®
Digital
Photo
Video
Volume 23 Number 37
December 2011
Industry
Snippets
Landmark Ruling in Photobook VAT Case HM Revenue and Customs may scrap VAT on photobooks after a three year court battle. A tax court has ruled that HM Revenue & Customs was wrong to charge Truprint £545,800 in VAT for selling photobooks as they should be classed as books, which are zero rated. HMRC had charged the tax on the basis that photobooks fell into the same category as products such
News
as notebooks and diaries, on HMRC must now repay the which VAT must be paid. £545,800 to Truprint to cover VAT Tribunal Judge Roger Berner the tax years 2006 to 2009; the stated: "A book can have conlegal costs involved in the case tent that is exclusively text, or and refund thousands of pounds exclusively material The court ruled that photobooks such as photographic should be classed as books, which images, diagrams or are zero rated. drawings, or any mixture of that content.’ George Osborne has been urged paid by Truprint to cover VAT to scrap the 'unfair' tax policy. from 2009 to 2011. Truprint said that the VAT had caused the company to lose business to rivals outside of the UK who were paying lower VAT rates and that the burden had endangered the business, its UK premises and the 350 jobs it provides in Devon.
Are You a Power Director? Video enthusiasts who use CyberLink’s PowerDirector now have a new outlet for their creations. CyberLink have unveiled a new community, www. iamapowerdirector.com. The only qualifications to become a Power Director are enthusiasm for PowerDirector and the submission of a testimonial—which can be a video, photo or short essay—describing the unique benefits it brings them. Many prospective Power Directors already actively participate in the DirectorZone website.
Product
New Bridge Camera from Fujifilm designed to cater for every photographic need and features a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide-angle setting. This optical range is boosted by Fujifilm’s Intelligent Digital Zoom capability, which effectively Fujifilm's Intelligent Digital Zoom doubles the focal capability effectively doubles the range without the focal range drop in picture quality normally associated with standards, with a high-quality digital zoom functions. As a relook and feel, metal dials, a sult, the X-S1 offers users a 52x rubberised coating and superior zoom range of 24-1248mm handling characteristics. (35mm equivalent). The centrepiece of the X-S1 is The lens comprises 17 glass the Fujinon 26x optical zoom elements, which includes four lens. Offering a range of 24aspherical elements and two 624mm (35mm equivalent) it is Fujifilm has announced a third model in the Fujifilm X series of premium cameras – the X-S1, due to be launched in the UK in February 2012. The X-S1 will be built in Japan to exacting
ED lenses, to deliver images with superb edge-to-edge sharpness. The X-S1 is also ideally suited to capturing subjects close up. In standard mode, the zoom focuses down to 30cm, but by selecting Super Macro Mode, users can focus down to 1cm for frame-filling close-up images. Furthermore,
the lens’ aperture is made up of nine blades for excellent bokeh effect. The X-S1 features the same 2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR Continued on Page 27
Pixel 1
t
WORLD CLASS CLASS MEMORY MEMORY WORLD
s 1 3
from JEFF SCOWEN PHOTOGRAPHICS
e-mail sales@jeffscowen. com
0844 855 3245
mobile
07500 897930
website www.jeffscowen. com
FACTORY DIRECT PRICES PRICES FACTORY ____ DIRECT
Multi-Award
Winners! . Designed, made, tested in SP’s factory . Lowest UK return rate?-less than 0.1% . Lifetime warranties on SP card range . No 1 brand in many places worldwide . UK’s best card for margin & top quality . New, original & classy small card pack . SD 45x 1-2gb . SD 80x 1-4gb . SDHC class 6/10 4- 32gb . C/Flash 200x 2-32gb . Micro SDHC class 2/6 2-16gb . Memory Stick 2-8gb . XD 2gb . Pendrive 2-16gb YOU CAN NOW VIEW THE WHOLE RANGE BY VISITING MY SUPER FAST ON-LINE ORDERING WEBSITE + AP CARDED ACCESSORIES, INCL 22 USB CABLES & CHART . INSTANT (600 EQUIV) FILM . VISIONARY OPTICS FUJI, KODAK & ILFORD FILM . KODAK PAPER & BATTS . PANASONIC BATTS . UNIROSS . ETC, ETC
Pixel 2
Industry The Insider
The Insider Saying what you are thinking and asking the difficult questions. Each week ‘The Insider’ reports back from the frontline of our industry. We all know that Christmas these days begins at anytime of year that you need it to, to ensure that it’s a commercial success and it seems this Christmas that even the traditional January sales have decided to relocate themselves as a pre Christmas option rather than a post Christmas experience. I like Christmas but I like the end of the year more. After twelve months of non stop concentration, focus, dedication and commitment to the process of turning a profit I need those precious days between Christmas and New Year to take stock, mentally and physically. I need that time to look back with a sense of detachment from the year and how external forces have affected the way in which I work within and see our industry. Looking back a little early this year to ensure that I can write
photographic revolution. Some which don’t need upgrading. strode into a new world with Manufacturers are moving their eyes and minds open at a pace with technological others clung to the world of development that consumers analogue and disappeared are finding it hard to keep up rapidly and sadly. Many of you with. We are now in a world of will have personal experience imaging not photography and of what I’m talking about videography. Photography is with this and yet you are in becoming less of a hobby and danger of repeating the same more of mistakes that others made a means Depending on your standpoint, we are only a few years ago. to record either on the eve of one of the most Easy for you to say I hear you everyday exciting periods of expansion the photo cry, are you practicing what you industry has ever experienced or we're on life. Sharing preach? Well I try and I think images is the edge of a precipice of disaster. not just in some ways I am succeeding about facebook - it is also about this issue’s column throws but I am definitely not downloaded software packages up some interesting thought becoming complacent. 2012 patterns. Anyone who follows my and apps. Our industry has to will be a massive challenge ramblings here will I am sure not embrace the new and not cling for many of us, me included to the old. We are no longer just be surprised by what I am about but I now that I am going to selling cameras, we should be to say but I think it’s important give myself the best chance selling tablets, headphones, to place a little focus to those of success by being creative, televisions, monitors, PCs and ramblings. imaginative and hopefully in fact anything that allows us So this is where I am in forward thinking. I’m sure you to expand December 2011. The moving our offering image can no longer be put "Easy for you to say," I hear you cry, "are to the new to one side and put down as a you practicing what you preach?" Well, I image making try, I think in some ways I am succeeding marketing gimmick. The consumers. In and I am definitely not being complacent future of image short, some viewing is going of you reading this are going to be primarily are as well but it might just be to have to wake up in 2012 to electronic. worth checking. ensure that you are still here and The retailing Now it’s time for a small trading in 2013. Harsh, I know of mobile whisky (malt, no ice, no water) but I feel true. phones and a small bowl of nuts Depending upon your standpoint has a lot (unsalted) by the Christmas we are either on the eve of one to teach tree (real, not fake) to work out of the most exciting periods of us about my plans for next year. Merry expansion the photo industry how to Christmas to you all, Happy upgrade on has ever experienced or we Hanukkah as well and as long products our are on the edge of a precipice as the good lord’s willing and of disaster. Just as we were customers the creek don’t rise I’ll see with the advent of the digital already have and you all again in the new year.
Snippets
Merry Christmas! The Pixel team would like to wish all our readers a merry Christmas and a happy, successful 2012. We will be back in the New Year with some exciting new developments that will ensure Pixel remains the must-read magazine for our industry. First though, grab a mice pie or a handful of Quality Street and enjoy this special issue.
Credits & Contacts Editorial and Production
Laura Knight 01323 437946 l.knight@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Editorial Assistant
Harriet Weston - 01323 411601 h.weston@parview-publishing.co.uk
Subs
Amelia Wellings 01323 433701 a.wellings@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Advertising
Lee Mansfield - 01323 411601 l.mansfield@parkview-publishing.co.uk Simon Skinner - 01323 433700 s.skinner@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Managing Director
Lee Mansfield Park View House, 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YD 01323 411601 l.mansfield@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Marketing Director
Simon Skinner 01323 433700 s.skinner@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Editorial Director
Grant Scott 01323 411601 g.scott@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Accounts
Clare Fermor 01323 411601 c.fermor@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Printers
Gemini Press, Brighton, East Sussex No part of this magazine may be reproduced by photographic, electronic or mechanical means or stored in a retrieval system or republished in any form without the written permission of the publishers.
© Copyright Park View Publishing 2011
Pixel 3
Pixel 4
Industry Column
Beat Them or Join Them? Perhaps Neither, Anymore! Nigel McNaught PMA
“If you can’t beat them, join them” - so goes the old adage. But there’s something happening at the beginning of December that will raise a few eyebrows and bring that statement into some question. For many years we have all bewailed how the internet is taking a higher and higher share of the camera market. Looking back it seemed that internet camera sales reached a level of around 14 to 16% of the total camera units around 2006 to 2007 and remained at about that level until 2009 when it stepped up to
busiest internet shopping day of the year. So why bother? Well the purchase experience will still be done on-line. Customers with smart phones will be able to scan the QR code and conduct the transaction on line, the difference will be they will have actually seen and touched the goods. Is this multichannel retailing gone too far? If the etailers need High Street presence then are they trying If the etailers need a high street to cancel out the presence, then are they trying to cancel out the retailers who have an retailers who have an increasing web increasing web presence? presence? And that brings me to the point increasing brand awareness of this rambling. Do you have but is it more than that? a working, transactional web The store was open for 5 days site that enables customers only, including 5th December to order goods from you for which is expected to be the around 20%. So is the internet winning the battle for camera units? Or to put it more widely is the internet winning the battle for all retail sales? And that brings me to the beginning of December for in the first week of that month that megastar of internet trading eBay is opening a retail store; yes a bricks and mortar retail store, in London’s west end; albeit with a limited stock range but why would they do that? Well they talk about
home delivery or collect at store? Some of you do, but quite a lot don’t. We all need a multichannel offering and we can reverse the effects of eBay activities by ensuring we not only have the store but also the web offering. Perhaps it's not a question of beating or joining, it’s just that trading has gone full circle, the retailers move to on-line and the etailers move to physical stores. So where does that leave those “doomsday” predictions that some day all shopping will be on-line?
