Newsline

MAY 2008
The photo trade magazine for UK members of PMA International n www.pmai.org
Ace Robin back on the road

n page 2 & 3

Online merchandising

n page 7

PSPA Conference programme

n Page 8 & 9

Passport to copyright clarity
ew guidelines which will help photo retailers avoid problems arising from copyright breaches have been produced by PMAs legal advisers and at the same time the Identity and Passport Service has confirmed new rules for passport photos. The copyright guidelines, which are non-binding, are intended to help retailers and others carry on their business in a responsible and lawful way. They are based on advice being
given in the United States but they have been modified to reflect the law in England and Wales retailers in Scotland and Ireland may want to check things out with their legal advisors. Though the aim of the guidelines is to help prevent breaches occurring in the first place, the team behind them is also suggesting that in the event of a claimed inadvertent breach, the fact that a retailer has followed them to the best of his ability could well be
Rules include images being in colour, being taken within a month of the application, with a neutral expression and of the full head
taken into account in any court case which might result. Full details are on page five of this issue of Newsline but heading the advice is the simple stricture that everyone working in the industry should recognise the photographer or studio as owner of the copyright to any image, especially in the case of professional portraits. The guidelines also cover making sure that customers are clearly told that they may be asked for confirmation that they have the copyright or at least have the copyright holders permission to images they may want copying or manipulating. And in a move which will clear up any confusion over what is and what is not acceptable in passport
photos, the Identity and Passport Service has just published a 24 page booklet about passport applications which includes a 15 point check list for photos of adult applicants. There are separate, slightly relaxed, rules for children aged five and under. The service is stressing once again that backgrounds which are white when printed are no longer acceptable they have to be light grey or cream. Other rules include images being in colour, they must have been taken within a month of the application being made, with a neutral expression and of the full head. Head coverings are only acceptable if they are worn on religious or medical grounds. n Full details of the rules are on page 15.
Whats the state of the film market? Rather more optimistic that it was last year, Newsline discovers. See our report on Pages 16 and 17. Which digital camera was the UKs best seller in 2007? You might be surprised. Check our story on page 17

Comment

Interview

Nigels Comment

his seems to be a time for contrasts. In the same week that the Chief Executive of DSGi announced a one per cent drop in sales and issued a profits warning, Tescos boss was able to announce record profits and record sales. Both companies are players on an international stage so the effect of the downturn in the UK High Street might be expected to be moderated, or offset, by different conditions abroad, but clearly the differences are not just set by countries of operation. DSGis Chief Executive said The trading environment has remained challenging. The reports of lack of footfall in High Streets and shopping centres are all too true. But how real is the consumer spending squeeze? On the one hand we have a report that credit card borrowing has increased dramatically in the last few months, yet most people recognise that the real inflation figure is far higher than government figures might suggest. Someone must be suffering and it is not just DSGi. When I hear of Photo retailers closing down I am always saddened; even more so in this strange market situation where more people are buying more cameras and taking more pictures than ever before but this is not translating into profits for specialist retailers. The latest casualties included Chairman of the PMA National Council, Roger Stansbridge. Roger was a staunch supporter of PMA and I had come to value his comments on the state of play and discussed with him at length the

things we needed to be doing to support the retailers. Was he just a victim of the current state of the industry and how symptomatic is this of others situations? Given the seasonality of this business it is necessary to make enough in the relatively good months to see us through the leaner months; but Christmas had perhaps just not been profitable enough. Perhaps the shopping centre owners and the local town government are not helping with their thirst for higher rents and unrealistic rates. The shopping centre in Epsom has no fewer than five empty shops, and I know of other centres that have even more vacant premises. Privately, I had hoped that the digital fall out had slowed down or even stopped, yet the economic situation has spawned new threats. But there are opportunities out there. When it comes to buying digital cameras clearly the public has been made an offer they cannot refuse, otherwise we would not still be seeing continued high sales levels, although all too often that offer has been one of price. We now need to make them an offer they cannot refuse for the profitable print items and display products as well as for accessories. Price may not work so well here, but old fashioned values of service, choice and education can win through. Its an old maxim but one worth repeating: People dont buy the cheapest product they buy the cheapest solution.
Gower coasts back on the road
Sanyo has been awarded prestigious International Forum Design awards for two of its eneloop universe battery n Robin Gower products, eneloop rechargeable batteries that can be used repeatedly and the eneloop solar charger that charges the eneloop batteries by solar energy.
hese and other Sanyo products, including the companys range of HD camcorders, have been available to UK independent photo retailers through Tudor for some time. Now the company has been joined by former Ace Cameras partner, Robin Gower, who has been given the specific job of developing sales into the independent photo retail market. Peter Corbett chatted with him over a pint (or two) about his change of role and how he sees Sanyo fitting into the photo retail world. PC: First the obvious question, why change from retail to distribution? RG: Im actually going back to where I started. My first job was with Johnsons Photopia as South East Sales Manager and after a brief spell with Vivitar I became South West Area Manager for Minolta. Thats how I came into contact with Ace. After a while dealing with them I realised there were opportunities which would give me the opportunity to get involved with my own business and thats what made me jump from distributor to retailer. I was there for just under ten years, latterly as a partner. PC: So why leave? RG: I was approached by Tudor and Sanyo for this role and I felt that the opportunity they were jointly offering was sufficiently attractive for me to leave retailing and go back into distribution. I started with Tudor at the beginning of March. PC: How does it feel to be back on the road? Is it odd? RG: No, its almost second nature to be honest. I dont mind admitting I was a little bit apprehensive having spent ten years in retail but it all just seemed to come back quite naturally. I loved it before and Im sure Im going to love it again now. PC: You told me earlier that things had changed a lot in the last ten years. As a retailer, you would perhaps have been aware of that but has it still come as a bit of surprise? RG: I suppose I was aware of it at a local level but when you look at the national accounts thats when you really see it. I had noticed on golf days and so on that the odd dealer wasnt there having hung up his boots and retired but when you look at it nationally it just stood out a

