Dear PPA Member,

Last week I talked about the joys of summer break--no homework, no waking up early and a little bit of free time. But don't forget I also mentioned that I enjoyed school! I looked forward to learning about the subjects I was passionate about and getting to go on field trips for a firsthand look at what we were learning about in the classroom.

As a photographer, I'm going to guess that you are passionate about photography, right? And I wouldn't be surprised if you said you enjoyed shooting on location or going to industry events--activities that get you out of your studio and let you use your knowledge (like a grown-up field trip). For those of you who find yourself in agreement with these statements, this week's Vital Signs is a must read. PPA's Merit & Degree program not only gives you the opportunity to continue your education, it also rewards you for your effort (and all without the early morning school bus rides)!

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

If you are working to earn your Certified Profesional Photographer designation, the next Image Review submission deadline is February 19, 2010. To register and upload your images for the next Image Review, use this form: Image Submission Application. For complete details on the certification process, please visit www.CertifiedPhotographer.com.

Archie E. McDearmid, 1987 PPA President, of Virginia Beach died January 27, 2010, in his home at the age of 81. Retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as Head of the Photographic Arts/Video Production Department, Archie also owned and operated McDearmid Photography.

His photographic passion and belief in the industry led him into service as a past president of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the Virginia Professional Photographers Association and the Southeastern Professional Photographers Association. Archie also held the PPA Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman, and Honorary Master of Photography degrees and was a Certified Professional Photographer. 

A charter member of the Virginia Bluewater Gamefish Association, Archie was an avid sports fisherman who cherished his time on the water. He was also actively involved in the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.

A celebration of his life was held at 1:00pm February 2, 2010, at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Norfolk. Please keep Archie's wife Connie, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time in their lives.

To Send a Card:
Connie McDearmid
3105 Yeates Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23452

In Lieu of Flowers:
Donations can be made in memory of Archie to:
Sentara Hospice
6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Suite 308
Norfolk, VA 23502-3819

Online Condolences:
www.hdoliver.com
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=139053433

Fujifilm today announced it will launch a high quality film camera, the GF670 Professional medium format folding camera, at PMA 2010. Ideal for professional photographers interested in film photography, the GF670 Professional is a foldable model that features 6x6 and 6x7 dual-format shooting for use with120 and 220 roll film. With its Fujinon EBC 80 mm lens, coupled rangefinder, exposure compensator, and aperture-priority automatic and manual exposure modes, the GF670 Professional produces sharp high quality images.

"When we announced the development of new medium format camera it was received very well by our professional photography customers", said Kayce Baker, director of trade marketing, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. "There is a segment of studio, portrait, and landscape photographers who find that medium format film is the perfect solution for their businesses because of the unique look that film offers as well as the ability to produce high resolution photos in very large sizes. Even as we continue to see advances in pro digital cameras, many photographers still have a passion for the art of traditional film photography and Fujifilm is committed to providing solutions that foster that creativity."

The Fujifilm GF670 Professional has manual shutter speed control and offers a setting for aperture priority automation. With manual film advancement, exposure counter display, an ISO setting dial, the camera also provides -2/+2 exposure compensation and includes a hot shoe flash mount and a PC sync connection socket. The "whisper quiet" shutter mechanism is an Electronic Leaf shutter with speeds ranging from 4s~1/500s including Bulb with flash sync at all speeds.

Additional features of the Fujifilm GF670 Professional include:

•  Dimensions: 7"W x 4.29"H x 5.43"D (folded 2.52")
•  Weight: 35.27 oz (without batteries, strap or film)
•  Color is black & silver

Read more here.

Nik Software announces today The Nik Summit, its first-ever multi-day educational event designed specifically to educate and empower photographers and fans of the company's award-winning software tools. Attendees will learn how to improve their photographic skills by working alongside some of the world's leading professional photographers and the lessons will continue beyond image capture to help photographers develop powerful photo enhancement skills using Nik Software's imaging software products. The Nik Summit will be held May 13-16, 2010, in San Diego, California.  More information and registration details are available at www.niksummit.com.

"The Nik Summit will be more than a photographic experience and is designed to bring our customers and photo enthusiasts together with some of the best working photographers, photo magazine editors, and top Nik Software experts," said Michael Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. "The Nik Summit is all about learning and sharing ideas in photography and we are bringing our product specialists and educators, top engineers, as well as Nik Software's founder and CTO specifically to do just that."

