Kodak Press Release

Kodak’s 4th- Quarter Sales Rise 12% to $4.197 Billion

Full-Year Digital Sales Exceed Traditional Sales for the First Time; 4th-Qtr Digital Sales Surge 45%, Led by Graphic Communications and Consumer Digital Company Exceeds Full-Year Cash Goals; Delivers $1.180 Billion in Net Cash From Operating Activities in 2005; Cash Balance Totals $1.665 Billion at Year-end 4th-Qtr GAAP Net Loss of $52 Million ($0.18 Per Share), Largely Reflecting Restructuring Charges, Tax Benefits and Cumulative Effect of an Accounting Change

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 30—Eastman Kodak Company today reported that revenue rose 12% in the fourth quarter, led by a 45% increase in the sale of digital products and services. The performance includes strong demand for the market-leading offerings from the company’s consumer digital portfolio and the successful completion of the company’s acquisition program to support its Graphic Communications business. For all of 2005, digital sales represented 54% of total revenue, marking the first time in the company’s history that digital revenue exceeded traditional.

Fujifilm have announced the the reduction of approximately 5,000 people from their Imaging Solutions segment, due to reduced demand for color film and slowing growth in the digital camera market.

Fujifilm Press Release

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shigetaka Komori; hereafter, Fujifilm) is implementing a full spectrum of policies and measures based on VISION75, a mid-term management plan formulated in February 2004 that articulates three fundamental strategies: “Building new growth strategy,” “Implementing comprehensive structural reforms over all management levels,” and “Enhancing consolidated management.” Policies and measures include: actively investing in growing businesses such as the flat panel display materials business; conducting drastic reforms in R&D structure to create new businesses; establishing the Advanced Core Technology Laboratories that conduct the basic research; conducting M&As in order to expand the current business domain; shifting of Fuji Xerox production to China and renewing its domestic marketing system; and preparing to adopt a holding company structure. With these efforts, the Information Solutions and Document Solutions segments - which are two of its three main business segments - have posted fair performance results during the current fiscal year (ending March 2006).

ASMP Foundation Press Release

The ASMP Foundation is pleased to announce grants to five non-profit groups working to educate photographers—and to announce that it has begun accepting applications for the next grant cycle. Applications for summer 2006 grants are due by May 15.

The five recipients are:

* AINA Photo, a Paris-based branch of AINA, Afghanistan’s Media and Cultural Center (www.ainaworld.org), trains Afghan men and women in photojournalism. Its goal is to build local talent and foster free expression, in a country where even the possession of photographs was forbidden by the Taliban. The agency has received a grant of $1,500 for its “Afghanistan through Afghan eyes” program to help support photojournalism students develop their skills.

Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show Press Release

An ocean of activity at The Outdoors Show - The British Underwater Image Festival to be held at The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show 2006

17-19 March 2006, NEC Birmingham - The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show 2006, held in the Birmingham NEC from the 17 - 19 March, promises to be a very visual affair. The show places host to the British Underwater Image Festival and is a major event showcasing some of the greatest untapped sources of talent in underwater imagery.

The competition has been designed to incorporate a range of abilities, from professional television documentary makers to first-time photographers. The films will be shown during the event and the best 50 prints will be displayed in a special Go Diving! Show. The six finalists in the film categories will be shown throughout the show, on both the Friday and the Saturday.

For more information please visit www.divemagazine.co.uk / www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk

Olympus UK Press Release

Unique images by David Bailey, Amanda DeCadenet, Richard Billingham and the late Lord Lichfield will be hung side-by-side for the first time in what will arguably be the most diverse range of photography ever exhibited in the UK.

The Olympus Inheritance Exhibition (to be held at The Music Room in Mayfair 17th-18th February 2006) will showcase the work of 22 photographers, from the legendary to the up-and-coming. Most genres of photography will be on show, including: celebrity, landscape, fashion, nature, macro, erotic and reportage. Yet despite their obvious differences in subject matter they share a mutual affiliation - to a manufacturer which has been making cameras for more than 70 years.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak’s Perez Says Consumers Will Set the Rules for the Future of Digital Imaging - Delivers Speech at International Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6—Just as consumer desires drove the evolution of photography during the past 125 years, today’s consumers are defining the rules that will drive the future of digital imaging, said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK). It’s a future where all digital content is automatically identified, organized and instantly accessible anytime, anywhere.

In a keynote address today to attendees of the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Perez reflected on the current state of the digital imaging industry and asserted that consumers want full ownership of and instant access to all their images and information in order to creatively tell their life stories. Yet, Perez noted, the imaging industry continues to make this a difficult proposition by adding complexity through the proliferation of stand-alone devices and rapidly changing, proprietary technology standards that confuse consumers.