little bit more. However, those that are left are possibly stronger and healthier and are more geared up towards making a success of everything. PC: Your new title is Business Manager. What does that entail? RG: I cover the whole of the UK including Ireland. I will be working with any independent photo retailer interested in stocking Sanyo and with existing Tudor sales force where appropriate PC: Sanyo is an electronics giant to say the least, best known for its huge range of consumer products but for the time being youre concentrating on the imaging side? RG: This consists of a strong camcorder range already geared up for HD technology Access to HD is expected to grow from 20 percent in 2007 to over 65 percent in 2011 which means at that anyone with HD televisions will want HD camcorders to realise the potential and properly benefit from the technology theyve got. That for me spells an enormous growth opportunity for distributors with the right product. I believe Sanyo to be one of them. Theres also the waterproof camcorder. Ive seen from the retail side that theres an increasing expectation from consumers in terms of the lifestyle cameras that are out there, with waterproof digital still cameras selling very, very well. Sanyos camcorder is waterproof Its
not a divers camera but you could take it snorkelling or walk into the sea with it, if you were in a boat and it fell overboard it wouldnt matter. Its also sandproof, you can wash it under the tap, wipe it down with a damp cloth and so on and people are becoming more and more used to that kind of technology. Those are the two areas which I find particularly exciting but there are digital still cameras as well. The range is changing shortly and I cant be any more specific than that right now. PC: Youre also very enthusiastic about batteries. RG: Sanyo has a brand called eneloop. This is a particularly exciting time for them because of the new legislation which is coming out into force about batteries and increasing awareness of how we dispose of batteries. Eneloop is a rechargeable battery thats ready for use the moment you buy. It will hold its charge for much longer than other rechargeables if its not used. also last four times longer in usage than conventional batteries. Theyre AAA and AA but theres also an adapter which coverts AA into C or D sized cells so it is a complete system. It comes with standard charger but theres also a USB charger so you could charge your batteries while youre using your computer. Were all going to stop using single use batteries and start using rechargeables more, especially now

n Sanyos Xacti HD1000

camcorder the problems of their not holding their charge and not being available to use straight away have been overcome. All of that combined with legislation means theres an enormous opportunity for Sanyo batteries. PC: That technology isnt unique to Sanyo though. RG: No, but there arent many people out there offering it and as people become more and more used to it eneloop is going to become a name thats synonymous with batteries. PC: Youve got quite a hill to climb with other perhaps more well known battery names to compete with. RG: Yes, there is a brand issue but these batteries offer something which other brands dont offer. If we were selling like for like it would be a harder battle but as these batteries are offering so much more than other batteries people will be less reluctant to change. Tudor recognises both the changes that are going on the market and the potential for Sanyo product to become an important and integral part of their overall business. Im hoping that my appointment is seen as a positive commitment from both Tudor and Sanyo to enhancing the brand and to making sure its out there that with as many dealers as possible.

