Focus on Imaging Photo Show

[Les McLean]

If any of the UK apuggers who plan to attend Focus on 22nd to 25th February have the time please visit the Ilford Stand and introduce yourself to me. I'll be working there for the 4 days demonstrating D****** and it would be great to have a chat.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

Les

I would be pleased to say hello. I understand that you have been a guest speaker at my old camera club (the Edinburgh Photographic Society)

 

[efikim]

I aim to be there on the Wednesday. (I can get a lift that day, otherwise it means a mess of bus and trains.)

 

[Fintan]

Demonstrating D****** !!!!!
~ I still havent gotton over Eddie Ephraums pro-D****** artlicle in B+W Photography!

Seriously is there enough the keep a total AP happy at Focus?

 

[Dave Miller]

Seriously is there enough the keep a total AP happy at Focus?

Probably not.

 

[Les McLean]

Last years Focus was very biased toward digital and the signs are that this years show will be even more so. I know what is going to happen on the Ilford stand this year but obviously cannot say too much here but they sre celebrating 125 years of business and the stand will reflect that in some way. Having said that don't expect new analogue products, I'm afraid that era is over. Ilford will continue to produce film and paper and will occasionally tweak an existing product, including Ilfochrome paper that has been the subject of many rumours that it would be discontinued over the past few years. Whether we like it or not digital is the future of image making especially in the commercial market place and I think that we should work with it and at the same time carry on making our traditional analogue photographs.

Even if companies like Ilford eventually stop producing traditional products there are a few small companies who will continue to supply the diminishing market.Two years ago Ilford very nearly went out of business, they were literally just a few days away from being aquired by Kodak but they, Kodak, pulled out of the deal. Ilford started to rebuild and it was low end digital products that secured the future of the company so we do have to thank digital for that. Senior Ilford directors and staff have a great love of, and loyalty to traditional photography and have assured me on countless occasions that they will continue to support the anologue photographer.

 

[Dave Miller]

I went to Focus last year, and I think what Les has said is a very good summary of what I found. We must remember that it is a trade show slanted very much towards the professionals, hence every other stand seems to be marketing wedding albums or picture frames. Some stands, such as Ilford’s, and Creative Monochrome, do offer some non-digital interest, but not many, and none completely that I can recall. Those that exhibit there have got to earn a crust, and as Les says that can’t be done from the wet process, at least not in the UK. Personally I feel I get more out of attending the dedicated Monochrome Group events than those such as Focus.

 

[Fintan]

Pity that. I hope Ilford stick with AP though I think it could be good if some companies pulled out altogether so the remainder will be stronger. I think Kodak and Agfa will go first IMHO.

As a PhotoShop professional I have to say that amateur d****** photography is so completely boring, I think that as many amateurs, once they reach the top of the learning curve in PhotoShop will just go back to AP. Take Lith Printing for example, its moderatly difficult process in the wet, but very rewarding. In PhotoShop you just download an action for it, press the run button and there you are. 100 lith prints per hour.....next!
Oh theres a rubbish sky in that print, lets buy a nice sky on Corbis.com, and whahey first prize in your local club.

I'm 36 and I genuinely believe there will be plenty of film for my lifetime

 

[FrankB]

Hi Les,

I'm hoping to be there on the 22nd and will definitely stop by. Hope we get chance for a chat!

All the best

Frank