Photo Archive News

Britian's Biggest Retail Photography Studio Closes

Olan Mills Photography, a company with 34 photographic studios nationwide, has ceased trading and is handing all affairs over to an administrator. The company ceased trading on Boxing Day, after taking orders upto Christmas.

New Site: Picturenation

Picturenation has celebrated its second birthday with the launch of a new website – aimed at being even easier and faster to use than before.

...Picturenation now has over 4,000 photographers and over 60,000 checked images live on a simple royalty-free license....

‘Our clients tells us they love the fact that we’re so user-friendly’ says Picturenation director, Jane-Louise Green, who runs Picturenation with a team of just 3 people.

‘We’ve built a loyal and passionate photography community who can now comment on each others pictures, swap tips in the forum, and have the bonus of their pictures being on a sales platform too’, Jane continues.

‘We’re building an impressive client list – including the BBC and RHS, aswell as a growing number of government departments and education establishments’.

Picturenation now has over 4,000 photographers and over 60,000 checked images live on a simple royalty-free license. Members are from around the world but the image content is mostly regional British. ‘I call our stock boring but useful’, says Jane. ‘We’re always surprised at what sells. But it’s easier and cheaper to buy one of our images than for councils, for example, to go out and get the image themselves’.

Jane adds, ‘Our site is constantly in development. We’re working on building the members’ interactivity options as we have a large community of people who love photography but are new to it and want to learn and improve. We like to give everyone the chance to have a go and it’s fun seeing them improve - and their delight when they get a sale. We’re looking forward to 2009 and building on the strengths we have’.

Project 'MultiMatch'

Multilingual/Multimedia Access To Cultural Heritage

On the web, cultural heritage content is everywhere, in traditional environments such as libraries, museums, galleries and audiovisual archives, but also in popular magazines and newspapers, in multiple languages and multiple media. The aim of the MultiMatch project is to enable users to explore and interact with online accessible cultural heritage content, across media types and languages boundaries.

www.multimatch.org

Massive UK 'Photo Record' Growing Fast

The Daily Telegraph reports:
'Modern Domesday book' builds photo archive of UK

....The Geograph website is sent up to 1,000 pictures a day from an army of amateur photographers, putting it within touching distance of its original target...

Here: telegraph.co.uk

'Sandy' Colton, former AP photo editor, dies at 83

NEW YORK (AP) — William J. "Sandy" Colton, an Associated Press photographer and editor for two decades who supervised innovative changes including the news agency's conversion from black and white to color photography, has died. He was 83.

Full article here

PA Launch New Book Series

PA Photos held a party last week at the Foreign Press Association to celebrate the launch of the 10-book series 20th Century Britain in Pictures

PA Photos has been capturing news photography for more than a century. With an archive of over 15 million images, the agency holds one of the most fascinating and extensive records of Britain in pictures. Now, in a landmark book series titled 20th Century Britain in Pictures, PA Photos charts a visual history of the nation through iconic images and rarely seen photos from their archives.

Published by Ammonite Press, the book series has been a year in the making and is published in November to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the founding of the Press Association – the UK’s national news agency. Hand picked by PA Photos’ own archivists, each image has been scanned especially for the books, many from glass plates, ensuring the best possible quality of reproduction.

Martin Stephens, Assistant Managing Director said

“We are very excited to be bringing these historical images into the public eye once more. It has been a fantastic research project that has uncovered incredible photos, some of which have lain unseen since they were first used in newspapers decades ago.”

Paul Richardson, Editor at Ammonite Press said,

“Each book in the series chronicles a decade of British life. Alongside the major events that constitute formal history are found the smaller things that had equal, if not greater, significance for ordinary people at the time. While the photographers were working for that moment’s news rather than posterity, the camera records everything in its view: to modern eyes, it is often the backgrounds of these pictures, not their intended subjects, which provide the greatest fascination.”

Each book retails at £14.99.
The books are published by Ammonite Press and can be ordered online .

New Editor At Instyle Magazine

Eilidh MacAskill is to to be the new editor of IPC's fashion and style magazine, InStyle. She will replace Trish Halpin who is moving to edit Marie Claire. Eilidh is currently deputing managing editor of InStyle in the U.S..

Eilidh has also been fashion director at Express Group and associate editor of Scotland on Sunday.

IPC Southbank managing director Jackie Newcombe says: “Eilidh is uniquely qualified for this role, as she is not only steeped in fashion but has also spent the last year in New York as deputy managing editor of InStyle's flagship edition. While there, she played a key role in the magazine's successful redesign, so the opportunity to have her lead the UK team is fantastic."

Eilidh says: “I couldn't be more delighted to return to the UK to edit InStyle. The magazine boasts a powerful mix of personal style inspiration and smart, inclusive advice that is a huge draw for anyone who loves fashion and celebrity. It is incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to work with the InStyle team in shaping the magazine and the website for years to come.”

InStyle UK's acting publishing director Inca Waddell adds: “InStyle UK has performed strongly in 2008 and it's in a great position following its recent redesign, which is proving very popular with both readers and advertisers. I look forward to working with Eilidh to build on these successes.”

Eilidh takes up her new position on 3 February 2009.

New Collection At Nature Picture Library

© Artlist International / Naturepl.com

Nature Picture Library has a new collection of pet dog photos from Japanese agency Artist International.

10 Ways To Use Better Workflow and Keywording To Beat a Slow Economy

'Improved use of resources and clear thinking are essential for picture businesses to survive the economic downturn. Here are 10 ways you can utilise outsourced image workflow and keywording services to get your images to market , make more sales at lower cost and outperform you competitors'.....

Read all 10 here Keedup’s Recession Survival Kit

PICTA 2009 - Industry Reaction

Following yesterday's announcement that the German image agency fair - PICTA 2009 - had been cancelled we contacted two industry heads for their reaction to the news.

CEPIC President Alan Smith: "I am sorry to see they have had to close [PICTA] but we are completely confident that the CEPIC Congress at Dresden in these difficult times is more important than ever"

Paul Brown BAPLA Chairman:
"I was disappointed to hear of Picta's cancellation, but BVPA have obviously done what is right for them and the event this year, with very sound reasoning. As they say on their website though, they are reviewing the format of the fair with a view to producing a better event which is right for both clients and agencies for the future. This is good news, as such events, when structured correctly, are an essential part of the marketing strategy of pro-active picture libraries. BAPLA concurs with BVPA that picture buyers need to see development in the shows they attend that reflect the constant changes in our industry and I am pleased to say that BAPLA already has changes in place for it own fair; the BAPLA Picture Buyers' Fair. Changes for 2009 will make the PBF a better and more relevant event than last year, and it will be used as a stepping stone to the development of a new format and strategy for PBF 2010 which is currently in development through discussions with industry professionals and members. Now more than ever, it is essential that trade associations like BVPA, BAPLA and CEPIC give their members the tools to not only survive, but also grow, in these
harder economic times."