Copyright

Whose image is it? Check!
n July, 1995, a number of US photo industry groups and businesses agreed to a set of Copyright Guidelines designed to help their colleagues comply with copyright law and respect the rights and problems of each industry segment. Those guidelines have now been updated and modified to reflect English law but not for that of other countries. The law in Scotland and Ireland may vary so the advice there is consult your own advisors for specific legal advice. The guidelines arent binding but are intended to help those in the industry to carry on business in a responsible and lawful way. The Guidelines which everyone in the industry should follow include: 1) Recognise the photographer or studio as the owner of copyright in his or her photographs in most circumstances, particularly in the case of professional portraits. 2) Encourage greater enjoyment of photography through the use of photographs, made in compliance with applicable laws. 3) Encourage all members of the photo industry to educate and inform their customers and employees of the requirements of the copyright laws and the need for adherence to and support of those laws. 4) Provide reasonable notice to customers that the permission of the copyright owner is necessary under copyright law in most circumstances for copying or other manipulation of a photograph. 5) Recognise that when infringement occurs that is not innocent, damages and legal fees may be awarded. In addition, professional photographers should 1) Prior to completion of the sales process, provide notice to customers of the photographers ownership of copyright, in an effort to avoid confusion about the rights of the photographer. 2) Provide customers with the information necessary to obtain additional copies of the photographs. 3) Where reasonably possible, identify and mark each of their photographs sufficiently to permit others to know whom to contact to obtain permission to copy, electronically or otherwise manipulate, or prepare other derivative uses of the photo. 4) Identify with full details any moral right asserted in the photograph. 5) Respond promptly to requests for permission to copy, electronically or otherwise, manipulate, or prepare other derivative uses of the photo, although there is no obligation to grant such permission. 6) Give written notice to the photo processor when a photographer believes his or her copyright has been infringed, in an effort to prevent further infringement, to determine the cause of the alleged infringement, and to permit possible resolution of the matter without the need for litigation. In addition, photo processors should 1) Notify customers that the photo processor does not copy or manipulate photos bearing a copyright notice without permission of the copyright owner named in the notice. 2) Provide notice to customers, where practicable, that copyrighted photographs will not be accepted without the permission of the photographer or copyright owner (if different) when using other promotional techniques such as mail order or drop boxes that are within the control of the photo processor. 3) Educate and inform responsible employees about their responsibilities under copyright law and established policies and practices. 4) Inspect the front and back of photographs submitted for copying to determine if a copyright notice or other notice that the work is professional (such as a studio name or logo) is present or appears to have been removed. 5) Inspect the front and back of an unmarked image submitted for copying to determine if it is reasonably recognisable as a professional photograph. 6) Utilise the following guidelines in evaluating a request to copy photographs which the photo processor has reason to believe may be professional: a) It is generally reasonable for a photo processor to rely on a written consent to copying or other manipulation from the photographer or studio named in a copyright notice or other marking. b) Where the image is identified as a professional photograph by a mark, or it reasonably appears that a mark has been altered or removed, it generally is not reasonable to rely solely on statements by customers claiming a right to copy the photograph. c) Where there is no marking identifying a photograph as a professional photograph, but there is a question about whether the photograph is professional, it is generally reasonable for the photo processor to rely on a written statement by the customer that the customer understands that copies must be authorised by the photographer and that he or she is the photographer, or has received such authorisation. d) Circumstances such as prior written warnings from a photographer or prior dealings with a customer may indicate that further confirmation is necessary. e) Copying or restoring a photograph for the personal use of a customer may be reasonable in cases where the age of the photograph or the circumstances are such that the photographer or studio is unlikely to object to copying. n PMA has produced a series of forms and information sheets about copyright which retailers and others can use when dealing with copyright issues with their customers. PMA UK office 367 for more information.

Source of Revenue for Leading Online Players Changed Dramatically in Recent Years
Moving forward, the online market will continue to witness volume and value growth and reach 355m prints with a value of 32m by 2009

