Rangefinder Magazine
June 2002

Industry News

Skip Cohen

New Rangefinder President Named
Steve Sheanin, owner and CEO of Rangefinder Publishing Co. Inc., has appointed Skip Cohen as the new president and COO. Cohen will be responsible for all operations of Rangefinder Inc.’s properties, including Rangefinder Magazine, Focus on Imaging Magazine and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). Specifically, Cohen will be responsible for expanding each component of the business, including the WPPI Association and the highly successful annual WPPI Convention and Trade Show.

Skip Cohen has been a fixture of the photographic industry since 1970. He served as president/CEO of Hasselblad U.S.A. from 1987–1999, at which time he helped launch an Internet photographic retail company. Cohen has also served as vice president of the Photographic Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) and has been an active board member at a number of photographic associations.

Steve Sheanin will continue his involvement in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer and will oversee new business opportunities. About the change, Sheanin remarked, “I am thrilled with Skip joining our team, which will enable us to grow our current business and actively seek new business opportunities.”

Monte Hosts Wilderness Week
You are invited to join Monte Zucker and wilderness host, Karl Larson, for a week of wilderness photography, fishing, hiking, quiet time and a complete renewal of life’s great adventure from August 17–23 in Ely, MN at Fall Lake. Cost is $350 per person, plus transportation (meals included). Fall Lake is a rustic wilderness area in the middle of 11 active wolf packs, bears, moose and endless stars in the sky. Due to site logistics, sleeping and bathing arrangements, this particular journey is a male event. Sorry, ladies. Charles Kuralt liked Ely so much, he named it “The end of the road.” He even bought the radio station there. For more information, contact Monte Zucker to register; e-mail: Mz
photog@aol.com, (941) 918-0904.

Mitche Graf Seminars
Marketer and photographer Mitche Graf has announced his 2002 seminar series to teach photographers how to take their wedding business to the next level of success and profitability. Program titles include: “Power Marketing 101,” “Weddings That Rock!” and “Shakin’ Things Up.” Information: (888) 544-4149; www.powermarketing101.com.

IAPEP Workshops
The International Association of Professional Event Photographers is recruiting new members at its website, www.iapep.com. Member benefits include: databases for photographers and event organizers; members-only list of event photography resources and online forums; discounts on IAPEP educational workshops; tech support; and an online newsletter. Information: (270) 782-6160; e-mail: membership@IAPEP.com.

MediaStreet Inks Introduced
MediaStreet.com has introduced Generations(tm) micro-bright pigmented ink for long lasting digital prints. Generations various inks have more stability than dye-based ink, show less metamarism (change in color appearance under different light sources) than other inks and are not detrimentally affected by an inkjet coated stock as dye-based inks. Information: (888) 633-4295; e-mail: support@mediastreet.com.

StudioMaster Pro Unveiled
Fujifilm has introduced its StudioMaster Pro image presentation and ordering system for digital portraiture. StudioMaster Pro lets you build a customer order that goes directly to your lab, and also provides the tools to create an impressive studio preview for customers, including: user-friendly interface, digital editing, multi-images printed on one-sheet “Smart Pages,” and on-screen album assembly. Information: (800) 800-FUJI; www.fujifilm.com.

Image by Raul Touzon

Santa Fe Workshops Announces Second Season of Workshops in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
In the fall of 2002, the Santa Fe Workshops returns to the colonial Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende for a month-long series of photography workshops. World-renown photographers are the instructors for these workshops. National Geographic photographers David Alan Harvey and Nevada Wier head an impressive list of talented photographers who will provide inspiration and instruction. Other experienced instructors include Linde Waidhofer, Miguel Gandert, Joyce Tenneson, Arthur Meyerson, Wendy Walsh, Nick Merrick, and Elizabeth Opalenik, to name a few. For additional information please contact the Santa Fe Workshops, P.O. Box 9916, Santa Fe, NM 87504-5916; (505) 983-1400; fax (505) 989-8604; e-mail: info@santafeworkshops.com; web site: www.santafeworkshops.com.

ASF Voted Top Technology
Applied Sciences Fiction, Inc. announced that the company’s Digital PIC technology was voted the Top New Technology for 2001 by the readers of Photographic Processing Magazine. In addition, the Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 ED, which incorporates ASF’s Digital ICE technology, was also selected at the best in the Film Scanner category and the Pixel Magic Imaging Inc. Photo Ditto kiosk, which features ASF’s Digital ICE and Digital ROC technologies, received an honorable mention in the kiosk category. Information: (631) 757-5665; www.asf.com.

