PhotoPlus 2017 Introduction
PhotoPlus Expo LogoJoin us October 25-29th, 2017 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, NY!
Don't miss out! 
Photography- It's a passion and a love known by billions around the world. From family photography, to fashion, modeling, maternity, newborn, portrait, action, to aviation, sports, headshot, food, fantasy, real-life, candid, and many other genres and categories, photography is one of the most admired careers and hobbies known to man. Each year since (year), photographers from around the globe flock to one of the largest photography conventions, PhotoPlus Expo and Convention in none-other than the capital of media and photography, New York City, New York.
In less that 36 hours, vendors will be introducing their products to professionals, amateurs, hobbyists, and enthusiasts alike. From film-makers and videographers, to photographers and cinematographers, and even drone pilots, there will be products and classes there for everyone.
This year PhotoPlus will be hosting various classes, photowalks, and speakers with panels to talk and discuss various genres of film-making, audio capturing, photography, and newly announced virtual reality classes and speakers.
PhotoPlus Expo will run from October 25-28, 2017 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, at 655 W. 34th St., New York, NY.
I will be the first to say, I’m more of a photography and film kinda of guy. My major was in Broadcasting with a film minor. So I haven’t the faintest clue about VR. This is why i am definitely going to attempt to visit and interview some of these vendors and speakers. Hopefully they can give me a fundamental explanation in laman’s terms of the world old Virtual Reality.
I was recently invited to a VR Seminar and viewing that if my schedule permits, I will be acquiring some very informative interviews and learn about new products (Okay, I know I will get lots of information without a doubt).
So, lets talk a little bit about what PDN is and the overall convention of PhotoPlus Expo.
PDN (Photo District News)
Location: This year, PhotoPlus Expo and Convention once again be hosted at the Javits Center in the Big Apple, New York City, New York. This conventions center holds 760,000 sq. ft of space which leaves room for a very good number of exhibitors/vendors. According to javitscenter.com, over 35,000 companies world wide have chosen to use the center since its opening in 1986. As a previous attendee, I can confirm that the amount of space at Javits is a little bit overwhelming. It makes you feel like that ant “Antie” in the 1989 Film, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
One of the most amazing things recently announced is the RoofTop Garden on the roof of Javits. On Friday, PhotoPlus Expo will be giving away a tour to the lucky first 25 people to sign up for a PHOTOPLUS Membership and then emails [email protected]. This rooftop is stated to be the second-largest of its kind, giving home in its 6.75-acre green roof to seventeen bird species, five bats species, and estimated 300,000 honeybees! It has become a rest stop for another good dozen or so species of wildlife that stop in. If this isn’t a photo-op, then I don’t know what is!
Its quite the experience for those who have never been to New York City, and a refreshing experience for those that have. From using the Transit systems to taking taxi cabs, there are many ways to get to where you need to go. New York City is every photographers dream to shoot as it is one of the leading locations for Film, Broadcast, and definitely photography. Large publishing companies, television networks, modeling agencies, fashion designers, graphic designers and actors are always in New York at it is one of the leading destinations in the world for movies and films. In fact, there will be a number of PhotoWalks this year for photographers to join in on. Its quite exciting!
Exhibitors
Each year, PhotoPlus hosts vendors and manufacturers from all over to share their technology, skills, and talents with their amazing influential products to anyone who has the shutterbug bite. Attendees include, Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Eason, Adobe, Adorama, B&H Photo, Zenfolio, Bayphoto, MPix and MPix Pro, Carl Zeiss Inc., Sony, Drobo, DriveSavers, Manfrotto Distribution, Shootproof, Sigma, and many others.
PhotoPlus Expo and Convention will be hosting a number of special guests and speakers this year. These special guests range in various genres of expertise with years to decades of experience in their fields. Attendees will get a hands-on experience with some of the classes and valuable instruction which will shape the way many photographers think and even act, teaching skills such as lighting, scripting, writing, how to publish and get recognized, marketing for film-makers and photographers
Speakers-
PhotoPlusExpo really went all out this year! With sponsored well known speakers, they are going the distance bringing in some of today’s top photographers and image experts. Let’s face it, no matter how much skill or talent that you have, if you don’t know how to market and advertise, you’re just another manikin with a pricey piece of hardware in your hand and lots of expensive (or cheap) lights you might as well use for a dj party in your one room studio apartment.
