Issue 44/2012

Your PMA Australia Executive

 National Chairperson

Phil Gresham
philip@fotofast.com.au

Eastern Region TVP

and NSW Chairperson

John Ralph

jrcamerahouse@bigpond.com

WA, SA, NT, QLD TVP

and QLD Chairperson

Andrew Mason 

print@photocontinental.com.au

 TAS Chairperson

Tim Jones

 tim@perfectprints.com.au

VIC Chairperson

Jeff Crowley

jeff.crowley@fujifilm.com.au

SA Chairperson

Paul Atkins

paul@atkins.com.au

WA Chairperson

Murray Gibbs

murray@ggch.com.au

Director of Australian Activities

Peter Rose

prose@pmai.org

Australian Directors for PMA

John Paxton

jpaxton@paxtons.com.au 

Len Sandler

len.sandler@starshots.com.au

PPFA Chairperson

Bob Smith

bob@classicframing.com.au

We heard a great stat from the folks at CES this morning... so far, 18,234 early registrants for the 2013 International CES said they are attending the event to check out exhibitors in the digital imaging/photography space. 

With another 9 weeks still remaining to register, this number is certain to grow even higher. 

As the place within CES for the most concentrated exhibits of digital imaging/photography products and services, 2013 PMA@CES will be the best destination for those 18,000-plus attendees.

PMA President Allen Showalter pointed out that with so much excitement around images these days, it's no surprise that more than 18,000 people - and counting - are coming to Vegas in January to see digital imaging and photography exhibitors.

"We look forward to having these many thousands of imaging buyers on the 2013 PMA@CES trade show floor, where they will find the most innovative and profitable imaging services and accessories to grow their businesses," he noted.

In case you have somehow managed to miss this, 2013 PMA@CES will take place January 8-11, 2013, at the LVH, formerly known as the Las Vegas Hilton - just steps away from 2013 CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center, in Las Vegas, Nev. Immediately preceding PMA@CES are the DIMA 2013 andPSPS/SPAA 2013 Conferences, January 6-7, 2013, at Bally's Las Vegas, where photo imaging retailers, chain stores, professional labs, photographers and other members of the imaging industry can find the very best educational sessions and networking opportunities to make their businesses more successful and profitable than ever.

Not registered yet? Click here and do it now.

Once again if you are attending the show and have not let Kathy know please drop her an email so we can keep track of all the Aussies. kwarlum@pmai.org

Here's some important information regarding the changes to the NZ Passport Photo System.

Very handy for those servicing our large Kiwi population.

Another interesting point is the last paragraph showing how valuable our industries input is being received by the NZ Government. Something to keep in mind when the Australian Passport System comes under review.

Online Passport Adult Renewal Service Important Updates
The Department of Internal Affairs plans to roll out an online passport application service for adults renewing their passports in the near future. Our Online Passport Adult Renewal Service (Online Renewal Service) will be available to applicants over the age of 16.  
 
Instead of providing a hard copy passport photo and attaching it to a paper application; adult renewal applicants will have the choice to use the online service where they will be required to upload a digital passport photo. All other types of Passport applications will continue to use hard copy passport photos.
 
Pilot feedback
We held a pilot of the Online Passport Adult Renewal Service in July and August and customers approached a wide range of photo takers to supply them with a digital photo by email, memory stick or SD card. Feedback from customers indicated that the Online Renewal Service is preferable for many customers as they find it simpler and quicker to complete an online application than a paper based form.  A significant number or customers provided feedback that photo takers they had approached could not provide a digital passport photo that meets the Department's requirements.  These standards and digital photo taking tips are available on the passports website at http://www.passports.govt.nz/Electronic-photo-standards.
 
Common issues experienced by customers were: 

The photographer was unable to provide the photo by email, on a memory stick or SD card· 

The photographer was unaware that photos for the Online Renewal Service would need to be provided as a .jpg file.

Photos were of poor quality e.g. out of focus, over/under exposed, shadows on the face or background.

The photographer was either unaware of the technical standards or provided photos that did not meet technical standards e.g. not the correct aspect ratio, or file size.
 
We would like to reiterate that the photo requirements are in place so photos can be used successfully in chip enhanced passports, allowing facial recognition software such as Smart Gate entry at Immigration to be effective.
 
New resources available on our website
To assist the public in understanding the photo taking standards further, the Department has produced a short video "Tips on How to take Passport Photos for the Online Renewal Service"  You may find that this is useful when customers approach you with questions. You can view the video on our website at http://www.passports.govt.nz/Electronic-photo-standards. After the launch the Passport Office will continue to communicate via photo associations, the Pharmacy Guild, major photo chains and supplier companies. 

We have also created a mailing list which we are happy to add individuals to if you so wish. 

Simply send your contact details to our communications advisor, Michael Mead, michael.mead@dia.govt.nz

 
We have been heartened by the photo taking industry's willingness to engage with us in the preparation for the launch of the Online Renewal Service. The Department sees photo takers as key stakeholders in the success of the online channel. We are keen to continue to work with you to ensure the smooth introduction of our new service. If you have any further thoughts or observations about the online channel or about our communications, please let us know.
 
Yours sincerely

David Philp
General Manager Passports
Department of Internal Affairs 

A blast even farther back into the photographic past - courtesey of Andrew Mason, Photo Continental. The more things change, the more they stay the same!

The "Daily Express" sued two photographers for damages for sending in faked pictures.

One of them sent a print of Gladstone's lying-in-state as a photograph of part of the late King Edward's funeral arrangements; the other inserted an aeroplane in a photograph of a group of people to represent the landing of Lesseps after his channel flight. The "Express" failed to get damages, but the case shows the methods of modern press photographers.

J.I.PIGG                                     ____________________

The value of Snapshots

Without understanding the value of a tripod camera with glass plates for careful pictorial work, I should like to briefly emphasise the real importance and value which may attach to casual exposures made with ¼ plate or smaller hand cameras.

Such exposures, usually called snapshots, are often carelessly made, in the spiry of frolic; it may be, of a group of friends, a family party, or some children at play. But the uncertainty of life, causing, perhaps the disappearance of one of the bright young faces from the happy group may give that particular snapshot a value far beyond the measure of mere shillings and pence, as it may contain the best or only portrait of the lost child or friend, and thus become the basis for a sartisfactory enlarged likeness or a model for a miniature or other painted portrait.

An album filled with snapshots of a family of young children, taken at different ages, and at their various sports and pastimes in winter and summer, grows in interest and value with the passage of years until it too becomes a priceless possession.

Wed Nov 28                            PMA QLD Industry Christmas Drinks

                                                Pig N' Whistle, Riverside, Brisbane

Tues Dec 4                              PMA NSW Xmas Party

                                                99 On York, Sydney

Thurs Dec 6                             PMA TAS Xmas Party

                                                Hobart

Wed Dec 12                            PMA VIC Xmas Party

                                                Pumphouse Hotel, Fitzroy

Jan 6 - 7 2013                          DIMA, PSPA & SPAA Conference

                                                Bally's, Las Vegas, Nevada

Jan 8-11 2013                          PMA @ CES

                                                LVH (Las Vegas Hilton), Las Vegas, Nevada

Jan 26-27 2013                        PPFA Convention

                                                Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas,. Nevada 

May 4-5 2013                          The Big Photo Show

                                                 Los Angeles Convention Centre, Los Angeles, California