“Documentary and fine-art photographers need to adapt to the new economic realities of their trade,” says Diederik Meijer, founder of Bite! and editor-in-chief of 50pm. The iPad gives a promising but uncertain opportunity for photographers to connect with new audiences, he says.

With approximately 50 downloads a day from iTunes at $2 per issue, adoption of the 50pm app by iPad users has been slow but steady. Building a loyal readership is an uphill climb for any publication. Since the majority of current photo apps on iTunes are more about filters and social networking, part of the battle for an iPad fine-art photography magazine is just letting people know that such a thing exists.

“My feeling is that Bite! and Daylight audiences didn’t run to their nearest Apple store to buy the iPad,” says Meijer, “and that the people who do own an iPad have not been actively following documentary and fine-art photography.”

Each 50pm issue is built around a universal theme. The theme for this month’s issue, their first, is “family matters” and includes portfolios by Chris Verene, Hee jin Kang, Mami Kiyoshi and Elizabeth Clark Libert. The next issue’s theme, which comes out Jan. 15th is “sports” and will include the portfolios of two recent World Press Photo winners.

We really enjoy this app and recommend checking it out. There’s not much to it yet, but the photos come alive on the iPad and it’s a joy to flip through. Meijer says future add-ons include grid navigation and news-ladder function, and Spanish and Chinese versions are also in the works.

Check out a video preview of the 50pm app.

Authors: Pete Brook

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