The gestational period for an elephant is 22 months. I can’t imagine what it would be like to wait that long for something so amazing to come into this world. My friend Ed Brydon and his wife, Ali just welcomed their new son into the world last week a few days late. After nine months and 100 messages to Alexander, I am so happy for them. (Congratulations you two!) And while on many levels, today’s announcement can’t be compared to the birth of a baby, it sure feels like it to me.
It’s been seven months since Rear Curtain was launched and from the beginning, we had a plan to do a print version. Finally today we can say that our very first issue is now available. It’s been a labour of love for me and I’m sure for Ray and Matt. Probably there were times when it just felt like hard labour for the Editor-in-Chief especially when there were decisions to be made, changes to implement, and deadlines to be met. What we wanted to do is bring some of the stories on the Rear Curtain website to life with this version. Like many of our images that remain only on hard drives, we believe there is nothing like a story that you can see, smell, and touch when it is in print. You can linger longer over the images, underline the words in the stories, makes notes on the interviews and the essay, and hopefully come back more than once to enjoy the magazine. To make it accessible to as many people as possible, we do also have a digital version available. You can buy just the digital version or you can purchase the magazine and the digital copy is included.
A lot of people need to be recognized in the making of this inaugural issue and I am going to start off with what will seem an unlikely acknowledgment. As you know the time I spend on photography is outside of my regular day job. It’s a delicate balance and one that I could not maintain if it weren’t for two of the people I work with, my boss Sue and my friend Rebecca. They have been incredibly supportive of my dream to make a life in photography. Every small success is applauded and every step back is met with encouragement and the motivation needed to keep me moving forward. Thank you both for being there for me especially when things seemed so bleak. You should take as much credit for this creation as anyone who has directly contributed to the magazine.
To Matt, from the first time I saw your images, I just knew you were someone special. I am especially pleased to see one of those images appear in the magazine (page 21) but most of all, I am grateful you are here as part of the editorial team. Your thoughts and ideas make a difference to how we are doing things and we are the better for them.
To Stephen, my fellow Magnum workshop cohort, thank you for a beautiful story. The way you see the world needs to be shared with more people and I hope in some small way, we have helped to make that happen. I can’t wait to see the project you are working on with Larry and when it’s ready, perhaps you will think about letting us share it with our readers.
Gavin, if only people knew how much fun you are, I’d have to fight a bunch of photographers lining up to work with you. But you are more than a great person to work with, you are an amazing human being. You didn’t hesitate one iota to be a part of this and I am so proud to have your image grace the cover of this first issue. You are a talented photographer and a true storyteller. Not satisfied with just shooting beautiful images and moving on to the next opportunity, you make people feel at ease and you leave having made new friends. Photographers take note. If you want to learn about visual storytelling, think about joining Gavin on one of his workshops like the one he is doing with Matt Brandon in Penang, Malaysia.
And then there’s Dorothy. I’ve met a lot of people on this adventure but you have a very special place in my heart. You opened up your home, fed me, and let me stay with you during my trip down to San Francisco to see the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit. Your story made it into the magazine as a example of someone who was willing to jump in despite any fear you might have had and to work with us to develop an idea, enter a discussion on what makes a good story, and accept feedback. Thank you for bringing together the notion that stories are everywhere and some of the ones that need to be told are those of our friends and neighbours.
To Brian, we appreciate your thoughtful essay and for letting us reprint it here. Your observations about and sensitivities to all cultures will help photographers understand the story begins with themselves. It always does.
Mark K., we are thrilled you agreed to let your Noir work be a continuing part of the magazine. I’ve always been a big fan of the diversity of your photography. No matter what the story is behind each of your images, it always reflects how much you care about the people and that is why we wanted to have you in every issue.
Last but not least, Ray. When I decided on you as a mentor, I never envisioned how much my journey would change and that it would include anything like this. I remember when you talked about some of the things we could do, I wondered if I would accomplish just a fraction of them. This one is off the charts. Opening up the envelope when the magazine proof arrived and smelling the freshly minted pages was more exciting than ripping open presents on Christmas morning. Working with you and Matt on this, I learned more about book/visual design and how much more difficult it is to bring together the work of others versus your own. It also opened my eyes to seeing how others might view my own work if submitted for consideration. My confidence is growing and one day I hope to do work that would be worthy of being included in magazines because you push me out of my comfort zone. So thank you.
It’s rare that I try to sell stuff on my blog but I will today. Please think about purchasing a copy of the magazine to show your support for the photographers who were involved. Rear Curtain is completely self-financed. No crowd-sourcing to raise funds, no paid membership to join. We make $3.50 on the printed magazine and $3.15 on digital copies. This is definitely not a moneymaking venture. It’s something Ray established not only to help the people he is mentoring but also to raise the profile of great storytellers among the many photographers out there.
If you like what you see, please tell other people. If you don’t, please tell us. We want Rear Curtain to be the best that it can be. We might not agree with all the feedback we receive but we are very open to hearing different voices. The last place where we would want to create stories is in an echo chamber.
And finally, a call for stories. If you have a story, you would like us to consider please visit the Submissions Page over on Rear Curtain. We are always looking for great stories or willing to work with you if you have an idea for a story. It should come as no surprise that we are already working on Issue 2 
Looks like Brian and I were vibrating for a good cause (god, that sounds so wrong).