Bottom-line, don’t do the dj party. I mean, you can if you want to, but for the rest of us, we will be joining in on these classes and seminars from the wiser people who know how this industry works and want to see us do well also. Maybe you feel that you can’t afford the classes? Well take one atleast. If anything, you can join in on the free classes that are hosted.
Speakers will include individuals well known all over the world who are experts and professionals in their crafts with superior recognition and awards.
Ever participated in a photo walk? Do you even know what a photo walk is? Well, put quite simply its where the participants have a specific goal and/or topic to shoot, and go on an outing taking pictures of whatever they think is related to the topic and purpose, and contest against other photographers for the best photo. It's quite the adventure with guides who are professionals in their genre of the photography industry.
Some of the photo walks include:
-Finding the Best Light For A Portrait Wherever You Are: Host Charles Chessler who is a local photographer from right in New York and an AdoramaPix Abassador, will go over all the fundamentals of getting the right exposure, what dynamic range is and how to achieve the right elements, quality and direction of light, exposure compensation, when to increase ISO, background, subject-to-background distance and more.
Authentic Portraits with Kenna Klosterman- Kenna Klosterman, lead host of CreativeLive and travel photographer, tour leader, creative connector whose work focuses on documentary and cultural travel photography in Seattle and around the globe, will lead photographers on a walk through the streets of New York City teaching and giving examples on how to approach total strangers regardless of what language they speak. This shoot is a confidence builder that I would most definitely recommend for you introverts out there.
-Marrying Engagements and Weddings with Architecture- Collin Pierson who is a lifestyle and destination wedding photographer out of Chicago, Illinois, with a background in working for newspapers doing professional sports, created a new style of his own with a candid and dramatic type of feel in his own studio. On this walk, he will show photographers how to use the abstract architecture of a background with the light it provides to create amazing and breathtaking engagement and wedding sessions. If you want to step away from “safe” photography and become unique in their own styles. Its said in the description that “attendees will walk away with the formula for creating showpiece artwork for their clients’ homes. If you are into abstract art and/or architecture, then this is definitely the class for you.
There so many more walks to list. For more information, check out PhotoPlusExpo.com and view the schedule of events.
Are you into Film? Rather you are an enthusiast, amateur, hobbyist, student, or professional film maker, PhotoPlus Expo has the classes and information for you as well! Classes featured this year include but are not limited to:
-Dronalism/Drones for Journalism- Douglas Spotted Eagle who is a primary instructor and industry consultant for Sundance Media Group, Inc. And VASST, has authored books and DVD’s, also serving as an advisor for videographers, software manufacturers and broadcastors. He has an endless amount of wisdom of the FAA FAR’s and FSIMs. He is a frequent speaker on UAV cinematography, commercial and infrastructural UAV applications, UAV risk management, night UAV flight, aerial security systems, and 107 training to ensure pilots clearly understand the FAA laws. In this seminar, he will go over the different kinds of drones, camera setups, and will discuss how to achieve the images for print and web photography and video.
From Still to Motion- An all-day workshop which proposes photogrphers complete exposure to the video production process instructed by Richard Harrington. He will speak the process of making professional video and start your journey off right by learning the most direct path to getting great images and keeping clients happy. He will teach how to master your camera settings and creating a shot list, hot to get steady shots and learn how to edit and organize your footage in Premiere Pro. In this tutorial, you will make a sequence and tackle the basics of audio and color. Make sure to bring your own laptop! Richard is a certified instructor for Adobe and Apple, practiced expert in motion graphic design and digital video. He started his career in broadcast journalism with great interest in visual communications. He was recognized for his skills by AV VIdeo Multimedia Producer Magaszine who named him as a Top Producer of 2004. He is a author and contributing author with a Master’s Degree in Project Management.
