Focus on Imaging 2009 - Short Report

Focus on Imaging 2009 NEC, Birmingham - The NEC (National Exhibition Centre) in Birmingham is massive, easy to find and very easy to get to so if you missed this year's Focus on Imaging Exhibition, make sure you try and get there next year.

As with the SWPP convention, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of things on display, I found I had to do one or two quick circuits just to weed out the good from the bad, or the interesting (to me) from the not so interesting.

Once I had established which sections I wanted to focus on, I made my way back and spent more time with each section in turn. When you have 4 or 5 different companies selling the same thing, such as wedding albums or frames, I find I need to spend more time with the ones I think I would use or would be useful to our readers.

Anyway, saying that, this isn't going to be a full "pitch fest" review of the show as I only have time to mention a couple of things that really stood out to me before I get this newsletter out, other products will be reviewed in full over the next few weeks once I receive more info from the suppliers.

If you are starting up your own business, or even if you have been in business for a while, why would you want to attend such an event anywhere in the world, not just Focus?

Firstly, you want to stay ahead of your game. Focus on Imaging is great for researching and sourcing the latest materials and suppliers. Every year more and more businesses hit the scene making the competition greater and ultimately reducing prices and the show normally brings "show prices" with some excellent special offers!

You could visit this show just once and walk away with enough knowledge and supplier details to start a very sharp photography business:

• Albums
• Photobooks
• Cameras
• Lenses
• Accessories
• Business Cards
• Free Tutorials
• Display Cases
• Frames and Portfolios
• Clubs and Associations

Of course, simply talking to and networking with the people you meet there is also invaluable.

I find that by just being there, my whole outlook is renewed and inspired and I feel a new surge of fresh motivation to get off my backside and take more photos and spend less time stuck in the office.

So, here are three of the new Pocket Wizard products that were demonstrated at Focus. I will write a full review when I get a minute but for now, I think these videos give a lot of great info!

Pocket Wizards

Some other stuff that caught my eye

Professional Printing Paper

I have been using Canon's own pro papers for a while to use on my recently "re-acquired" Canon 9950i A3 printer which is back from Spain. I still feel though, that they don't match the prints that I made over 6 years ago on an Epson 2100 A3 printer...I love that printer as well as the Epson papers.

I was shocked to see how many new paper manufacturers were at Focus displaying their wares such as Olmec inkjet, and Innova fina art paper from Innovaart. They produce some beautiful papers and I bought a selection of trial packs which covers much of their range...I will be testing these soon.

However, none stood out so much as the Canson range. Not only because of their beautiful display booklets (which I have) which display their entire range of stunning fine art papers, but I was so impressed by the guy (French) that was in charge of the stand.

He was extremely forthcoming, knowledgeable and passionate about these products and that really stood out to me as well as the care, attention and testing that goes into creating these wonderful papers. I will also be testing their discovery pack soon which includes 9 of their finest papers but I need to get out and take some photos worthy of adorning these fine fibres!

Check out their website: Canson Infinity

Indestructible Cases

Having a ton of gear I need to protect, I was particularly impressed by these guys who were also surrounded by a multitude of other case manufacturers. Once again, passion and conviction in their products caught my eye as did their promo video...

I am hoping to get one for myself to test at some point but until then, have a look at what they have to offer.

Indestructibe Cases

So that is it for now. When I get more details and have a chance to review some more, I hope to add a lot more products and reviews to ATP. Make sure you attend at least one big trade show this year if you are running your own business.