Olympian Invites Press Photo Awards Entries

Chris Hoy, Scotland’s greatest Olympian and winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, set the wheels in motion for the 2008 First ScotRail Press Photography Awards as he invited press photographers across Scotland to submit entries for the prestigious event.

For the fourth consecutive year, First ScotRail is title sponsor of what are the ‘Oscars’ of the Scottish press photography community and which have achieved ‘must enter’ status since being resurrected in 2005.

Hoy, who won three gold medals at this year’s Olympics in Beijing and another at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, offered his own ringing endorsement for the UK’s only major press photography awards.

He said: “Whilst my prowess is on the sprint cycling track, I admire photographers who have the ability to capture a magical or defining moment through their lens. Competition for the First ScotRail Press Photography Awards will be tougher than ever and I wish every entrant the best of luck.”

The awards are open to staff, freelance, trainee and student photographers working in Scotland. More than 3,000 images were submitted last year across 14 categories including Sports Photographer of the Year, News Picture of the Year and Magazine and Supplement of the Year. Ian Rutherford of The Scotsman won the top prize of ‘Photographer of the Year’ for a record fourth time.

The awards, to be presented at a glittering ceremony on March 26 at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, will again be judged by a heavyweight panel chaired by Ken Lennox, former picture editor of The Sun.

Commenting on the awards, Steve Montgomery, Deputy Managing Director of First ScotRail said:

‘First ScotRail is proud to showcase the best of Scottish photography and recognises talented individuals with an eye to capture a moment.

“It’s fantastic that Chris Hoy has given his support to these prestigious awards and we wish him all the best as the public prepares to vote for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.”

Organisers anticipate a record number of entries as photographers hope to win one of the peer recognised awards, a share of the £4500 prize fund or a career enhancing photography assignment. Members of the public also have the opportunity to get in the frame by voting for the best single shot in the ‘Open’ category.

All entries must be uploaded online at the dedicated website – www.scottishppa.com by the deadline of Wednesday 14 January 2009.

PicApp Partners Pacific Coast News

Bloggers now have further access to premium paparazzi content through a newly announced partnership between PicApp and Pacific Coast News (PCN).

The recent content addition is one of several partnerships that have formed over the past several months by PicApp. With a growing number of bloggers leveraging this new legal way to license premium content, more and more content providers are taking the opportunity for a larger and promising new distribution channel through the platform. PicApp has recently released the first WordPress Plug-in that enables bloggers to license high-end content directly from their editing flow.

“We at Pacific Coast News are witnessing a substantial change in the photo industry, with a growing demand for the content by bloggers” Said Paul Harris PCN CEO “I believe that PicApp’s innovative and most scalable application will be able to meet the blogger requirements and therefore provide us with a new distribution channel.”

Pacific Coast News is a vibrant content provider, With Photographers and Videographers spread all over the globe including the United Kingdom, California and Hawaii, offering much sought after pictures for all celebrity fans. Bloggers, using PicApp, have the opportunity to embed any of these images to their posts, enhancing and increasing traffic to their site.

“Our team is pleased to have Pacific Coast News join the platform and add their content to a growing list of content partners” said Eyal Gura, PicApp CEO. “One of the major requests we receive from the blogging community is to increase supply of entertainment images and the PCN content answer this specific need.

News and photo agencies licensing images via PicApp include, Getty Images, Corbis, Newscom, Image Source and Splash News. Displaying ads under or next to the image provides a monetization tool on the content owner’s behalf. WP.org bloggers can access millions of high end images from the new PicApp plug-in.

Library Launch: Specialist Stock

Specialist Stock - a comprehensive collection of motion and still picture libraries – is going live this Festive Season.Specialist Stock is the new umbrella group for a number of established specialist libraries with common themes on wildlife, the environment and development.

The multimedia websites have just received massive investment and upgraded functionality. There is new material going on line every month, all of it providing inspirational views of our changing world. There is currently a million assets ready to download including stills and video clips. As each of the specialist collections joined the umbrella group they have brought specialist staff with them. This adds weight to our friendly and lightening fast service. Some of our collections stretch back decades (Still Pictures) and some have recently launched to open up archives never available before now (Changing World Motion). One sales desk handles all your queries - look out for more promotions from them in January ’09.

View recent material on the front page and links to galleries for each specialist collection through: www.specialiststock.com

Lunatic#3 is now online

Encouraged by the success of the second issue (more than 20000 readers from 60 different countries), we have the pleasure to publish an exciting third issue.

Lunatic has the privilege to present an original selection of Parr's
images that convey a recurrent theme, that of 'photographing photographers
photographed'. A typically 'Parresque' subject that reminds us that
photography is both social practice and practised reflex.

Lunatic presents seven other fascinating stories from talented
photographers such as GMB Akash, Carolyn Drake, Gregoire Bernardi, Michael
Walter and Lihee Avedan and two Luna photographers, Karl Blanchet and
Markus Lokai.

Lunatic#3 brings the reader to several continents at the speed of a train
or a supermarket trolley exploring themes such as consumerism and poverty,
non spaces and lost spaces, African legends and bingo.

Corbis Photographer Wins Award

Congratulations to Camilla Morandi, a contributing photographer for Corbis Entertainment, who has won the Venice Movie Star Photography Award with the above image of Eva Herzigova attending the photo call of "Valentino The Last Emperor".

This is the second consecutive year that a contributing photographer for Corbis Entertainment has won, with Alessandra Benedetti recognised in 2007.

This award aims to celebrate those photographers that capture the most important moments of the ten-day Venice International Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world.

This year, Camilla was given the Reportage Award for her image of Eva Herzigova attending the photo call of "Valentino The Last Emperor.” This image is now displayed in a photographic exhibition which is dedicated entirely to the images of the Venice Film Festival in Rome.

EXIT Magazine Online

Photofusion Student Prize 2008

Richard Kolker received this year's Photofusion Student Prize for his series 'The Game' (see above).

Since 2004 Photofusion has been awarding a prize to BA and MA Photography students at London College of Communication based on their final shows. The MA Photography student who received this year’s Photofusion Student Prize was Richard Kolker for his series ‘The Game’. Richard will receive vouchers which he can use across any of Photofusion’s facilities including printing, mounting, scanning, film processing and one-to-one mentoring.

Previous winners include Rachel Louise Brown, who went on to win a Judges Choice Award at the AOP Student Awards 2008; Edmund Kevill-Davies, who went on to win a Jerwood Photography Prize in 2007; Scarlett Crawford who received a Photofusion/Liz Chappell Bursary Award in 2007; Elwira Jaglowska who was selected for Autograph’s Artist in Residence program at Syracuse University in New York in 2006.

Richard Kolker: The Game
Richard Kolker uses a combination of photography and computer generated imagery to explore how we engage with the virtual reality of online computer games and synthetic worlds. Instead of portraying scenes of escapist fantasy, his images reflect the more mundane reality of the imagined player’s physical life and of the conflict that arises between the real and virtual as he is reminded of his role and responsibilities in the real world.

