Strongbox Magazine

In late 2008, I accepted a job in which I didn't think I would get to use many of the graphic design skills I'd built over the years. I didn't want those skills to go down the toilet completely, and so I wondered how I could force myself to keep using them on my own.

Since I've been into photography most of my life, I knew photography had to be the fuel to drive whatever projects would keep me going. My initial thought was to simply assign myself deadlines to shoot new photo essays and post them to my personal website. This wouldn't really have helped me to grow my page layout skills, though, and so that went right out the window. For that reason, I thought that I would put a pdf file together using my photo essays and throw some text in there and put those on my site.

      

One night while chowing down on some wings with Todd, I was thinking out loud about my ideas. He suggested bringing other people into the project. If I was going to be doing this anyway, why not include some other people who might want to flex their creative muscles?

At first, I was a little reluctant. We'd both been part of a group that organized local photography shows on a monthly basis, and we learned the hard way that when too many hands rummage around in a cookie jar, it becomes more work than fun. I didn't want this to be another job, much less one that costs me money rather than brings it to me.

After I thought about it some more, I agreed that he was onto something. If there were other people involved, not only would I feel more pressure to meet my deadlines and keep working, but other people would be actually looking at it, and therefore I would be pushing myself to grow my skillset.

More importantly, I wouldn't be the only one benefiting from this undertaking. People that were looking for an outlet for their work would have a place to turn. This wouldn't be some closed-door joint only open to established "artists." If you had something to say, you would be able to say it here.

So, over many more beers and wings, it was decided that we'd start a photography-based, online magazine that would be open to anyone with the desire to be more creative. Now we needed a name. Several were thrown around, but none stuck. We briefly settled on Confluence, in part because it would be a place where ideas converge, but mostly because we live in and are in love with Pittsburgh, famous for the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. I did an early mockup of a website and front cover, but stopped short of registering any domain names because it just didn't feel right.

Then, one morning on my way to work, a line from Goodfellas jumped into my head for no reason at all. The scene where the 'Fellas are hijacking a truck and Tommy shoves his gun in the driver's face and asks "Where's the strongbox, ya fuckin' varmint?"

Strongbox. Hm.

It sounded cool. It had weight when I mocked up the first cover. And where do you put things that are valuable or important to you? In a strongbox. Yes. It worked. I registered the domain.

We've got quite a few issues under our belts now, and I've never been happier to be working on this project. And out of the blue, we got our first advertiser (who just happened to like our covers) - CleanItSupply.com, an online cleaning supplies catalog. Sometimes luck just walks in the open door! Creativity doesn't always come easily for me. At times, it's damned hard work. Having so many talented people take part in this project over the years is an honor and a constant inspiration. I look forward to seeing many more for years to come.

Specifically, I look forward to seeing yours.

Dan

 

 

Once we realized that we needed some help with data development to maximize our ability to organize projects, subscribers, photos, and everything else, our angel and good luck icon Ronnie volunteered to help. She is not only a photographer, but a code junky who really knows her stuff. The first thing she did was point out a major problem with our old software. I had familiarized myself with Filemaker Pro a long time ago, but never even realized that it was no longer supported and when Ronnie tried to bring in some more modern tools, they conflicted with Filemaker and created a fairly sizable issue. She was able to code a work-around, but insisted we needed to hunt down an updated Filemaker replacement and probably the best solution is a custom app that is designed around the way we work. Since we had no money to invest in this, we left her work-around in place because it worked and cost us nothing. We're just hoping that once the mag gets going we'll be able to generate some revenue to support upgrading the entire set of software. But until that time, we are pretty confident we'll be able to manage. We may be limping along, but expect to get there eventually. In the mean time, hope you all are able to enjoy this project for what it is and can benefit in some way, even if it's just entertaining for you.

 

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About

       

STRONGBOX Magazine is a quarterly magazine released as a downloadable Portable Data File (PDF) free of charge at www.strongboxmagazine.com. Its sole mission is to help the spread of creativity and improve with each issue. While firmly rooted in photography, we welcome any creative expression. Painting, illustration, writing (both fiction and non-fiction), graffiti / street art...anything you can think of.

Everyone is encouraged to sumbit work, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started.

While we can’t promise we’ll use each and every submisison, we will certainly work with you if we can. Again, this is a labor of love and all we want to do is keep our creative muscles flexing while supplying an outlet for everyone else to do the same.

Submitting your work:

STRONGBOX is a mashup of all the magazines we love to read, so there isn't really a specific type of piece we're looking for. We've published short fiction, interviews with people we find interesting, photo essays, travel and recreation pieces and so on. We don't have advertisers or bosses to please here. If it's compelling, let's see it.

Begin by shooting us an email with an overall description of your project. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or in-depth, just the something to whet our appetite. If you have your works displayed in a blog or on a web page, be sure to include a link so we can check it out.

