Pixiq

The 2010 PDN PhotoPlus International Conference and Expo opens its doors today, Thursday, October 28 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Below are 10 tips for getting the most from the show. I've been attending the show for about the last 20 years, and it has played an important role in my career. Much of the info below pertains to the PhotoPlus Expo, but you can also consider these tips when you visit other photo shows, or even a well-stocked camera store. 

I plan to follow up late this evening with a short overview of my experience on the first day at this year's show, and I'll provide a list of some of the companies to consider checking out. So get your walking shoes on, and let's hit the show floor!

1. Take a good look at the incredible amount of great photography around you. It's everywhere you look, from fashion, to still-life, to hard-hitting photojournalism. Some images are so large that you feel almost as though you are immersed in the image. It can be a bit overwhelming, so try to take it in slowly. Also look for the winning image galleries from an array of photo contests. 

2. Check out the inkjet printers, and what they are printing. The PhotoPlus Expo offers a unique opportunity to see the latest and greatest inkjet printers from quite a few companies. I recommend stopping by the Canon (Booth 200), Epson (Booth 602) and HP (Booth 120) booths. You can often get an up-close look at how images look on specific papers–you can also ask questions about the print speeds, cartridge size options and just about anything else.

3. Attend one of the keynotes. All of the keynotes for the 2010 show look outstanding, and they are free with your trade show pass (no separate registration is required). Here's a link to read all about them. 

4. Visit the camera and lens companies, and bring your camera(s) so you can test lenses. Virtually every camera and big name lens company will have a booth at the show, and many will have a huge assortment of their lenses on display. In some cases (and with permission), you can put a lens on your camera, take a few photos, and later check them out at home. You can also ask if you can put your own media card in a specific camera if you'd like to take some sample photos. This is especially valuable when testing compact cameras. One good test is to shoot at 4 or 5 different ISO levels to see how the images fare. However, I would not share media cards between different cameras that contain photos that are important to you. Instead, I would dedicate a card or two for camera testing.

5. Check out some bags! The number of companies who sell and distribute camera bags at the show is pretty remarkable. Think ahead with regard to what your ideal bag is. Some bags can hold a 15-inch laptop, but not a 17-inch model. Others will fit under an airline seat or in an overhead compartment (very important for anyone who flies on commercial airlines). One particular type of bag, called "sling bags" are similar to backpacks, but they allow you to access your gear without taking the bag off your back. Five companies I can highly recommend for bags are Lowepro (Booth 735) and Kata (Booth 235), Tenba (Booth 641), Tamrac (Booths 153 and 154) and Think Tank Photo (Booth 565).

6. Look at some of the new camera strap solutions. These aren't your daddy's neck straps! A number of companies have found ways to help photographers hold one or more cameras in more comfortable and more efficient ways. BlackRapid (Booth 167) is one company known for its innovative camera straps.

7. Watch a free presentation on the show floor (or participate!). The number of free instructional presentations on the show floor is staggering. Companies, including Canon, Nikon and many others always have great speakers who highlight both technique and equipment. Many companies will also have lighting setups with models or still-life items such as flowers. I recommend photographing the whole setup if you really like the look of the lighting. That way, you can later refer to it and see if there is a specific product or lighting technique that you can employ. In some cases you can also photograph the models. This is easier of course if the lighting is continuous and not strobe (since you won't have to borrow a sync cord).

Some companies have light modifiers that you can put on a camera that has either a pop-up flash or shoe-mount flash.

A great overview of what Tiffen (Booth 553) has planned for its free presentations on the show floor can be found here.

8. Attend a fee-based lecture/hands-on seminar. Some of the most talented and successful photographers, art dealers, designers and filmmakers in the world give lectures on virtually every photo topic imaginable. In some cases, each attendee has his or her own computer to follow along with the instructor. It's a fantastic way to relax for a while (usually in a darkened room with a large screen) and hear one or more people talk about topics about which they are passionate. Here is a link to the main seminar/lecture page. 

9. Sign up for free or subscription-based magazines. There are always some photo magazine publishers at the show. Sometimes, subscriptions are free to qualified subscribers (generally that means professional photographers), and in other cases, they will offer special discounts for subscribing. One example of a publisher who offers free magazines for qualified subscribers is WPPI/Rangefinder Publishing (Booth 984). They produce both Rangefinder Magazine and AfterCapture Magazine. I always look forward to both publications, and I've also either written for or have contributed content to both magazines over the years.

10. Stop by a few book publishers. Bookstores in most areas can only stock a limited number of photo book titles, so we're often forced to rely on the description and maybe a sample chapter online when trying to determine whether or not to buy a printed book. At the show, book publishers will have all their new photo titles, and one booth in particular, The International Center of Photography (Booth 643A), will have many outstanding art and technical photography books. Although not a book publisher in the traditional sense, I highly recommend stopping by Blurb's booth (160A) to see the many high quality hard and softcover books that the company has produced "on demand" in quantities as few as one for their clients.

Although I don't specifically mention it above, the 2010 show will once again have a Video Pavilion (I believe the 2009 show was the first year to have a Video Pavilion). Video capability is growing rapidly in DSLRs and other cameras, so there should be a lot to see. Here is a link to a press release about the Video Pavilion with info about participating companies and some related seminars.

And here is a quick tip-I recommend starting with a booth guide (they are available at the main entrance to the show). While you are sitting down, circle and star the "must see" booths, and just circle the one's you are somewhat interested in. As you visit them, put a line through the ones you've visited. That way, you'll probably get a lot more done by the end of the day. Also consider the way the booths are arranged and make a list of booth numbers in way that allows you to walk all the way up one aisle, and then all the way down another without jumping from one aisle to another.

Enjoy the show!