PICTA 2009 - Exhibitor refunds

Exhibition Conditions

1. The organizer of the PICTA exhibition is LUCKWALDT Messen & Events, Brüchhorststraße34, D 24641 Sievershütten.
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9. LUCKWALDT is entitled to cancel or postpone the event, as well as alter its duration and hours of opening. No claims of damages can be enforced under such circumstances. Should the event be completely cancelled, stand rentals which have already been paid will be refunded. Although the exhibitor has to pay services and works, which are already done.

Full conditions here

PICTA 2009 Fair CANCELLED

:: Breaking News ::

We are getting reports in this morning that PICTA 2009 (The German Image Agency Fair 26 - 29 March ), in Hamburg Germany, has been cancelled due to poor uptake by photo agencies. Last year there were 60 exhibitors at the fair - until 12 December only 35 agancies had registered.
More on the BVPA site (in German)

Show: BA(Hons) Press Photography Exhibition

'The thought-provoking images capture the ever-changing and fast-paced world of editorial, documentary, photo journalism and press photography.'
Falmouth University College 2nd-year Press Photography students in conjunction with Calumet photo suppliers.
Where: Calumet. 93-103 Drummond St, London.
When: Tuesday 6 - Friday 30 January 2009.
Cost: Free

more detail

Glow Images Looking For Representation

Glow Images, a major global image producer based in Florida, has announced the launch of Glow Images Décor – a new collection of rights managed contemporary interiors. They are looking for representation now!
Décor launches with 4000 Rights Managed images all of which are property released. The collection focuses on the clean, uncluttered spaces of modern living. Striking architecture, decoration and accessories combine with high production values to illustrate the very best in contemporary style.

To find out more details or express an interest in representing Décor call their agent Pepper Stark on +44 (0) 20 7831 0745

BFI - Print Store Online

The BFI (British Film Institute) has launched an online print store.
BFI Printstore

:: Internet Explorer Security Alert::

BBC.co.uk reports:::

Serious security flaw found in IE

Users of the world's most common web browser have been advised to switch to a rival until a serious security flaw has been fixed.
The flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control of people's computers and steal their passwords, internet experts say.

Full report here

...and here: Is it safe to Explore?

Vario Represents First Light In Germany

Susanne Baumgarten, president at vario images, spoke of her delight at representing First Light which represents 150 top Canadian stock photographers, in Germany. "The Rights-Managed-collection of First Light is an extraordinary good addition to our own visual content. Furthermore, First Light meets our high demand on quality, marketability and originality."

Robert Harding: Personalised Cards

If you want to add a personal touch to your comapny cards or invitations Robert Harding are offering discounted prices permanently for reproduction of their RM imagery.

Launch: Demotix User-Generated Newswire

London, December 15th, 2008 — Demotix, an uncensored, unedited user-generated newswire today announced its official launch. At www.demotix.com any individual anywhere in the world can upload any image or video. The content is then made available for media publishers to purchase for publication, and Demotix splits the revenues with the contributor.

Demotix engages a dedicated and involved international audience: regular citizens, professional and amateur photographers. Their news, photos and videos, are available to an extensive, global distribution network in print, broadcast and online. Demotix images and videos have been published by major national and international media outlets including the Daily Telegraph, The Times and BBC.

'We believe in freedom of speech. We believe we in the right to knowledge. Street Journalism – the reporting of people like you and me – brings those two things together. Demotix is where the world comes together to tell their stories in pictures. We take your stories and pictures, and get them out to where they can really make a difference - both on Demotix.com (which already has viewers from Bhutan to Bolivia) and to the mainstream media where, together, we can change the way the news is gathered. We are a news space generated by the people for the people, and in the process we get our street reporters paid so that they can keep up the great work' said Turi Munthe, Demotix founder and CEO.

Demotix welcomes images shot on a high megapixel camera by seasoned professionals as much as it does low-resolution breaking news shots from amateurs. Everyone is invited to contribute to Demotix Professional references are not required and there are no technical requirements. The most important thing is to be able to tell a good story through images or videos.

Everyone who uses Demotix will keep the copyright and the right to remove the images from the website, whenever they want. The non-exclusive images will be sold for anywhere from between $150- $3,000, and videos will be sold by $500-$1,000/minute. Demotix shares 50 percent of the revenue from each sale with the person who contributed the content.

More about Demotix
Demotix is a London based company, founded by Turi Munthe and Jonathan Tepper. Turi has been a journalist, editor and talking head on everything from al-Jazeera through to CNN. Jonathan is a U.S. Rhodes Scholar who has spent 10 years in the financial industry.
Demotix (www.demotix.com), is an uncensored, unedited user-generated newswire that offers an opportunity for anyone, anywhere to sell their stories to media publications. Demotix allows users to keep their copyrights or move their images/videos from the website at anytime, paying up 50 percent of any sale to its users.

PA Photos To Represent John Birdsall Social Issues PL

Breaking News::

From the first of January 2009, PA Photos will represent and organise the John Birdsall Social Issues Photo Library.

The current phone line will transfer direct to PA Photos in the New Year otherwise contact PA Photos on 0115 8447447

Launched: imense Picturedesk

imense launches imense Picturedesk, a search portal for picture professionals that uses visual analysis of imagery to improve search results from over 30 leading international collections. Following regtistration, you can search the collection of RF and RM images which currently stands at over 2.5 million and is growing.

Press Release:

imense Picturedesk search uses visual analysis of imagery to improve the veracity of search results across a wide reaching collection of niche and general picture agency material. This means that picture buyers will be able search for and locate the right image more quickly and efficiently than other websites that rely solely on image keywords to return relevant search results.

The simple registration form allows users to utilise many advanced search functions, request hi-res images from imense's contributing affiliates and use all the normal lightbox functions.

The collection of both RF and RM images currently stands at over 2.5 million and is growing quickly with new affiliate collections being added weekly.

imense Picturedesk offers a not only a compelling combination of high quality general stock and archive material, but also a wide range of niche specialist collections ranging from architecture through to medical, food, reportage, natural history, travel, and celebrity material.

imense's aim is to continue to diversify its visual offering by representing the best affiliates in all subject areas, and to ensure that content choice is relevant to both editorial and commercial clients.

Through the online referral system, imense also improves communication between the client and the affiliate agencies, often meaning a better deal for picture buyers, and a better deal for affiliate agencies and their photographers.

Once a client requests a hi-res image through the imense portal, the affiliate agency deals directly with the client to negotiate rights, pricing and then license the image. Clients benefit by having a better relationship directly with the affiliate and can capitalise on their expertise, image knowledge and tailored customer service.

www.imense.com delivers improved search results on collections clients may already be working with, but also on collections that don't have such a wide market presence. This means smaller collections get better visibility in the online marketplace, and image choice for clients improves.