If we feel that your project is a good fit, we’ll assign you a deadline and ask that you send your files via dropbox, which is a free data transfer service. This way, our inboxes won’t get flooded with large files. We may edit photos or text as we see fit, but if any changes are made, no matter how small, we will be sure and send you a proof for approval before it goes into the magazine.

It’s important that you supply us with files that are suitable for print. Why is this? Someday we may want to make print-quality versions of the magazine available for those who want them, and it’s best to have them set up that way from the get-go.

Vector Illustrations may be supplied as Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files, or as an EPS (version cs2 or earlier. Yea...my software is out-of-date, I know...).

Photographs or scans of artwork can be sent as JPG, DNG, TIFF or RAW files. Images should be 300 dpi for a minimum final print size of approx. 8 x 10 inches.

Articles can be simply emailed, or supplied as text documents (.txt, .rtf or .doc)

If you have any further questions or comments about the magazine, please feel free to holler.

Dan Buczynski

Editor-in-Chief

    

 

More Background On StrongBoxMagazine.com

StrongBox Magazine is a quarterly digital publication that serves as a platform for creative expression across various artistic disciplines. Available as a free downloadable PDF, the magazine primarily focuses on photography but also embraces painting, illustration, fiction and non-fiction writing, graffiti, street art, and more. Its mission is to foster creativity and provide an inclusive outlet for both seasoned professionals and emerging artists.

History and Founding

The inception of StrongBox Magazine dates back to late 2008 when Dan Buczynski, facing a professional shift that limited his use of graphic design skills, sought a personal project to maintain and enhance his creative abilities. With a longstanding passion for photography, he initially considered creating photo essays for his personal website. However, recognizing the potential to further develop his page layout skills, he envisioned compiling these essays into a PDF format.

A pivotal conversation with his friend Todd led to the idea of expanding the project to include contributions from other creatives. Despite initial reservations—stemming from previous experiences with collaborative projects becoming overly complex—Buczynski saw the value in creating a communal space for artistic expression. This collaborative approach not only motivated him to adhere to deadlines but also provided a platform for others seeking to showcase their work.

The magazine's name, "StrongBox," was inspired by a line from the film "Goodfellas," where a character refers to a "strongbox." The term resonated with Buczynski, symbolizing a secure place to store valuable or important items, much like the magazine's role in safeguarding and showcasing creative works.

    

Content and Contributions

StrongBox Magazine prides itself on being a "mashup of all the magazines we love to read," without adhering to a specific genre or style. Its content spans short fiction, interviews, photo essays, travel pieces, and more. The absence of advertisers or external pressures allows the editorial team to focus solely on compelling content.

The magazine encourages submissions from individuals at all stages of their creative journeys. While not every submission can be published, the team is committed to collaborating with contributors to refine their work for potential inclusion. This open-door policy underscores the magazine's dedication to nurturing creativity and providing a platform for diverse voices.

Submission Guidelines

To maintain high-quality content, StrongBox Magazine has established specific submission guidelines:

  • Initial Contact: Prospective contributors are advised to email a brief description of their project, including links to any online portfolios or blogs.

  • File Formats:

    • Vector Illustrations: Accepted as Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files or EPS (version CS2 or earlier).
    • Photographs/Artwork Scans: Accepted as JPG, DNG, TIFF, or RAW files, with images at 300 dpi for a minimum print size of approximately 8 x 10 inches.
    • Articles: Accepted via email or as text documents (.txt, .rtf, or .doc).

  • Editing Process: The editorial team may edit photos or text as deemed necessary but ensures that contributors receive proofs for approval before publication.

Operational Challenges and Adaptations

As a labor of love, StrongBox Magazine operates with limited financial resources. The team has encountered challenges, particularly concerning outdated software systems. For instance, the magazine initially utilized FileMaker Pro, which became unsupported over time. With the assistance of Ronnie, a photographer and coder, the team developed a workaround to address compatibility issues. While a custom application tailored to their workflow is ideal, budget constraints have necessitated reliance on interim solutions. The team remains optimistic about future revenue opportunities to support comprehensive software upgrades.

Community Engagement and Future Outlook

The magazine's commitment to inclusivity and community engagement is evident in its open submission policy and collaborative editorial process. By providing a platform free from commercial influences, StrongBox Magazine fosters an environment where creativity can flourish unimpeded.

Looking ahead, the team aspires to continue expanding its reach and impact. Plans include exploring print-quality versions of the magazine and enhancing operational systems to streamline production. Central to these ambitions is the ongoing dedication to showcasing diverse artistic expressions and supporting the creative community.

   

StrongBox Magazine stands as a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives in the arts. Founded on a desire to preserve and cultivate creative skills, it has evolved into a vibrant platform celebrating a multitude of artistic voices. Through its quarterly publications, the magazine not only highlights the works of various artists but also inspires others to embark on their creative journeys. In an era where artistic expression is both abundant and essential, StrongBox Magazine offers a unique and valuable space for creativity to thrive.

 

StrongBoxMagazine.com