PhotoPlus 2012: Bringing You the News from America's Largest Photo Show

Hundreds of new products will be on view at North America's largest photography show, running Oct. 24-27 at New York's Jacob Javits Center

From its roots just a few years ago as a regional show for photography enthusiasts, New York's PhotoPlus Conference + Expo has grown to become the largest photography and imaging show in North America. This year's show, being held at the Javits Center from Oct. 24-27, is expected to attract more than 24,000 professional photographers, hobbyists, and enthusiasts. Throughout the show's three-day run, they'll have the opportunity to explore more than 250 exhibitors showcasing thousands of products and attend nearly 80 in-depth educational sessions and workshops.

"With the convergence of photography, video, imaging software, and the use of computers, PhotoPlus Expo attracts a broader range of exhibitors and attendees every year," says show director Jeff McQuilkin. "By keeping our finger on the pulse of changing technologies, we?re able to offer talented professionals who can share the latest techniques and tools to improve the photography skills of everyone who attends."

Though new products from many companies were announced a month ago to coincide with Germany's biennial Photokina show, PhotoPlus Expo is where these wares can be seen for the first time collectively in the United States. These include luxury high-end cameras from Hasselblad and Leica, and new entry-level full-frame DSLR bodies from Canon and Nikon.

Expected to garner significant attention is the fast-growing new technology known as compact, interchangeable lens, mirrorless cameras from a wide variety of manufacturers. The latest entry in the burgeoning field, the Canon EOS-M, is expected to be available in retail outlets within the next two weeks. Other recent entries on display at the show include the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1, Nikon 1 series, Olympus PEN family, Panasonic Lumix GF series, Pentax Q10, Samsung NX series, and Sony NEX family.

In the familiar all-in-one superzoom category, Panasonic'ws Lumix FZ200, which offers a constant F2.8 aperture across its entire zoom range, may draw crowds.

Printers and cameras and lenses, oh my

Lens makers Carl Zeiss, Lensbaby, Schneider, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, are all scheduled to showcase their current offerings.

Epson and Canon will show their latest printers and papers, from desktop size to piano-size 44-inch and 60-inch roll-paper models, as will independent paper manufacturers Canson, Hahnem?hle, Ilford, Intelicoat, Innova, Moab, and Shades of Paper. Photofinishing service bureaus, including Adorama, Bay Photo, Digital Silver Imaging, Metal Mural, White House Custom Color, along with photo sharing websites Zenfolio and others will be present.

Adobe, which is not slated to have a booth showing Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop Lightroom, will still have a pervasive presence with the many firms demonstrating their Adobe-compatible add-ons and plug-ins, including DxO Labs, Graphic Authority, Nik Software (recently acquired by Google), onOne Software, and Topaz Labs.

Dozens of other exhibitors, showcasing camera bags, tripods, filters, lighting equipment, data-storage solutions, portable and studio lighting gear, educational materials, camera straps, cleaning systems, and every other imaginable accessory round out the roster of more than 250.

Educational Seminars and Workshops

PhotoPlus Expo has become well known for its variety of in-depth training sessions, many of which run for up to three hours, offering expertise from well-known commercial photographers. The 78 scheduled sessions are broken down into a variety of disciplines, including lighting, portraiture, dealing with clients, social media and marketing, business advice, tips and trends, video, and post-production. Among the better-known names teaching extended sessions are Bambi Cantrell, Jerry Ghionis, Lindsey Adler, Sal Cincotta, Tony Corbell, John Paul Caponigro, Eduardo Angel, Katrin Eisman, Jay Maisel, George Lepp, and Vincent Laforet.

"Our mantra is 'arrive curious, leave inspired'," says McQuilkin.