Stockbyte Founder Back With A New Project

BREAKING NEWS:::

UKpreneur reports:
KERRY entrepreneur Jerry Kennelly, who sold his Stockbyte imaging business to US-based Getty Images two years ago for $135m (€110m at the time), is preparing to launch a major new online venture backed by a multimillion euro investment.
Mr Kennelly has hired 15 staff, about half of whom are former Stockbyte employees, for the new Killorglin-based company, the details of which he declined to elaborate on yesterday when contacted by the Irish Independent.

more here:

New Chinese Photo Agency

TAO Images, a new Beijing based photo agency, specialising in Chinese culture and travel imagery, has launched Silk, it's new RM collection with more than 4,000 images, aimed at the international market.

“With combined experience in media/publishing industry for over twenty years, we have appreciation in clients’ expectations,” says Jenny Hu, co-founder of TAO Images. “Silk collection is only a fraction of the subject matters that we cover. We are able to offer in-depth research and assignment service by working closely with our network of photographers who immerse themselves in different regions.”

Press Release:

Silk collection opens the gateway to the mysterious China. It takes you to the classical and enchanting historical China, as well as a vibrant modern China that is a new world economic power. The collection caters to the curiosity the world has for one of the oldest civilization to again dominate the attention of people.

“We are proud of China’s 5000 years of history, culture and its colorful people. At the same time, we are also proud of the rapid economic growth of this country. As it is growing in importance, more and more people are interested in understanding more about the wakening giant,” says Risong Na, the co-founder of TAO Images. “Silk collection covers various subjects such as Travel, Culture, Cityscape, Religion and Landscape to cater to the growing request from publishers around the world. Our network of top notch photographers diligently records the fast changing skyline and the lifestyle of Chinese people.”

“With combined experience in media/publishing industry for over twenty years, we have appreciation in clients’ expectations,” says Jenny Hu, co-founder of TAO Images. “Silk collection is only a fraction of the subject matters that we cover. We are able to offer in-depth research and assignment service by working closely with our network of photographers who immerse themselves in different regions.”

Silk collection will continue to grow with frequent updates to further expand the scope and depth.

About TAO Images:
TAO Images was established by two China’s industry veterans Risong Na and Jenny Hu in 2008. Headquartered in Beijing, TAO Images work closely with an extensive network of photographers to deliver up to date images on broad range of subject matters about all aspects of life and commerce in China.

Imvest Relaunch Idols

Reported on the LFI blog:
5 Dec -LFI owner Imvest have today relaunched Idols the celebrity production and syndication agency. Idols has been at the forefront of the production and syndication of Celebrity photography for over 20 years. The agency is widely recognised as the premier source of publicity photography from all areas of the Entertainment industry; TV, Film and Music, Celebrity lifestyle, Sport and personalities from the Arts, Literature, Politics and Business.

Imvest purchased Idols in October this year and have moved the agency into their London HQ, Image House.

Alamy's Q3 2008 Financial Statement

Alamy's Q3 2008 financial statement can now be found on their website.

:: Be seen by picture buyers every day! ::

Picture researchers, Photo editors, Graphic designers, Photographers, across the globe read our news daily.

A photo library/agency listing in the Industry Links area will only cost you £85 for a year.

Reed Elsevier Drop RBI Sale

Reed Elsevier have announced that it has terminated discussions with potential bidders for Reed Business Information (“RBI”). In view of the recent deterioration in macro-economic outlook and poor credit market conditions, and after discussions with short listed bidders, the Board has judged it not possible to structure a transaction on acceptable terms at this time.

Following this decision, RBI will be managed as a separate division within Reed Elsevier by its experienced senior management team, led by Keith Jones, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of RBI. Mr Jones was previously the CEO of RBI UK. The strategy of Reed Elsevier remains to divest RBI in the medium term when conditions are more favourable. The business will be structured and managed so as to ensure that value is maximised over the period it remains in Reed Elsevier’s ownership.

Sir Crispin Davis, Reed Elsevier’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “RBI is a high quality business, with a strong management team and a record of success in developing online services. Whilst the short term outlook for RBI is challenging given the recent deterioration in economic outlook, we believe the business has significantly more value to our shareholders than could be realised in a transaction at this time. RBI accounts for less than 10% of Reed Elsevier’s operating profits and cash flows and our continuing ownership of RBI will in no way distract us from our strategic focus on delivering authoritative content through leading brands, driving online solutions, improving cost efficiency and continuing to reshape and strengthen our portfolio”.

“As stated in the Trading Update issued on the 13 November, Reed Elsevier remains on track to deliver on our goals this year of good revenue growth, meaningful margin improvement and the strongest constant currency growth in adjusted earnings per share for a decade. With clarity around the divestment process for RBI, we will now move forward with term debt issuance as part of our planned refinancing of the ChoicePoint acquisition facility. Reed Elsevier is in a strong financial position and we are very confident in our ability to refinance.”

Reed Elsevier announced its intention to divest Reed Business Information in February. Its advertising revenue model and the inherent cyclicality fit less well with the subscription based information and workflow solutions focus of Reed Elsevier’s strategy. In November, Reed Elsevier indicated that it was in discussions with bidders and that a consortium of banks were available to provide financing, but that in the current economic and credit environment, a satisfactory outcome could not be certain.

New: Image-based Search Product

Imprezzeo, backed by Independent News and Media PLC launches its new image search product providing a new way of searching for digital images. The beta product uses images to search for images, rather than text.

Press Release:

Images can be scenes; landmarks; objects; graphics; people or even personalities. Irrespective of the size of the image collection Imprezzeo Image Search helps users find the right image - fast. For a demonstration, visit www.imprezzeo.com.

The potential for this technology is huge. Stock photo libraries and news agencies can provide more relevant search results to image buyers (and sell content that might not have been found using traditional text-based search); search engines can provide users with a far more sophisticated image search experience than is currently available; photo sharing sites can offer search by example image, rather than search that solely relies on user’s tagging; consumers can organise their personal photo collections by content and person rather than by date; even retailers can recommend similar products for purchase (for example, if a consumer is searching for a ‘red handbag’, Imprezzeo could be used to find all similar products).

The proprietary search software is more sophisticated than any other image-based search technology on the market, combining content-based image retrieval (CBIR) and facial recognition technologies. Imprezzeo’s sophisticated image analytics ensures the Imprezzeo platform can deliver great results when applied to a whole range of different image content and when used in a whole range of applications.

The new technology generates image search results that closely match a sample image either chosen by the user from an initial set of search results that can then be refined, or from an image uploaded by the user.

Dermot Corrigan, CEO of Imprezzeo, says: “This will fundamentally change the way users and consumers expect to search for images, whether that’s in a photo stock library, the desktop or the web. We know that currently many image searches are abandoned at the first set of results, because the returned results are not what the user is looking for. This technology changes that.”

Redferns Sell To Getty Images

Redferns Music Picture Library has been bought by Getty Images.
Redferns Music Picture Library was founded in the early 1960s by photographer David Redfern. It has since grown to become the most comprehensive collection of music photographs in the world.