News
UK Retailing: Leading Globally, Serving Locally overall than the eurozone, The British Retail Consortium Retail is not invulnerable. 20% cheaper for clothes, has published new evidence Toon Clerckx, Boots Finance households now spend 10% of on retailing’s importance to Director and BRC Board income on food compared with kick-starting growth and job member chairing the UK a third in the 1950s. creation. This research, "UK Retailing project, said: “UK Retailers already make a Retailing: leading globally, retailing is a great sector serving locally," brings together substantial contribution to the making a great contribution to Exchequer (£18bn. from the data on all facets of retailing the economy and wider society. four largest taxes for the first time. The report, alone). They use produced for the BRC by fewer Corporation Oxford Economics and the Oxford Institute of Retail "I want people to see these Management, facts and say, ‘I can see how shows that the much retailers matter." sector makes Tax exemptions than major contributions to: other sectors and • the economy pay 28 per cent of ... by generating £292bn. Stephen Robertson, Director, BRC all Business Rates. of retail sales in 2010, 20% But, as it attempts to deliver of GDP, £180bn of goods Our report focuses on what growth, the Government purchased for resale and needs to happen to make sure cannot take any of this for £47bn. of goods and services it stays that way. granted. The BRC’s latest retail used by retailers themselves “In particular, our role in market monitoring shows • employment tackling youth unemployment overall retail sales flatlining, ... by generating 10.5% of and delivering training and the biggest footfall drop since all jobs, 40% of under 20s education is critical to the last December’s blizzards, employment, 12% of total UK country. A third of all retail total retail employment investment in training employees are under 25 and down 23,000 on a year ago •delivering value for we invest in them - spending and retailers offering fewer customers more per head on training than With goods 5% cheaper either the finance sector or temporary jobs this Christmas.
manufacturing. I want people to see these facts and say, ‘I can see how much retailers matter. They’re getting kids off the streets and into jobs with a future’. “We want to go on being the number one employer of young people but the Government’s choices will make or break our ability to do that. Where it decides to go next with Business Rates, fuel duty and the National Minimum Wage will have a direct impact on investment, stores and people.” British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: “Eighteen months in, with the economy stalling, the need for the Government to deliver real growth - not just more promises - is all the more urgent. Our unique new evidence shows the scale of the retail sector’s actual and potential contribution as a wealth creator, tax payer, jobs provider and innovator. But with sales flatlining and many of our costs increasing, that contribution cannot be taken for granted.
Pixel 5
Feature Column
The 2011 DSLR Boom by Aaron Harris, GfK Account Executive, Photo/Imaging
there has been a 110.6% increase in the volume of cameras sold between £700 and £1,000, making it the highest growth October 2011 marks the segment, as well as a 16th month of consecutive 19.1% increase in sales year-on-year volume growth between £0 and £300. for the SLR segment. In value Declines are coming from terms, during the last 21 the £400 to £700 and over months there has only been £1,600 segments, with one month of negative growth. the largest volume decline The fixed lens market hasn’t of -24.7% coming from had a year-on-year increase the over £1,600 category. for over a year and recently Increasingly, therefore, the the compact system camera consumer is being attracted has been unable to relive the to the market by the low end dizzying heights of the 300%+ DSLR and the higher end growth rates seen last year. DSLRs, with some key higher Why then is the DSLR segment end models moving to lower bucking the trend of the rest price points as a result of of the market? The answer is discounting. twofold; changes in the price What has stirred this segmentation are attracting increased interest in the new customers and there has DSLR for the consumer Increasingly, the consumer is being attracted to the market by the appeal of in the first place? Firstly, the low end DSLR there’s the issue of ownership; looking been a change in tastes for at fixed lens cameras sales what a camera is used for. alone, over the past five years There has been a visible shift there are now more than in the price segmentation one model per household of DSLRs sold; sales have in Great Britain. As a result, declined within the largest camera purchases are now price band, £400 to £700 much more likely to be made (body only price), with strong for extremely enhanced or growth occurring either side altogether different features, of it. Over the last 16 months
especially when we all have lower disposable incomes. Traditionally, for the photographer, the DSLR has been seen to provide the most controlled results over other cameras and, therefore, as the greatest conduit to photographer-controlled creativity. Growth in DSLR sales, as well as the changeable lens market as a whole, points to a trend towards the market wanting more controllable and, debatably, creative results from their cameras. Interest in photography itself has had a mass revival. Photography apps are rife on smartphones, which allow you to post-edit images, set filters and emulate the analogue cameras of old on your phone.
In fact, analogue camera sales were up in 2010 by 1% in volume after a freefalling decline from 2000 onwards. Analogue sales were boosted by sales of instant film cameras - another revival. Together this would suggest that some consumers want to be able to achieve different results from what the standard compact can provide. While these notions are not directly related to the DSLR, they both suggest the consumer’s desire to do more with a camera which the DSLR certainly caters for. For further information please contact Aaron Harris in the UK on 0870 603 8231 or Aaron. Harris@gfk.com, www.gfkrt. com/uk
Appointments
Appleworld Distributors Appoints New Sales Manager Appleworld Distribution have announced the appointment of Chris Eady as UK Sales Manager. Appleword Distribution are established distributors of products such as the multiaward winning on-camera lighting system Rotolight, the Owle Bubo for iPhone 4/4s, Reflecmedia Chroma Key systems and Cinebags Production Bags Chris comes with a fantastic industry background and was formally National Account Manager at Swains. He will
Pixel 6
be responsible for all products distributed by Appleworld. "This is a very exciting opportunity." Commented
revolution for Studio lighting and I'm very excited about its potential in 2012 both for us and our UK Dealers. I look forward to This is a very exciting opportunity. I'm meeting up joining right at the launch of the new with previous Rotolight Anova and I'm very excited clients and new dealers about its potential in 2012. to discuss the whole Chris, "I'm joining right at range of Distributed products the launch of the new Award and ways we can help work Winning Rotolight Anova - the together to increase their worlds first WiFi equipped business." light with Magic Eye (TM) Chris Eady's new email technology. It's a complete address is chris.eady@
Chris Eady, new UK Sales Manager at Appleworld
appleworld-distribution.com and he is now contactable on 08707 605 713.
Pixel Pixel 75
Fea
DKS Wet Minilab Generation4 Revealing the beauty of HD printing quality
Up to 12”x 36”
Photo-Me are pleased to introduce the NEW generation of professional wet digital minilabs. The compact DKS Generation 4 Minilabs format up to 12” x 18” or 12” x 36” prints in HD quality.
Do more, pay less.
TRADE IN SCHEME: Get the best trade-in price for your existing minilab when you upgrade to a DKS 4th Generation Minilab. The price for the DKS4 wet minilab is as competitive as a dry minilab. For more information please contact: Lisa Harden on 01372 455 599.
PHOTO-ME INTERNATIONAL PLC CHURCH ROAD, BOOKHAM, SURREY. KT23 3EU. TEL: 01372 453 399 FAX: 01372 459 064 WEB: WWW.PHOTO-ME.CO.UK Pixel 8
Wet minilabs offer the best printing quality with the highest return on investment From £34,000. More Margin From A Wet Minilab Vs Dry Minilab!
Wet Minilab
Dry Minilab
Saving
6 x 4 prints - 2p
6 x 4 prints - 6p
67%
12 x 18 prints - 15p
12 x 18 prints - 50p
70%
Industry
Feature Snippets Feature
Competition for Filmmakers Kevin McCloud is today launching a UK-wide competition to find budding filmmakers who can use their creativity to encourage people to 'green' their homes. As part of the Great British Refurb (GBR) campaign with support from Channel 4, Canon UK and the University of the Arts London, the competition is seeking people willing to get ‘innovative with insulation’ and ‘excited about energy savings’ and create a short film that will inspire people into improving the energy efficiency of their homes, just in time for the Governments new Green Deal scheme.The winning film will be rewarded with a cash prize of £1,500, HD camera film equipment from Canon UK, plus the commission to produce a campaign film for GBR .
Jessops Joins Tesco Reward Scheme Jessops has joined the Tesco Clubcard reward scheme allowing consumers to exchange Tesco Clubcard vouchers for Jessops tokens, giving them the opportunity to convert every £5 in Clubcard vouchers into £10 worth of Jessops reward tokens. Customers can order online and collect at store in as little as 30 minutes, which allows them to make their payment at the store at which point they can then also spend your Jessops reward tokens. This enables Tesco Rewards shoppers to take advantage of online services as the tokens themselves can only be redeemed in-store. Sean Emmett, Marketing Director, Jessops said "We're delighted to be working with Tesco Clubcard. It is an excellent reward scheme and it is a great way of making sure our customers are saving even more by shopping at Jessops.”