Tales From The Set (Info coming soon)
New products
This year has been an amazing year for new releases for video, lighting, and photography companies and manufacturers. Among these, are well known companies such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and even Kodak who is rapidly making a comeback.
Innovations-
With major conventions, comes many innovations and ideas. The more advanced technology gets gives way for new inventions and this year at PhotoPlus, the list is quite long and packed with new ways to light your scenes and subjects, view it on LCD displays, how you sell it and what platforms, different type of storage that is rugged and strong for the jobs we do that must be not only transportable and lightweight, but efficient and durable to stand up to the tasks at hand. There are also new products that are so innovative they will blow your socks off.
Companies I will be interviewing include: Gnarbox, NailPoint Art, Zenfolio, Manfrotto, Drobo, Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Polaroid, MOO, Millers, Mpix & Mpix Pro, BayPhoto, and many others.
This year, I will also be attending the test drive which is an exclusive event where I will be able to get a first hand look on much of the newest technology, software solutions, and photography services from many of the exhibitors and innovators attending this event. Its FREE to all attendees and takes place from 3pm-5pm in 1E07/1E08. So definitely do miss out if you get the chance to.
Printing Companies-
PhotoPlus will host a number of printing companies. From photo printing and products for marketing photography, to business cards, there will be more options than you will know what to with all the information. You definitely want to make sure that you plan ahead and have a schedule for where you want to go and what you want to do while at the conference. Plan wisely! Allow yourself an allocated amount of time to visit the booths and get the information basics and some literature, then move on to the next booth.
Such companies include BayPhoto, Millers, Mpix and Mpix Pro, MOO (Business Cards), Shootproof, SmugMug, and more. Shootproof, and SmugMug are two of the companies that also host your website portfolios and have print and product ordering options for you and your clients.
Want to print your own photos or canvas? Make sure to stop by Epson, Canon, Kodak, and Fuji to take a look at the merchandise and newest releases in printers, ink, and photo papers. In 2012, I was blown away by the vast amounts of progress in technology they have achieved. I can’t begin to imagine what to expect this year.
I have been an affiliate with Zenfolio since 2012 and can attest to their amazing service. From the quality of Prints, to the excellent customer service and satisfaction, they are definitely soaring in ratings. In my experience, they get back to me within minutes! For premium members, you unlock the chat feature which allows you to speak directly with a rep professional who will walk you through.
I reviewed a few years ago on PhotoPlus and Zenfolio that you can read by clicking below:
Hotel Accommodations
Several hotels are right now offering low low rates to fill their rooms. Its times like this that many of them jack up their prices so high for events like this that it is the one thing that keeps people from attending at all. The group rates are outrageous and are definitely not always a discount so make sure that if you plan on attending an event like this, you plan way ahead and check prices for other weeks and days to compare what the hotels normal rate is.
Granted, there is supply and demand, but I personally would only return to a hotel that I knew took care of me the last time and didn’t charge me an outrageous amount of money just for that one show, event, movie preview, concert, Red Carpet, or convention/expo. So definitely plan ahead and watch the rates so you know who is just taking advantage of you.
I can say that the rates for the hotels reserved in group rates for PhotoPlus have fairly decent prices. If you still plan on coming, I would first check other sites like hotels.com, priceline.com, Expedia, or other sites. If you have AAA, then perhaps you can even score a bigger better deal if you call the hotel itself and work something out. It definitely doesn’t hurt to bargain.
If I could tell you any more than i would be here for months just telling you about all that is featured. But why read or watch my videos when you can just attend?
Some of the things I haven’t mentioned are the Master Classes which are definitely a little pricey, but well worth the investment as it will pay for itself as you learn and grown in your crafts or what is soon to be your craft, developing your skills and talent into a gemstone that only you will have.
Again, make sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, for more information on PhotoPlus and make sure to watch the videos that will be coming soon.
For now, I’m Nathan Waters, signing off! See You All Soon!
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