Google Now Offering Magazine Search

'Search and find magazines on Google Book Search'
....we're announcing an initiative to help bring more magazine archives and current magazines online, partnering with publishers to begin digitizing millions of articles from titles as diverse as New York Magazine, Popular Mechanics, and Ebony....
......We think that bringing more magazines online is one more important step toward our long-standing goal of providing access to all the world's information.

Read and search the full article here on the Google Blog

NordicPhotos Acquires Spelga Image Agency

August Söderlund/NordicPhotos

Following on from the launch of their new website, NordicPhotos have bought Swedish image agency, Spelga, strengthening their range of Nordic images. "Spegla is a unique collection of Scandinavian images that values character over popularity, and self-made more than ready-made. A collection that stick out rather than fit in. All of the photographers have their own, personal visual expressions." says founder Eva Lindblad.

Press Release:

With the latest acquisition of Spegla agency, NordicPhotos now includes 9 strong Nordic image collections in their versatile range. Prior to this acquisition NordicPhotos collections include Mira, Tiofoto, IMS, Greatshots, Nordic, Siluet och Norwegian GV-Press. Furthermore they represent the Finish agency Gorilla, Samfoto from Norway and the Royalty Free collection Simply North. All of these collections including Spegla can be searched as separate collections on NordicPhotos Website. Besides acquisitions and a new web site NordicPhotos also increased their activities with assignment services through the new started photographer agency, Nordic Photographers.

Mary Evans Represents Robert Hunt Library

British Soldiers 1917

Mary Evans Picture Library, a leading UK based supplier of historical images, has signed a new exclusive agreement to represent the prestigious Robert Hunt Library. The library of images covers all aspects of 20th century warfare and also includes the Black Star London collection with images of modern politics, 20th century personalities, show business and royalty.

The Robert Hunt Library was founded by Bobby Hunt, a noted artist, art teacher and cartoonist who became a leading picture researcher on modern military topics during the 1960s and beyond. Over the years, Hunt built up a sizeable library of images on all aspects of 20th century warfare, and today the collection encompasses comprehensive material on World War I and World War II as well as other notable conflicts such as the Korean War and Vietnam War.

In addition, the Black Star London collection which now forms part of the Robert Hunt Library, adds over 100,000 images on modern politics, 20th century personalities, show business and, in particular, royalty.

In the first phase of representation, Mary Evans Picture Library is scanning, captioning and uploading to its web site, the entire World War I collection owned by the Robert Hunt Library, with several hundred images currently online and more being added daily. These include iconic and often moving pictures of scenes on the Western Front as well as Home Front subjects, photographs taken in Mesopotamia, Serbia and other lesser known areas. The second phase of this ongoing project planned to commence early next year, will be the addition of the World War II material.

"By adding the Robert Hunt Library's amazing collection of military photographs to our existing material taken from books, magazines, cartoons, postcards, stereoscopic cards, posters, prints and artwork, we feel we can now offer a fully comprehensive pictorial history of World War One. With the centenary of the Great War just around the corner, we particularly feel that our collaboration with the Robert Hunt Library is timely " says Luci Gosling, Business Development Manager at Mary Evans Picture Library.

"We are equally excited about the forthcoming material from Black Star London and plan to keep adding more material from the Robert Hunt Library - both military, general history and personalities - throughout 2009."

You can view a selection of images from the Robert Hunt Library here, or see all Robert Hunt images online at Mary Evans here.

Chuck Plante Joins Tetra Images

Tetra Images, a royalty free stock image production company, has appointed picture industry veteran, Chuck Plante as its new Creative Director.

Press Release:

Plante is an established image industry veteran, having started out as a picture researcher at The image Bank in 1984 and subsequently enjoying a lengthy career at that company while holding such positions as Creative Manager and Director of Photography.

Plante has also held the positions of Director of Photography and Collection Director at Getty Images, Visual Leader at Photonica (where he conceived and started the highly successful Iconica brand now owned by Getty Images), and most recently as VP Creative at amanaProductions, a subsidiary of amanaImages in Tokyo.

“Tetra Images is known for relevant, conceptual pictures that earn an extremely high rate of return in the global marketplace,” commented Tetra president Valerie Saunders. “Chuck Plante’s high standards and profound industry experience make him a great fit for the next stage in our company’s growth, so we’re thrilled to have him on board.“

Plante’s role at Tetra will be twofold: to reinforce and guide the visual direction of the image collection, as well as recruit talented new photographers to join Tetra’s roster of contributors. Plante’s unique eye and sensibilities honed in directing rights-managed picture collections will be a key factor in steering the evolution of Tetra Images’ high-end royalty free brand.

"I’m excited to be teaming up with Tom Grill and the entire Tetra creative team,” says Chuck Plante. “Though still a relatively young brand, Tetra Images has achieved surprising revenue and profitability results in a very short timeframe. All the pieces seem to be in place for strong growth for both Tetra and the photographers who join us.”

Photoslot - Photo Library

Rights managed images featuring travel, food and drink and the hotel and catering industry.
5% of our library is currently online, if you have a specific request, please email your requirements as we may have what you are looking for.

Contact: Photoslot, 6 Brewer St London W1F 0SD. Tel: 0207 193 8480
www.photoslot.com

U.S. declines to free Reuters photographer in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military in Iraq is not obliged to obey an Iraqi court order to release a freelance photographer working for Reuters news agency and will hold him into 2009, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

full report from Reuters here

Interesting Picture Requests At The Hulton Getty Archive

'Photograph Of Jesus by Laurie Hill in association with the Getty Images Short & Sweet Film Challenge'
Watch the film here

Dreamstime Expands Into Russia

US based Dreamstime is to offer stock photography to customers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonai, Latvia and surrounding areas through a partnership with Russian based Phototimes.

Press Release:

Dreamstime has aligned itself with Phototimes (located in Rostov-on-Don, Russia) to effectively cater to the Russian market and expand photo shopping options among Russian Internet users. A custom-tailored site and exclusive Dreamstime distribution outlet, and in keeping with Dreamstime's business model, Phototimes was designed to offer premium, top-of-the-line, quality images and customer service within a comprehensive Russian language environment.

"Although we currently offer our service in many other countries and in many different languages, we make it our first priority to consider with care the regulations and variables that distinguish one from the other," Serban Enache, CEO and co-creator of Dreamstime said. "The Phototimes team of designers have an already-established history of success, both from a technological and communicational aspect, with the market. This will enable Dreamstime to successfully reach more customers in this powerful and growing market, while delivering the right images to the Russian photo-buying public."

Created with the sole purpose of representing Dreamstime imagery (making images available for purchase only), Phototimes will become the first micro stock photo outlet in Russia.

The primary buying sources of micro stock in Russia are the publishing houses (primarily catering to magazines and newspapers). Dreamtime's catalog of images will satisfy with ease the current demands of these publishing houses while effectively making images available to a new group of photo buyers including individuals, advertising agencies, the media and web designers. (In Russia alone, there are 78,000,000 companies with representative web sites.)