Kinetronics Moves
Kinetronics has moved to a new manufacturing and office facility. The new address is 4363 Independence Court, Sarasota, Fla., 34234. The phone and fax numbers will stay the same. Information: (941) 951-2432; www.kinetronics.com.

Chilcote Reorganization
David Hein, Chairman and CEO, The Chilcote Company, parent company for photo-industry leaders TAP (Taprell Loomis), Topflight and Winthrop-Atkins, jointly announced today a reorganization of its corporate management structure. Effective immediately the company will organize its marketing and sales efforts under a single entity, to better serve all of its markets: professional, retail and commercial. Charlie Milot, formerly CEO of The Winthrop-Atkins Company, has accepted the position of director of Corporate Marketing & Sales and Glen A. Clark, most recently the president of photo-industry consulting firm PlanIt! Services will fill the position of vice president, Professional Markets. Within Chilcote’s Professional Markets division, Bob Mickler, vice president, Taprell Loomis will manage the TAP sales force, customer service and telemarketing departments.

Tamron Viewfinder Online
Tamron USA has created a password-protected area of its web site that can be accessed by users by subscribing to the its Viewfinder newsletter. Viewfinder is published three times a year and provides photographic tips and techniques and photo contests as well as user profiles and new product information. In addition, the newsletter includes a technical column, “Ask the Techs.” Information: (631) 858-8409; e-mail: evans@tamron.com.

Photoflex Web School CDs
Lessons that guide photographers through the basic elements of digital photography and its use on the Internet are now available on CD from Photoflex Inc.’s Web Photo School. As the initial product of the school’s new Digital Photography Learning Center, Disc One, first in a series of instructional CDs, leads photographers through a series of , simple, stress-free tasks designed to deliver immediate, high-quality results from digital cameras and lighting products, software, various peripherals and Internet apps. Information: (831) 647-0900.

Kodachrome 200 Still Alive
In response to appeals from photographers, Kodak Professional has reevaluated its decision to discontinue the production and sale of Kodachrome 200 professional film. The Eastman Kodak Company division announced that it would continue to offer the transparency film in the U.S. and European markets at a price that will justify its ongoing production. Kodachrome 200 Professional film is known for its excellent sharpness and archival dark keeping. Information: (716) 724-2785; www.kodak.com.

Off the Wall’s New Catalog
Off The Wall Productions Ltd. has launched its new 60-page, full-color 2002 Catalog. The catalog features more than 300 images of set designs including four new sets: Serenity, Rhapsody, Starlight, and Matrix, and a new set of posing rocks and a baby poser. All sets from Off The Wall feature double-sided constructed with wind bases and armor coating that enhance the stability and durability. Information: (800) 792-5568; e-mail: info@
otwp.com.

New B&H Digital Photography SourceBook
To guide customers through the new generation of digital technology, the B&H Photo, Video, Pro Audio SuperStore has created The Digital Photography SourceBook. Designed for easy navigation, the 382-page book provides detailed, user-friendly information on product features and specifications. Shoppers are encouraged to log on to www.bhphotovideo.com to instantly access current price and availability. The book is highlighted by an “Introduction to Digital Imaging” and includes a primer on digital imaging. Information: (800) 947-9927.

Sales Tax Regs in California Clarified
In a long awaited victory for the California arts community, the California Board of Equalization voted to clarify the sales tax regulations affecting illustrators, photographers, cartoonists and designers. Heeding the seven-year effort by the Graphic Artists Guild, this vote will benefit graphic artists in four ways:
1) It virtually exempts sales tax on all reproduction rights (including royalties) on the artwork of graphic artists.
2) It exempts from sales tax artwork delivered on computer disk if the disk is returned.
3) It exempts sales tax on print design when the designer buys the printing.
4) It clearly specifies that commercial photographers working in the advertising and publishing fields are considered graphic artists.

ASMP president Dave Harp commended the Graphic Artists Guild for leading the battle to benefit the California creative community and said that ASMP was proud to be part of the effort. “The Graphic Artists Guild has always been one of ASMP’s staunchest allies in the legal arena and we know that we’ll be working together in future whenever a united front is needed.”Along with ASMP, Advertising Photographers of America and American Institute of Graphic Artists as well as the Association of American Advertising Agencies, the Motion Picture Association of America, and Editorial Photographers joined the Guild in this effort. More information: at http://norcal.gag.org.

Kodak Professional’s Drummond Named Regional Business General Manager of U.S. and Canada Region
Lance Drummond, currently Chief Operating Officer of Kodak Professional and vice president of Kodak to Regional Business General Manager of the U.S. andCanada region for Kodak Professional and vice president of Kodak. Drummond, 47, joined Kodak in 1976 and has held positions in Consumer and Professional Finishing, Government Systems, and Consumer Imaging. Drummond will replace Regina Pizzoli, who was appointed CEO of ENCAD, Inc., a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers Kodak recently acquired. Information: www.kodak.com.