Tamron USA Press Release

TAMRON 2006 WILD WORLD PICTURE CONTEST SEEKS YOUR BEST BEASTS TAKEN WITH TAMRON LENSES

January 6, 2006, Commack, New York—It’s a Wild World, and that’s not just our opinion—it’s the subject of Tamron’s latest picture contest, an event open to legions of dedicated Tamron lens users. Actually, you don’t need to trek through the wilderness or go on a jungle safari to capture images that are potential winners. Your best photos taken while monkeying around at the local zoo, petting farm or aquarium may do the trick. The only rules on subject matter: An animal or animals must be prominently included, and the pictures must be in good taste. Entries must be received by October 31, 2006.

Motorola / Kodak Press Release

Leading Mobile and Digital Imaging Companies Team to Build Breakthrough Mobile Imaging Experience

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—CES—Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) , a global leader in wireless communications, and Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) , the world’s most recognized brand in digital imaging and the U.S. market-share leader in digital cameras, today announced a 10-year global product, cross licensing and marketing alliance intended to fulfill the promise of mobile imaging for the benefit of consumers.

Inventors of Charge-Coupled Device and Founders of Learning Factory Receive Highest Engineering Honors for 2006

WASHINGTON—The engineering profession’s highest honors for 2006, presented by the National Academies’ National Academy of Engineering (NAE), recognize an invention that revolutionized imaging technologies and an undergraduate education program designed to create leaders in engineering by solving challenges posed by industry.

Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith will share the Charles Stark Draper Prize—a $500,000 annual award that honors engineers whose accomplishments have significantly benefited society—“for the invention of the Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), a light-sensitive component at the heart of digital cameras and other widely used imaging technologies.”

Eynsford Photographic Image Club Press Release

Kent residents, of all ages, get snap happy competing for fabulous prizes!

Eynsford Photographic Image Club (EPIC), organisers of the inaugural countywide search to find the ‘Best Amateur Photographer in Kent 2006’ sponsored by Kent Life magazine, are declaring loudly that Kent is officially obsessed with snapping!

The competition to find Kent’s best snappers (Under 16 and Adult) is a precursor to the main event – a two day festival of photography focusing on the fastest growing art form in the UK – photography.  EPIC are keen to focus attention on their May 2006 event the : EPIC Photography Festival (May 28th-29th).  The festival is the first of it’s kind dedicated to photography in the UK, open to both amateur and professional photographers with no age bar.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm combines pre-sales enquiry and technical support lines into one number

From today, Fujifilm customers can obtain product information or technical support by using one number: 0870 084 1310.  This number will also allow customers to gain access to the latest stockist details, as well as technical and service information.

The 0870 084 1310 number will replace the 0207 586 1477 number, which is soon to be discontinued.

There will be a new meaning to Rush Hour when the streets of central London are filled with the sights and sounds of Formula One on Tuesday 6 July.

This spectacular display is unprecedented, and Olympus will be helping the expected 250,000 onlookers to capture the moment, as eight Formula One teams take to Regent Street.

The evening event, running from 6pm to 8pm, takes a route starting at Waterloo Place, at the bottom of Lower Regent Street, and will go up to Piccadilly Circus and from there along Regent Street itself. Promising to get about even faster than a black cab, the Formula One cars will spear right through the pedestrian precinct outside the London Palladium before heading for Liberty’s department store and from there back on to Regent Street for the run back down to Waterloo Place.

Rex Features Press Release 22/04/04

REX FEATURES CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
PRIVATE PARTY - MAY 5TH
PARTY & PRESS VIEW - MAY 6TH

Rex Features, the UK’s largest independent photographic agency, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this May with the commissioning of a unique multi-screen installation, “THE WORLD ACCORDING TO REX”. After a launch party in London, the exhibition will go on tour as a 21st century showcase for a selection of striking images taken from Rex Features’ diverse archive of over 15 million pictures.

Designed by Antidote with Michaelides and Bednash, and constructed by Inflate, “THE WORLD ACCORDING TO REX” installation is a work of art in itself: a four-metres long and two-metres-high inflatable containing eight LCD screens which act as a mobile exhibition space.

Olympus UK Press Release 22/04/04

Olympus is delighted to present a series of events at The Hospital to support the Annie Leibovitz American Music exhibition. The activity is intended to offer aspiring digital photographers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced and revered professionals whilst creating an open forum to discuss the merits of the medium.

LECTURES
Celebrated international photographer, Lord Lichfield will present the first lecture on the evening of Monday April 26th. Lichfield will discuss his distinguished career and will focus on his transition from traditional film images to his recent digital work. A question and answer session will follow the talk.

A panel discussion on Tuesday April 27th will bring together a selection of radically differing viewpoints on the use of image in media. Panel members include Bob Kirwin, Times Picture Editor, Jasmine Montgomery, Brand Strategist at Futurebrand and a Creative Director of advertising agency, Lowes. Popular life style journalist Martin Deeson will chair the panel.