Column
European Photobook Market Value Set to Exceed 650 M Euro in 2011 strong opportunities for growth across the region. A renewed focus on marketing activities will The Western European photobook help drive product uptake, with a move towards TV and newspaper market is on track to achieve campaigns that will bolster 20% growth this year, with value existing online advertising expected to top 650 million strategies. Additionally, euros. Futuresource forecasts promotion at retail can be highly indicate that shipments will influential and will have its part exceed 20 million units this to play as the market moves year, and will continue to grow forward. throughout the forecast period out to 2015. However, consumer Photos are increasingly being stored in the cloud, rather than awareness and acceptance locally on consumers’ Shipments will exced 20 million hard drives, making units this year and will continue photobook creation to grow throughout the forecast possible across a wide variety of personal period to 2015 and public devices. At present, more than 100 is still relatively low in most countries, with the UK performing billion personal photos are stored in cloud services such as least favourably with only 2-3% Facebook, Flickr, Kodak Gallery of households purchasing a and Photobox. In addition, the photobook. When compared Western European installed base with households that printed of tablets, smartphones and their photos this year - around connected CE devices (including 30% across Western Europe TVs and Blu-ray Players) is set - and digital cameras at 70% household penetration, there are to grow from 160 million units by Joanna Wright, Senior Market Analyst, Futuresource Consulting
in 2010 to nearly 600 million units by 2015. Embedded solutions in photo libraries such as Facebook, Flickr and Google+ are being trialled, with fan pages and apps available, but usage and awareness has yet to gain traction. Moving forward, a number of new business models could emerge, particularly within self-publishing and school yearbooks, as well as a blurring between consumer and professional markets for wedding albums and children’s portraits. The two overriding factors that will see the photobook market ramp up are still consumer awareness and a simplified and improved online workflow, helping to increase conversion rates and reduce the negative feedback sometimes associated with creating photobooks, mainly focused around lengthy creation processes and unintuitive user interfaces.
Industry
3,300 Sales Per Minute Online percent will offer free shipping The Online Retail sector is on all purchases, up 6 percent thought to have averaged 3,300 from last year. The effect isn’t sales per minute on Cyber limited to one day however, as Monday - possibly the busiest Britain’s biggest and most welltrading day online, ever. Cyber hunting for deals online has l known retailers have started Monday is the online equivalent ead to an all out price war, “mega sales” early this year in of Black Friday, so called as it is with many retailers losing their an attempt to boost Christmas the day when bargain hunters nerve. We are experiencing a shopping. begin the quest for a Christmas In the run up to Christmas bargain. huge surge in demand from consumers are expected to Cyber Monday started in 2005 consumers hunting for deals after retailers noticed a and bargains on Christmas trend of people shopping Consumers are expected to spend presents, we expect a record online on the Monday rise in online spend this £7.75 billion online after US Thanksgiving. Christmas forced in part spend £7.75 billion on online As much as 25% of this year's by the recession and by ever shopping according to e-tailing Christmas Shopping will be tightening purse strings. People trade association IMRG. accounted for online. Nearly have also learnt from last years Kevin Flood, CEO of the leading nine in 10 retailers will have a Christmas and are keen to avoid social shopping website special promotion for Cyber bad weather and mile long Shopow, said, “The peak in Monday, up from just 72.2 queues. Retailers that were online Christmas sales has been percent in 2007. In addition, desperately in need of a reversal brought forward to this week, 62.7 percent of retailers will of their fortunes have found that a whole 14 days earlier than send promotions and deals they now have an encouraging expected. The recession and to shoppers through a special platform on which to build in the strong demand from consumers Cyber Monday email and 21.6 run up to Christmas. "
Pixel 9
You still have 17 days to cash in on our cashback!
Fact is – the PENTAX K-5 and PENTAX Q Cashback campaigns are really getting into their stride, with fulfilment way beyond expectations. It’s all down to a winning combination of carefully selected well targeted media, powerful and wide-ranging point-of-sale, overwhelming dealer support and, last but not least, consumer recognition of PENTAX value for money. With 17 shopping days to go, response is both increasing and accelerating, so there’s still ample scope to maximise the sales opportunities. Looking at the wider picture, it’s part of a new strategy to build the PENTAX profile under the RICOH banner. For PENTAX, the picture for 2012 look’s decidedly positive.
pentax.co.uk/k5cashback pentax.co.uk/qcashback Pixel 10
Feature Industry Industry
Industry
Polaroid's First UK Website
HPs New General Manager
with the latest news, browse Polaroid has launched a brand the array of products, download new UK website for the first fantastic Polaroid apps and time since the brand was revitalised in 2010, showcasing even buy products online its range of new and innovative including the much sought after products at www. polaroid.co.uk The website enables Polaroid The website launch fans in the UK to keep up to coincides with date with the latest news, the launch of the browse products and download Polaroid Z340 Polaroid apps instant digital Lady Gaga GREY Label range. camera, which is has just In just two clicks you can gone on sale and delivers purchase limited Polaroid a new twist on the instant products, from the latest photo. The Polaroid Z340 cameras and printers to tripods, instant digital camera marries filters and flashes. the convenience of a digital Graeme Chapman, Managing camera with the classic Director for the Polaroid Polaroid instant printing Licence in Europe commented: experience. The website “We are thrilled to announce enables Polaroid fans based the launch of the Polaroid in the UK to keep up to date website designed specifically for the UK. The website is an outlet for old and new fans of the original instant camera brand, and Polaroid.co.uk reaffirms that the iconic brand is very much back.”
Manel Martinez has been named as Vice President & General Manager for the HP Graphics Solutions Business in EMEA. He will be responsible for driving HP's graphics arts portfolio from signage and packaging to technical printers and publishing amongst the different printing communities across the region. Manel brings over two decades of experience in the printing industry in both a worldwide and regional capacity. His background will enable him to promote and exploit the migration towards digital print amongst the design, branding and marketing communities, demonstrating the power of print as an integral aspect of brand communication. For the last two years, Manel has been in the role of Vice President and General Manager of the HP Imaging and Printing Group (IPG) in the Iberia Region. Prior to this role, Manel was the General Manager of the Large Format Printing design business at a
worldwide level. This role included the responsibility for the strategy and direction Mandel Martinez, HP of the business targeted at both the technical and creative industries. Manel directly managed the design focused teams in Barcelona and Shanghai. Manel joined HP in 1989 and has held a number of different positions covering overall business group management, R&D and marketing. He has also worked as an engineer developing firmware for Large Format products. Manel holds a degree in Computer Science from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and a MBA from ESADE in Barcelona.
Column
Don't be a Turkey - Christmas Legal Advice! by Diana Eames, Solicitor Davies and Partners 01454 619619 www.daviesandpartners.com
made it an offence punishable by a fine. As you prepare your festive menu, bear in mind that Oliver Cromwell also banned the eating of mince pies on Christmas Day, whilst King Edward VI in 1561 passed a law stating that if you open your boiled egg at the pointed end then you could end up in
I shall take this opportunity to have a light hearted look at some of the laws of our land that might affect you as you prepare for this season of fun and festivities. So, as you write your Christmas cards, Be careful with your Christmas remember to stick cards - to stick a stamp on the stamps on the upside down could be treason. right way up – to the stocks. stick a stamp with the Queen’s If you are looking for something head on upside down could to help burn off those extra be treason. Christmas calories, then please If you are going to the theatre note that flying a kite was to see a pantomime, do not outlawed by the Town Police wear a tall hat – as a result of Clauses Act 1847, however having his view obscured by men over 14 years of age such an item, Oliver Cromwell
must practice longbow for two hours each week, under the supervision of the clergy. If on your Boxing Day stroll you should happen to find a dead whale washed up on the beach, then please remember that the tail belongs to the Queen – to provide whalebone for her corsets. If your New Year’s Eve party is fancy dress then please do not dress as a Chelsea Pensioner as it is an offence to impersonate one. And as the midnight hour draws near, bear in mind that it is illegal to show affection in public in Wales on a Sunday, and a
woman is entitled to bite off a man’s nose if he kisses her against her will! And as you make your way home again, please remember that it is an offence to ride a horse or bicycle whilst drunk, and you may not flag down a taxi if you have the plague. Whilst I offer no guarantees in relation to any of the above, I do take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Pixel 11
Feature Industry Industry
Snippets Feature
Nikon: Update on Thailand Flood Situation Nikon have issued a statement to advise us of the progress at their consolidated manufacturing facility following the floods that devastated the area in October. Their premises is situated in the Rojana
our business performance for the financial period ending March 31, 2012 is estimated, within the scope of our current findings and understanding, to push down net sales by 65 billion yen and operational income by 25 billion yen due
The impact of the flood on our business performance is estimated to push down net sales by 65 billion yen and operational income by 25 billion yen due to lost sales opportunities. Industrial Park in Ayutthaya Province located in Central Thailand, which is suffering damages from the flood. "Water pumping-out by the Rojana Industrial Park authority around Nikon Thailand's facilities was completed on November 26. Following this development, we are putting all our energy into restoring infrastructure and production equipment of the factory, aiming for some part of factory operation to resume from January 2012. Alternative and limited production at our partner factories in Thailand has started earlier than expected, and we have started shipment of certain digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses since November 30. "The impact of the flood to
to lost sales opportunities. "While this estimation remains unchanged from our announcement on November 4, we assure you that we will immediately issue a new statement when any change to the circumstances becomes apparent.
