Emerald Expositions Expands Photo+ Group Portfolio with Formation of “Professional School & Sports Photographers International” (PSPI)

PSPI Association Makes Debut at WPPI 2016, Joins Extensive List of Emerald Photo Properties including PhotoPlus Expo, Photo District News, PDN Edu, Shutterlove and Photoserve

New York – November 4, 2015 – Emerald Expositions, a leading organizer of industry trade shows including PhotoPlus Expo and WPPI, has announced the formation of the Professional School & Sports Photographers Association (PSPI).  The new association will become part of Emerald’s Photo+ Group umbrella of photographic properties which includes Photo District News, PDN Edu, Rangefinder magazine, Shutterlove, and the online portfolio site, Photoserve.  PSPI, whose members represent the school and sports photography communities, will make its official debut at WPPI 2016 in Las Vegas, March 3-10.  A full day program of seminars and events for school and sport photographers will be scheduled as part of the annual wedding and portrait conference + expo held at the MGM Grand, along with additional programming as part of full WPPI conference programming. This education will be included in the Full Platform pass and offered at no charge as part of a benefit to Photo+ Group members.

 

Formerly the Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA), its board of directors were searching for an industry affiliate that had the strength and depth to properly support the needs of its members.  Due to its thriving photo industry trades shows, extensive communications network, large community of active members, and robust education program, Emerald Expositions and its Photo+ Group was best suited to support and expand PSPI.

 

“We are very happy to welcome members of PSPI to Emerald’s Photo+ Group family and encourage other school and sports photographers to join our expanded family,” explains Jason Groupp, The Photo+ Group director of education and membership who will also join the board of directors of PSPI.  “The Photo+ Group offers some of the most extensive educational programming anywhere and our active communities will help PSPI members acclimate themselves into our organization very quickly and take advantage of all the same benefits and opportunities as existing members.”

 

“As a long time board member of PSPA, we are very excited that the Photo+ Group at Emerald has embraced the school and sports photographer community,” explains Mark Schoenrock, who will remain a board member of PSPI and the organization’s managing director.  “The opportunity PSPI members now have to actively participate in a growing conference and expo, as well as other educational programming throughout the year, is an enormous benefit.”

 

About WPPI

The WPPI Wedding and Portrait Photography Conference + Expo is the premier industry event for photographers and now, filmmakers, specializing in the creative and business aspects of wedding, portrait photography and filmmaking. Each year, over 13,000 professional and imaging professionals attend WPPI to learn new techniques from industry leaders, build new relationships to help grow their business, experiment with new products from major manufacturers to improve productivity, and to use Vegas as a backdrop while expanding skillsets and portfolios.

 

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Additional information and a complete schedule of seminars and activities is available online at wppionline.com.

 

Website:              http://www.wppionline.com

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/WPPIOnline

Twitter:                https://twitter.com/RFWPPI

Why I love the Canon EF 40mm

By Richard M. Reyes

I love the Canon EF 40mm lens (http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_40mm_f_2_8_stm) for a number of reasons.  The order below most likely represents the order of importance:

1. Sharpness/Focus
2. Lightweight
3. Portable
4. Quiet
5. Good for photo and video
6. Price

Sharpness/Focus
This is a very sharp lens.  I have used this lens on a number of different camera bodies and the results are always sharp: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon EOS 60D, and Canon EOS SL1.

Lightweight
Canon website referenced above lists the weight at 130 grams.  When I pair this lens with the Canon EOS SL1, I can shoot all day without having to put the camera down because I am tired.  I can keep shooting from morning till night (or until the camera batteries are fully drained-whichever comes first).

Portable
This lens has been referred to as a pancake lens.  Like a pancake it does not extended much in front of the camera compared to other medium telephoto to zoom telephoto lenses.  While it is more noticeable on a camera body such as the Canon EOS SL1, it is hardly noticeable on professional bodies on the 5D and 1D series.

