issue' March 2013

With the ongoing demise of print and even more doors being slammed firmly shut in the face of aspiring BMX photographers we figured it was a good time to re-visit this article from our most recent photo issue. We've made a few tweaks to make things a little more relevant for the increasingly digital age but otherwise the same principles apply - If we like it we'll try to find a way to run it. Good BMX photography has been such an important part of DIG since day one and we'll continue to support photographers as much as we can. In recent times we're probably been getting more contributions than ever so fuck the mainstream view and keep the contributions coming our way. Thanks in advance for the inspiration...

https://e-fisewolves.com/

01. Actually include a subject line in your email. Seriously. Emails have been sent to us with nothing but a full-res JPG. Did you just expect to wake up the next day and see that photo on the front page of the site?

02. Be clear as to whether this is something for our website, our facebook instagram or for the magazine that we stopped printing over a year ago (you'd be surprised how many of those we still get). There's lots of submissions that fall in between, and it puts us in an awkward position meaning you're less likely to get no response. (mostly because we're so damn busy)

03. A shitty medium format photo does not beat out a clean digital photo. Props for shooting film, but photos don't get run for the sake of what medium they were captured on.

04. If the submitted photos catch the eye of the editor, be literate enough to follow up with an accompanying set of text and captions. "My Homie on one, that's what's up" does not cut it (not usually anyways...).

05. Don't send photos that have been posted on Tumblr, Facebook, or the killer of all photos, Instagram. If you want to see them published then keep those images on the down-low until there is no chance they are going to get run.

06. It should be obvious, but taking the no-internet-posting mandate to its next logical step, don't submit photos that have already been published in a print magazine or on another site.

07. Pander to the editor. "Hey Will, what's up? I'm just chilling here with my cats eating a vegan breakfast and listening to some old DC hardcore. Downing loads of coffee too! Weather here in Albuquerque is shit, just cloudy and rainy and cold. But what can you do. Anyway, here's this photo of my buddy getting flat down this twelve stair...." He's a sucker for that shit. (Seriously though..)

Andrew-Camera-Setup-3

08. It may also be obvious but do your research on the history of the magazine and website you're contributing to. Look at the photos in the pages contained in back issues along with the galleries on the site and see what is making the cut. Don't necessarily copy these styles, but it's a good reference point. Don't send us photos of someone we covered six months ago either and tell us "they really deserve some coverage". Do your homework.

09. Photos that comprise of an actual article idea have a much better chance of getting run than a few random photos. There are countless random photos by staff photographer's always on deck waiting for a home, so individual photos are always competing with that factor. We even have to tell Rob Dolecki some of his photos aren't going to make it sometimes. Think about that one for a minute before getting upset that your submission didn't make the cut.

10. Never make your first question about money; if that's what's you're here for then you've come to the wrong place - try that next new website that's going to change the world instead or one of the big companies that'll pull the rug from under you without a moments notice. Do it for the enjoyment of seeing something of yours published first and foremost. If your work is good and you're cool to work with then you've at least got a foot in the door.

11. Understand that unless your name is Ryan Worcester (DIG 19) or come to think of it, Connor Lodes (DIG 97), your first ever submission will probably not get used as a cover photo or anywhere in print or on our home page just yet. Keep trying though. Ask specific questions on what you can do to improve your photos. "What do you think?" is not a specific question.

12. Remember to shoot photos for the fun of it. Your motivation will show through in your photos – a bored photographer makes for boring photos.

13. Editors live for unique and exclusive content, and readers don't want to look at the same thing online across different sites. Sending exactly the same photos to multiple websites won't get you anywhere.

14. Don't be a double dipper. Provide as much info on your submission as possible, like if other photos from the same session have been sent to another site, or a similar article is being run elsewhere in print or online. No editor wants to get sent scraps.

15. Once you think you have some photos as good as or better than what you see in these pages, send 'em through. If they're good enough we'll definitely want them. Make sure the email resembles the English language in some way, and properly label the rider's name, locations, etc. Send low res JPG files to: INFO@DIGBMX.COM and as a wise man once said, hold tight - be lucky!

Previous

Next

Texas Holes

Sean Burns asks if Pool riders almost have more right to be stricter than trail diggers

Related Content

George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014
George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014

George Marshall – Unseen Work 2009 – 2014

The one that got away...

7 Nov 2014
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works
Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works

Devon Hutchins - Unseen Works

2011-2014

8 Sep 2014
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery
21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery

21 Years Of DIG Magazine - Opening Night Gallery

A little BMX History Lesson....

