This isn’t your father’s photo industry anymore. That statement is becoming more and more apparent with each introduction of new products and services that weren’t possible in the era of film. And yet some things seem to remain the same—or at least similar—until you take a closer look.

For example, there’s been a resurgence in the wedding and portrait arena of canvas prints, but the canvas print of 2008 is far different and easier to produce. No need to make a print, pull off the emulsion and adhere it to the canvas, then stretch, and frame it. Now you simply use canvas media in an inkjet printer and output directly, then stretch it. (Or easier still, send the image to your lab to have them output directly onto canvas.)

There are even frames available that are designed so that the depth of the stretched canvas is visible, and many photographers are offering canvas gallery wraps without frames—some incorporate words around the sides, while others show part of the image wrapped around, and still others choose a solid color to border the image.

Canvases really make a statement, whether its just one large canvas on a wall, or multiples that make up one image. Studio Photography’s April issue features an article that shows how one photographer markets canvases to her clients. In future issues of Studio Photography we’ll bring you articles on how to create canvas prints in-house; as well as other uses for them, than just displaying on a wall.

Stay tuned…
Cheers,
Diane

For the specialty photo store or minilab owner, there’s always a reason to celebrate photography and promote it in your store or lab. Photography even has its own month-long holiday. May is National Photography Month. I know I’m a bit early, spring hasn’t even arrived yet, but by thinking about it this early, you’ll have no excuses for not planning special sales or programs around the holiday.
Any and every holiday—for that matter—could be the impetus for a special sale: Mother’s day, Father’s day, Grandparent’s day, Independence day, Arbor day, Thanksgiving, and on and on… These are the times that your customers will probably be taking more photographs than usual, so its only natural that you offer creative promotions to get them into your store to order prints and other photo gifts. And if you decorate your store for each of these holidays, it gives the perception of change, so you may find your customers spending more time browsing because they think there are new items on your shelves. Don’t forget to change the displays in your front window either. There’s nothing worse than faded displays of old products sitting in your front window to insure passersby will pass your store by and shop elsewhere.
Another great opportunity for you to create special promotions is on the anniversary of your store or lab’s opening. You can use that as a year-long reason for celebrations, sales, promotions, and more!

Best,
Diane Berkenfeld
Editor

Working on a magazine, we tend to receive a lot of press releases announcing the launches of products but few announcing the discontinuation of them… On occasion however, some of these announcments are no surprise while others are quite unexpected.
Earlier this week, we got the news that Polaroid has decided to close the plants that manufacture the company’s Polaroid film. The reason is obvious—digital is ubiquitous.
According to an article in The Boston Globe, the manufacturing plants will close this year, giving Polaroid a small stockpile of film to last into 2009.
At one time almost every photographer—portrait, wedding and commercial—had at least one Polaroid back for their medium or larger format cameras. Instant film was a necessity—to check product or subject placement, lighting and focus—saving you from having to expose film that would need to be processed, and which could become expensive if you were shooting, say 8×10 chromes.
But digital has replaced the immediacy of Polaroid film, and you don’t even need to wait 45-seconds after you press the shutter, before you can view the image.
I suppose the second-hand Polaroid SX-70 camera I purchased on eBay a few years ago for fine-art purposes will now be a permanent museum piece next to the old Kodak Brownie I happened upon as a collectible. Sadly, I do admit that since I’ve gotten my first DSLR I haven’t touched my Nikon F3 or Bronica SQ-Ai.
Recently Kodak quietly announced the discontinuation of its high speed B&W Infrared film. A favorite of nature, landscape, and wedding photographers—there are now digital options, both hardware and software, to replace that old favorite too.
Although those icons of the past will be missed, the efficiencies of present day digital affords us so many new directions and opportunities. Some of these new products made their debuts at PMA last month. We’re bring many of them to you (see page 42 of the March issue of Studio Photography magazine) and will continue to do so in upcoming issues of both PTN and Studio Photography, and here on imaginginfo.com.
Best,
Diane Berkenfeld
Editor

Diane Berkenfeld

There are so many things I want to talk about, I don’t know where to begin. They say you should begin at the beginning, so here goes… The first thing you’ll have noticed about this issue of PTN is that we’ve slimmed down. (And isn’t that something we’re always putting at the top of our list of New Year’s resolutions.) We’ve listened to our readers—who have asked for an easier to read, easier to carry magazine—and trimmed down from a tabloid, the size we’ve been for 71 years, to the magazine you’re holding in your hands. And we’ll still be bringing you the great editorial you’ve come to expect over the years.

Just as we’ve transformed PTN to adapt and change with the times, our cover story features six retailers—second generation owners who are by no means “kids.” These folks bring with them fresh new ideas, a unique vision, and the ability to quickly adapt to change—taking their businesses into the digital future. Check out the story on page 12 to see how these “Young Guns” of the photo retail industry are succeeding.

Just as we were going to press, we heard the sad news that Herbert Keppler, one of the industry’s most respected journalists had died. We put together a tribute to “Burt” that you’ll find on page 49.

Later this month, we’ll be at PMA. There are quite a few new digital cameras and other innovative products that are scheduled to be launched at the show. Exciting new models that will appeal to everyone from the professional photographer to the Gen-X mom next door. Having seen some of these cameras, we think they’ll be generating quite a buzz in the months to come. A variety of new photofinishing solutions will also be making their debuts at the show.

PMA attendees can turn to the Cygnus PMA Show Daily each day to get the latest news and product introductions; and for those who couldn’t make it to the show this year, check out our website at www.imaginginfo.com for the digital editions of the Cygnus PMA Show Daily that will be posted each day of the show and accessible for months to come.

For those of you attending PMA, feel free to stop by our Dealer of the Year reception, on Friday, February 1st, from 5:30p.m. - 7:00p.m., where we’ll be honoring Tony Miresse, of Art’s Cameras Plus as our Dealer of the Year for 2007. The reception will be held at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, Ballroom 1. It’s a short walk—the hotel is adjacent to the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

And, as you’re walking the PMA tradeshow floor, drop by our booth: K161 to say hello. Not sure where it is? We’ve got the maps and exhibitor listing within this issue (see pages 40 - 48), to help you navigate the two floors of exhibitors.
Viva Las Vegas!

Best,

Diane Berkenfeld, Editor