This year, SONY had a very respectable display and stage at the SONY Booth 421. Many of the SONY Artisans of Imagery included Nigel Barker, Brian Smith, Mathew Jordan Smith, David McLane, and MeRa Koh provided demos and talked about their individual technique and style of photography on a live stage at the SONY Booth.

Then who can forget that wonderful Las Vegas Burlesque dancer Miss Redd, who modeled for both Brian and Mathew during the week.

Also I need to give a special thanks to a special SONY person who works tirelessly in arranging these wonderful classes for the WPPI audience.    This special Person that I am talking about is Ms. Kayla Lindquist.

During the 4 days of this Professional Trade, four of the SONY Artisans of Imagery provided a 2 hour long classes on their specific area of expertise in the professional photographic community.   Two of the most well attend classes were those classes put on by Brian Smith and MeRa Koh.

The class attendees were enthusiastic and provided positive energy to the speakers.   In fact the Wednesday Morning class put on my MeRa Koh ended with a standing ovation.    There is no doubt, this years SONY Artisans of Imagery were a major hit at this years WPPI convention.

SONY Artisan of Imagery David McLane showed the WPPI attendees a sampling of his most recent projects in both still and videos or as David puts it a fusion of still and video.  Talking to the small group, David talked in depth about his passion about shooting motion and the company he co-founded called MERGE, a boutique production company that combines timeless imagery and a fearless embrace of technology to create visual content for the web, broadcast, print and beyond.   Allot of the videos and images were from a recent project for a clothing chain call Horny Toad Active ware.

Image from Horny Toad Active Ware Web Site.

Allot of the video and images that David shot was with the use of a SONY Alpha NEX 5 and with stunning results.  David explained that the SONY NEX 5 was more than capable in shooting most of the video in this campaign.

David further explained that he sees the future of photography as a fusion of both video and stills and his company is positioned to take a lead in the new movement of imaging format.

To see more examples of this new direction of photography and video go visit Davids other venture called Merge.

Sunday night was a night with SONY Artisans of Imagery Nigel Barker and a viewing of many of Nigel’s fashion campaigns. Beside his big push for the SONY Alpha a900, SONY’s current Flag Ship DSLR,  Nigel also show the crowded MGM Garden Arena images taken from SONY’s newest digital entries, the Alpha A55 SLT and the SONY Alpha Nex 5.

The evening started with some fine food and a chance to have your photograph featured on the two projector screens and music provided by Triple Scoop Music.   At about 8:00:PM the Nigel Barber show started but not without in minor technological glitch or two.

He praised the quality of the SONY Alpha a900 and the SONY Zeiss glass that he uses almost exclusively and the superb quality of the award winning SONY Alpha A55 SLT cameras. Then He setup the stage to become a studio for images that he took that would become entries into his new book campaign call RAW.

As I mention in the beginning of this short entry, I said SONY Artisans of Imagery Nigel Baker. I will have more on this new development later and will pass this on to the rest of my readers.

Oh my, have I put myself on a limb or what.   Time will tell and a lot will be happening the week that I attend this massive professional conference for professional Wedding and Portrait Photographers.    I will be providing my own view and take of events from Sunday to Thursday Morning.   I will be there to not only learn, but to enjoy myself during the course of the week.   This is an opportunity to meet and talk to many of the photographers that have influenced the direction of many of SONY Professional Cameras and get insight of the direction and course that SONY will be taking too bring professionals like me some of the finest tools for our trade.

I will also give some firsthand images from many of the SONY events as they happen during the course of the week.   So if you find yourself unable to attend, I hope to give you day by day coverage the and behind the back stage view of the week at WPPI 2011.

There will be a lot to cover, and because I will not have all of the press privileges that others will have, I can only give you a more of a attendee view of the weeks events.   We will see where this will take us.

So keep watching for more information of the WPPI 2011 and our coverage in the next few weeks.

All three photographers will be talking about three different topics and sharing their special knowledge to a room full of professional photographers.

Merging Video and Still Photography

Monday, February 21, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Video)

Sony Artisan of Imagery David McLain will share ways for you to incorporate video into your still photography business. Participants will see real world examples of how David has been using video to grow his own business and expand his creativity. David recently co-founded Merge, a boutique company dedicated to telling brand stories through still photographs and moving images that unfold seamlessly across an array of media, from print to Web to television and back.

Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

Tuesday, February 22, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Portrait)

Celebrity portrait photographer and SONY Artisan of Imagery Brian Smith will share the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years capturing the faces of the famous, infamous and unknown as a top magazine portrait photographer. Brian will discuss his approach to editorial and commercial assignments from concept to final images, and detailing his approach to lighting and problem solving on productions both small and large. He will also share secrets about how to quickly capture the personality of the people in your photographs. He will also discuss how personal projects can be used to generate editorial and commercial assignments, and allow your personal style to evolve and grow while generating assignments you love to shoot.

Creating Confidence—How to Succeed by Shooting From Your Authentic Heart

Wednesday, February 23, 8:00 am – 10:00 am (Motivational)

For the last four years, Me Ra Koh has led her CONFIDENCE Workshops for Women throughout the country. This year she brings to WPPI the heart behind the message thousands of women have connected to: How do we create sustainable confidence for our art, business and family? What are the tools and practices we need to stand strong when we feel the world pushing back? And, what can we expect when our dreams have been achieved? Me Ra is a visionary leader who has a passion for empowering women to create, work and dream with their authentic hearts. She is proud to be a Sony Artisan of Imaging as well as a regular contributor to Oprah’s latest endeavor—The Nate Berkus Show.