26 Nov 2014
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years
CULT CREW X DIG CREW -  The First 5 Years

CULT CREW X DIG CREW - The First 5 Years

50 Photos from the DIG Archives

1 Apr 2015
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works
Chris Marshall - Unseen Works

Chris Marshall - Unseen Works

"When shooting a photo everyone has their process... just like when you go out riding"

13 Jan 2015
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014
Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014

Andrew White - Unseen Works 2012 - 2014

The misfits, extras, new, old, and anything else fit for eyes from the past two years of pointing glass and metal at moving targets.

24 Sep 2014
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki
2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki

2014 Unseen Photo Gallery- Rob Dolecki

15 pics from the U.S. East Coast and the West Coast, with a few Southern Hemisphere snaps for good measure...

1 Jan 2015
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works
Vince Perraud  - Unseen Works

Vince Perraud - Unseen Works

22 hidden gems from our French photographic master

18 Mar 2015
https://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/goods-gear/bike-parts-components

Latest Content

8kf8 GFGUM Ckhqdefault
Play Button

GT BMX - CAN YOU FILM THIS? - JEFF PURDY

Raw power in the streets.

26 Jul 2024
Bjd Wy Fgdo9ghqdefault
Play Button
Xe KRUJI5d0ohqdefault
Play Button

Building a Concrete Ledge - BMX DIY

From start to finish

26 Jul 2024
Yv OO Jq1o H Bchqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Perris Benegas Bike Check

Perris runs down her Haro SDV3 setup

26 Jul 2024
0xoc B Qmtm Dghqdefault
Play Button
6 WS3a Uxj Xq Mhqdefault
Play Button

BIEVENIDO A FIT PETRO Y JOHN!

BARCA BANGERS

25 Jul 2024
T77n H0 Kczekhqdefault
Play Button

Stinkpit 7 - Full DVD

More awesome spots and sweet moves

25 Jul 2024
Goa NGYH Dls8hqdefault
Play Button

A Day In The Mix Part Two - BSD

"Don't do that again, please..."

25 Jul 2024
South America DOC thumbnail 3
Play Button

SOUTH AMERICA - A BMX DOCUMENTARY

CROSSING THE CONTINENT IN A 30 YEAR OLD CAR TO RIDE SPOTS & MEET NEW FRIENDS

24 Jul 2024
Tnl R Jc B7rjwhqdefault
Play Button

Matthias Dandois - Below Paris

Unseen Angles

24 Jul 2024
I K0 VE Sxk W54hqdefault
Play Button

RBP Jam Highlights

Fire, broken ankles and hella roasting

24 Jul 2024
B A o p Q Pje Ihqdefault
Play Button

The New Source Park Bowl

BIG changes!

23 Jul 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

2 Z7 A2413 copy

E-FISE WOLVERHAMPTON - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

E-FISE IS BACK AND EVEN BETTER!

12 Jul 2024
Kink 2025 bikes

PRODUCT DROP - KINK 2025 BIKES

That New New!

12 Jul 2024
DSCF5547

MIKE MASTRONI AND THE STORY BEHIND THE 'TELOMERE' VIDEO

Backstories behind the clips

24 Jun 2024
X Games California 2023 Kevin 2

X Games Ventura 2024: BMX Preview

Who, what, where and when

15 May 2024
Hannah roberts dsc00340

X Games Debuts Women’s BMX Park at Ventura 2024

This year, X Games is adding Women’s BMX Park to the schedule, and Hannah Roberts is leading the charge.

10 May 2024
S1057107 2

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2024 SERIES ANNOUNCED

5 Jams - 5 Countries

25 Apr 2024
Nick wave

IN MEMORY - NICK COOMBES

A true renaissance man in every sense of the word

24 Apr 2024
WTP ECLAT JACKAL FRAME FORK 3

PRODUCTIVITY: WTP/ECLAT JACKAL FRAME & FORK

Did someone say titanium?!

13 Apr 2024
435840693 1414960675891844 3313287078063579831 n

PRODUCT DROP: LEWIS MILLS SIGNATURE VANS 'PEAK'

An all new BMX specific shoe from Vans

10 Apr 2024
Thee void leader
Cinema apparel 24 sring
DSCF2930

PRODUCTIVITY - ECLAT 1023 STEM

Designed in Cologne. Made in Kyoto.

31 Jan 2024