Best of Friends

[Dave]

Les reminded us of the late lamented Best of Friends earlier, and it set me wondering who amongst us here had work published it it during its thirteen year run. Quite a few I think. Can those of you that did remember the volume that yours were printed in?

[les dix]

I had one in BOF8 and BOF12. I was due to have two in BOF13 but of course '13' proved unlucky for the series. All were still life which is what I tend to do.

I also miss Mono magazine and Roger's editorial style. I wonder if we will see him back in print one day?

Les

[Trevor Crone]

I also miss Mono magazine and Roger's editorial style. I wonder if we will see him back in print one day?

Les

Like you Les, I too miss Mono magazine because as you so rightly say, "Roger's editorial style". A great pity more of the 'big boys' didn't take up advertising with him that would have been enough to keep things aflot.

He still has the ownership of Photo-Art but, I can't see him going down the publishing route again, but I do hope I'm wrong.

I do meet up with Roger from time to time, in fact its my turn to buy the meal:(

[Dave]

Snip

I do meet up with Roger from time to time, in fact its my turn to buy the meal:(

In that case wish him well from me when you next see him.;)

[Trevor Crone]

In that case wish him well from me when you next see him.;)

Will do Dave he will appreciate that.

[Dave]

Les reminded us of the late lamented Best of Friends earlier, and it set me wondering who amongst us here had work published it it during its thirteen year run. Quite a few I think. Can those of you that did remember the volume that yours were printed in?

To answer my own question, I've just had a (nostalgic) flip through all twelve volumes and unless I've missed anyone those that were represented were:
Trevor Crone, Les Dix, Peter Hogan, Neil Souch, and myself.

[RH Designs]

I was in 6 (silver medal), 9 and 10, and in the calendar for 6.

[mono]

I never "dared" to send images in, but I always loved BoF. I have all 12 issues and some books of CM, there should be more!

[Dave]

I was in 6 (silver medal), 9 and 10, and in the calendar for 6.

I thought you were Richard, how did I miss you. :confused: I got a silver medal for my picture in the last issue, but sadly the calender never made it out of the publishers. :(

[Dave]

I never "dared" to send images in, but I always loved BoF. I have all 12 issues and some books of CM, there should be more!

That's a shame Folker, because I'm sure Roger would have loved to see your work, it's of a very high standard.

[B&W Neil]

.....I do meet up with Roger from time to time, in fact its my turn to buy the meal:(

Trevor,

Next time you see Roger please give him my regards and say he's greatly missed.

Cheers

Neil.

[B&W Neil]

.... Can those of you that did remember the volume that yours were printed in?

Dave,

Re BoF

Unfortunately I can't remember the exact issues I had work in and would have to look out the BoF books (which are still packed somewhere!) to check. But I was quite fortunate with BoF and I would say I was in about 80%of them. My wife also had work in them and received one of Roger's medals which she was highly embarrassed about!

Cheers,

Neil.

[Bill]

Dave,

Re BoF

Unfortunately I can't remember the exact issues I had work in and would have to look out the BoF books (which are still packed somewhere!) to check. But I was quite fortunate with BoF and I would say I was in about 80%of them. My wife also had work in them and received one of Roger's medals which she was highly embarrassed about!

Cheers,

Neil.

To save Neil unpacking I have just had a quick look through my copies and found Neil's work in BoF 2 and 5 to 12 inclusive. Jean was in 12.

I picked those up by looking at the list of contributors in the front of each book.

Bill

[Dave]

To save Neil unpacking I have just had a quick look through my copies and found Neil's work in BoF 2 and 5 to 12 inclusive. Jean was in 12.

I picked those up by looking at the list of contributors in the front of each book.

Bill

and you will also have seen the Trevor, who is obviously rather shy, was in all of them. :)

[B&W Neil]

To save Neil unpacking I have just had a quick look through my copies and found Neil's work in BoF 2 and 5 to 12 inclusive. Jean was in 12............

Bill

Bill,
Thanks for that, it will save me unpacking! It all seems such a long time ago now :( Happy days though :)

Cheers,

Neil.

[Trevor Crone]

and you will also have seen the Trevor, who is obviously rather shy, was in all of them. :)

It was a good run and I like many others will be forever grateful to Roger for his appreciation of my work. By the time BoF 13 was announced, but sadly never published, my photography/vision was changing and I decided I wouldn't enter anymore work for I knew it wouldn't get in. When Roger saw where my photography was going he agreed:D

[B&W Neil]

It was a good run and I like many others will be forever grateful to Roger for his appreciation of my work. By the time BoF 13 was announced, but sadly never published, my photography/vision was changing and I decided I wouldn't enter anymore work for I knew it wouldn't get in. When Roger saw where my photography was going he agreed:D

Trevor,

That's very interesting.

I must admit when I was out in the landscape I would see things and make images of them thinking this will be BoF material. Out of all the images I had in BoF a lot of them surprised me at making the grade!

I am too forevever grateful to Roger for publishing my work and it is such a pity there is nothing around now that provides a similar way into having your work published. Also with BoF there was the spin-offs like having something featured in Mono or Roger's other publications. All very sadly missed I am afraid.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Dave]

Of course there's an alternative Neil; it can be found third from the left on the tool bar above. :cool:

[B&W Neil]

Of course there's an alternative Neil; it can be found third from the left on the tool bar above. :cool:

Dave,

Yes indeed ! One of my 'to do' jobs ASAP :)

Cheers,

Neil.

[Dave]

Dave,

Yes indeed ! One of my 'to do' jobs ASAP :)

Cheers,

Neil.