DiMAGE 7 Wins Product of Year Award
Minolta Corporation has announced that the Minolta DiMAGE 7 digital camera has won the 2001 SID/Information Display Magazine Display Product of the Year Gold Award. Last summer, the DiMAGE 7 also received the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards for “Best Digital Prosumer Camera” for 2001-2002. The new SLR DiMAGE 7 (5 megapixel effective) digital camera features 7x optical (28-200mm, 35mm format equivalent) and 2x digital zoom abilities, plus the core technologies of Minolta’s ultra high resolution apochromatic lenses, the CxProcess Image Processing System. Information: (800) 528-4767; www.minolta.com.

Konica Inkjet Promotion
A new dual promotion featuring Konica’s inkjet paper and “any brand” of inkjet cartridge has been announced by Konica Photo Imaging. For the consumer, this means a $5 rebate. To receive the rebate, consumers are asked to complete the original rebate request form, photocopy their dated store receipt with any brand color inkjet cartridge price circled and clip original UPC code from the Konica photo inkjet package. For the retailer, the tenth package of Konica inkjet paper is free. Both promotions continue until June 30, 2002. Information: (201) 574-4000; www.konica.com.

Natl. Geo Announces Photographers in Residence
Five of the world’s top journalists have been appointed as the National Geographic Society’s first Contributing Photographers-in-Residence. They are Sam Abell, David Doubilet, Karen Kasmauski, Emory Kristof and Frans Lanting. The Society established the program to showcase and support the work of preeminent freelance journalists who have contributed outstanding work to the Society over the years. The photographers will work at the Society’s Washington headquarters for a number of weeks each year, developing projects and programs in tandem with special initiatives, including the Society’s conservation initiative. Information: (202) 828-6635; www.nationalgeographic.com.

Leica Posts Guiliani Photo on eBay
Leica Camera has posted a photograph of the World Trade Center taken by former mayor Rudy Guiliani in 1997 on the eBay website, “Auction for America…$100 Million in 100 Days.” This portion of the eBay website is designed and devoted to filtering out and tearing down all the postings from sellers intent to accrue some personal fortune from the Sept. 11 attacks. “New York Twins” was one in a series of photographs taken by Mayor Guiliani with a Leica R7 camera and presented in an exhibit entitled “View from the Capital of the World” at the Leica Gallery in New York City in the spring of 1998. The exhibit was a benefit for the charity, New Yorkers for Children. Information: (201) 767-7500.

New Buckeye Director
Buckeye Color Lab has announced the addition of Martin F. Plummer as the company’s new Business Development director. Plummer will be a major influence in the lab’s new service initiative dedicated solely to helping studios increase profits and grow their business in new and existing areas. To further enhance the lab’s resolution, a comprehensive identity campaign will be launched driven by the message, “Developing Stronger Images.” Most recently, Plummer worked in sales management for a multi-million dollar imaging firm in Kansas City. Information: (800) 433-1292, ext. 114.

Fuji Appoints VP of Corp. Communications
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. has appointed Camilla Jenkins to the newly created position of vice president of Corporation Communications. Jenkins will be responsible for directing the design and implementation of Fujifilm’s internal and external communications programs and oversee several functions including public relations, corporate contributions and community relations, financial relations, and environmental and safety affairs. Information: (212) 704-8147, www.fujifilm.com.

New Legion Papers
Legion Paper has added Legion Photo Silk to its Digital Art Paper collection, a line of seven premium papers that enables digital artists and photographers to achieve true art quality output. The papers include: Legion Photo Silk; Somerset Photo Enhanced/Velvet (acid-free and 100% cotton); Somerset Photo Enhanced/Textured (acid free and 100% cotton); Concorde Rag (acid-free and 100% cotton); Legion Photo Gloss; Legion Photo Matte; and Legion Photo Canvas Cover. Information: e-mail: info@legionpaper.com, www.legionpaper.com.

Giant Pandas Celebrate Anniversary
Giant pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang recently celebrated the first anniversary of their arrival at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. The giant panda exhibit, named the Fujifilm Giant Panda Conservation Habitat, will soon be expanded to include a large, new yard for the pandas designed specifically to meet their preferences and to highlight the Zoo’s giant panda research and education program. The yard will also be the anchor of a major renovation at the zoo called Asia Trail. Information: (202) 673-0209.

Tamron Promotions
Tamron USA, Inc., announced that Patricia Gregitis will handle sales of Tamron and Bronica products in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Gregitis most recently covered the New Jersey, New York and Connecticut territories for Nikon’s Total Imaging Group. Information: (631) 858-8409; e-mail: evans@tamron.com.

