2008.08.19: What I want out of Photokina 2008

I feel that I should post this entry sooner rather than later and I apologize for not having yet delivered any of the previously-promised entries. Consider this entry my official offer for agents (preferrably Canadian) and media organizations (Internet or any physical geographical location) interested in Photokina 2008, arguably the world's largest and most important imaging trade fair, but may not be sending someone themselves. I spent most of my time in Photokina 2006 talking with manufacturers about printing and lighting and now I am looking for agents who are interested in importing products which may be presented at Photokina who would like me to research and relay product information and commentary back to the agent as well as for news organizations who would like to explore Photokina beyond consumer and small format digital capture products. My interests in Photokina (including, but limited to, some companies that I know I will be visiting at Photokina):

• Large format digital printers (primarily Epson, Canon, HP, and Roland for photography and fine art but also for signage)
• Raster image processors (RIPs) for large format printers (EFI . . . upon first glance, no other dedicated RIP companies will be represented)
• Color management (X-rite, Barbieri, Datacolor)
• New printing substrates (Breathing Color, Sihl)
• Medium format SLRs and view cameras (Arca-Swiss, Linhof, Sinar, ALPA, Silvestri, Franke Und Heidecke/Rollei, Hasselblad, Mamiya)
• Medium format digital capture products (Phase One, Sinar, Leaf, Hasselblad)
• Medium format optics (Schneider, Rodenstock, Fujifilm, Nikon)
• Continous lighting (Dedolight)
• Strobe lighting for both studio and location work (Aurora, Balcar, Bowens, Bron, Hyundae Photonics, Elinchrom, Photoflex, Profoto)
• Light modification (The above brands plus Chimera and California Sunbounce)
• Computer displays for photo editing and softproofing (Eizo, LaCie, Samsung)

What I need from agents: an opportunity to influence products that may be available to my fellow printers and photographers in the future.

What I need from news organizations: documentation fulfilling these guidelines Photokina has created to qualify journalists for the event. It could be as simple as a letter on your letterhead stating that I am collecting information and reporting back to you. I also welcome the opportunity to work with one of your journalists in the fields of interest above so that I may learn and assist by inquiring and offering insight.

I will be online almost continuously with wireless Internet access from the tradeshow floor and can send relevant information to those I am collecting information for live with Skype chat, voice, or webcam or in digested text, photo, and possibly video form. I am also fluent in Mandarin Chinese and can offer some translation which may be useful for agents wishing to communicate with a Chinese manufacturer.

Please contact me via e-mail or by phone. Contact information link is at the bottom of this page.