Conference

Best networking event on the calendar
ome and join us thats the message from PSPA UK who are holding their Conference at the beautiful Hellidon Lakes Hotel in Daventry in July. This years programme will provide school photographers and labs with innovative marketing strategies and key technology updates and will introduce the new PSPA Accreditation Scheme. It will also take a look at event photography through the eyes of two expert practitioners and discuss offering bespoke in-house framing and the added value and increased profits that can accrue. Add a session on motivating staff and setting goals and you have the best networking event on the calendar. Make an investment in your business and book now for PSPA UK 2008! Conference Agenda Monday 7th July 2008 11.00 PSPA UK Golf Tournament Be a part of the very first PSPA UK Golf Tournament at the beautiful Hellidon Lakes Course. Bacon sandwiches and tea/coffee at 11.00 with first tee-off at 11.30. 18.00 Tenpin Bowling Challenge. Form yourselves into teams of four and put the best score together for valuable prizes at the hotels own computerised four-lane bowling alley. Tuesday 8th July 2008 9.00 What Do Parents Want From a School Photo? Nigel McNaught, PMA. The PSPA UK Conference in 2006 featured the results of a nationwide survey of parents to find out what they look for in a school portrait. A second survey has now been undertaken to expand on some of the findings of the first survey, and the results will help you when approaching schools and parent groups with new ideas. 9.30 From School Photography to Prom Photography Ricky Turrell, LSWPP, AI Events, (Sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric UK Ltd.) There are many similarities between school photography and prom photography, but there are also some subtle, and not so subtle, distinctions that can make the difference between success and disaster. Ricky Turrell has been there and done it and now runs a successful events photography business. He will share his thoughts and insights into how to add prom photography successfully to your business. 10.15 From Prom Photography to Event Photography Keith Trainor, MPA, Events Photography, (Sponsored by www.photomart.co.uk) To many photographers, prom photography might just seem to be event photography with schoolchildren. But is this really the case? Keith Trainor will show you how to approach these lucrative markets and get the best out of the occasion to maximise your profit. Keith, the British Professional 2005 Event Photographer of the Year, has many years experience with this type of work and will show you how to plan in advance and how to market the results. 11.00 Refreshment Break Visit the Supplier Centre. Invest in Your Business! 11.30 Added Value: Framing Richard Buttle, UK School of Framing We all recognise the added value that framing a school photo offers. We end up buying in thousands of standard size frames to offer parents that extra service. However, there are occasions when you really need a bespoke look or a special, feature frame for the whole school photograph or the portrait of the head teacher. Is it feasible to do this kind of work in-house? How realistic is it to be even more creative: framed shirts with team photos or composites of individual, class and whole school groupings? Retired head teacher turned framing tutor, Richard Buttle, debunks the myth that framing is difficult and guides you through the kit, materials and space in which you would need to invest. You will also discover what training is available. The deciding factor, however, might just be the extra profits you can generate for your business. 12.15 PSPA Accreditation Programme Pippa Walkley, Skillset Last year saw the launch of the PSPA Code of Practice, which sets out a series of standard practices for PSPA members to enable them to show the bona fide nature of their work and the ethical standards by which they work. The next step in that process is to accredit the work of specialist school photographers. Pippa Walkley, photo imaging manager for Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for our industry, will introduce the accreditation process, how it works and the benefits it will bring to you. 12.45 Lunch Visit the Supplier Centre. 14.15 Green Screen Update While green screen works well with events photography, is it yet capable of handling the workflow and other issues associated with school photography? When the PSPA UK conference looked at this subject two years ago, the conclusion was probably not yet. Since then, green screen technology has made tremendous progress, and this session will show you how far it has come and how you can now use it in the school environment. 15.00 How New Advances in Workflow Technology Can Help You Sell More David Clark, Snapping Sams, and Robin Henderson, Halse Systems Bar coding is one of the many new developments for automating your schools workflow. In this session, David Clark and Robin Henderson will show you alternative ways of using such tools in your picture taking and how these and other recent technologies can be used to streamline your work, improve quality, and widen the choice of products and services you offer both parents and schools. 15.45 Refreshment Break Visit the Supplier Centre. 16.15 Capture, Save, Print Philip Chisholm, DAS Newsprints 2008 has been heralded as the year of the total solution. In this session, Philip will show a combined software and hardware system using Wi-Fi technology that not only provides a capture and save facility but can also give a proof print, a finished print and a post-event online ordering system. 16.45 Goals Set to Goal Get Gareth Davies, Davies Colour From basic goal-setting strategies to advanced visualisation techniques, you will learn some of the most effective sales techniques for accomplishing your goals, employed by some of the worlds greatest business and sports people. This session will help you to understand that you get what you expect in life, not what you deserve. 17.15 Panel Discussion Share your thoughts on the days topics with your colleagues in this panel discussion. 19.00 Reception 19.30 Gala Dinner Presentation of Prizes Guest Speaker: Kennedy Billed as the UKs leading psychological magician, to call Kennedy a mind reader does not do him justice. As the BBC put it, You have just got to see this! Want more information? Give Tracey Chapman at PMA UK a ring on Tel: 01438-840-367 (Fax: 01438-716-572), or e-mail her at tchapman@pmai.org

