Focus On Imaging 2010

Another year and it was time to take the long trip to the midlands to check out what was hot (and what was not) for the world of photography for the next twelve months. For those that have never been, Focus on Imaging is held at the NEC and is the largest annual imaging show in Europe.

It carries knowledge and equipment from the initial capture through to editing and output. Whilst many of the same old faces were there I always try and seek out the smaller individual companies. It's these small companies that sometimes have new ideas and products that I crave over.

So what was new? In truth not a lot, a few little ideas here and there. When I first started visiting Focus there were several large stands all selling dark room equipment with huge enlargers and chemicals a plenty. I honestly don't think there were any at all this year. A sign of the times but at the same time a little sad.

However the one thing that will never change and always raises a smile are the hobby photographers that insist on having as many camera bodies strung around their throat as they can possibly carry. Not only that but they have as many extras bolted to the bodies as they can afford, and are normally dressed in enough webbing straps that they wouldn't look out of place at the start of an Army assault course. I've yet to see a herd of wilder beast come streaming through the NEC weaving between the stalls but rest assured should this happen the hobby guys will be there to get the shot, they'll probably miss it mind you but at least they'll look the part (or they think they will).

If you haven't gathered It is considered by most pros as highly uncool to be seen with a camera at the show (hence the photographs taken on my phone). I don't go to photograph anything, I go to enquire and try new equipment and talk to suppliers.

Another thing that struck me is the amount of photoshop lectures going on, all very interesting but I kind of got the idea many of the instructors were there to show how good they were (or the software they were selling). I remember hearing one guy rip into a photographer because he shot in jpg rather than raw, he went on a long explanation of how raw is so much better because it can capture more levels of light and help to recover blown highlights, the guy simply said why have the highlights been blown? Again the instructor went into the explanation that not every shot is perfect and raw files could recover more than jpg, to which the guys answer was, why not shoot film then? The instructor gave up ...lol. moral of the story is do what you like and if you're happy with the results don't worry what the pipe smoking men with beards say.

In all it was a good show and I bumped into a few old friends including Catherine Connor (see pic) from Contemporary Photographic Training. Catherine is the engine behind the famous Annabel Williams training course in the peak district and has helped launch many photography businesses throughout the UK (including mine). They run some really excellent courses up there and it's been a little too long since i've been on a visit. Perhaps, i'll check out what seminars they are running this year.

Of course focus saw me leaving with another Nikon camera body and a hole in my pocket .... let's hope this weekend shoot goes well to pay for some of it.

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