"We are continuing our investigation on the damage to the buildings and production equipment/tools from the flood. "We have set up support and recovery system under the Emergency Headquarters for Disaster Control headed by the president and continuing our endeavor for recovery and normalization of production as early as possible. Our plan to resume production of digital SLRs and interchangeable lenses to the normal level of volume by the end of March 2012 remains unchanged. "We deeply apologise to our customers for any inconvenience cause by the disaster such as short supply of our products."
The Nikon Thailand plant at Rojana Industrial Park, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, partially submerged in floodwaters. Photo by Noppatjak Attanon.
Promotions
Jessops on Television with Christmas Promotion Jessops has just launched a TV advertising campaign to support the Jessops Christmas promotion on printing and photo services highlighting the 3 for 2 special offers on photo
Pixel 12
books which will be running until Christmas. The advert, put together by HolstDigital is 20 seconds long and will air during the run up to Christmas on
Central Television. Jessops Marketing Director, Sean Emmett said “We are delighted to have worked with HolstDigital on this project. They have created a distinctive advert that will raise awareness that Jessops be offering these products at great prices. The media was booked by leading agency More2.” Jessops are also promoting the deal with emails and social networking activity. The new 2011 Christmas advert can be found on the Jessops facebook page and also on the Jessops homepage.
Steve Smith Joins the Hungry Eye Team
A
F
Hungry Eye are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Smith as Commercial Business Manager. Stephen has 26 years experience in the Photographic and CE trade working with companies such as Sony, Cobra, Kodak and LG in senior positions. Stephen has recently returned from working in the USA and now currently lives in the Cotswolds area with his wife and children. Stephen said: "It's great to be back in the photo and CE trades and working on Hungry Eye is very exciting. What a great magazine and an ideal way for retailers to make a good margin or giving away a copy with promotional bundles. Hungry Eye makes you want to explore the use of audio and post-production. If Hungry Eye does not stimulate your customers to take more images, moving or still, and then buy more accessories then nothing will!" You can contact Stephen on 07837 684121
Saga and Harrier form Photogift Venture Devon-based photo gift manufacturer, Harrier LLC, has formed a partnership with Saga to offer photo gift products to their extensive customer base. Harrier have deployed Taopix Photobook software, via the Saga website, to deliver the Designer software to Saga customers. All photo book and calendar pages are printed on Harrier’s range of seven HP Indigo digital presses with finishing carried out in-house. Harrier have put together a bespoke package based on Saga’s requirements to offer their customers special deals and Saga will take a revenue share in return for their marketing activity.
T u c T
5
A
Award-Winning DV1 Full HD 1080p Movies
dustproof
shockproof
waterproof The new DV1 Digital Pocket Video is waterproof down to 5 metres allowing you to capture stunning underwater movies in full HD. It’s reassuringly rugged and ready to capture adrenalin-fuelled action in any conditions. With it’s anti-shock and dust-proof protection, this truly is a ‘go-anywhere’ Pocket Video Camera. The integral USB connector provides connection to your PC allowing easy uploads to Facebook and YouTube!
5m waterproof
1.5m Shock Proof Dust Proof
Integral USB
Available in 5 vibrant colours
For further details contact us: Tel: 0844 2640803 email: uksales@general-imaging.com www.ge.com/digitalcameras
Pixel 13
Fea
the new NEX-5N performs like a pro feels like a compact The new NEX-5N features a DSLR-sized sensor for incredible picture quality and rapid auto-focus so you can always capture the moment. Our compact interchangeable lens camera lets you take professional looking pictures everywhere. Pictures that frame your memories, capture a feeling and help you to keep hold of those fleeting moments. Wherever you are, take pictures
people love.
SONY NEX- 5N
•
STANDARD DSLR
sony.co.uk/nex
‘Sony’, ‘make.believe’, ‘ ’ and their logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation 2011
Pixel 14
095343_NEX5N_PRESS_AD v2.indd 1
27/09/2011 18:42
1 18:42
Industry
Feature Special Feature Feature
THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS... It's been a turbulent year, fraught with disasters and setbacks but lifted with innovation and vision that has given us all hope. You've heard enough from Pixel over this year's 37 issues, so it's over to the trade itself to sum up 2011 and reveal their expectations for the year to come.
2011 has been a good year overall but it’s also been tough. The Japanese Tsunami and the floods in Thailand were impossible to predict and certainly qualify as low points but there have been business highs as well. Sony have had some very successful product launches, the A77 and NEX-5N being particularly well received by the industry, and we have bought new technologies to market that are exciting consumers, such as Translucent Mirror Technology which is driving growth in the SLT segment of the market. In 2011, SLT technology has really progressed and is gaining an increasing user base which is a trend I expect to continue through 2012. From a personal standpoint, I received a number of very positive letters and emails from consumers who bought cameras with our translucent mirror technology saying how much they were enjoying using them and how happy they were with the quality of their photo’s which was very gratifying. Looking forward to 2012, I expect to see people shooting an increasing amount of full HD video on both traditional camera
inspire people to pick up their cameras to start snapping. We want to help our retailers and will invest in the tools necessary to help them sell high value products (POS, training materials etc) and we will be looking to support retailers who can best demonstrate the Sony proposition and invest further in them. - Rachel Banin, Head of Personal Imaging and Sound, Sony UK.
and the response from the industry has been extremely positive. In November we also launched our greatest ever Winter Cashback and the uptake has been extremely strong. - A Canon Spokesperson We are really positive about 2012 for the following three reasons: 1) 2011 was an unprecedented year in our industry due to the Japanese Earthquake and then the flooding in
It's been a big year for us as we've "Regardless of the retail model, the winners will entirely restructured be those who can deliver the very best shopping our range, basically environment." - Alex O'dell, Canon clearing out the slow moving lines to make room for new Thailand. We have taken measures to lines and ranges with energy and newfound ensure that we are better placed to deliver enthusiasm. I'm able to do this because a significant growth in 2012. few weeks ago I realised a lifelong dream 2) Having seen our 2012 line up, I am and moved my home and office to the very confident that the Canon range will seaside, where I can now work looking out really excite and inspire our customers to over the sea as I have always wanted to. want to buy Canon in 2012. Business wise, I have just signed up for 3) Through our continued association further advertising with Pixel in 2012 with London Fashion Week, our in order to be progressive an pro-active, sponsorship of EURO 2012, strong ATL and to show that advertising is especially plans and attendance at key consumer/ important in tough times. professional events, we will be engaging "In 2012 I expect to see people shooting an Next year I think we will see with more consumers than ever before. The debate over online vs instore has increasing amount of full HD video on both even tighter margins and significantly moved on in the last two years. traditional camera devices and camcorders" virtually the complete end to film sales. The precarious Regardless of the retail model, the winners - Rachel Banin, Sony state of the economy will will be those who can deliver real value to devices and camcorders which fully utilises mean it's still essential to reduce overheads the customer by providing the very best although I do believe it will improve shopper environment both in store and/ sensor technology. The ability to capture or online with engaging displays, fixtures cinematic quality in video helps consumers eventually... although probably not until capture the emotion of events that they are 2013 at the earliest. and content. Employing and training attending and the growth in sharing content - Jeff Scowen, MD, Jeff Scowen passionate sales staff that understand photographic. on social networking sites means that the needs of the shopper and who can there are platforms waiting to showcase sell the product benefits, promoting the It has been a busy a year for Canon. the content on. Innovations such as the latest and best technologies will inspire Throughout 2011 we launched creative introduction of projection on Handycam their customers to get the most out of the and innovative products to inspire, from devices mean that content can also be images they capture and how they view, the IXUS 310 HS to the EOS C300. Our shared instantly in an inclusive way and share and print them. Canon Professional Services team attended -Alex O’dell, Sales Director, Consumer it also provides an easy way for retailers key events like London Fashion Week and to demonstrate developments in the Imaging, Canon UK & Ireland. Wimbledon to support photographers and camcorder category. filmmakers. The Canon Pro Solutions From a Sony perspective, we will continue From Snaps Photo Services' stand point Show in October was a key event for us in to innovate and bring products and 2011 has been a good year, we have October, almost 3000 people came to the technologies to market that give retailers continued to see growth in our service. We show to see our latest line-up including the the ammunition to excite consumers have collected new customers in Australia EOS-1D X and PIXMA Pro-1. In November about shooting great pictures. With the and the USA as well as strengthening we announced Canon’s fully-fledged entry Sony World Photography Awards coming our position throughout Europe. One into the motion picture production industry to London again, we have a platform to of the highlights this year was when a with the launch of the Cinema EOS System celebrate the best in photography and professional photographer from Australia
Pixel 15
Special Feature