"Dreamstime is simple and logical and purchasing Dreamstime images will be made easy for our customers," said Tamara Kvikviniya, who overseas Phototimes' foreign economic and trade relations. "We intend to follow that very same model to provide a good service that makes good sense."

Serving the world over, Dreamstime.com has a customer base of 1 Million-plus users and offers more than 4 million images in nine different languages (including English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German and Portuguese), making this platinum-selling agency one of the top-rated in the industry. The Dreamstime library of images features an unlimited assortment of model released lifestyle images in the business and family genres as well as a vast collection of travel, nature, sports, industry and health, and wellness photographs in addition to distinctive imagery [sketches, graphic art and backgrounds] in high quality reprint formats from over 50,000 contributors.

Exhibition: Maurice Broomfield At HOST

The HOST gallery, London, is showing the first retrospective of the work of British photographer Maurice Broomfield. Maurice Broomfield’s photographs document three decades of post-war heavy industry and urban regeneration in Britain. The exhibition runs until 10th January 2009.

Broomfield is recognised as one of the first industrial and architectural photographers to use his corporate commissions to make visionary photographic studies of the workers and the environments in which they worked, his motivation stemming from a curiosity in the diversity of industrial occupations.

Employing strong lighting and form, the resulting photographs capture the drama and atmosphere of industry while existing as fascinating historical documents and as a powerful social comment on the “pre-Thatcher”, “pre-health and safety” Britain.

This exhibition will be a retrospective of Broomfield’s photographic career, including industrial, architectural and travel photographs.

“Maurice Broomfield’s photography captures the real heart of what was a booming but harsh time for the UK. Finding inspiration and creativity in gritty surroundings of every day work is inspiring in itself.” – Sir Paul Smith

About Maurice Broomfield
Born in 1916, Maurice Broomfield left school aged15 to work in a factory where he used the company darkroom to further his photographic skills. He spent evenings as a student in the Derby College of Art and inspired by the industrial environment, Broomfield endeavoured to convey the atmosphere with photographs and sketches, bringing an insight to those who would never experience such things. In relation to his work, Maurice Broomfield comments: “I enjoy photographing people at work, and the many experiences whilst doing this have enriched my life. To be living on this planet, is to me, the greatest gift possible.”

About HOST gallery
HOST is a venue that celebrates and defines photography, art and journalism, running a concurrent programme of photography related talks, screenings and book launches alongside its strong curation of exhibitions.

EWA Stock - Elizabeth Whiting Associates

EWASTOCK.COM is the online collection of Elizabeth Whiting & Associates, the UK's leading home-interest stock image library. Established in 1970, the library has developed into an unrivaled collection of interiors, home-interest, architectural, craft and garden photography, contributed by over 50 internationally recognized photographers.
www.ewastock.com
ewa@elizabethwhiting.com
+44 (0) 207 388 2828

Corbis: New Chief Technology Officer

Corbis announced that Rajiv Jain has been appointed as the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Rajiv will oversee all technology activities for Corbis and be a member of the Executive Team based in the company’s Seattle headquarters.

Rajiv has more than 20 years of technology and business experience in general management and product management roles with broad expertise in e-commerce, system software and internet solutions including Web 2.0 technologies.

Rajiv joins Corbis from American Greetings Interactive (AGI) where he was Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager. At AGI he was responsible for the strategic technological and digital development of all their interactive properties. Most recently, he led the integration of two acquisitions in the photo-space, namely WebShots and PhotoWorks. Prior to AGI, Rajiv was General Manager for e-commerce at Cingular/AT&T Wireless and has held executive and senior management positions at Portal (now Oracle), IBM, Autodesk and has 10 patents under his name.

“Rajiv has an impressive track record and proven expertise in leading cutting-edge technology and e-commerce operations,” said Gary Shenk, CEO, Corbis. “Technology will play an essential role in further improving customer service for Corbis and accelerating our growth in both the traditional images market and the fast-growing microstock segment.”

“The image and footage licensing industry is undergoing a period of rapid change,” said Rajiv Jain. “It’s exciting to be a part of making Corbis a more aggressive, dynamic player by leveraging technology to make our offering more compelling to customers and contributors.”

Exhibition: Photofusion - Annual Members' Photography Show

Image © Tobias Smith

Photofusion's Annual Members' Photography Show 2008 is on in London until 9th January 2009.

A group exhibition of 13 photographers selected from Photofusion's annual members, alongside a showreel of additional members work shown on screen. The exhibition showcases the range of genres present in members’ work, including portraiture, architectural and landscape photography, documentary and fine art photography. Amongst the work chosen are themes such as pollution, immigration, the lives of horse jockeys in England, space and natural catastrophes, photography's relationship to installation and intervention.

For more information see the Photofusion website here.

Images: The Storm Brewing

Arctic Photographers Bryan and Cherry Alexander took some spectaular photographs of clouds gathering in north west Greenland that were featured in the MailOnline last week.

View the article and photographs here.

To view Bryan and Cherry's Industry Link (Arctic Photo) on Photo Archive News, click here.

a21 Files For Bankruptcy - Sells SuperSock To Masterfile

a21, Inc. Announces Voluntary Reorganization and Stalking Horse Bids

Jacksonville, FL—December 4, 2008—a21, Inc. ("a21") (OTCBB: ATWO), today announced that it and its subsidiaries, SuperStock, Inc. and ArtSelect, Inc., have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division.

In addition, a21 has filed separate motions to sell the U.S. assets of SuperStock, Inc. to Masterfile Corporation, and to sell the assets of ArtSelect, Inc. to Metaverse Corporation. Both sales are free of liens and encumbrances pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, and are subject to higher and better bids at an auction sale expected to be conducted by the Bankruptcy Court in the next 4-6 weeks.

a21 has filed motions for approval of bidding procedures for the auction process. The bidding procedures contemplate that potential purchasers must submit a minimum qualifying bid, accompanied by a bid deposit and signed purchase contract in advance of the auction.

a21 has also filed a series of motions with the Bankruptcy Court to assure the continuity and stability of its businesses, including the payment of wages.

John Ferguson, President and CEO of a21, Inc., said, "Over a year ago we announced that the Company and its subsidiaries were exploring strategic alternatives. After exhausting all possibilities, and considering the current state of credit markets, we determined that the best way to complete a restructuring of our Company and to protect the franchise value of our underlying businesses was to pursue a sale of the Company’s assets under Court supervision in a Chapter 11 proceeding."

"The Company and its subsidiaries will conduct business as usual through the auction sales," added Ferguson.

The Company does not expect any distributions will be available for its shareholders.

The Company is represented in the bankruptcy filing by Gardner Davis and Michael Kirwan of Foley & Lardner LLP.

The Company has established an internet website, http://www.a21group.com/bank.html, to provide information regarding the bankruptcy case, including copies of major pleadings and information for potential purchasers regarding the ArtSelect business assets, the SuperStock business assets, the bidding rules and the auction process.