WoW! Magic Touch does it again!
The Magic Touchs Technical Support Manager, Nathan Newbury (centre), collects the Technical Innovation 2008 award from Rebecca Green and Richard Smith of datateam, organisers of the Printwear & Promotions Excellence Awards Ceremony held in Birmingham. The award, accepted by Nathan on behalf of the whole Magic Touch team, was for TMTs WoW transfer paper which allows complex designs to be printed as one-offs on to almost any garment or fabric regardless of colour or composition without the often tedious weeding and trimming operations associated with screen printing. WoW transfer paper had already been recognised having been awarded first and second prize for Best Transfer Print and first prize for Best Combination Print categories in the Images Textile Awards, together with Best Product 2007 by Corel Draw Pro Magazine.
I get all my work in framing after the school photographer has been.
This is a quote from someone who had been on a DIYframing business training week, starting her own framing business as a result.Sandra tapped into the niche market of school mums and attracts hundreds of pounds worth of framing each month and her customers stay with her for a long time.You can corner that market, too. How? DIYframing is offering PMA members a unique opportunity to join them at their Beaconsfield training centre, on Wednesday, August 27th between ten and two to see what picture framing can add to your photography business. We will give you the chance to hear in detail about what you need to get started: tools, workspace and systems. We will show you how to mount and frame an image, start to finish, using inexpensive workshop kit. There is guidance on how to price your framing work and loads of ideas about how to develop the range and style of framed photography. We are also at the PSPA conference, leading a seminar and generally available to offer advice and guidance on all aspects of picture framing. Something for nothing doesnt happen very often. Dont miss your big chance to find a way for your business to offer an exciting, profitable new service. To book your free place, call or email judy@ diyframing.com

EDP Award winner

blanc canvas

FESPA honours HP

Driving Digital Content

Noritsu moves

Epson picks up EDP accolades
or the second consecutive year, Epson has won the prestigious EDP award 2008 for the Best Photographic Printer of the Year for its Stylus Pro 11880. EDP is the first association of digital graphic press publishers to acknowledge the value of the industrys innovation for the professional graphic arts market. Epsons Barbara Kuhr commented: In the year that Epson

while FESPA honours HP

HP has been included on FESPA Digitals Blue innovator trail and its Green Planet-Friendly trails, winning one of only five Outstanding classifications awarded at the show. At the same time it has expanded its portfolio of largeformat printing technologies and solutions. Highlights include: n Five new super-wide format HP Scitex industrial printers, the result of the completed product integration of acquired NUR Macroprinters, Ltd. n One new HP Scitex and two new HP Designjet printers, as the result of the product integration of acquired MacDermid ColorSpan n A new large format photo and proofing paper portfolio and n New HP Latex Printing Technologies, designed with the environment in mind, and offering a compelling alternative for creating a wide variety of indoor and outdoor applications. HP has also celebrated the opening of its new 13,000-sq.m. manufacturing site in Caesarea, Israel. The new facility, combined with other production sites around the world reflects the strong enduser demand for signage solutions from HP. In 2007, HPs growth
n HP Designjet Z3100 Photo Printer
in wide format printing reached 19 percent while the market grew 14 percent over 2006.
is celebrating 40 years of printing technology, the EDP has recognised Epsons ongoing innovations with the award for Best Photographic Printer of the Year 2008. This award demonstrates that the values placed on innovation and quality at Epsons inception still hold true today and bring benefits to the graphic arts market in terms of creating highquality photo printers that deliver industry-leading results.
The EDP Association is made up of the publishers of leading European magazines devoted to digital printing and associated products. They cover more than 15 countries with a combined circulation of around 120,000 and a readership exceeding 240,000 graphic arts professionals. The EDP awards identify and reward products that represent quality and innovation to enable the graphic
arts community to identify the best products in the industry. The decision to award Epson the Best Photographic Printer of the Year accolade is based on Epsons new wide format standard, its new formulation of magenta pigments, its colour stability immediately after printing, its capability of handling nine separate ink channels and superior connectivity, commented the EDP panel.

blanc canvas named as awards finalists
Leeds based digital media and print group blanc canvas has been selected as a North East regional finalist in two categories of the pre-eminent National Business Awards 2008, sponsored by Orange. The Guiseley firm has been shortlisted in The Business Innovation of the Year category as well as the Best Use of Technology in Business Award for its unique digital ink jet printing technologies. blanc canvas has been recognised in both these categories for its ongoing commitment to exploring cutting edge digital ink jet printing methods which are complemented by innovative substrates. MD Andrew Ainge, a previous Regional, National and European Business Awards winner for MetalFX Technology, launched blanc canvas in 2004 and brought together his skills and expertise in business innovation with his personal interest in fine art reproduction to develop the blanc canvas range of print and digital media products. In the beginning, Andrew developed a media called phototex with a manufacturing partner in South Korea. phototex is a selfadhesive fabric based wall covering
Digital conference creating n Interior of a bar a buzz decorated with a panel
Less than a month to go created using photodex. and Driving Digital Content: Generating Revenues and Engaging the Consumer conference is already on track to be even bigger and better than last year, according to organisers Understanding and Solutions. With a solid programme thats said to be creating a buzz across the industry and registrations rising fast, attendees are bound to gain valuable insights into the business opportunities and latest developments within this sector. They will be able to hear from the opinion leaders, network with the key players and understand the true impact that digital content delivery will have upon the future entertainment landscape. The conference takes place at Londons Cumberland Hotel on Thursday and Friday June 5th and 6th. Full details are available from www.uands.com/ddc08/.