The Nik Summit will be an entertaining and educational event incorporating a full range of activities to stimulate learning and discussions including:

• Guided shooting sessions at famous San Diego landmarks led by professional photographers Rick Sammon, Tony Sweet, Tony Corbell, and Laurie Shupp
• Workflow seminars and hands-on digital imaging lab sessions with top Nik trainers
• Keynote presentations from photographers Joe McNally (National Geographic & Time) and Robert Beck (Sports Illustrated)
• Industry panel discussions with leading photographers
• Unique evening "fireside chats" and networking opportunities with top working photographers from all over the country
• Idea exchanges and social events with the Nik Software team, including founder and CTO Nils Kokemohr

Professional photographers Rick Sammon, Tony Corbell Tony Sweet, and Laurie Shupp will lead half-day, on-location photo workshops each of the two full days with intensive lab sessions each afternoon covering digital post-capture workflow techniques conducted by Nik Software experts.  Evening keynote presentations by Joe McNally and Robert Beck will offer attendees a unique opportunity to see and hear the stories and insights behind some of the most memorable photographs of our lifetime.

Event Details

• Photographers can register for the event at www.niksummit.com
• When: Thursday, May 13 through Saturday, May 16, 2010; optional morning shoot Sunday, May 17
• Where: Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa on Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
• What's Included:
• All on-location shooting sessions, workflow and hands-on lab seminars presentations/panels, and fireside chats
• Breakfast and dinner at hotel
• Transportation for on-location workshops
• Sponsor gifts and prize drawings
• Event ambassadors available to ensure personalized attention
• Cost: $599 / $479 early bird registration until March 15, 2010

Speaker & VIP List
Speakers and other working professionals scheduled to appear include:

• Joe McNally - National Geographic, Time, Nikon
• Robert Beck - Sports Illustrated
• Tony Sweet - Landscape, Nature Photographer, Team Nik member
• Tony Corbell - Photographic educator and lighting specialist, Nik Software Sr. Manager of Product Education & Planning
• Mike Strickland - Senior photographer Disney World, Orlando
• Rick Sammon - Photographer, book author
• Vincent Versace - Photoshop Hall of Fame member, noted photographer
• Bill Hurter - Editor, Rangefinder and AfterCapture magazines

Dear PPA Member,

Growing up, what was your favorite thing about school? Maybe it was the field trips you got to take (I could give you a tour of the Boston Museum of Science--I swear my school took us there every year!) or learning about your favorite subject (foreign languages always fascinated me).

I loved school, but I must admit that I also loved that stretch of time called "summer break" when I didn't have to go to school. No homework, no waking up early, and time to do whatever I wanted. (Or what my parents wanted, which was to send me to summer camp...which I think was their "summer break.")

Eventually, we all grow up and move from school towards our careers. While most careers don't usually feature 3-month summer breaks, some of you may encounter times of the year when business slows down. This week's Vital Signs is about that time of the year and how you can make the most of it. Just because you don't have clients booked every day doesn't mean you have to sit around and do nothing. You can still be productive and, I promise, no camp songs or mosquitoes will be involved.

Cheers!

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

All PPA Affiliate organizations' publications--whether in print or online--are produced by fellow members who help you stay connected and informed, while running their own businesses. It's hard work...so make sure they enter the 2010 Affiliate Communications Competition and earn merits for their service!

Entry forms are available at the Competitions page on www.ppa.com, and it is free to enter. Entries must be received at PPA no later than Friday, February 26, 2010. If you have additional questions, please contact PPA at (800) 339-5451, ext. 226, or e-mail awijesinghe@ppa.com.

All PPA Affiliate editors and webmasters are invited to participate in this competition, which encourages excellence in affiliate publications and recognizes the individuals who spend their time and energy editing, designing, and maintaining them. Enter and get free, valuable advice for improvement. Plus, you'll earn an achievement merit if your entry is accepted into the competition and an additional merit if you win!

The American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP) and the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA) invite you to come to Boston for an exciting "Reinvention Weekend" April 15th - 18th. The entire conference is geared to Reinvent, Reimagine and Reinvigorate your career or your approach to the photography business.

Tamron has announced the first in its series of four photo contests for 2010: Dusk till Dawn asks entrants to submit sunrise, sunset and nighttime images by March 31, 2010. The Grand Prize Winner of Contest One 2010 will receive his/her choice of one of these Tamron lenses: SP AF60mm F2 Di-II 1:1 Macro; SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di-II; SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di-II VC; or AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC. Users of any camera equipment may enter the Tamron photo contest.

"We have made several great changes in our contest promotion for 2010," stated Stacie Errera, Tamron's Chief Marketing Officer. "Rather than holding one annual contest with just one chance to win, we expanded the contest program to include a series of contests that allow many more people to enter as the themes will vary across the series." Tamron also opened up the contest to photographers not exclusively using Tamron lenses. "With so many new enthusiastic novices entering this hobby, we want to give everyone the opportunity to acquire one of our lenses through our contest promotions. And by allowing the winner the choice of lens prize," continued Errera, "the contest series becomes more valuable to many more people who have different needs than just one lens type."

The "Dusk till Dawn" photo contest entries will be evaluated and selected by a guest judge, Ken Hubbard, who specializes in landscape and travel photography. Hubbard, Field Services Manager for Tamron, is a pro photographer who has had nationwide gallery showings of his landscape photography. He regularly teaches enthusiasts how to take better photos at dynamic seminars around the country. You can see his work at Ken Hubbard Photography.

