There used to be a real buzz at photographic expos with photographers comparing kit and swapping hints and tips, views on gear and information about the bargains to be had.

Focus on Imaging 2011 was crammed with photographers but much of the buzz was missing.  Possibly partly down to the internet, which gives access to all the latest information so readily that most new products lose some of their ‘must-see’ attraction.  Companies release dribbles of information and there is massive speculation about the ‘what will it have?’ questions, but by the time for displaying it in all its glory arrives, the new product has lost some of its wow factor because we know what it is already.

This year there was a lot of space devoted to printing and particularly large format and/or canvas, firmly underlining the primarily professional market target of the event.

Not that amateurs/enthusiasts were sidelined in any way. There was plenty for everyone and the range of cameras available to play with or purchase was phenomenal.  In the late 1970s 70% of the cameras on display would have been 35mm SLRs, with the remainder made up mostly from medium format, TLRs and rangefinders. Whatever the equivalent was then of the current crop of ultra-micro portables such as the Nikon S3100 and Olympus FE-5040, they would not have featured on the radar. On the one hand this demonstrates the ‘inclusive’ nature of digital photography, but on the other it shows a real need to shift product – to anyone.

Then there were the tripods – a plethora of three-legged beasties from positively dinky to enormous (and very tall). The Manfrotto display was a forest of legs and Giotto, Calumet and Vanguard added to the mix.

For me the biggest surprise (or not, as it happened) was the much-vaunted Nikon D7000. With a body weight of less than 700g (ex-battery) it felt like a toy.  I have no doubt that the D7000 is an admirable performer, but holding it reminded me of the first time that I drove a Mini (the original type). It was far too close to the ground for me to feel comfortable, despite its incredible road-holding capabilities. Everything felt too close together (Mini and D7000) and, despite having no doubt that the magnesium alloy construction is durable, it didn’t feel like a camera that was suited to rough handling. I’d be afraid that I’d break it.

With talks and demonstrations on everything from lighting to software, there was something for everyone except Canon, who didn’t have a stand, having announced two weeks before the event that they wouldn’t be playing at Focus this year.  Only Canon knew why, citing ‘marketing strategy’ at one point. It was a disappointment for those Canon fans who hadn’t heard the news.

Interestingly, although I asked several of the displaying people technical and other questions about the products they were pushing, hardly any of them knew the answers, which may be further indication (on top of Canon’s absence) that the expos are not as important as they used to be to the larger players in the marketplace. You can outsource expo staff but not the knowledge of experienced sales staff it appears.

We were introduced to Dore Valley Chocolates at our first stay in a lovely holiday cottage in Herefordshire, part of our welcome gift from the owner was a little box of these delicious hand made chocolates. Wonderful and beautifully presented, we just loved them and brought lots of boxes back with us as presents for family and friends. Not seen them outside of Herefordshire yet, which is a shame for the rest of the UK, in our view.

Wonderful Chinese sticky ribs eaten in the Tai Pan Restaurant in Liverpool where the service is excellent, the food amazing and its my favourite place to eat Chinese food.

A lovely glass of wine at the end of the day is a treat, photographing this one for a magazine shoot was quite messy and picking the right glass and lighting made for a shot which has been used time and time again. Always makes me want to open a bottle of wine each time I look at it.

Click image to view large.

Not something you see very often, a weim resting in the field in between bursts of high energy. Wonderful dogs, big hearted intelligent friends. Make ideal pets for the right family but can knock you off your feet so get to know a few before you buy into their gorgeous looks, they don’t spend much time resting!

High contrast images can make your business stand out

It’s always interesting to see how different businesses deal with their marketing. Some use the same images time after time, all year round, while others use images that follow the seasons so that they have fresh-looking material, even if the text and special offers are just the same as they always have been.

Refreshing the way something looks is a way of making people notice it anew. It takes them out of the safety of the ‘seen that before so I’m not missing anything’ mindset that they have as they consign it to the bin.

A new look can make customers think that there may be new information that has value to them. Talk to us on 01244 300858

Jump Training

Power and accuracy of control

Pressurising for a mistake

A burst of speed to break away

A series of photographs that demonstrate the beauty of equine sports. Talk to us on 01244 300858 about your equine photography and video needs.

One of our own dogs, Gil the Weimaraner, came to us by chance at almost 14 years old as a rescue from sad circumstances. Our very experienced and knowledgeable vet thought that he’d be doing well to last a few weeks, with his irregular heartbeat, fluid on his lungs, kidney disease and lack of muscle mass. That was in November 2009 and Gil has been regularly photographed and has starred in a number of videos throughout that time.