Written by John Rettie and originally posted on PDN
(Rangefinder magazine’s Technical Editor John Rettie just spent a few days roaming the floor of the trade show at the 2012 WPPI Convention, which opened on Sunday and continues through Thursday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Here’s his report on some of the interesting photo gear on display at the show.)
The annual Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas continues to grow in size and importance. For many photographers, it has become the “must attend” event for wedding and portrait shooters from all over the world.
Nikon Mania
Although there were no major new camera announcements at WPPI these last few days, it was the first opportunity for photographers outside of Japan to get their hands on the much talked about 36.3-megapixel, full frame Nikon D800 pro digital SLR.
Not surprisingly, given that Nikon is aiming this camera at wedding and portrait photographers as much as anyone, Nikon’s booth was inundated with Nikon users immediately after the doors opened to visitors.
Canon, Nikon and Sony all had well known photographers such as Jerry Ghionis, Cliff Mautner and Brian Smith at their booths, pulling in the crowds as they presented their photo techniques.
Lighting It Up
While the major camera manufacturers might steal the limelight at these shows, it’s often the small companies with new gizmos that attract as much interest and there was no shortage of new accessories and services being shown for the first time. These are some of the ones that caught my eye.
Lighting is naturally an important element in portrait photography and it was amazing how much new portable lighting gear was being shown at WPPI. Thanks to LED, it’s becoming increasingly easy to develop lightweight portable lighting units that can deliver sufficient light, of the right quality, for lighting weddings and portraits.
.jpg "lighting")
Last year Jerry Ghionis, one of the most popular speakers at WPPI, demonstrated a portable light that he had been using. Upon reflection, it was obvious he was teasing, as this year he’s turned it into a product that’s now on sale. Ghionis had models walking around the show carrying these handled Icelights, which look more like a lightsaber from Star Wars, so photographers could snap pictures on the move. (www.icelight.com)
Lowel demonstrated a prototype of an upcoming product the GL-1, which looks more like a large electric drill. The gunlight, as it is also called, is used for painting light over a small area and the light pattern can be changed in size. Full details will soon become available on a special website: www.thegunlight.com.
Rotolight has been available in Britain for some time but is only now becoming available in the US through RTS Inc. It has an array of LED lights in a circle that can be placed on camera and even placed around a hot shoe mounted mic. It includes a set of gels for changing the color and white balance. (www.RTSphoto.com)
Get a Grip
Ever wanted to put an iPhone on top of your camera so you can shoot video at the same time or perhaps take some still images for immediate transmission to Facebook or a client. Now, rather than having to hold the iPhone, you can just use the simple DaisyGrip, which attaches to the hot shoe on a DSLR and can hold up to one pound in weight. For child photographers it could be used to hold a stuffed animal to help get the child in the right mood. (www.daisygrip.com)
.jpg "grip")
If you hate photographing a red carpet at an event, here’s a unit that can take the photographer out of the picture, so to speak. The Outdoor Photo Booth is a self contained unit that assembles in minutes. It includes a Canon DSLR, a flash unit, touch screen monitor and printer. A person or group that wants to be photographed can pose using the monitor to preview their image. They press a button and the picture is snapped in three seconds. (www.openairphotobooth.com)
Visitors to Launch Pad, held on the afternoon before the trade show opened, had the opportunity to get a sneak preview at several products from individual entrepreneurs who were not quite ready to spring for the cost of a booth. These included CameraMator, a company that’s almost ready to introduce another new app for remotely controlling a DSLR on a laptop, iPad or iPhone. In the demonstration, captured images were displayed very rapidly on an iPad. It will also be possible for someone to view images remotely through an Internet connection. (www.cameramator.com)
Photo Clothing, Video Albums, Online Portfolios and More
If men need pockets in their pants when shooting they have cargo pants or vests they can wear. One can imagine most female photographers would not be seen dead in this sort of wear, especially when photographing a wedding. Now Julie Watts has come to the fair sex’s rescue with photopantz.
