Suggestions for 2011 issues of WildBird?

Here's your chance to have my job for a few hours! I often hear folks say how glamorous my job as a magazine editor is, so now you can have a taste of that "glamour." Ready, set, go!

The task: Plan the six 2011 issues. You need to fill 42 of the 48 pages in each issue.

The process:
1. Pull together your 2010 issues.

2. Read the mission statement on the table of contents; consider that throughout this project.

3. Look through your copies, and scrutinize the topics covered in the columns, departments and articles. Do they expand on the mission statement? Do they provide useful and entertaining content? Are they well-written?

4. Change is good; nothing can remain the same for years. What changes would you make to the current line-up of columns and departments? Which would you keep? Which would you remove, and what would you replace them with? Keep in mind the editorial page count: 42 pages.

5. Each issue needs to have a theme around which the advertising salespeople can sell ads. Which themes would you choose? The May/June issue will remain hummingbirds, but the July/August issue -- the birds of prey issue -- is open to suggestions.

6. What topics do you think readers want to see in the feature articles? Make sure that the same topics didn't appear in the last two years of issues.

Isn't that glamorous? I certainly think so [/sarcasm].

All kidding aside, I truly do want to hear from you. This is your chance to play a big role in creating your 2011 issues. What do you want to see? What would you change, and why?

Please send your suggestions before June 25 to wildbird@bowtieinc.com with "2011 tips" in the subject line.

Also, if you want to write a feature article, you must follow WildBird's submission guidelines and the freelance tips on WildBird's blog. Fair warning: I won't respond to queries posted in the blog's comments or on the Facebook page.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many birders respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Look for a highlight in the bird's eye. An all-black eye can detract from an image -- even make a bird look dead although it's obviously alive and in motion. That extra spark in a bird's eye can make an image stand out among comparable photos.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Ask if your photo might be a cliche. Did you take it at a location well-known for a regularly occuring event?

Could a contest judge look at your photo and immediately think, "Ah, another Snow Geese lift-off at Bosque del Apache"? Impress the judges with an unusual perspective on a recognizable scenario.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Try to position yourself to reduce distractions in the background and foreground. I'd like to see this birdbath without the multiple feeders in back, but I like the gnome's whimsical presence.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Consider filling the frame with more of the bird.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: A tack-sharp focal point behind a flying bird can emphasize its movement. I wanted to see a version with the Great Egret's head in focus, so the Great Blue Heron's action appeared more dramatic.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Triple-check that the focus is razor-sharp after sizing the image to a large size. WildBird's judges want to see a bird's eyes and beak in crystal-clear focus in an 8x10 print.

Bonus tip: Reread the above tip. Roughly 75 percent of entries are blurry.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Contest judges usually want to see a bird's eyes and beak.

Bonus tip: Scrutinize a photo's composition. Here, the owl's wing is cut off. The bare branches barely appear in the upper left. We'd see a better story with a different composition.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Turn off the date stamp, or crop the photo to remove the data stamp before submitting it to a contest.

Bonus tip: Ask yourself if your contest entry matches the quality of the photos that regularly appear in the host magazine or on the host website.

This bird photo could be better if...

WildBird holds a photo contest each year that generates hundreds of entries. We love seeing so many folks respond to the prizes available in each category, and this year's contest offered 16 prizes.

Among the gobs of great photographs that make the judges' jobs difficult, we always find images that make us think that they could've been just a wee bit better. I'll share some for your viewing and critiquing pleasure. (Click on an image to see a larger version.)

Tip: Very rarely will a photo taken through a window win a prize. Reconsider spending the time and effort to submit such a photo into a contest.

Birdwatch Radio podcast #17

Each year in January, the birding industry gathers in Atlanta for a trade show. At the 2009 event, Steve Moore of Birdwatch Radio interviewed various attendees, including yours truly.

You'll find the recently posted podcast here, and you'll hear about different products and the making of a magazine, i.e. WildBird. Thanks to Steve for a fun interview!

Open season

Want to ask a question about WildBird, its editor or magazine publishing? Pose it in the comments. I'll answer just about any question this week, while on deadline for the May/June issue.

Fire away. For your efforts, you might win Kaufman Field Guide to the Insects of North America. Don't be shy. You know you want to read all about damselflies, walkingsticks, antlions and skippers.