n Display featuring

blanc canvass Phototex wall covering media that is waterproof and rip proof. Wanting to offer more than straightforward wall coverings, Andrew identified a gap in the market for a completely unique process of 3D scanning and so developed and patented iScan3D technology. iScan3D reproduces the texture and shadow areas of a fine art piece creating a three dimensional illusion what appears as raised lumps of oil paint is in fact trompe loeil. This combination of phototex media and iScan3D resulted in the creation of blanc wall - bespoke, large format 3D wall coverings. Said Andrew: As a business, blanc canvas pioneers innovation so we are delighted to have been recognised for our work. By combining leading digital ink jet printing technology with new substrates, we are able to offer a range of products that open up exciting possibilities for interior designers, architects, printers, sign makers, artists, photographers and art lovers alike, on a global scale.

If you choose to use a professional photographer, please ensure you are happy that the photographer is aware of the standards required, particularly that the photo will not show a white
background once printed. A poster is available from PMA to help retailers promote their passport photo business. Its available via the PMA website, pmai.org/ international/united_kingdom.
Subminiature camera at subminiature price!
Dave Morgan at Newpro has told Newsline that a limited number of Minox TLX 8x11mm subminiature cameras will very shortly be available for sale at a very special price. They are listed on the current price list at an RRP of 899.00 including VAT the special offer price will be 399.00 including VAT!!! (Daves exclamation marks, not ours although.) Newpro is getting these completed to order, something which can take anything up to 30 days before they are shipped out of Wetzlar although the first few cameras have already been sent over. A number of dealers have already reserved a batch and supply is limited but if you contact Dave at Newpro quickly he may well be able to order some for you. Daves on 01367-242411, fax 01367-241124, e-mail dave@ newprouk.co.uk

n Minox TLX 8x11mm

subminiature camera
Alive and well or back from the dead?
Remember the picture on the front cover of last months magazine? It was shot on Fujis classic Velvia stock. So were a helluva lot of the images in the last two or three issues of Outdoor Photography magazine and at Focus almost everywhere I went I came across students with analogue cameras slung round their necks, writes Peter Corbett.

Vivitar in the pink

Vivitars sub-50 3.2MP Vivicam 3102S was the best selling digital still camera in 2007 according to GfK. Sold mainly through mass merchandising outlets the camera was also available in blue and silver but it was the pink version which was most in demand, Vivitars Charanjit Kotecha told Newsline. We ran completely out of stock at Christmas as people were buying pink for a girl for presents, she said, adding that the blue for a boy and silver versions also sold well. Introduced in late 2006 the Vivicam 3102S is still on the Vivitar inventory though the company has updated it with its new Vivicam 5188 5.1MP design. Canon had three DSCs in the top ten, the EOS400D, Ixus 70 and Ixus 75. Sony had two with the rest of the top ten places shared by Kodak, Fujifilm and Casio.

hich leads me to ask again: where are we with film? Is it going through the last throes or is it rising Lazaruslike from the grave so many people have already condemned it to. Well, there is now, according to Wikipedia anyway, effectively a Fujifilm/Kodak duopoly (someone from Ilford had better update the reference), everybody else having fallen by the wayside, with Polaroid finally announcing its withdrawal from the market in March do, however, check out savepolaroid.com. So, just because I started off by mentioning Fuji, lets continue with them. Its not long since they gave Velvia 50 a new lease of life thanks to some cunning work by the companys R&D people who were able to re-create the emulsions magic mixture of ingredients which was threatened when some of those ingredients were effectively outlawed. Now the companys professional ranges features 20 different emulsions, split across negative, reversal, black and white and instant. Its launched choose-film.com, on online community dedicated to film photography which now boasts over 3,800 members; the Fujifilm Student Awards 2007 attracted nearly 700 entries, all shot on Fujifilm Professional film, and 30 percent more entries were received for the Fujifilm Distinction Awards in 2007 than in 2006 when the scheme became film-only. And if this wasnt evidence enough that professional film at least is far from dead, Fuji is now enjoying strong sales of its range of instant film, thanks to the continued popularity of film based passport/ID

n The pink un

Vivitars top selling Vivicam 3105S
There was is more than enough demand to justify its continued manufacture.
systems, and to the sad demise of Polaroid. On the consumer side, the picture isnt quite so healthy. Consumer film in general is in decline with sales of APS film in steeper decline than 35mm but Fuji still claims to be picking up market share against its competitors despite an extremely
difficult price sensitive market. Single Use Cameras are also in decline, says Fuji, but this is slowing year on year, and these products still return very good revenue and margin. The full Fujifilm consumer range covers 35mm negative (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 ISO), APS (200 ISO only), single use cameras, 110 cartridges and instant film (instax) and to help support them Fujifilm currently sponsors pages Gary McNamaras Critical Eye section in Amateur Photographer and the magazines letters picture post page. On to Kodak, which is also experiencing marked differences between sales of consumer and pro film. The company itself is predicting