The Year that Was... continued. the most important implications. owners how have lost out by turning away who had a commission over here sought us We have new products planned across all of out upon his arrival to come and congratulate from film processing. Our biggest challenge our brands for 2012, unfortunately I can’t is to get our customers utilizing more of us on our services. April this year saw us tell you about them yet! The main hurdle we the services offered from each and every one year on from the devastating flood that all face at the moment is the destroyed our premises, economy, and we need to get but we were able to resume "Despite the tough circumstances there have been business after three months interesting moments such as the further development consumer confidence back up. bigger and better than ever of the CSC format... this area and DSLR video are going Consumers are taking a cautious attitude towards spending and before. to be the things to watch next year." we need greater certainty around One of the most important - Scott Beattie, Daymen the Euro, GDP growth, inflation innovations of 2011 has to be and job security. lab in the country. There is a customer the advancement and growing usage of the - Scott Beattie, Managing Director, DayMen complacency that they have taken their mobile camera phones to capture images, International more images are captured now than ever and photos, loaded them into their computer that trend will continue to grow as the phones and that is where they will stay, we all need Despite the general economic downturn, to change that way of thinking. That is get even more advanced. Mitsubishi Electric saw good growth during not a good outlook for our industry so we As we go into 2012 it is great to see 2011 with all its target market sectors doing need to change the way people think about manufacturers heading back towards well. We've enjoyed a robust year-on-year photographs and get them printing more. chemical printing and away from dyeincrease in this sector thanks some important Merry Christmas from us all at Snaps Photo sub and inkjet, the industry need to product introductions... In particular Services Ltd, Bournemouth and we wish you realize that quality is what counts above Mitsubishi’s Photo Kiosks have performed all every success for 2012. all and a sublimation print cannot stand strongly as SME retailers and chemists have up to a chemical print in that aspect. driven incremental revenue by expanding 2011 has again seen volatile market Manufacturers and suppliers are keen to their services into photo printing, ID images conditions with the Euro crisis, austerity pursue convenience at the cost to customer and photo gifts. measures and increased inflation driving satisfaction and from a lab owner point of One impact of the downturn has seen more down consumer confidence. Our industry view I want my customers to keep coming Brits holidaying in the UK. The ‘staycation’, as has also been impacted in 2011 by the back time after time. its been coined, has had a positive impact on devastating Tsunami in Japan and the floods We have plans to introduce some new sales of Mitsubishi’s dye sublimation printers, in Thailand which has led to the shortage services in 2012 especially to help the lab which are employed at many of the UK’s of some hardware. ourist attractions and leisure parks. Despite the tough Looking forward, it’s hard to find any crumbs economic times, of comfort from economic analysts but we DayMen continues to fully expect to buck the trend. Whilst the invest and we have first half of the year will still be tough, we increased our market anticipate steeper growth in the second half share in 2011. We of the year as the general economy improves. are delighted with the purchase in September UK tourism will certainly be boosted in 2012 by a number of major events including this year of the JOBY the London Olympics and the Diamond brand, which will be a Jubilee and this will provide a major lift to great addition to our our professional photography and leisure accessory portfolio. business. Despite the tough - Paul Jones, UK & Middle East Sales circumstances, there Manager, Mitsubishi Electric were some interesting moments in the trade With advances in technology and new this year such as the further development camera models continually coming to of CSC - particularly market, it is difficult for the retailer to keep the Nikon 1 series abreast of the optimum power requirements generating ongoing for every photographic product that they interest in this format. stock. This year we have really tried and It was also encouraging manage the Battery & Power category for to see Canon bring the retailer, and keep them and their staff out the 1 DX. Driving advised of the best options. For example, greater interest in although fewer and fewer cameras now use hardware is key to AA batteries, the introduction of low selfdriving growth within discharge rechargeable batteries (MaxE) has the entire photo considerably widened the applications in market. I think this which these batteries can be used. They are area and growth of now suitable for most household applications, DSLR video optionsare such as Wii remotes, so the potential market going to be the most for a retail stockist has expanded enormously. interesting things to This year we have seen customers being very watch next year with price conscious, and Li-Ion batteries offer a
Pixel 16
* Data on file, referring to E-P3, Olympus Inhouse Test, June 2011.
Industry
Th SL bo int
>
PE
* Data on file, referring to E-P3, Olympus Inhouse Test, June 2011.
0 5 £
CK A B H CAS i & PEN Lite
The new PEN family makes you more independent than ever. Experience SLR image quality with the world’s fastest autofocus* in a small and light body, with Full HD Movie, even more creative options and a full range of interchangeable lenses. WWW.OLYMPUS.CO.UK/PEN
N min
on PE
> PEN - SEE THINGS YOUR WAY.
£50 CASHBACK ON PEN E-PL3 & E-PM1 Valid on purchases made between 15th November 2011 and 15th January 2012. Claimable on redemption – please ask for details.
PEN mini
PEN Lite
PEN
SCAN QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE
Pixel 2
Pixel 17
Feature Industry
Pixel 18
Industry Special Feature
The Year that Was... continued. studio thrives. Although the recession is likely to be ongoing throughout the year, I believe that consumers still like and appreciate the personal attention an independent studio can offer them. 2011 has seen two of the UK’s largest studio groups go into administration, where as our Group and its members are stronger than ever before. 2012 will be a year where we will invest more than ever before into our company and members, ensuring we come through the recession maintaining the high levels of work and customer service that consumers have grown accustomed to. - Charlie Kaufman, CEO, CCC
window bill clutter, still do have posters promoting offers but you can now see into their stores. Internally they have also reorganised their product presentation and have made their stores a much more inviting store for their interested consumer. Two things that everyone will agree reading this are: Christmas will be here no matter what! and Not enough consumers are coming through my door. 2011 has been a strong year for This year we aimed to get those consumers Lomography, as we have really started to through the doors of the independent expand our wholesale possibilities. One of retailer by going and getting 10 camera our most important innovations was the deals that would stack up at the most opportunity to start a shop in shop project important time of the year... as the 25th of in Selfridges, which proved so popular we have now been kept on until 2012. December approaches and sales still seem Wake Up and Smell the Coffee! Our plans for the future are looking at slow as shoppers leave it later and later! ...that got your attention, didn't it? Business We believe we have achieved that goal by developing and finding new accounts that is the toughest it has ever been for want to work with us creatively selling the getting those deals featured in a full page everyone in the retail trade. Survival of the cameras. ad in the Daily Mail. This ad is supported fittest springs to mind! One of the main trends we have seen is by 118 photo retail outlets and the names What is crucial is we all towns and telephone numbers of each of stop thinking we can those stores are there for the consumer "We have really started to expand our continue to do what we to contact go through the door and buy. wholesale possibilities. We are looking at Swains are acting as the head office of developing and finding new accounts that want have always done and a multiple retailer with the independent to work with us on selling cameras creatively." it will come good in the end. The likelihood is this retailer one of the multiples stores. This - Mark Appleton, Lomography. will not be the case. So, activity is very important as we move into companies trying to give a different product what do you do? 2012. No one knows what next year will The normal stuff I will not bother writing with a new effect often trying to imitate bring but we do know we can decide what because you know all that and you will very we are going to do to get the most from our the Lomography effect, we maintain our probably switch off reading any further! cameras have the perfect foundation with businesses. film. So we can be creative with what we This is why I say you have to wake up and But I do want to be very specific about work with, such as our new Movie 35mm smell the coffee. If you are one of the 118 window displays. Camera which enables users to create stop Do you know on average the consumer retail stores supporting the Daily Mail Ad motion movies by simply turning the handle. takes 4 seconds to walk past your window, then already you are doing something to With more and more people returning to make a difference to your business. so in that short space of time your window film, and moving away from digital, we In the photofinishing business Fujifilm have has a big job to do to make that consumer have found our popularity is affecting other look at what you are promoting and if they tried very hard for their customer group companies; labs are getting busier again are excited enough by what they see to then the Fuji Digital Image Specialists. There and film is becoming available in more and venture into your world. have been consumer campaigns all year more places which is fantastic to see. Now in general most - Mark Appleton, Key Account Manager, camera retailers have Lomography from good, not so good to "Swains arranged a full page ad in the Daily poor window displays. The Mail, supported by 118 independent photo 2011 has been an incredible year for CCC. majority sit in the not so retail outlets, giving them the advertising Our continued UK and US expansion has good to poor category! Only power of a multiple retailer." gone well and the company has seen an you know where you believe - Roy Sealey, Swains increase in turnover of 26%. you sit... CCC has had three main developments So I have a challenge for you. Get someone to get as much business into the store as this year including the launch of our fifth possible. Absolutely the right thing to do whose opinion you trust to stand with you UK Group, Boudoir By Fresh which is a and is sure to be the focus for 2012. on the other side of the road or a good new division of our successful makeover So what lies in store for all of us next year? distance away and ask them what they group. The second group development Without doubt the million dollar question. think of your window displays, I think you was the announcement of ClickBook, our If we knew the answers we would be are going to be surprised? new Studio Booking System which will millionaires. What we know is what we are Change isn’t something that comes easy enable us to have access to every studio going to do! We know we have to continue to anyone but I am going to give you an members’ diary. It means we can book to change our approach to the business of example where change has taken place incoming calling consumers straight into and is working. There is a high street Photo imaging. We have some key objectives that our member’s diaries saving them time and Specialist who looked at their window we will go for and we will do our damndest creating a happier consumer. displays and knew they had to make made to achieve them. We will need the trade's I see 2012 as a year when the independent Big Changes – Jessops. They removed support to move the business forward to cheaper alternative to many OEM brands, but still with the reassurance of a reputable brand name such as Ansmann. We regularly publishlists of top sellers, keeping the market up-to-date with the latest models, and avoiding duplication where one battery maybe able to fit two camera models. - Nigel Browne, National Account Manager Photographic, Ansmann
