Show Reports

Let’s be honest. One thing no one would have expected at photokina was a unique new black-and-white silver halide process. But that’s what we got. Well, not exactly brand new. It’s a revival of a technology that hasn’t been seen in decades, quite possibly not in the lifetime of many of our readers: direct reversal paper.

One of the great things about photokina is that you find a lot of “straws in the wind”: not necessarily major introductions from major manufacturers, but intriguing indicators of which way the wind is blowing.

Our show report this year is an amalgam of product news and trend spotting, which pretty much reflects what photokina has stood for in our minds. The sense of a United Nations of photography still prevails at this increasingly European-directed show, but the image and its uses is still the universal tie that binds.

There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to tripods, and they’re impressive, both in design and philosophy. Redged was founded in Holland by a nature photographer (Ed Dorrestein) and a sports and reportage photographer (Bart Bel) in order to get the kinds of tripods they personally wanted.

We weren’t the only ones who were impressed. This was...

Photographers are notorious gadget hounds, always seeking some new little item that will help them in their quest to produce even better images. Following are unusual items that should help fill the average photographer’s need of something new and different.

Want to be able to see exactly what your D-SLR’s LCD is seeing, from over 300 feet away? And be able to...

It’s a competitive world out there, so studios have to differentiate themselves with unique offerings and setups. Having a special line of albums or frames, or simply some stylish methods for their customers to display their precious photographs can help. A different background or method of more rapidly changing the background to suit the next sitting also helps. Here are some items that...

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, along come camera bags that capture my attention. Photo backpacks are sporting new looks that are designed to reduce back strain. Messenger bags are seeing a resurgence, doing double duty as laptop and camera bag, while maintaining their svelte lines. The more conventional shoulder bag, however, is still on the scene for those who prefer tradition while...