It’s difficulty to tell from the photograph but these smart looking pants have plenty of pockets and pouches for holding stuff, such as a cell phone, cards, and even jelly beans, as Watts suggested as she modeled the pants to a receptive audience of photographers. In an enterprising setup she even had a changing tent on her booth at Launch Pad, so women photographers could try them on for size and buy on the spot. (www.photopantz.com)
Wedding albums and services provided by photo labs are obviously an extremely important part of any show for anyone attending WPPI. Among the many traditional albums of all shapes and designs we found a new one. The Video Book Company, as its name suggests produces one that includes a video screen. They take a regular album and carefully cut out sections of the pages and insert an Android tablet with small speakers in the pages.
The album can then be placed on a special stand that incorporates a wireless charging device to power the album. Considering the amount of money brides spend on wedding photography the added cost of burying an Android tablet in a high end album is probably not as extravagant as it sounds at first blush. (www.thevideobookcompany.com)
As you’d expect, there were numerous companies promoting services to build website and online portfolios. However, one company in particular made a big splash with a unique large square box. Squarespace has been in business for over eight years as an alternative content management system to WordPress. It is about to launch an entirely revamped version that it has designed with photographers in mind.
Visitors who stepped inside the cube were able to see how easy it is to create portfolio websites that only require one hi-res image to be uploaded. Squarespace then automatically resizes and redraws screens to match whatever size screen is being used. One can set a focal point on an image and that will always stays in the same place even when viewed on an iPhone or on a 27-inch monitor. Squarespace does not use Flash, so websites are correctly displayed on any platform. (www.squarespace.com)
Until now SmugMug Pro has used Bay Photo and ezprints as its affiliated photo labs. At the show SmugMugPro announced it’s added WHCC, one of the most popular full-service labs with wedding photographers to its list of partners.
Speaking of WHCC, it made news at the show as Canon announced it will be the first customer to purchase a Canon DreamLabo 5000 Printer, which was easily the largest and most expensive piece of equipment on display at WPPI.
The DreamLabo 5000 features automatic double-sided printing, which is especially convenient when printing photo albums and on-demand two-sided documents. It requires only 72 seconds to print a 20-page A4 size photo album. Canon says the DreamLabo 5000 production inkjet printer will offer the retail photo printing and high-end print-on-demand (POD) markets optimal performance and productivity.
This year’s WPPI Trade Show appears to be a hit, with individual photographers spending anywhere from a few dollars on props to those splashing out on new cameras to a major lab spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a major printing press.
2,092 comments
chery tiggo запчасти says:
January 23, 2013 at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
chery tiggo запчасти…
[...]that will be the finish of this post. Right here you will obtain some web pages that we consider youll enjoy, just click the links over[...]…
necklace says:
January 23, 2013 at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
necklace…
[...]please stop by the web sites we comply with, including this 1, because it represents our picks through the web[...]…
seo services atlana says:
January 23, 2013 at 5:01 pm (UTC -4)
seo services atlana…
[...]here are some hyperlinks to web-sites that we link to since we feel they’re really worth visiting[...]…
indonesia says:
January 23, 2013 at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
indonesia…
[...]check beneath, are some completely unrelated web-sites to ours, nonetheless, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
moda blogu says:
January 23, 2013 at 6:33 pm (UTC -4)
moda blogu…
[...]Here is a good Weblog You might Find Intriguing that we Encourage You[...]…
Monster Headphones says:
January 23, 2013 at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
Monster Headphones…
[...]Here are a few of the web sites we advocate for our visitors[...]…
Connie Durant says:
January 23, 2013 at 8:42 pm (UTC -4)
Connie Durant…
[...]just beneath, are several absolutely not associated sites to ours, even so, they’re surely worth going over[...]…