a fall of as much as 38percent in consumer film sales this year, with APS sales down by more than 50 percent but product manager Pamela Jenkins told me, even at that level there is still more than enough demand for film to justify its continued manufacture. At the pro level, things are much more encouraging with year on year decline much less steep than it has been in the past if not actually levelling out. Kodak still makes negative and slide colour film its only a matter of weeks since the Big Yellow company launched new versions of Portra 400 and black and white negative film. Indeed, as Pamela told me, there has been quite a reinvigoration of the black and white market with T-Max
branded film in particular doing very nicely thank you. As with Fuji, Kodak pro film tends now to be sold through specialist outlets, especially those who work online, because sales through most High Street retailers generally no longer justifying the space taken up by the fridge needed to keep them in peak condition. And the future? No plans to drop any of the companys inventory but there could be some rationalisation of pack sizes to ensure the supply chain is kept nice and tight. Finally to Ilford. I spoke to Howard Hopwood who was just as bullish as he was when I met him in Orlando the day after the buyout of the company was confirmed. Weve gone through the dark days when sales were steadily falling at about 25percent year on year, he said. Things have flattened out and were actually benefiting from other companies decisions or rumours of
decisions to drop out of the black and white market. The thing is that black and white is at the heart of our business not on the periphery as it is with other companies so when other people drop out we have the right critical mass to step in and pick up that business.
Fuji is now enjoying strong sales of its range of instant film.
Much of Ilfords business is done with colleges, especially in the States where there is much greater emphasis on the basics of photography, including darkroom work. Students are now so used to
working on a computer at home or in college, said Howard, that the darkroom is now something of a novelty but of course its also where they learn so much about the art of photography. The decision to take black and white processing in house made in the event at very short notice when TopFoto went into administration though it had been under consideration for some time and the acquisition of Kentmere has also boosted film sales, with a very encouraging number of online requests for processing envelopes confirming the trend. The Ilford range includes roll, sheet and specialist film as well as 35mm 35mm film sales are actually only a fraction of the total and for the time being at least no new products are planned, with Ilfords R&D people concentrating, as Fujis did with Velvia 50, on making sure their emulsions are always spot

on even as some of their ingredients become unavailable. Mind you, now that Polaroid black and white has gone. When we looked at some length a year or so back at the film market, I have to confess I was then expecting an announcement any day that one of the companies in that duopoly was going to throw in the towel and that that would be that. A year from now? Lets wait and see but you know, I feel quite optimistic that film has a future. OK, so the shop walls that were once covered with consumer film have now gone. OK, so mobile phones are taking over from SUCs. OK, so the dream that was APS has turned somewhat sour if not actually into a nightmare. But a tenner for the Lifeboat box says Newsline will be reporting on a future of film, not its passing, in 12 months time. Anyone want to take me on?

18 On the Chisholm Trail

Statistics
Education, Education, Education
pening up your shop, minilab or bureau this morning, did you notice whether your frontage needed a wash and a scrub? Does your major sales attraction area look like it needs a spring clean? Now is the time to shake off your winter blues, spring is firmly in the gardens and parks. Its now time to open the windows and let it into your business. I know the first thing you will be thinking is how much is this going to cost and having survived the weak trading period, profits are not there for a face lift! What you can do without major costs? n As the business manager, get into work early before all the staff, and wash down the storefront and windows daily, including the pavement outside. Make your window on the world of business sparkle. Over the weeks touch up the paintwork and clean the carpets in the reception. n Change the window display at least once a week; use your large inkjet to create posters. Within your town launch a poster campaign promoting a Collectables, Picture of the month. This advertises one of your photographers work each time, and points the consumers at your bureau; get the photographers to sign the prints. Do this on a 50 percent profit share; you as a bureau are therefore taking on the mantle of their publisher. n Re-jig your price list; split the print prices between profile prints that go direct to print from the image owners provided stock, and a bureau service that runs Photoshop over every image that you charge for. Currently my bureau is correcting on average 500 images a day. This is our future profit earner in providing such services. I know that a lot of photographers like to play computers thinking they know best! But the prints reflect their competence, do two sets next time, those corrected by them and a set by your bureau. After forty years colour printing and ten years driving Photoshop the prints that leave my bureau are of a quality that enhances our photographers work. Moreover, it gives them more time behind the camera being productive. n Promote a different print product every month; dont just use discounts to sell. Display a range of beautiful expensive frames, with the marketing message Buy a Frame, we provide the print free. There are many things you can do to excite your customers and indeed your staff, providing the correct environment to be able to sell in is by far the most important of your spring mission statements, whether this is on the High Street, or on the Internet - only you can make it happen. Workshops With so much new technology and software this year, it can be a minefield keeping your staff up to speed. Mount workshops, invite your image owners to these events, pull in the experts to advise upon the latest. However, my best advice is dont forget the basics! Run workshops and master classes on studio lighting and portrait posing, what lens to use, how to use softer effects in camera. The message; three seconds creating the effect at the point of capture will take 20 minutes in Photoshop, capture in camera is always more productive and creative. Other workshops, which are just as important to your staff as indeed to your stable of images owners include: How to Sell? How to display work? A print may sell to the photographers client for 10; a frame can transpose this into a 100 sale. To conclude, most artists in camera work from home these days, so get them to rent an area of town centre window glass, in partnership with you as their publishing bureau. Then support this display; each time you see a special picture from their latest shoot, ask them if they want a new display prints at a promotional price.

