I recently received a children’s book in the mail, and didn’t have to wonder very long why it was being sent to the editor of photography magazines. The book was sent to me from the publisher, Abrams Books for Young Readers (www.abramsyoungreaders.com). The title of the book was Babar’s USA. Authored by Laurent De Brunhoff, the son of the originator of the beloved elephant that was first created in 1931. The book is illustrated with photographs by Zephir. Photographs … that caught my interest.

Babar was created in a bedtime story told by Cecile de Brunhoff, Laurent’s mother. Laurent’s father, Jean de Brunhoff illustrated the story and published it. After Jean’s death in 1937, Laurent took over as family storyteller and has been bringing Babar stories to children since 1946.

Babar’s USA mixes illustrations of Babar and his family traveling across the country with digital photography. Many of the photographs were taken by De Brunhoff and his wife as hey traveled cross country. The artist then printed the images, tracing them on a light box, he drew in the figures to scale. In some instances, he scanned these collages into the computer and further manipulated them digitally.

I think it’s great that a household name such as the character Babar has “embraced digital photography” in the pages of this book. Besides just seeing the images, which unless you’d read about the manner in which the final pages were created, might have seemed to just be any old pictures mixed with drawings.

At the end of the story, Babar arranges a surprise for the elephants of Celesteville: boxes filled with computers, video games, iPods, cellphones and digital cameras. Talk about embracing technology. Laurent de Brunhoff is in his eighties now, and has incorporated not only the grandeur of many of the more photogenic national parks and other locations in the U.S.–but also includes pictures of diners; the airport in Nashville, where a musician played as they waited for their flight; a visit to Graceland to pay homage to “the King” (Elvis); and Disney’s Epcot; among other places.

Bringing such a classic figure as Babar and his family into the present day with all of its technology gadgets and gizmos adds a freshness to this well-known storybook character. It’s good for our industry whenever people are exposed to digital cameras and photography through other artistic mediums such as literature.

There is one thing that bothered me though. Near the end of the book, Celeste emails digital images to her friend Wendy, and the note she writes is in abbreviated text as if she was text messaging on a cellphone.

“Thx much for the gt time we had in NY!” it read.

Wendy’s reply is similar:

“Hi Celeste!!! There’s nothing nicer than a visit from frnds. Thx 4 coming!!! :-)”

I think it’s great that computers, email, digital cameras and other techie-items were incorporated in this story, but I wonder if children reading books like this one will will mistake text-appropriate terminology for proper grammatical expression.

Perhaps it was only meant as an homage to the way present-day children and adults communicate with each other, by email and text messaging but I wouldn’t want to see kids growing up thinking the way you text message someone is the correct way of spelling. Maybe there are other books on bookstore–and school library shelves–already that use such language, and this is only the first I’ve come across one. Language is the basis for how we communicate, and I understand texting for what it is when used on a cellphone, but it doesn’t have to translate to emails–at least for children I don’t think it should. It’s one thing for an adult who knows how to read and write to abbreviate words used for correspondence (although I doubt Miss Manners would agree), but I can only imagine what elementary school teachers see on their students’ spelling tests.

Diane

Back from Yosemite, I thought I’d share a few more photos from my trip.

Hi all. Blogging from Yosemite National Park here in California. Posting some of the photos I shot yesterday. Today we’ll be taking in some classes with the renowned photographer Art Wolfe, courtesy of Canon USA and the company’s program to introduce free digital photography instruction to visitors in some of the national parks.
Diane

With the Nintendo Wii gaming system, gamers are able to mimic the movements of the characters on-screen, which is translated into movements of the actual computer generated characters. So whether its swinging a golf club, tennis racket or baseball bat, users holding onto a Wii controller simply mimic the swing to make the character move. The interactive Wii gaming system is much more fun to use over the joystick or button-filled controller that gamers needed with older gaming systems such as earlier Nintendo, Sony Playstation, Colleco Vision, or Atari systems. Remember the big rollerball that used to control the Pong game?

Well, I read a story recently on The New York Times website, about a couple of new products aimed at the gaming arena that I think also could be used to augment the computer peripherals that digital photographers use. Nowadays a mouse and keyboard are the norm, with many folks using a pen and tablet of some kind to retouch photos.

What if you didn’t even need to lift a finger in order to retouch your photos?

By the end of the year, gamers will be able to use thoughts and emotions alone to play video games. Science Fiction, you say? Nope, fact. There are currently a few companies who are developing usable headsets–similar in concept to the EEG testing equipment that doctors use to measure the electrical signals emitted by brainwaves–for gamers.

In layman’s terms, such systems work by picking up the electrical impulses that are emitted by the brain’s nerve cells or neurons. Its similar to the way bio-feedback works. Using non-invasive EEG or Electroencephalography, these electical impulses can be processed by the BCI or Brain Computer Interface, so emotions and thoughts and expressions can be processed to control or influence the game or application.

Emotiv, a San Fransisco-based company, is developing the Emotiv EPOC, a headset device that is non-invasive, wireless, and is worn on the head with the goal of, “introducing the immediacy of thought to the human-machine dialog.” In other words, technology developed by Emotiv will allow computer applications to be controlled and influenced by the users thoughts and feelings. [By the way, the photo at the top of this blog entry is of Tan Le, president of Emotiv and EmoBot. Take a really close look, they’re both winking!]

Future applications are also being developed, for a range of industries such as TV, research, medicine, security, and accessibility design.

Why stop there. Why not computer use in general. Think about the possibilities in photography alone. Retouching cramps your hands? No worries, just think about the changes you need to make on that portrait and watch the computer do the work. Talk about speeding up workflow! Hec, why not use such a device–incorporated within a camera–to get the shot that much faster. Photojournalists and sports photographers could capture images faster than the time it now takes them to see the action through the viewfinder and click the shutter button. You’ve now greatly increased your reaction time. Makes the idea of the “decisive moment” as Henri Cartier-Bresson termed it that much more intuitive.

It’s Affordable Too

According to Emotiv’s website, the company is planning on releasing its first Brain Computer Interface, (the EPOC) to consumers later this year at the affordable price of $299. The company is also embarking upon the development and creation of an online portal for EPOC users. The Emortal will allow social interaction, offer content for download, feature a virtual world that can be explored, have areas for user-based content to be uploaded so it can be experienced with the system, and more.

Another company, OCZ Technology is developing a somewhat similar device. The NIA or Neural Impluse Actuator, is designed to be used in conjunction with a mouse for an immersive gaming experience. Using bio signals, the company’s website says will give users the ability to hone their reflexes and become their characters. The OCZ unit is worn around the forehead like a headband and uses signals generated by the muscles, brain and eyes. According to the company, the unit can also be configured to work with current games as well as future releases. The price for this system: $169.

Pretty interesting…

The New York Times article can be found at: www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/technology/08novel.html?_r=1&sq=emotiv&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=1&adxnnlx=1213210966-OKVE4THHa9Nx41iEDpFWIQ

Best,

Diane

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