Norvegia says:
January 23, 2013 at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
Norvegia…
[...]just beneath, are several completely not connected internet sites to ours, on the other hand, they may be surely really worth going over[...]…
Eczema tips says:
January 23, 2013 at 10:58 pm (UTC -4)
Eczema tips…
[...]just beneath, are several totally not associated web pages to ours, nonetheless, they are certainly worth going over[...]…
agave nectar says:
January 24, 2013 at 2:26 am (UTC -4)
agave nectar…
[...]usually posts some pretty intriguing stuff like this. If you are new to this site[...]…
bwueuwervbrweuagvw says:
January 24, 2013 at 2:27 am (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]here are some links to web sites that we link to for the reason that we assume they are really worth visiting[...]…
dubturbo review says:
January 24, 2013 at 2:33 am (UTC -4)
dubturbo review…
[...]Every when in a although we choose blogs that we read. Listed beneath are the most current websites that we pick [...]…
marketing webinar says:
January 24, 2013 at 3:48 am (UTC -4)
marketing webinar…
[...]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[...]…
payday loan says:
January 24, 2013 at 6:41 am (UTC -4)
payday loan…
[...]below youll obtain the link to some web-sites that we assume you ought to visit[...]…
nightlife in says:
January 24, 2013 at 7:08 am (UTC -4)
nightlife in…
[...]very couple of internet websites that happen to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely really worth checking out[...]…
google sniper says:
January 24, 2013 at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
google sniper…
[...]below you?ll find the link to some internet sites that we think it is best to visit[...]…
nerd blog says:
January 24, 2013 at 2:44 pm (UTC -4)
nerd blog…
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. An excellent read. I will d…
Charger Gadget says:
January 24, 2013 at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
Charger Gadget…
[...]just beneath, are various absolutely not related web pages to ours, even so, they may be surely really worth going over[...]…
PLUMBING SERVICES says:
January 24, 2013 at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
PLUMBING SERVICES…
The root of your writing whilst appearing reasonable at first, did not settle perfectly with me after some time. Somewhere throughout the paragraphs you actually managed to make me a believer but only for a short while. I still have got a problem with …
plumbing store seattle says:
January 24, 2013 at 6:46 pm (UTC -4)
plumbing store seattle…
Thanks for your advice on this blog. A single thing I wish to say is always that purchasing electronic devices items through the Internet is certainly not new. In reality, in the past few years alone, the marketplace for online electronics has grown dr…
Sober Living says:
January 24, 2013 at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
Sober Living…
[...]check below, are some entirely unrelated sites to ours, on the other hand, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
locksmith course says:
January 25, 2013 at 12:12 am (UTC -4)
locksmith course…
[...]please take a look at the sites we follow, such as this a single, as it represents our picks through the web[...]…
Vimax says:
January 25, 2013 at 3:42 am (UTC -4)
Vimax…
[...]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a couple of unrelated information, nonetheless definitely worth taking a appear, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got a lot more problerms too [...]…
Plumbing Contractor Seattle says:
January 25, 2013 at 5:59 am (UTC -4)
Plumbing Contractor Seattle…
A powerful share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing just a little analysis on this. And he the truth is purchased me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx …
projekty stron www Poznan says:
January 25, 2013 at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
projekty stron www Poznan…
[...]that is the end of this post. Right here you will locate some web-sites that we believe youll enjoy, just click the hyperlinks over[...]…
iphone repair denver says:
January 25, 2013 at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
iphone repair denver…
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!…
pipe fittings says:
January 25, 2013 at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
pipe fittings…
[...]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a couple of unrelated information, nevertheless actually worth taking a search, whoa did one understand about Mid East has got much more problerms as well [...]…
Anime Desktop Wallpapers says:
