Living The Photo Artistic Life – August 2026

Summary

Jill Johnson's image takes the front cover and background of Living the Photo Artistic Life Issue No. 138 for August 2026, and the contents list a contributing artists run from page 004 to 103 with Spotlight on 111.

Issue 138 for August 2026 is laid out as a showcase rather than a feature magazine: Letter from the Editor at the front, Contributing Artists from 004 to 103, Contributing Designers from 104, Featured Artist from 041 and Spotlight on 111. Sebastian Michaels's editor letter argues artists should use "AND" instead of "BUT" to avoid overthinking and stay productive. The issue gathers work from over 100 artists globally across photography, digital art and AI.

The contents give section names and page ranges but no individual article titles, so I name sections rather than inventing titles. For an artist who wants a broad survey of a photographic community, the artist run and Spotlight are the substance.

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Content Guide

▸ Sections (individual article titles not listed in the contents)
p.004–103 · CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
The artists section runs from page 004 to 103, listing the contributing photographers by name. It functions as the body of the issue rather than a credits page. Pick one name from this run and look up that artist's wider portfolio.

p.041- · FEATURED ARTIST (Jill Johnson)
The featured artist section starts at 041 and this issue's cover artist is Jill Johnson, whose image runs on the front and background. It gives one artist extended space. Study Jill Johnson's cover image and note what she does with the background.

p.104- · CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS
The designers section follows the artists from page 104, naming the contributors behind the issue's design. It covers the making of the book. Note one designer from this section and find their other work.

p.111 · SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight sits on page 111 and closes the contents as a named section. It singles out work within the issue. Read Spotlight on 111 first, then go back through the artists.

▸ Editor's Letter
· Letter from the Editor (Sebastian Michaels)
The editor's letter at the front argues for replacing "BUT" with "AND" to stop overthinking and keep producing work. It sets the issue's stated theme. Write one sentence about your own work using "AND" where you would usually write "BUT."

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Editor's Take

The honest position: this is a community showcase, not a magazine with articles, and I can name sections and page ranges but not individual feature titles because the contents do not list them. Within that limit, the editor's "AND" not "BUT" letter is a real, usable idea, and Jill Johnson's cover and background image gives the issue one identifiable artist. The weakness is structural — over 100 artists across 100 pages means no piece gets room, there is no technique, no review and no criticism, and the contributing designers page is a credits list. It suits an artist wanting to see a community survey, not a reader wanting writing.

Strengths
• Editor's "AND" letter is a real idea
• Jill Johnson named as cover artist
• Page ranges are clearly marked
• Over 100 artists gives breadth

Weaknesses
• No individual article titles in contents
• No technique, review or criticism
• 100 artists means no depth each

Verdict: Browse only — a community survey with one good idea and no writing.