Pixel 19
Industry Special Feature
The Year that Was... continued. achieve those goals. The independent retailer of imaging products has an important part to play in this industry, not just in 2012 .But a necessary ingredient is that there has to be that willingness to change the way you think. There are 118 retail outlets that have made that step, now lets move on to the next step and make our industry stand out in the crowd. Call us and lets' talk? - Roy Sealey, Director, Swains
Obviously the economy, which everyone is sensitive to at present, also the internet and how this develops in the way it affects business for us all. As previously mentioned it will be interesting to see how Camera Phones are adopted in the future and integrated into the world of photo. - John Goodwin, Sales Director, Hama
It’s been a busy year for Epson UK in the photographic market. A major highlight for us was when Max Spielmann completed The most significant innovations to Hama the second phase of installing 200+ Epson in 2011 were the introduction of our large format inkjet printers in its high DCCS Remote Release System and its street photo shops across the country. This Photo Electric Detector which introduced a is the single biggest order we have won for unique solution to the consumer and great our large format printers and enables Max margin to our dealers. We have also seen Spielmann to offer customers high quality the launch of the Celestron SkyProdigy on-site photo printing from A4 up to A1. telescope range which are truly at the Looking forward to 2012 and no sign of forefront of technology and creating quite a economic upturn just yet, I predict that buzz in Q4. an increasing number of photographers We have seen a drop off in the number of and fine artists will consider investing in lower end compact cameras as the mobile one of the many affordable Epson printers available, and take control of their own print production in-house. We have seen a drop off in lower end compact cameras as mobile phones fill While investing in new technology this gap... but rather than pose a threat, may be the last thing people are thinking about at the moment, it this is a great opportunity for dealers. should be one of the first things. - John Goodwin, Hama - Martin Johns, Market Development Manager, Pro Graphics, phones are now filling this gap especially Epson UK amongst the younger generations of user. Rather than pose a threat, camera phones 2011 has been another strong year are yet another opportunity for Hama for SanDisk, both in terms of financial dealers as our mobile accessories offer a performance and also with regard to new great solution. The increase in popularity products launched. Highlights this year of Compact System Cameras has certainly include launching the Extreme PRO SDHC been big news and retailers should stock a card, which at the moment is the fastest strong range of products to sell up. It’s all about ranges, bundles and making the most SD card in the world. In addition, we have added the SanDisk Eye-Fi card to our of that initial point of purchase when you product range in Europe. The interest in have the customer’s focus. this card has been phenomenal. Going forward into 2012 Hama will be In terms of the broad camera market, we concentrating on joining up our retail and have seen two key innovations. The first internet strategies. We are planning to develop our ranges and promoting ourselves of these is the quality and technology packaged in the MIL format, bringing DSLR as the one stop solution we truly are - The levels of performance to a much more Smart Solution!
NE
W
compact form factor. Secondly, the increase in photographers use of Burst mode photography, facilitated by the signifcant increase in performance of DSLRs and high performance memory cards. In workflow terms, the adoption of USB3.0 ports in the PC industry will significantly improve image transfer We are also seeing a continuing trend of MIL adoption – with users moving up from DSC cameras. We expect to see continued innovation in the Flash memory space as product development and manufacturing improvements continue to deliver new technology opportunities. - Gerry Edwards, Senior Product Marketing Manager EMEA, Sandisk 2011 has certainly been the year when finally all those in the imaging business realise the great wealth of opportunity that photo-gifts and transfer applications bring to the market. We have seen the arrival and development of some major players including that of Moonpig, Photobox and indeed most of the high street supermarkets all creating business. TheMagicTouch and other similar processes have helped to create business which in the eyesof the end user are great value and high regard as great value for money. The market of photo-gifts has been created really from nothing, in years gone by the idea of a product with a picture of your kids or pet was considered tacky, yet now its looked upon as cool. Our thoughts for 2012 are that this trend of personalisation will continue to grow as the awareness and the range and choice of products increases. We also expect to see a massive cross-over towards the B2B market and in particular with workwear and fashion based items. This business is no longer just about mugs, mousemats and white T-shirts. Watch this space for more innovation. - Jim Nicol, Director, TheMagicTouch For further comments and predictions, see Infolab magazine.
Instant digital photography all wrapped up M i t s u b i s h i E l e c t r i c p re s e n t s t h e n e w Easyphoto-K60, a complete, cost effective, one stop digital photo printing solution for small to medium sized retailers and pharmacies.
s 'LOSS AND MATTE lNISH ON ONE ROLL s -ULTI FORMAT PRINTS ON ONE ROLL s X X INSTANT PRINTS s "IOMETRIC 0HOTO )$ s 'IFT MODULES INCLUDED s .EW ,%$ SCREEN
Pixel 20 10599 Pixel page strip - DEC 2.indd 1
Tel: 01707 278684 | Fax: 01707 278541 | mitsubishielectric.co.uk/vis | printer.info@meuk.mee.com
07/12/2011 10:34
TET
Thanks George!
Chancellor George Osborne told to lift “unfair” tax on popular Photobooks
There’s never been a better time to offer high quality photo books!!! PC
For further information or a demonstration, please call Chris Castle on 0116 289 3644, or email chris.castle@tetenal.com
Apex
Kiosk
TETENAL PICTURE’S BEST FRIEND
0116 289 3644
www.tetenaluk.com Pixel 21
Feature BEHIND
THE
Feature Tales of the Unexpected
Fancy a Fuji-Facial? Fujifilm have announced that it will be launching its Astalift skincare range into the UK and Europe from February 2012. Since its introduction in Japan four years ago, the Astalift range has earned high user acclaim in this country among women eager to maintain youthful looking skin. Fujifilm's Astalift range is a comprehensive anti-ageing skincare brand, developed using cutting edge core technologies accumulated over many years of research and development of photosensitised materials. As part of its efforts to expand the healthcare business, Fujifilm has initiated the worldwide introduction of skincare products, in which the company The anti-ageing skincare applies proprietary technology has been developed technologies. using many years of research into It might seem a photo-sensitive materials strange move but Fujifilm's experts believe it aligns well with the photo business. Fujifilm has always diversified, enabling growth in emerging markets to support its core business and remain committed to these markets, such as photo imaging. The UK premium beauty market has shown consistent growth for years. Within the skincare category, demand for anti-ageing, brightening products and a complete daily regime continues to increase. "Even though we are entering a market which is totally new to us, we have good reason to believe in solid growth and enduring success. It is good to know that we have the technological resources at our own command, that we can draw on experience in consumer product marketing, and that we can provide the strength of a global corporation with its worldwide network and shared services," says Mr Junji Okada, Managing Director of FUJIFILM Europe GmbH.
Your Letters
A Winter's Tale Mike Baxter of London Camera Exchange sent us this heartwarming story to share. On being back in Cheltenham after my tour round the Cotswolds (LCE Gloucester, Leamington and Worcester), I remember my first Christmas with LCE in 1970. Sandy Thom (Manager), Bruce Wheeler (still here) and junior me were all extremely busy when a nice old lady came in to part exchange her late husband’s old camera. As Sandy and Bruce were too busy to ask I decided to go it alone and do my first part exchange. The Lady
Pixel 22
left extremely pleased with her easy to use Kodak Instamatic Kit (ÂŁ11 ) and I showed my part exchange to Sandy, and with a deep intake of breath and "never mind you will do better next time" the camera disappeared. Some 30 years later , having moved to run Worcester Sandy asked me to pop over to Cheltenham for a pint. He asked me whether I remembered the first trade in I did, he then produced the Leica Standard with the attached viewfinder and said that I might as well keep it !
COUNTER
Q&A
Name: Stuart M cIntyre Store: Photo No ttingham Lt
On my last da ...came to work! y off I:
d
Ideal Customer artwork on their : Families and individuals that walls apprec
iate Nightmare cust omer: Freebie hu nters Someone I'd lik e to swap jobs Branson with for a day: Richard My fantasy ca current Canon gemera/kit would be: I'm happ y with my ar, it has never le t me down. My top sales it's best to let thtip: Know when to say nothing. e products spea k themselves. Sometimes The last produc makeover album t I sold was: A beautiful 20 page The best mom their images for ent in store was when: A fa the first time an m d wept tears of jo ily viewed y All I want for Christmas is: January A fully booked di ary in My New Year's resolution will efficiency! be: Efficiency, ef ficiency,
If I could chan trading as profes ge one thing about our trad sionals e: Amateurs
Competitions
And The Winner Is...! After a STAGGERING number of entries to our most recent competition, we can now revea that the winner of the Panasonic camcorder is... Nick Davis of Davis TV! Congratulations, your prize is on its way! Comiserations if you didn't win this time, but don't give up hope. We already have a stack of prizes ready to give away to lucky readers in the New Year. Fancy a copy of Paintshop Pro Ultimate? How about guides to correct lighting and perfecting your artistic photography technique? They're coming up in the New Year, along with more top notch kit giveaways like this one, which we can't announce yet. Don't forget to tweet @pixelmagazine, email editorial@pixelmagazine.co.uk with your suggestions for future prizes.