In addition to receiving the Tamron lens of choice, the winner's picture will be showcased on the Tamron website. The winner and twenty photographers whose images are selected by our judge as Favorites will have their names and winning images published on the website and on the Tamron Page on Facebook™ for all to admire.

HOW TO ENTER: Email your lo-res images to webmaster@tamron.com, Subject line of email must read Tamron Dusk till Dawn Photo Contest. (Winner & Finalists will be contacted for hi-res images). By sending your images you agree to Tamron's terms & conditions. Tamron reserves the right to disqualify any images that do not fit the theme of this photo contest. Complete rules and an entry form can be found at www.tamron.com or by accessing the contest page directly at http://www.tamron.com/enews/archives/contest.asp. Submissions are limited to a maximum of three per person. Pictures submitted must be original and the property of the photographer. The contest is open to any person 18 years or older residing in the United States and all entries must be received no later than April 15, 2010.

Tips on how to take sunset, sunrise and nighttime shots have been posted on the contest page to help interested entrants take better images.

JOBO AG announces the availability of the affordable new ultra-thin and very stylish digital picture frames - the new .37-inch thick JOBO NANO 8 Pro and .39-inch thick NANO 10 Pro. The new NANO 8 Pro and NANO 10 Pro feature an 8" and 10" (respectively) high resolution TFT-Color-LCD displays designed to beautifully showcase digital images and many user-friendly functions. These ultra-slim frames can be conveniently operated with a versatile remote control.

In addition, the new NANO Pro series features LED backlight technology. This eco-friendly technology provides low power consumption and enables the frame's extremely slim design. And the LED backlight technology provides consistent illumination of the display screen as well as lifelike and contrast-rich image presentation.

Both the JOBO NANO 8 and 10 Pro versions feature touch activated buttons on the front of the frame for intuitive operation of all important functions. Buttons become visible by simply touching the bottom front of the digital picture frames.

The new JOBO NANO 8 Pro and NANO 10 Pro digital picture frames conveniently keep memories alive by showcasing digital pictures in an automatic slideshow presentation giving precious digital memories new life. Additionally, these frames enable users to highlight their special photographic moments and easily view them with family and friends. These sleek new JOBO digital picture frames features a handsome modern black border frame designed for optimal presentation and display of digital images.

The new JOBO NANO 8 Pro and NANO 10 Pro feature an 800 x 600 pixel resolution. Each frame version features an aspect ratio of 4:3. To view images on the display, users simply insert their camera's media card into the frame. These models offer Dual-Mini-USB 2.0 high speed capability for connecting a card reader or USB jump drive and supports SD, MMC,  SDHC and MS memory cards. Each JOBO NANO series frame is supplied with its own stand for easy display in the home or office. Also included with all versions of this digital picture frame is a remote control unit for convenient operation from any location in a room.

These JOBO NANO frames support full screen image viewing, thumbnail mode and slideshow mode with various transition effects. Both versions include an AC power adapter.

JOBO NANO 8 Pro (PDN081) Specifications

• High-contrast, bright 8-inch color TFT LCD
• Ultra-stylish, ultra-slim: just 0.37 inches thick
• Full screen, thumbnail or slide show mode
• Slide show with adjustable transition effects and time intervals
• Slide show starts automatically when memory card is inserted
• Card slots for SD, SDHC, MMC, MS
• Dual-Mini-USB 2.0 Host (for connecting a card reader or USB stick) / USB OTG
• Supported file format: JPEG
• Rotate function, zoom function, copy and delete function; displays calendar and clock
• Operation via remote control or touch activated buttons
• Display resolution: 800 x 600 pixels
• 4:3 aspect ratio for optimum, distortion-free display
• &Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.9 x .37 inches (225 x 200 x 9.5 mm)

JOBO NANO 10 Pro (PDN101) Specifications

• High-contrast, bright 10.4-inch color TFT LCD
• Ultra-stylish, ultra-slim: just 0.39-inches thick
• Full screen, thumbnail or slide show mode
• Slide show with adjustable transition effects and time intervals
• Slide show starts automatically when memory card is inserted
• Card slots for SD, SDHC, MMC, MS
• Dual-Mini-USB 2.0 Host (for connecting a card reader or USB stick)
• ;Supported file format: JPEG
• Rotate function, zoom function, copy and delete function; displays calendar and clock
• Operation via remote control or touch activated buttons
• Display resolution: 800 x 600 pixels
• 4:3 aspect ratio for optimum, distortion-free display
• Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.4 x .39 inches (276 x 239 x 10 mm)

The JOBO NANO 8 Pro and and NANO 10 Pro are now available in the U.S. They come with an AC adapter, remote control, and manual for $159 and $189 MSRP, respectively.Visit www.jobo.com for more information.