January 25, 2013 at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
Anime Desktop Wallpapers…
[...]we came across a cool site that you could enjoy. Take a search in the event you want[...]…
Valve and Fitting Supply says:
January 25, 2013 at 6:15 pm (UTC -4)
Valve and Fitting Supply…
[...]usually posts some pretty exciting stuff like this. If you?re new to this site[...]…
giqqfcnuiyubuyr56 says:
January 25, 2013 at 8:48 pm (UTC -4)
Title…
[...]below you will find the link to some sites that we consider it is best to visit[...]…
Best Hcg says:
January 25, 2013 at 9:18 pm (UTC -4)
Best Hcg…
wonderful points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What might you recommend about your submit that you made some days in the past? Any certain?…
Ange Kagame photos says:
January 25, 2013 at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
Ange Kagame photos…
[...]Here are several of the web pages we suggest for our visitors[...]…
affiliate tools says:
January 26, 2013 at 1:44 am (UTC -4)
affiliate tools…
[...]check beneath, are some entirely unrelated web sites to ours, nevertheless, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
buy synthroid online no rx says:
January 26, 2013 at 2:18 am (UTC -4)
treatment for hypothyroid…
[...]order cheap Thyroxine in UK[...]…
northern ontario job bank says:
January 26, 2013 at 5:28 am (UTC -4)
northern ontario job bank…
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop…
holdem bot profiles says:
January 26, 2013 at 6:45 am (UTC -4)
holdem bot profiles…
[...]The information talked about within the report are several of the very best out there [...]…
Vintage Jewellery says:
January 26, 2013 at 7:35 am (UTC -4)
Vintage Jewellery…
[...]although sites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they may be truly really worth a go by way of, so have a look[...]…
market locally online says:
January 26, 2013 at 8:37 am (UTC -4)
market locally online…
[...]that may be the finish of this article. Right here you will find some sites that we consider youll enjoy, just click the hyperlinks over[...]…
Free iPad 3 says:
January 26, 2013 at 8:53 am (UTC -4)
Free iPad 3…
Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!…
windows 8 review says:
January 26, 2013 at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
windows 8 review…
[...]just beneath, are a lot of totally not associated web pages to ours, nonetheless, they are surely worth going over[...]…
rollstuhl kaufen says:
January 26, 2013 at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
rollstuhl kaufen…
[...]one of our guests not too long ago advised the following website[...]…
northern ontario universities and colleges says:
January 26, 2013 at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
northern ontario universities and colleges…
This web page is mostly a stroll-through for the entire information you wished about this and didnt know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also youll positively uncover it….
Free iPad 3 says:
January 26, 2013 at 4:49 pm (UTC -4)
Free iPad 3…
I really wanted to construct a small remark in order to thank you for all the unique hints you are giving at this site. My time intensive internet research has at the end of the day been paid with extremely good concept to go over with my companions. I…
Antique Jewelry Worldwide says:
January 26, 2013 at 5:53 pm (UTC -4)
Antique Jewelry Worldwide…
[...]always a significant fan of linking to bloggers that I enjoy but dont get a great deal of link really like from[...]…
jeux adulte says:
January 26, 2013 at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
jeux adulte…
[...]one of our guests not too long ago suggested the following website[...]…
Las Vegas, NV says:
January 26, 2013 at 7:15 pm (UTC -4)
Las Vegas, NV…
[...]Every once in a though we pick blogs that we read. Listed below are the most up-to-date websites that we select [...]…
jeux en ligne tarzan says:
January 26, 2013 at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
jeux en ligne tarzan…
[...]usually posts some quite intriguing stuff like this. If you are new to this site[...]…
bodybuilding supplements says:
January 27, 2013 at 2:21 am (UTC -4)
bodybuilding supplements…
wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!…
top rated says:
January 27, 2013 at 5:38 am (UTC -4)
top rated…
[...]we came across a cool web site that you just may possibly take pleasure in. Take a search in the event you want[...]…
weight loss pills canada says:
January 27, 2013 at 8:36 am (UTC -4)
weight loss pills canada…
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further fo…
« Previous 1 ... 20 21 22 23 24 ... 42 Next »