Fuji Promotions
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. has appointed Paul D’Andrea to Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning and Susan Schaffer to Director of Marketing, Consumer Hardware, both in the Consumer Markets Division of the Photo Imaging Group. In addition, Matt Knickerbocker is now Vice President, Field Sales, and Tony Sorice has been appointed Director of Sales, Hardware. Information: www.fujifilm.com.

Big Digital Push for Parks
The National Park Foundation (NPF) has announced that it will send more than $500,000 worth of digital imaging and other traditional photography equipment to 140 National Parks across the country. The NPF’s Digital Imaging Product Foundation is made possible by the support of Kodak, a proud partner of America’s National Parks that will help establish a variety of park programs. Information: (202) 238-4200; www.kodak.com/go/hse.

Junior Journalists
More than 150 third grade students from Highview Elementary School in Hartsdale, New York, interviewed Congressman Benjamin Gilman (R-20th) as part of the Junior Journalist Press Conference hosted by Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. The students presented Gilman with a package of photos and letters written by the students to be delivered to the troops overseas. Information: www.fujifilm.com.

ProColor Promotions
ProColor has named John Gorski its President and CEO. Gorski brings 26 years of advertising, graphics and broadcast management experience with Minneapolis companies including Meyers Printing, Tele Edit, Juntunen Media Group and WCCO television. Information: e-mail: info@procolor.com; www.procolor.com.

EPIC Award
Lakewood photographer and document examiner Charla Janney recently received the 2001 Evidence Photographers International Council R. C. Hakanson Award for her contributions to the advancement of evidence photography. Janney is the first woman to receive the prestigious award, which honors recipients who help promote the continuous education in the evidence photography field. Information: (570) 253-5450.

New Lumiquest site
Lumiquest.com has been redesigned with the “How Lumiquest Products Work” section at the core of the site. In this website section, animated illustrations demonstrate the lighting principal as it is affected by the various Lumiquest products. Users can also click on Product Guide for detailed information on the complete product line. Information: (830) 438-4646.

Eyelike Backs
Jenoptik has introduced its new “Eyelike Precision” line of camera backs. The M6 with 6m pixel CD, the M11 with the new Philips 10.7 pixel sensor and the M16 with Kodak’s 16m pixel CCD all come with two-level active cooling that reduces noise and produces superior image quality, as well as Jenoptik’s microscan technology. Their FireWire connection also enables them to be plugged into a laptop. Information: (914) 478-2082; e-mail: vogt_com.

Digital Output Center
Digital Output Center (D.O.C.) has announced its range of film and digital services including: digital file proofing; film process and proof services; candid and package printing; volume package printing services; digital templates for wedding albums and senior portraits; VIP sports program, e-mail reordering, prints and enlargements from slides; canvas mounting and brush texturing; and Internet image posting services. Information: (888) 539-1644.

Inter-State Studio Appoints New District Manager for Texas
Inter-State Studio & Publishing of Sedalia, Missouri has appointed Fred Hightower as District Manager for San Antonio, Texas and the surrounding counties. He will be managing the sales and delivery of the company’s full line of photographic services to elementary and secondary schools in the region.

Masters of American Photography (Classic Collection)
To be released on June 1, is a series of U.S. stamps featuring photographs made by 20 of America’s most influential photographers. Arranged in chronological order, they offer a visual sampling of the history and development of photography in the U.S. and illustrate the changes in American culture and society. The work of the following photographers is depicted: The firm of Albert Sands Southworth and Josiah Johnson Hawes; Timothy H. O’Sullivan; Carleton E. Watkins; Gertrude Kasebier; Lewis W. Hine; Alvin Langdon Coburn; Edward Steichen; Alfred Stieglitz; Man Ray; Edward Weston; James VanDerZee; Dorothea Lange; Walker Evans; W. Eugene Smith; Paul Strand; Ansel Adams; Imogen Cunningham; Andre Kertesz; Garry Winogrand; and Minor White. Visit the Postal Store at http://shop.usps.com.

Philip Hyde: A Retrospective Exhibition
The International Photography Hall of Fame recently announced an exhibition featuring the images of nature photographer and environmentalist, Philip Hyde. The exhibit will highlight the five-decade career of one of the most influential photographers of our time. Hyde’s photographs have not only inspired other photographers but have shaped federal laws promoting the preservation of Dinosaur National Monument, Point Reyes Seashore, the Grand Canyon, Big Sur, the California Redwoods as well as many other national parks and areas. The exhibit will run from July 6–Sept. 30. For more information, visit the IPHF web site: www.iphf.org.