CONGRATS!!! The Rear Curtain team has done a great job.
LOL…you are too funny Charlene. I wonder what it will be like when we get you and Brian in the same room together. That would make for a great story
Probably a lot of monkey/chicken nonsense
I wonder what it’ll be like, being in the same room with Ray, especially when he has a new idea. I hear those have the ability to send people running…?
Charlene, you crack me up!!!!
Congrats to you, Sabrina, and to Ray and Matt for the wonderful website, and now the magazine. What a great idea. I find it particularly comforting that there is a place to help developing visual storytellers on the net and that it is run by such welcoming people as yourselves.
I’m gonna have to order me on of these!
Thanks for your support Brian. We appreciate it as the funds we raise will go to pay for hosting the website and that means more stories to come!
Sabrina, Matt, Ray…the whole RC team, contributors, and staff…big hearty congratulations from the Great State of New Jersey. I’m thrilled at the word you all have been doing and honored to be part of it.
It’s called gumption, heart, desire…thanks for keeping the great work of photojournalism alive.
~ Mark
Thank Mark. There were times when I wonder if this was where angels feared to tread but when I saw the proof, I just knew it was worth the toil. It’s been so gratifying to be able to support the work of other photographers in such a concrete way. I am the better for it.
Whole hearted contratulations to you, Ray ad Matt and all the other contributors to this exciting new venture. It’s wonderful to see Rear Curtain coming to life. I look forward to exploring this work of art you’ve all been so dedicated to.
Remember when I mentioned stories to you, Julie? I think you are a natural storyteller and I hope to see a submission from you very soon. I would LOVE to see a fairytale with Fortnum and Mason.
Congratulations to all of you Sabrina – I’ve got mine on order
I will echo Julie’s sentiments and say it’s amazing to have seen Rear Curtain come to life this year. Can’t wait to see more!
Thanks Ellie. Your support when I was running ragged helped me make it through the deadlines over the past couple of months. When your copy arrives, you should give yourself a pat on the back for helping to make it happen too…oxo.
Thank you Sabrina. Though you forgot to add a personal thanks to yourself here too.
LOL Matt…not to worry. I’ve been talking to myself throughout this whole process
Congratulations to the birth of that special “baby”
Thanks Beate!
Wow! Congratulations to all of you. This is all very exciting. I will certainly be ordering a copy
Much appreciated Cathy. Please let us know what you think and I know you have good ideas so any suggestions would be very welcome.
Sabrina, I am beyond honored to be included in the premiere print issue of Rear Curtain. I remember hints of such a project when we met, but I could never have imagined this. Many thanks to you, Ray and Matt for pouring so much love into this labor. Rear Curtain is a gift to aspiring visual storytellers like me. It is a thrill to be part of this community. I look forward to your next visit so we can continue the conversation.
So many fun things happened on that trip but the thing that I still laugh about is how excited you were that I was sitting in your kitchen. I think a return visit may be in order!
Yes, yes, yes, yes! There are probably people who say that there are enough photography magazines – both online and print – in the world, that print is dying so why take the time and effort to launch a print version, that there are enough stories being told, that there is no niche or place for this. To them I say there are now 7 billion people on this earth, which means there are AT LEAST 7 billion stories to be told. I urge them to read the launch statement. It may be an anathema in this fast-paced world but it is a welcome one in order for us to connect. Well done to you, Ray and Matt. Oh, and thanks for the mention above, yet another story, or chapter, to be told. Ordered!
Oh Ed, I feel like we were preaching to the converted when I read your comment. Thank you. From the very beginning you understood the vision and mission of RC and your support means a lot to me personally and to the team. I hope we will see more stories from you (but not right now as I’m sure you are very busy at the moment!).
Congrats to Sabrina, Matt, and Ray. It’s been a delight to see you journey’s unfold. I look forward to getting an edition when I arrive back from Vietnam.
Looks like you and Trish are having a great time in Vietnam, Chris. Find us another story like you did in Cuba and we’ll chat about it when you return!
Congrats, Sabrina!
I am constantly amazed at how much you get accomplished and marvel at your creativity, resourcefulness and most of all your contagious enthusiasm.
Yup…I run on about five or six hours of sleep a night. I think it’s just my body trying to keep up with my mind…so many things to do, so little time
Congratulations to you Sabrina and everyone in the team, once I have an address again I will be sure to order a copy. There’s nothing quite like seeing something in print is there
I feel it’s one of the coolest way to experience images and stories – web does not compare at all. Let’s bring books and magazines back to their proper status!
Yes Flemming! There is nothing like books, magazines, and prints. I am sure we will see a book or magazine from your latest travels!
Bravo Sabrina! What an amazing accomplishment! I can’t wait to see it in print. Wow.
Thanks Roomie. I know you know the excitement of seeing your work in print. So what’s it like when it happens the second, third and fourth time?
And, I also offer my congratulations to everyone involved. I enjoy hearing stories of new adventures. Continue on!
Lots of stories still to come Monte, I just need a few extra hours in my day
Just saw the hard copy in Ray’s studio this morning…
TWO THUMBS UP!
Don
Oh good Don. I’m glad you had a chance to see the real thing and you like it
Congratulations to you!! I know that you have worked very hard on this great project and am looking forward to seeing it in print – now and future print & online issues Kudos!
Maureen
Fantastic post, I really look forward to updates from you.