If the KODAK APEX is the No.1 Dry Lab in Europe*...
...don’t you owe it to your business to find out why?
Call us now to discover the reasons behind the phenomenal success of the KODAK APEX PICTURES BEST FRIEND SINCE 1847 *
0116 289 3644
Source: installed base and sales FY 2010 – Euro 13 and Euro 16 (13=UK, CH, SE, ES, NO, NL, IT, DE, FR, FI, DK, BE, AT; 16=13 + RU, TK, PL). Futuresource consulting UK, March 2011.
Pixel 23
Products Products
Snippets
Nikon Launches New Flagship Speedlight Nikon has introduced a brand-new flagship i-TTL Speedlight; the Nikon SB-910 that replaces the highly regarded SB-900. Fast, versatile and powerful, with redesigned menus and controls, the SB910 offers extensive opportunities for oncamera or wireless flash photography. A powerful tool for professionals who demand studio quality lighting, the new model combines enhanced operation with an extended zoom range of 17-200mm and three illumination patterns for total control over flash coverage. “The SB-910 is a powerful portable light source that delivers precise flash exposures and seamless fillflash performance—even in challenging lighting situations. Perfect for professionals seeking complete control over
the quality of light, it offers Centreweighted, Even and Standard illumination patterns to accommodate any shooting environment and can cover a zoom range of 17-200mm while maintaining an even light distribution. Bounce flash capability is provided through a head that can be tilted up to 90º, down to 7º and rotated horizontally through 180º to the right and to the left. The thermal protection system has been improved allowing more optimal heat detection and recycling time management. The SB-910 boasts refined ergonomics and re-designed menus for more intuitive control, with the same
reliability as its predecessor. Menus are clearer and the selector dial incorporates a groove so you can feel when you change settings. Illuminated buttons offer better visibility in the dark and the SB910 includes hard cover colour filters that are more durable and easier to attach. Part of the acclaimed Nikon Creative Lighting System, the SB-910 is easily incorporated into multiple-flash lighting set-ups. The new unit will be availabe from 15th December, RRP £449.99 .
Van Gogh's Dream App During his stay at the Auberge Ravoux, Vincent van Gogh wrote in a letter to his brother Theo: “Some day or another, I believe I will find a way to have my own exhibition in a café.” Designed with the Van Gogh Institute, the iPad app Van Gogh’s Dream allows readers to discover the world of the artist and his work. This experience has been achieved using Adobe Digital Publishing Suite. The Van Gogh’s Dream app is just like an interactive book. “This app is giving readers a whole new interactive perspective on Van Gogh’s work and life. It’s an intuitive, tactile, sensitive experience. Technology has helped us build a bridge between the art and emotion of Van Gogh and our readers,” explains Loïc Sander, Creative Director at MNESTRA.
Products
extreme racing to a day at the pool. Tough enough for military use, Optrix’s patented design securely houses the iPhone 4 or iPod Touch while allowing users easy access to its interface, enabling instant playback, video editing or 22/11/11 12:35:41 even uploading. In addition, the ability to see a full-screen image of the framed shot,
coupled with its one-hand quick release design makes adjusting shooting angles easy, eliminating the out of frame videos that plague current market options. Perfect for any sport, including snowboarding, skateboarding, mountain biking, racing, and more, the HD Sport Mount comes with a variety of base mounts that safely and
% # 1
. 1
iPod Touch Becomes HD Action Sports Camera with Optrix Optrix, designer of action sports video cases has unveiled HD Sport Mount, the first weatherproof rugged case designed to transform iPhone 4, 4S and iPod Touch into an action sports camera. Taking advantage of iPhone 4S’ 1080p HD and image Fuji Quarter capabilities, Page Advert ARTWORK.pdf stabilizing Optrix makes capturing video in all environments possible, from
/ 4)
securely adhere to any surface. Spill, splash, bump and drop proof, the casing is made of high quality, military grade materials Optrix will also be unveiling a series of video recording apps designed to take sports filming to another level, allowing users to measure lay speed, g-force, lap-time and more on their devices.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
Frontier Series
DryMinilab Series
Epson Wide Format Printers
ASK Instant Printers
Quick Print Station
Xerox Phaser
K
Pixel Call24 Fujifilm Photo Imaging on 01234 217724 or email photoimaging@fuji.co.uk
3!+ .3-2 )-) .3-2
!2.0 .3-2
) !$ ##%11.06
3''%$ $30!"+% - ,.3-21 2. !+,.12 !-6 130&!#%
' %$%## #, ' #" ! %
3)#* %+%!1% ##%11.06
#*" '( & , %
-$+%11 1(..2)-' /.11)")+)2)%1 .0*1 5)2( #!,%0!1 #!,#.0$%01 &+!1( 3-)21
(% 1!&%12 !-$ ,.12 %&&%#2)4% 1612%, &.0 #+%!-)-' 6.30 $)')2!+ 1%-1.0 3!0!-2%%$ 1!&% .,/!2)"+% 5)2( !++ 1
- #!,%0! 1*)-1 /0.2%#2 2(% &0!')+% #.,/.-%-21 "322.-1 !-$ #.,/!02,%-21 .& ! 5)2(.32 ."1203#2)-' 31!")+)26 .0 !##%11 (% 2!#*-&0%% 1)+)#.-% ')4%1 ! 1+%%* #+%!- !//%!0!-#% 5()+% %-130)-' 2(!2 6.30 #!,%0! 12!61 /0)12)-% - 1#0%%- /0.2%#2).- &.0 1 !-$ #.,/!#2 $)')2!+ #!,%0!1 /0.2%#2 2(% &0., 1#0!2#(%1 !-$ $!,!'% 5()+% ! &+)/-3/ '+!0% '3!0$ (%+/1 4)1)")+)26 )- $)0%#2 13-+)'(2
.,/!2)"+% '3!0!-2%%$ )'( 20!-1&%0 1/%%$1 !-$ ()'( #!/!#)26 )&%2),% 5!00!-26 .- !++ ,%,.06 #!0$1
%!$%01 !-$ !$!/2%01 !4!)+!"+% 2. 0%!$ )'( 1/%%$ $!2! 20!-1&%0 5)2( +3' !-$ /+!6 3+20! /.02!"+%
%"
,!)+ 1!+%1 $%+*)-%30./% #.,
. # #(% $ ) # + ' ,##! - " "&#% #, ' + + !! ( % # ' .--%#2 $)0%#2+6 31)-' 6.30 1,!02/(.-% !-$ !//
%+
Pixel 25
Products Products
Snippets
Caselogic Are Back! Caelogic are now available in the UK from new distributor BBG AV Distorubiton. Case Logic, has re-established its presence in the UK market with a new local sales office and the IPADW, a winter must-have for iPad lovers. Transparent and completely water-resistant, the IPADW provides the iPad with vital protection from water, dirt and dust without inhibiting the touch sensitivity of the iPad's tactile screen. The iPad
is safe, even if it's being used for a recipe in a messy kitchen or using an educational app with a grubby-fingered toddler. It can be used outdoors in all weathers and not only is the IPADW light, ultra-thin and very practical, it boasts a convenient flap closure. Jeff Warde, Director of Global Marketing at Case Logic says: “In line with the iPad, the IPADW case combines design with practicality, producing a unique item which we hope will prove to be
Video Stabilisation
indis-pensable to its user.” The newly released IPADW101 cases are available for sale now in the UK for a recommended retail price of £29.99. Case Logic: are also currently promoting a new camera sling, netbook sleeves, tablet sleeves and compact camera cases.
Consumers tend to simply put up with excessive shake in their videos because they think there is no alternative. Mercalli Easy is a simple drag & drop app for Windows that can quickly stabilize the video and perform some basic editing. The video is then ready to be shared via popular social media & video sharing sites, copied to mobile devices, or turned into a DVD. Mercalli Easy is available for $14.95 on the Mercalli Easy website, proDAD offers a full line of professional & semi-professional digital video effects, and professional video products, offered as plug-ins for editing applications.
Promotions
Manfrotto's Christmas Shopping Experience in Covent Garden public entered the Manfrotto Interactive Photo Lab, the fourth stage of a global tour of events, previous destinations including Berlin, Honk Kong and Beijing, to sample at first hand For three days in late November Manfrotto’s exciting range of entry-level consumer products. Manfrotto staged an exciting Foregoing a traditional touch interactive brand experience and try ethos, consumers in the heart of one of London’s were instead invited to Customers were invited to interact with one of three photo sets, manned become part of the action, by professional photographers interacting with one of three photo sets, busiest shopping centres manned by professional – Covent Garden Piazza. photographers in order to With brand exposure to over 400,000 Christmas shoppers, Manfrotto’s primary aim was to raise the brand profile in an exciting way, showcasing their latest range of entry level accessory products with the support of Jessops. Taking the shape of a 210 SqM ‘Pop-Up Factory’, between the 18th – 20th November 2011 over 4,000 members of the
Pixel 26
showcase affordable Manfrotto technology. With props to inspire the imagination still further, including a complete rock and roll band set, members of the public soon got into the swing of things, the resulting images being posted onto Facebook for friends and family to share across their network, subtly extending the reach of the Manfrotto brand. At the end of their interactive experience, every member of the public was given a free gift in the shape of a Manfrottobranded sphere. Borrowing straight from the Kinder Surprise concept, recipients stood the chance of receiving free Manfrotto products, including the Manfrotto ML120 pocket LED, an ideal gift for
any budding photographer this Christmas. Greg Cooney, Managing Director for Manfrotto Distribution UK, commented ‘The UK leg of this tour recognises the efforts that have gone into making this event a success. The location has allowed us to fulfil our aim of reaching out to a new customer base, introducing them to new and exciting ways of taking photography with Manfrotto by immersing themselves in the shot itself, the resulting image clearly showcasing what Manfrotto can in turn do for their own images.’