Small is beautiful?

ow heres a thought. Is there more to be made from entry level digital cameras than there is from high spec models? OK, the margin might be small cash-wise but just have a look at this months stats. Sales of sub-2MP cameras in the year to February were down by almost 11percent but their total value, at 1.382 million, was up by a pretty encouraging 32percent. Makes you wonder, doesnt it. The rest is much as expected, with camera sales, digital cameras, that is, up by almost 12 and half percent at getting on for 6,400,000 in total but only by a gnats crotchet, 0.2percent to be precise, in value. Without those sub-2MP cameras, could we have seen a fall in the total value? Weve looked at film again in this issue if you started reading this issue from the front the features on pages 16 and 17, if youre reading from the back youll have seen it and the stats, which came in after it was written, confirm what weve been told, that the fall in the sales of film is slowing. Unit sales were down by well over 30percent year on year this time last year, now its just under 24percent, with the total value changing by about the same amount. Theres no breakdown between pro and consumer film sales; however while sales of still cameras are down by almost 55 percent they seem to have a much longer life than digital ones and there will already be millions of perfectly good 35mm, 110 and APS cameras out there ready to be used by amateur snappers as well as the top end SLRs and medium and large format cameras which are still the tools of the trade for so many pros. Finally, imaging accessories. Up by 3.6 percent in numbers and by 14.5 percent in value. Need we say more?
Market data for the year to February 2008 compared with year to February 2007
Value & Change Digital Camera Lenses Memory Cards Imaging Accessories Still Cameras 0.2 24.2 10.5 14.5 Units % Change 12.4 40.7 31.0 3.6
58.4 54.6 Theyve been 27.2 into space. Theyre Still Film 23.7 Oscar and Emmy winners. Theyve Binoculars 19.0 with US forces 11.8 been on the ground TOTAL 3.7 and now theyre over here They are Tiffen titanium filters which, in their latest digital form, Sales of Digitalwere shown for the first time Still Cameras, Value ( million) PMA 08 and are now to be at distributed in the UK by Swains. Value Million % change on 2007 Made in New York and making good use of the companys vast Less than 2 MP 1,382 32.1 experience in the movie industry, 2 to 3 MP 415 75.6 the filters have a double sided 3 to 4 MP 11,391 60.to 5 MP 5 to 6 MP 6 to 7 MP 7 to 8 MP 8 to 9 MP 9 to 10 MP 10 to11 MP 11 to12 MP More than 12 MP TOTAL 4,355 37,054 96,288 283,586 172,993 15,625 195,56,215 878,638 90.4 75.0 65.5 107.7 58.0 13.4 98.5 441.3 289.9 0.2
DSC sales hit new worldwide peak
One hundred and twenty six million digital still cameras were sold worldwide in 2007, 18 percent more than the year before, GfKs Marion Knoche told delegates to Photo Imaging Expo 2008. The largest market was the US, followed by Japan and China but the most dynamic markets were in countries such as Russia and Latin America (Brazil, Chile and Argentina), which enjoyed 54 percent growth. Asia experienced a very healthy 20 percent growth in digital camera sales in 2007 compared to the previous year. Out of the 17 million DSCs sold in the 13 countries that GfK audits, about 8 million were sold in China. Looking forward to 2008, GfK anticipates the Asian market will absorb 24 million units. US sales reached another peak in 2007, both for digital SLRs and digital compacts with unit volumes reaching 34.4 million in 2007, an 11 percent increase from 2006, while in Europe markets are becoming more and more determined by the increasing demand in Eastern Europe, with the Russian and Polish markets in particular boosting growth. For 2008 Marion Knoche expects 12 million DSC sales in Eastern Europe, which would represent about one quarter of the European Market.