About a21

a21 (www.a21group.com) is a leading online digital content marketplace for the professional creative community. Through SuperStock (www.superstock.com; www.mediamagnet.com; www.superstock.co.uk; and www.purestockx.com), and ArtSelect (www.artselect.com; www.postersetc.com), a21 delivers high quality images, art framing, and exceptional customer service. a21 and its companies, with offices in Florida, Iowa, and London, provide valuable and viable choices to key business partners and customers in the stock image, art and wall decor industries.

Mirrorpix Archive To Be Showcased In New Book Series

UNSEEN MIRRORPIX ARCHIVES TO BE SHOWCASED IN 16-BOOK PUBLISHING DEAL
Mirror Group and Haynes Publishing have signed a two-year multi-title book deal featuring the extensive Mirrorpix archive.

The diverse range of high quality photographic books will cover all genres such as pop, celebrity, music, sport and culture and feature exclusive photographs, cartoons and stories from the extensive Mirrorpix archives.

Combining the photographic collections of the world famous Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, The People, Daily Record, Sunday Mail and The Daily Herald, Mirrorpix offers one of the largest and most comprehensive photographic libraries.

The archive contains over 50 million historical and contemporary images and spans over a century of photography.

Mark Hollinshead, Managing Director Trinity Mirror Nationals, said: “Our archives are both fascinating and historically rich, covering many of the major events of the last 100 years and more.

“We are delighted that Haynes will be helping to tell that story and doing justice to the Mirrorpix collections”.

J Haynes, Managing Director, said: “This is a very exciting collaboration that will further increase the awareness of the Haynes brand extension.”

Top author Richard Havers has been appointed Consulting Editor for the new range of books. Richard’s previous books include Bill Wyman’s Blues Odyssey, Rolling with the Stones, co-written with Bill Wyman and Sinatra, an illustrated biography of Frank Sinatra. He has also ghost written My Take, Gary Barlow’s Autobiography, and the Brooklyn Boy, Tony Visconti’s autobiography.

The series of books launched this week with “When Football was Football” and “Pop” with an additional 14 releases in 2009 and are available at all good bookshops.

In the foreword to When Football was Football, Mirror.co.uk Editor Steve Anglesey writes:

“This book is about a rougher but better time, before the satellite TV cameras, the prawn sandwiches and the £100,000-a-week salaries. It's about a time when the British appetite for football was just being whetted, when the Daily Mirror's innovative match reports and photography helped to spark the national pastime of football debate. An era when the football writer and the match photographer became the ears and eyes of the thousands of fans who couldn't get to the match.

“Within these evocative images you'll find dirty shirts, team baths, lace-up boots, one-club men, supporters wearing flat caps and fedoras. And somewhere in the pages you'll find the real heart of our game.

“Quite simply, this book is about a time when football was football.”

Metadata & Keywording - The Long Tail

Pin the Tail On The Photo Market
Celebrity and news photo libraries could be missing out on an opportunity to make big money out of small sales, says Keedup keywording CEO Kevin Townsend.
...With photo libraries, the trick was to make the tail accessible using quality metadata and keywording.
“The longest tail in the world is no use to a photo business if the customers can’t find what they want. With poor search mechanisms and strategies, and low-grade metadata you are effectively chopping off that tail and missing out on revenue.” ....

Article available on Keedup new blog

Celebrity and news photo libraries could be missing out on an opportunity to make big money out of small sales, says Keedup keywording CEO Kevin Townsend.
Mr Townsend says the music business learned some time ago about the Long Tail – the idea that if you can present a lot of products to consumers, even “unpopular” ones, all the small sales add up to a lot of revenue.

“The idea got a lot of prominence after an article in Wired magazine by Chris Anderson. He was talking about the way libraries like iTunes were able to make money because they offered a lot more content than was possible with physical records.
“The editorial photo business shares similarities with the music industry in regards to the Long Tail story: large back catalogues of content, the change from physical items (transparencies) to digital (jpegs), plus both have traditionally focused on big names and big hits.”

With photo libraries, the trick was to make the tail accessible using quality metadata and keywording.
“The longest tail in the world is no use to a photo business if the customers can’t find what they want. With poor search mechanisms and strategies, and low-grade metadata you are effectively chopping off that tail and missing out on revenue.”
Mr Townsend says using keywording to turn archives into sales also had long term benefits in giving photo libraries a reputation for being easy to search in a crowded marketplace.
“It is likely that the photo libraries which manage to utilize the Long Tail will be the survivors in the content wars of the 21st Century.”

To read the full article, visit http://keywordingcentral.blogspot.com/

Emerging Photographers: Private View

The London College of Communication would like to invite picture editors, commissioners of photography, art directors or picture researchers to a Private View of the MA Photojournalism & Documentary Photography Degree Final Show on 8th December, London. Previews of the work can be seen here. If you prefer, you could arrange your own conducted tour of the exhibition at a more convenient time before 19th December.

Aurora Photos - Michael Eudenbach

Michael Eudenbach’s image of a paraglider flying at low altitude is in the “Notebook” section of the December 2008 issue of Men’s Journal. Michael says, “I’ve been documenting the experience of flying a paraglider over dramatic landscapes for low altitude perspectives. This photo was by far the most incredible flight I’ve been on. I was in Canada shooting a winter kite-sailing competition, where I discovered this remote lighthouse frozen into the St. Lawrence River.”

Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Paragliding 200 feet above the St. Lawrence River, Michael Eudenbach looks down at ice floes broken by tankers pulling in and out of a shipping channel near Trois-Rivieres, 84 miles northeast of Montreal. ”The ice is three to four feet thick,” says the photographer, 38, who fastened a camera to the gliders wing and used a remote trigger for this shot. ”It’s stable enough to hike out to the lighthouse (top left), which is surrounded by water all summer.” From December till March, kite- and windsurfers congregate to take advantage of the thick ice and high winds. The biggest challenge is the temperature, says Eudenbach. ”At 15 degrees I could fly for only 20 minutes before I got too damn cold.”
- Dacus Thompson, Men’s Journal, December 2008

Michael Eudenbach at Aurora Photos

Another Aurora photographer, Callie Shell, is in The Sunday Times Magazine (UK). Images Callie shot of Barack Obama on the campaign trail are featured in an article, "The Ascent of Barack Obama" in the 23 November 08 issue.

Callie Shell at Aurora Photos.

Print Sales: Zoo Life

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo have opened up their pictorial archives showing life at the zoo since it opened in 1931. Photographs of the Zoo's past dating from the early 20th century up to the present day can be viewed at their new printstore, created by Media Storehouse.

AP Statement On CNN Wire Service

.."We understand that the current economic challenges mean newspapers are examining all alternatives. Competition is a healthy thing, and AP welcomes it." Associated Press releases a statement following the announcement of CNN's intention to run a news wire service.

Press Release:

The Associated Press is the gold standard in global journalism. AP has 243 bureaus in 97 countries, and is the largest global news network in the world. AP's video newsgathering agency, APTN, is the world’s leading provider of news video. AP state and regional news coverage is unparalleled in the United States in size and scope.