Products
Hasselblad Gets Festive Hasselblad is offering customers who buy a new H4D40 camera with an 80mm lens the chance to buy a second HC/HCD lens of their choice at a massive 50% discount. The exclusive Christmas and New Year deal means that a photographer opting for an HCD 4-5.6/35-90mm zoom lens could save up to £2,397.00 overall on the purchase. Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad global sales
and marketing director commented: “There has never been a better time to invest in the Hasselblad H4D-40. We have just announced excellent free firmware upgrades on all new H4D cameras including; one-click instant digital focus check, two directional electronic spirit level, an improved high resolution display and a brand new rear display with grip info on the back. And from now until the end of January photographers buying an H4D-40 with an 80mm lens can get half price discounts on any H-line lens from the HCD 4/28mm wide angle upwards.”
Products
Fujifilm New Camera cont. Continued from Page 1
CMOS sensor as the X10 which ensures high quality images regardless of the lighting conditions. The unique EXR CMOS technology allows the user to switch between three modes
depending on the lighting conditions – or leave the camera to make its own choice in the Auto EXR mode. Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is the high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high speed continuous shooting capability. The X-S1 also takes high-
quality movies. It captures Full High Definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) video with stereo sound at 30 frames-per-second, which is saved in the H.264 format. Photographers after full control are well catered for with a full range of shooting
functions (program/aperturepriority/shutter-priority/manual), plus users can also fine tune levels of colour, image sharpness and tone. Additionally, the X-S1 provides four auto bracketing options, eight Film Simulation and white balance functions and a Raw file format. Launched in February 2012, in the UK, the X-S1 will have an estimated selling price of £699.
Pixel 27
Products Products
Snippets
Kingston Improves Budget SSD Options Kingston Digital Europe has announced the next generation of its entry-level, budget SSDNow V range. The Kingston SSDNow V200 brings value and performance to consumers who are looking for an inexpensive upgrade option to boost their current computer’s performance and extend the life of their investment The new Kingston SATA Rev 3.0 (6Gb/s) SSDNow V200 is nearly twice as fast as the previous SSDNow V100 SSD. It is also up to 20 percent less in price than its
predecessor SSDNow V100 drive making it one of the best price and performance SSD solutions in the marketplace. With better performance and a lower cost, the value-driven SSDNow V200 is perfect for cost-conscious consumers who are looking to upgrade to Flashbased, hard-drive solutions for the first time.The SSDNow V200 is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities as either a stand-alone drive or as an upgrade kit to make
Reallusion has announced updates to the popular Big Lens app, as follows:
installation easy. The desktop bundle kit includes the SSD, cloning software, DVD with step-bystep installation video, cables (SATA data and power), and 3.5″ hard-drive mounting brackets and hardware. The notebook bundle includes the SSD, DVD with step-by-step installation video, cloning software and a 2.5″ external enclosure for easy OS and data transfer from HDD to SSD during cloning. Kingston® SSDs are backed by a three-year warranty and 24/7 live technical support.
Products
Minox Launch New Infrared Game Camera flash with a range of up to Due to the popularity of game is stored on a SD card and 15 metres delivers reliable can be immediately viewed in cameras in the hunting and shots, even in unfavorable the integrated 2.5“ display or gamekeeping sector, Minox light or in twilight. Thanks to transferred to a computer or is extending its range of its extremely short shutter lag television via USB port. products with the introduction The reliable camera of the extremely compact Minox DTC The new Minox DTC 500 is equipped technology is protected by a robust and weatherproof 500. Measuring with an 8 megapixel sensor just 153 x 114 x 66 and can produce video recordings of plastic body that prevents the penetration of water, mm it is practically 10 to 60 seconds dust, cold and heat. half the size of and a battery life of over 6 The new MINOX DTC 500 conventional models, meeting months, the new DTC 500 is a comes with mounting strap, the classic Minox values very reliable companion out in USB and TV cable. of highest precision in the the reserve. smallest possible space. This It documents convenient game camera is an all the details extremely helpful and reliable in each shot, tool for the observation and specifying the management of game in any date and time, terrain. temperature The new Minox DTC 500 is and moon equipped with an 8 megapixel phase, which sensor and can produce animal was video recordings of 10 to where, when 60 seconds so that the user and for how can keep track of animal long. All the activities around the clock. collected data The high performance infrared
Pixel 28
Reallusion Updates to Big Lens app.
- Big Lens now includes the High Dynamic Range (HDR) button for retaining graphic details that would otherwise be lost. - The HDR function automatically adjusts light, contrast, tones, colours and more to bring original details back into your photos. - Users can now adjust their blur edges by simply moving the blur edge slider. Beautify images and create a more natural feel by sharpening and smoothing your focus edge with one easy slider. - Big Lens now allows you to restore your last work session without having to open a saved project. - No longer do you have to guess which pixel your friends are. With Big Lens, now you can work with higher resolution images imported straight from your onboard digital camera.
Sony World Photography Awards - Last Call The World Photography Organisation, issues a last call for entries for the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s most comprehensive photography competition. The deadline for entries is Wednesday 04 January 2012. The Sony World Photography Awards is free to enter and open to photographers of every ability, whose work will be judged by an esteemed panel. The winner of the L’Iris d’Or/ Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year Award will receive $25,000 (USD) and the overall Open Competition winner, $5,000. All category winners will also be presented with Sony’s latest digital imaging products.
Pixel 29
Products Products
Lomography in Motion The last bastion of film-only experimental photography embraces the moving image effects, big scale film studios and endless Hollywood dramas, we give you the chance to return back to the roots of movie making and witness the very first steps of moving Lomography. The LomoKino allows you to become a director yourself and capture Lomographic movies on 35 mm film of any kind: no sound, no special the camera captures 144 shots on one effects, no post roll of 35 mm film which makes 36 to 48 production – just simple seconds of Lomo movie Lomography in motion." To become a LomoMovie Lomography press statement. director, the user winds the "After over 200 years of movie crank of the camera to capture making, million-dollar-specialLomography has released a new camera which allows users to make moving images using traditional 35mm film. "How great it must have been to witness the first pictures as they started to move or to see the Lumiere brothers amazing the crowds with their very first short films.," muses the typically whimsical
144 shots on one roll of 35 mm film - which makes 36 to 48 seconds of LomoMovie. They can use any kind of 35 mm film for different effects: Slide film, colour negative, redscale or B/W. After developing the film,they can spool it into the specially developed LomoKinoScope to watch. "Its irresistible design takes you straight back into the time
when people left the audience screaming because a locomotive was speeding towards them on a movie screen and the movies were still a true business without special effects." The Lomokino comes in a package either alone or with the LomoKinoScope, one film canister and a "marvelous" book.
Products
Canon Launches Lens Cashback Offer Canon has launched their latest Lens Cashback promotion with offers on 14 products across the EF and EF-S lens range when purchasing an EOS 60D, EOS 7D or EOS 5D Mark II. To be eligible for the Lens Cashback, customers must purchase one of the selected DSLR products by 28th February 2012 and one of the selected lenses by 31st May 2012. The deadline for claims will be 30th June 2012. Lenses included in the Lens Cashback promotion are: EF 50mm f/1.4 USM: £10/€12 - (RRP £449.99)
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM £10/€12 - (RRP £469.99) EF 50mm f/1.2L USM £55/€60 - (RRP £1909.99) EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM £75/€85 - (RRP £2639.99) -*EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM £15/€20 - (RRP £649.99) EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM £30/€35 - (RRP £1059.99) -*EF 17-40mm f/4L USM £25/€30 - (RRP £939.99) EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
£40/€45 - (RRP £1409.99) EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM £40/€45 - (RRP £1449.99) EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM £45/€50 - (RRP £1539.99) EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM £50/€60 - (RRP £1789.99) EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM £80/€90 - (RRP £2799.99)
Suppliers
To advertise here contact: Simon Skinner 01323 433700 s.skinner@parkview-publishing.co.uk
Pixel 30
Spacer Frame is an innovative picture frame system. - Adhesive - No tools required - Spacer Included Contact us for trade pricing
sales@spacerframe.co.uk 01462 650702
EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS £15/€20 - (RRP £629.99) EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM £30/€35 - (RRP £1209.99). For full details see Canon's website.
Pixel 31
Ultra bright Fujinon F2.0-F2.8 4x zoom lens
Fujifilm X10 Discover the image quality you never thought possible from a compact camera. A 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor delivers superb image quality, whatever the conditions. Coupled with a fast aperture f/2-2.8, 4x zoom lens, a new world of photography is at your ďŹ ngertips. Intuitive controls enhance handling including a manual barrel zoom and a clear, bright and wide optical viewďŹ nder. Take photography seriously.
Find out more at www.fujifilmX10.co.uk or scan the QR code on your smartphone.
Pixel 32