WORK SHOPS
On Saturday April 24th Olympus will be running a digital portraiture workshop from 11.00 ? 16.30 in association with the editorial team from Photography Monthly. A series of short talks, demonstrations and practical exercises over the day are designed to improve the skills of all attendees. A personalised tour of American Music follows each workshop.

Nikon USA have announced of number of rebates and price reductions on some of it’s digital and film products. Some of the highlights include:

- The COOLPIX 5400 has been reduced to $599.95.
- $500 on the D1X DSLR
- $100 on the F100 film SLR
- $100 on the AF 80-400mm VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Website: Nikon USA - Spring Savings

A news story over on Imaging Resource reports that Leica are cutting 117 jobs from its head office in Solms, with more reductions to follow later this year:

“Leica Chairman of the Board Hanns-Peter Cohn cites an ongoing reduction in consumer spending - particularly on expensive items like the company’s cameras - as the cause for the layoffs. Likewise, the trend towards digital photography has caused the company’s sales figures to fall.”

Website: Imaging Resource- Leica cuts 117 jobs, more cuts on the way

Nikon USA Press Release 12/04/04

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 12 /PRNewswire/—Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, announced today that it is an official sponsor of the New York Mets.  The partnership aims to support the Major League Baseball team with a variety of events throughout the year.

“Nikon is thrilled to support one of the most visible franchises in professional baseball,” says Anna Marie Bakker, General Manager of Communications, Nikon Inc.  “Clearly, this is a unique way to combine our innovative products with a great American pastime.  As a Long Island-basedcompany, we are certainly excited to extend our corporate support to worthwhile organizations such as the Mets as well as the New York metropolitan community.”

I’m publishing this old press release from 2002 as a response to the recent Kodak Photo Montage story. Rob Silvers emailed me to point out that the Kodak montage is tiny compared to the one that he did for HP in 2002 (22,400 square feet).

Richard Clark Unveils “HP Invent America,” Celebrating Nation’s Spirit of Inventiveness

World’s Largest Digital Image Features More Than 113,000 Images, Including Photos of Joy Behar, Colin Cowie, Gavin MacLeod and Henry Winkler

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4, 2002

Entertainment innovator Richard Clark today led 600 sixth graders from James A. Foshay Learning Center and inventor look-alikes Albert Einstein, Betsy Ross and Ben Franklin in a New Year’s Eve-style countdown to unveil “HP Invent America”—the world’s largest digital image—at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The unveiling celebrates HP’s rollout of nearly 50 new imaging and printing products that make it easier for consumers to capture, save, share and print high-quality photographs.

The football field-sized Photomosaic is made of 700 four-foot by eight-foot tiles totaling 22,400 square feet. If the panels were laid end to end, the image would stretch 5,600 feet, which is longer than 12 Hollywood signs (5,400 feet) and New York’s Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (4,260 feet on the main span), taller than 10 Washington Monuments (5,500 feet) and nearly as tall as Mount Rushmore (5,725 feet). The ink used to print the Photomosaic would fill 34 one-liter soda bottles or more than 100 eleven-ounce coffee mugs.

April 1st saw the usual spate of hoax-stories, including a couple of photography ones that caught my eye. Over at DP-Now, news broke that Zenit had announced a new budget digital SLR:

“Reliable sources in the Russian Federation have provided dpnow with exclusive details of an exciting new affordable digital camera that could rock the industry. It’s a 2 megapixel digital single lens reflex camera that offers interchabgeable lenses and it’s priced below $300, including a lens.”

Whilst Graphics Software at About.com were reporting the demise of Photoshop:

“n a move that no one expected, Adobe announced today that it has discontinued its flagship product, Photoshop. Despite the success of the Creative Suite which brought record-breaking profits and revenue in the fourth quarter of 2003, Adobe has decided it’s time to halt development on Photoshop.”

Got any more April Fools stories to share? :-)

Website: DP-Now - $299 DSLR on the way from Russia

Website: Graphics Software at About.com - Adobe Discontinues Photoshop

Last month Kodak sued Sony, alleging that the consumer electronics company infringed 10 of Kodak’s patents related to digital photography. This month it’s the turn of Sony to sue Kodak, for breach of 10 patent rights relating to digital cameras. Sounds familiar? A quote from the BBC article doesn’t sound very convining to me: “However, Sony has denied that its lawsuit is a tit-for-tat move, saying it relates to different patents.”

I’m not sure what the two companies stand to gain from such legal action - surely they should be concentrating on releasing new products and gaining market-share? The likes of Canon and Nikon must be rubbing their hands with glee…

Website: BBC News - Digital camera patent war hots up