We invest hundreds of millions of dollars every year to produce original news and deliver it in formats and systems tailored to meet the needs of newspaper production systems. And, we're the only news organization innovating to find new revenue streams specifically for member newspapers and broadcasters, such as the Mobile News Network.

We understand that the current economic challenges mean newspapers are examining all alternatives. Competition is a healthy thing, and AP welcomes it.

Tom Brettingen
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Chief Revenue Officer

Digitising The LIFE Photo Archive

hometownannapolis.com reports: 'Frederick firm finishes digital archiving of LIFE photos'

'Imagine seeing 75 years of history scroll across your computer screen every day for two years and not being able to talk about it.
That has been the situation for 20 employees at Crowley Co. in Frederick. The firm has been digitizing millions of images from the former LIFE magazine archives.'.....
...'Patrick Crowley, company vice president and Crowley Co. service bureau chief, said Google, which is setting up a host site for the photos, didn't want the project discussed until its formal release'.......

Read the article here.

New Website: John Angerson

London based photographer, John Angerson, has a new and updated website, it can be viewed here.

Report - The Digital Photography Market

....'Applications include stock photography (including microstock), professional photography and photographers, image editing and management software, photo sharing sites, photo processing, and photo book publishing'.......

Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report related to the Cameras industry is available in its catalogue.
The Digital Photography Market

source: WSJ Market Watch

Marilyn At The Image Works

The Image Works are now representing the classic Hollywood images by Zinn Arthur. Zinn Arthur chronicled stars of music, stage and screen over a career spanning more than 30 years. You can view a video and lightbox of his work here.

PA Photos: Review of 2008

July

The editors at PA Photos have put together a review of 2008 in pictures. Organised in categories such as news, sport, showbiz etc or my month you will need username and password to view the collections. (you will need to login to view the review)

VIEW: New Japanese Architecture Images

Leaf Chapel, by Kein Dytham Architecture photographed by Edmund Sumner, VIEW.

There are a number of new collections at VIEW this month. The specialist architecture and interior design picture library has several new projects from Edmund Sumner's recent trip to Japan where he's been photographing for a book on Japanese contemporary architecture. See the Leaf Chapel above. Also images of the new Sackler Centre at the V&A Musuem, and much more.

Camera Press Represents Backup-Images

Camera Press are pleased to announce they are now representing Backup-images.com, the German based photo production agency.

Corbis' December Creative IQ Trends

'Simply Single' - with this emerging demographic and social phenomenon, Corbis' December Creative IQ Trends report focuses on how singlehood is more prevalent worldwide than ever before.

The holiday social season usually means a host of events to attend – be they festive cocktails, intimate dinner parties, or the annual company holiday party. Only this year, more people than ever will be attending their parties solo. In fact, the number of singles living in America has gone from 38 million in 1970 to 90 million today - and according to a recent survey, just 16 percent of those are looking for a partner.

Corbis’ December Creative IQ Trends report “Simply Single” focuses on how singlehood is more prevalent worldwide and the resulting economic shifts in the paradigm of adult life. The increase in images of singles, dating, and same-gendered friends reflects the societal changes both domestically and internationally in:

· Europe – As the cost of living in European cities continues to rise, more and more young adults are choosing to live with parents or in shared households – delaying marriage and family longer than any previous generation and focusing on individual pursuits such as travel, education and careers.

· Japan – With more than 16 million adults living at their parents’ home well into their late twenties and early thirties, Japanese women are increasingly forgoing traditional gender roles and choosing to pursue higher education and/or to join the workforce instead, resulting in a higher number of singles than any other industrialized nation.

· China – China is entering into a “singles economy,” as members of the growing middle class prefer to remain single and reap the rewards of extra time, freedom and disposable income. This along with China’s one-child policy and its preferred male hierarchy, creating a disproportionate number of males to females.

As a leading visual media provider to the creative community, Corbis understands how imagery will need to identify, represent, and provide a context for this emerging demographic and social phenomenon.

Corbis Creative IQ Trend reports are available at corbis.com/boutique

New Website: FLPA

BAPLA 'best photo agency of the year 2008' winners FLPA have relaunched their website.

Jean Hosking, FLPA’s Managing Director says, ‘We strive to provide our clients with what they want, while providing a very personal and customer focused service, this new website and royalty free collection will place us firmly at the forefront of the UK nature market’.

Press Release:

FLPA have announced the launch of their new enhanced website and have added some fantastic new facilities and brand new image content. FLPA now have 250,000 images available to it’s ever expanding client base.

For the first time in FLPA’s history they have added a new royalty free wildlife section of 30,000 images featuring the renowned German agency Image Broker.

Jean Hosking, FLPA’s Managing Director says, ‘We strive to provide our clients with what they want, while providing a very personal and customer focused service, this new website and royalty free collection will place us firmly at the forefront of the UK nature market’.

The new site is further enhanced by some special design features including:
- Super size A3 high res images for instant download
- Pop up previews by rolling over thumbnails
- Zip batch high res download facility
- View galleries and lightboxes as slide shows
- Customised accounts – save your personal preferences
- Enhanced search results, search by photographer location, common or latin name.
- Metadata in IPTC for previews, comps and high res files
- Browse recently uploaded new content only

The site has been in development for over a year and the results are truly superb, the site is very easy to use and offers the client a unique wildlife experience.

FLPA have grown considerably during 2008 and will continue to offer clients excellent service and a competitive pricing structure.

www.flpa.co.uk

ITN Source Represents ANI

ITN Source has signed an exclusive representation deal with Asian News International (ANI), to license its content across all platforms globally. ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news organisation providing newsgathering to television channels all across the world along with content to multimedia platforms. In addition ANI's fully produced programming airs over TV stations in the United States, Europe and in Asia.

ANI will sit within ITN Source’s current collection which totals one million hours and includes the Granada, Reuters, Channel 4, British Pathe, FOX Movietone and UTV archives. The addition of ANI will give TV, film, education, corporate customers a greater selection of South Asian footage to choose from for their projects.

ANI footage is gathered from over 100 bureaux in India and South Asia and comprises news, entertainment, lifestyle, business, sports, science and quirky content. The collection includes memorable footage from India's freedom movement, the birth of economic reforms and the wedding of Sonia Gandhi with Rajiv Gandhi. ITN Source has digitised 5000 of the most popular clips which can now be downloaded in broadcast quality from itnsource.com.

Sanjiv Prakash, CEO, Asian News International said: “ITN Source is a one-stop shop for broadcast footage and home to some the most defining moments in history caught on camera. We believe ANI is a strong addition to the ITN Source collection and look forward to sharing our unique footage with a global audience.”

Asha Oberoi, Content Director, ITN Source added: “We’re delighted to have ANI on board. We've been looking to build up our Asian content for some time and ANI is the perfect partner with its mix of news, Bollywood and unusual videos. The addition of ANI significantly expands the global content base we represent and will deliver even greater value to our customers’ content needs.”