Quiet
It is quiet because it uses Canon STM technology.  This is Canon's Stepping Motor that is designed to make shooting video a quiet experience.  Non STM lenses typically tend to be noticeably noisy when shooting video.

Good for photo and video
Because it uses an STM lens motor it is quiet and fast enough that it is good for both photography and video.

Price
It is about $149.00.

I have long been a fan of Ken Rockwell's article reflecting his motto of "Don't Worry: Just Shoot".  Just as in the article, it probably took me about 5 years of worrying about what gear I have instead of just shooting.  This article reflects my departure into the journey of "just creating better pictures."  Ken, I have quoted you because although I have read your article a whole lot of times, it took a little while to live it.  For a more technical review with examples please check out Ken Rockwell's review of the Canon 40mm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/40mm-stm.htm)

I do encourage the photographer to be proficient with their equipment.  That is a smart way to make the most of what you have and know the limitations.   However, take the time you would have spent comparing even more specs and just shoot (photographs).

PDN Photoplus Conference and Expo - October 21-24, 2015

By Richard M. Reyes

If you are a photo enthusiast or even a photo professional, you most likely have PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo already on your calendar.  This year's conference will be on October 21-24, 2015 and the expo will be from October 22-24, 2015 at the Jacob Javits Center Convention Center.  The best part this year is that the 7 train (New York City Subway's IRT Flushing line has been extended 1.6 miles from its prior end station at the heart of Times Square) to the 34th Street - Hudson Yards (http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html).

Having attended the last few conferences, this event will leave you with something new to ponder.  Yes, it is a great place to find out the latest greatest gadgets (lenses, cameras, backdrops, lighting) and technological advances the photographic and imaging industry has made.  However, this is also a great time and place to learn things you have always wanted to learn but never had the time.  The best part is that you have the opportunity to learn from the best (from wedding, landscape, models to photojournalistic genres).  You can even see the work of some up and coming and veteran digital film makers.  The website says you can also attend "over 100 educational seminars, Photo Walks and Master Classes"

When I was originally interested in learning all I could about getting started in Wedding photography, I attended PDN Photoplus.  I had the chance to learn and personally meet: Rick Sammon (http://ricksammon.com) among my favorite landscape/nature photographers; Bob & Dawn Davis (http://bobanddawndavis.com) - a husband and wife team who are one of the premier Chicago and Destination Wedding photographer based in the United States-and some of the warmest professionals you will ever meet; and even see Vincent LaForet (http://www.laforetvisuals.com) who was one of the pioneers of using the Canon 5D Mark II as an artistic and production tool for cinema. They do share one thing in common.  A great talent to visualize and use their equipment as an extension of their imagination.  The camera for them is like a painter's brush.  The images they create are full of wonder and vibrant in color.

It is also a great place to meet new and old friends and colleagues who share the same interest as you.  According to the website you can join "21,000 professional photographers, photography enthusiasts, filmmakers, students and educators from around the world."

For more information on how to attend, please go to: http://www.photoplusexpo.com

The Name of Jesus

John 1:12-14
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus is Amazing!  Giving to those that receive him and believe on his name (as their Lord, Master and Saviour) the power to become the sons of God.

Thank you God for giving us Jesus.  His name is above all names!

Philippians 2:9-11
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

With the example of Peter, we see how Jesus responds immediately when we call for his help.

Matthew 14:26-31
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

We also see that when Jesus call us, first he introduces himself, so that we know it is indeed Jesus who calls us.  Second, it is good to confirm that we are being called by Jesus.  Jesus will confirm the calling.  Even when calling us appears to be walking on water and we do not know what we will stand on.  Jesus is our solid rock on whom we stand.  Let us pray for strength and focus on Jesus so that fear will have no room in us.  And even then, when we begin to sink, let us call on Jesus "Lord, save me."  Let us pray for a measure of faith so that we would not doubt.

Even the reason God sent Jesus to the earth shows us that we have a hope of being saved.

John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.