Needs to be done before that.:D

[B&W Neil]

Needs to be done before that.:D

Dave,
The predicted wet weather may help as it will stop me going outside and get me back on the computer :cool:

Cheers,

Neil.

[Mike O'Pray]

For a "Johnny( or is that Jockie?) Come Lately" to photographic publications, can anyone enlighten me about BoF. I understand it was an annual pub and it's clear that it was photographs submitted. Was it anything else?

I noticed that quite a number of annuals are, maybe now were for auction on e-bay. I wondered about bidding but I'd need to know more.

Incidentally how was the title arrived at? Thanks

Mike O'Pray

[Dave]

For a "Johnny( or is that Jockie?) Come Lately" to photographic publications, can anyone enlighten me about BoF. I understand it was an annual pub and it's clear that it was photographs submitted. Was it anything else?

I noticed that quite a number of annuals are, maybe now were for auction on e-bay. I wondered about bidding but I'd need to know more.

Incidentally how was the title arrived at? Thanks

Mike O'Pray

In a nutshell, and probably with factual inaccuracies. :(
Roger Maile launched a photographic mail order operation about 15 years ago. To publicise his goods he produced a newsletter. This developed into a magazine with contributions from others available on subscription. He called his subscribers Friends, which most were to start with. Then came a series of year books that featured photographs submitted mainly by subscribers. Roger selected what he considered were the Best from his Friends. This series ran for 12 years, issue 13 never made it out of the publishers because the business collapsed, a great loss. The books are well worth purchasing I think, I have all 12.

[B&W Neil]

[QUOTE= The books are well worth purchasing I think, I have all 12.[/QUOTE]

Dave is spot on there.

The BoF book are an excellent items to have. I did say to Roger the one good thiong that came out of his having to close CM was the BoF books - he left a great resource for us all to continue to use. All out of print now of course so you have to hunt them out. Luckily I have the ful set.

Neil.

[Mike O'Pray]

Thanks both for that explanation.

Mike

[les dix]

Not everone liked Best of Friends. I stumbled upon this;

http://grumpyoldbookman.blogspot.com/2004/12/best-of-friends.html

I think the blog title speaks volumes.

Les

[B&W Neil]

Not everone liked Best of Friends. I stumbled upon this;

http://grumpyoldbookman.blogspot.com/2004/12/best-of-friends.html

I think the blog title speaks volumes.

Les

Hi,

Very interesting - obviously he needs a hobby with that amount of time on his hands! As long as it made 'him' happy - who cares :D


Cheers,

Neil.

[Dave]

Not everone liked Best of Friends. I stumbled upon this;

http://grumpyoldbookman.blogspot.com/2004/12/best-of-friends.html

I think the blog title speaks volumes.

Les

Thanks for posting that link Les. I write as another grumpy old man. Michael Allen is entitled to the opinions that he has, I think expressed eloquently; however as one who is continually presented with “cutting edge” photographs at the photographic clubs that I attend, I know which form I prefer. I find no shame in the company of those having their work compared with the great names of the past, in fact it’s a complement, and I celebrate the fact that such differing opinions can be held and aired.

[RH Designs]

Michael Allen is entitled to the opinions that he has, I think expressed eloquently; however as one who is continually presented with “cutting edge” photographs at the photographic clubs that I attend, I know which form I prefer.

I agree with Michael to some extent, and I don't have the full set of BoF partly for that reason. But if "cutting edge" photography is the sort of thing that regularly graces (sic) the pages of the BJP then I can do without that as well! I've been away from club photography for a few years but when I last saw some it had more to do with computer graphics than photography.

[les dix]

Whether it be BoF, BJP, camera clubs or the sort of stuff you see in 'contemporary photography' magazines each has its own particular character and style which will appeal to some and not others.

I liked BOF exactly for the reasons given in Michael Allen's blog. There are plenty of places to go if you want 'edgy' stuff.

Les

[PMarkey]

I've just won 12 issues of Mono on Eb*y , numbers 37-48 , Not a magazine I was ever familiar with in all honesty but I'm quite looking forward to receiving them .



Paul

[Dave]

I've just won 12 issues of Mono on Eb*y , numbers 37-48 , Not a magazine I was ever familiar with in all honesty but I'm quite looking forward to receiving them .



Paul

Good for you, a good read in store; and you can play "spot the FADU names" whilst you do.:D

[Trevor Crone]

For those who knew or knew of Roger Maile, I met up with him today. He is well and working again, but this time for a construction firm. He is their media designer and photographer, producing presentation material and documenting properties that are in need of refurbishment for housing departments, etc. He is enjoying his work which is about a 40 minute drive from where he lives in Croydon.

He hopes to get his Darkroom & Digital Ebay shop up and running again next year:)

He sends his best wishes to all Friends of Creative Monochrome and those who supported his venture(s).

[Ag-Bromide]

For those who knew or knew of Roger Maile, I met up with him today. He is well and working again, but this time for a construction firm. He is their media designer and photographer, producing presentation material and documenting properties that are in need of refurbishment for housing departments, etc. He is enjoying his work which is about a 40 minute drive from where he lives in Croydon.

He hopes to get his Darkroom & Digital Ebay shop up and running again next year:)

He sends his best wishes to all Friends of Creative Monochrome and those who supported his venture(s).Maybe "Best Of Friends Year Book" will be reintroduced again one day.

[B&W Neil]

.......
He sends his best wishes to all Friends of Creative Monochrome and those who supported his venture(s).

Trevor,
Many thanks for the update on Roger. It is good to know that he is working again and doing better. I look forward to having his shop open again too.

Neil.