Paraglyph Press - Press Release 01/09/04

Paraglyph Press Announces First Book on the Culture of Camera Phones: “Camera Phone Obsession”

Scottsdale AZ - September 1, 2004 - Paraglyph Press is pleased to announce the first book on the phenomenon of camera phones, “Camera Phone Obsession” (U.S. $19.99, 272 pages, ISBN 1-932111-96-4).  Today, virtually every new cell phone sold has a camera feature.  These wildly successful devices can only be described as a cultural phenomenon, and the way people
think about their camera phones can only be described as an obsession.

“Camera Phone Obsession” discusses the key aspects of why camera phones are such a phenomenon:
-Creating an image that can be instantly shared changes the way we think of our day-to-day experiences.
-Technological limitations force the camera phone user to think about the artistic aspects of the medium in new ways.
-Users are obsessed with the technology features of their phone and love to share their experiences and thoughts with other users - creating another cultural phenomenon, the moblog.

How did we become so obsessed with this technology?  A quarter of all cell phones sold today contain a camera, and in the next 4 years sales of camera phones will top 600 million units. People feel strongly about their camera phones, and most people are permanently attached to their phones (or seem that way).  A camera phone connects individuals with each other
and the world easily, quickly and cheaply.  Not only conversations but real-time experiences can be shared easily.

“Camera Phone Obsession” covers how to get the most out of your camera phone, how to purchase the best camera phone, how to best shoot and print photos, what the best services are for sharing photos, and how to use camera phones with PCs. This book shows how camera phones are a breed apart from digital or film cameras. The book discusses the do’s and don’ts of camera phone etiquette, as well as privacy and legal concerns. The author expertly guides readers through the basics of camera phone photography to help you take the sharpest pictures, navigate through the technology maze of sending and storing photos, and save money and time with this emerging technology.

The book features numerous hands-on projects as well as tips and techniques to create art and have lots of fun with camera phones.  It includes a comprehensive resource section, including up-to-date lists of service providers; hardware sites, information, and reviews; retail
outlets for equipment and accessories; on-line articles about scavenger hunts, etiquette, and moblogs; moblog hosting providers and resources; photo sharing services, print services, and software providers; and other graphic resources and postcard services.

Peter G. Aitken (Chapel Hill, NC) is a well-known author in the field of computers and programming, with over 30 books on digital photography, hardware, software, applications, and development to his credit.  Aitken is the author of hundreds of magazine articles in the areas of computers and software in such publications as PC Magazine, PC Tech Journal, Lotus
Magazine, and Turbo Technix. He is the proprietor of PGA Consulting, specializing in computer imaging and graphics, digital photography, digital video application and web development services to industry, academia, and government.

About Paraglyph Press
Paraglyph Press was founded in May 2002 by publishing entrepreneurs Keith Weiskamp and Jeff Duntemann, along with publishing executives Steven Sayre and Cynthia Caldwell. Paraglyph publishes books for computer users and professionals on such topics as web design, game programming and development, and wireless and emerging technologies.  Some of its best-selling titles are “Degunking Windows,” “Degunking Your Mac,” “Game Coding Complete,” “Jeff Duntemann’s Wi-Fi Guide, 2nd Edition,” and “Looking Good in Print, 5th Edition.”  For more information about the company, visit its web site at www.paraglyphpress.com.

Distribution Information
Paraglyph Press is distributed by O’Reilly Media in the U.S. and Canada. For order information, please use the following contact information:

O’Reilly Media
1005 Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol CA 95472
Phone:  800-294-4747
Fax:  800-997-9901
E-mail:  [email protected]
Website:  www.oreilly.com/paraglyph

For distribution in other regions of the world, or for information on foreign rights and translations, please visit the Paraglyph Press web site at www.paraglyphpress.com and click on the “Booksellers” link.

Table of Contents
“Camera Phone Obsession”

Introduction
1. The Camera Phone Revolution
2. Getting the Camera Phone Setup That Meets Your Needs
3. Photography Basics for Camera Phone Users
4. Processing Your Photos with Software
5. Printing Your Photos
6. Sharing Your Photos
7. Moblog Madness
8. Moblogs Step by Step
9. Camera Phone Legal Concerns and Etiquette
10. Cool Projects You Can Do with Your Scavenger Hunts
Index