The WPPI Las Vegas Convention will be taking place at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino from  February 17-24, with the Trade Show scheduled for February 21-23, 2011.    SONY will also have a large display on the Trade Show Floor during the convention, so if plan on attending, please visit the fine professionals at the SONY display.

For more information about attending the WPPI Las Vegas 2011 Convention then follow this link: http://www.wppionline.com/storage/2011/home.html

CLM-V55 gives big, high-resolution view of video footage

• Clip-on LCD monitor attaches to DSLR camera
• Large (5″) WVGA panel offers superb high-resolution view while shooting HD video
• Tilt/swivel for comfortable viewing at any angle
• Colour peaking and pixel magnification for precise focus confirmation

A new clip-on LCD monitor from Sony gives DSLR camera owners a bigger, better view of their footage while shooting HD video.

The CLM-V55 is a portable video monitor featuring a high-resolution WVGA (800 x 480) (5”) LCD panel. Attaching easily to most Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras and compatible HD camcorders via the supplied adaptor, it displays video footage during shooting/playback with excellent clarity and a wide viewing angle.

The clip-on screen tilts and swivels to any angle for comfortable framing in any position – even self-shooting when you’re in the picture.

The CLM-V55 is loaded with pro-style features to help photo enthusiasts and videographers shoot high-quality HD video footage with their Interchangeable Lens Digital camera.

Pixel magnification mode assists with accurate focus confirmation, giving an enlarged pixel-perfect view of a selected portion of the Full HD image. It’s complemented by a colour peaking function that highlights the edges of accurately-focused areas of the video image.

An intuitive control wheel allows quick, positive adjustment of a wide range of monitor settings without interrupting shooting. Adjustable parameters include aspect ratio (16:9/4:3), volume, brightness, contrast, colour tone (phase), colour temp and auto dimmer. On-screen markers aid precise framing by giving precise indication of a TV’s 16:9 or 4:3 actual display area. The LCD monitor’s on-board mono speaker is complemented by a headphone jack for accurate audio monitoring during shooting.

The CLM-V55 attaches easily to a wide range of Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras from Sony and other manufacturers that support HD video shooting. The supplied adaptor simplifies mounting on any camera or HD camcorder that features an auto-lock accessory shoe or ISO shoe. Signal connection from camera to monitor is via the supplied HDMI cable, while power can be supplied using a battery pack or AC adaptor (both optional). The CLM-V55 comes with a detachable LCD hood for more comfortable viewing when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight.

The CLM-V55 LCD video monitor by Sony is available from March 2011.

Sony is a leading global innovator of audio, video, communications and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA™ LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shot™ digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “α” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIO™ personal computers and high-definition (HD) professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD. Offering a complete end-to-end HD value chain and with its electronics, music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands, employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide.

Through its long-term football partnerships as an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League until 2012, Official FIFA Partner until 2014 and global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2010 and 2014, Sony is inspiring a sense of excitement for the millions of football fans around the world.

For more information on Sony Europe, please visit www.sony-europe.com

“Sony”, “WALKMAN”, “VAIO”, “Cyber-shot”, “Handycam”, “α”, “BRAVIA” and “XDCAM” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners

SONY’s Artisan of Imagery will be teaching a class at the Professional Photographers of America Convention Imaging USA 2011 in San Antonio Tx. , on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 3:00:PM.

Titled How to Make More Money & Have More Fun in Photography, Matthew Jordan Smith will talk about discovering the secrets for making more money in photography while learning Matthew’s social media tips for success and much more.   This program will change your life with the following:

• Matthew’s NEW must-have tips to make more money.
• Secrets to maximize your social media.
• Lighting and shooting tips for success.
• Inspirational tips for success.

If you are member of the Professional Photographer of America and plan on attending the Imaging USA 2011 in San Antonio Tx., then set this date to attend Matthews Class.    If you are not a member, you still can attend this convention and attend Mathews Class by going to this link to Imaging USA 2011

The Joy of Photography: Looking for Light.

Go visit SONY Artisan of Imagery Matthew Jordan Smith on his talk about Looking for and using Light in your photogrpahy.

Investment of approximately 100 billion yen in contemplated acquisition of fabrication facilities and expansion of production lines. Utilizing a governmental subsidy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan

December, 2010, Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that Sony plans to invest approximately 100 billion yen in Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Nagasaki Technology Center (“Nagasaki TEC”) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, to increase the production capacity for CMOS image sensors.

This investment plan includes (i) the transfer of the semiconductor fabrication facilities from Toshiba Corporation (“Toshiba”) contemplated under a non-binding memorandum of understanding between Sony and Toshiba jointly announced on December 24, 2010, (ii) refurbishment of a part of the above semiconductor fabrication facilities into new wafer lines capable of manufacturing CMOS image sensors, and (iii) refurbishment and equipment of a part of production facilities at Nagasaki TEC Building 3 for wafer processing to differentiate Sony’s CMOS image sensors with Sony’s independently developed unique technologies.*1

Through the investment plan, Sony will utilize a governmental subsidy to be provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan – the “subsidy for programs to promote siting low-carbon job-creating industries” – mainly in connection with the investment mentioned in (iii) above.

These investments will further strengthen Sony’s production capacity for “Exmor” and “Exmor R” CMOS image sensors in order to meet increased demand from markets such as those for smartphones and Digital Still Cameras. Through this increase of capacity, Sony expects to solidify its position as the world’s leading company in CMOS image sensors and CCD image sensors.

As a result of the investments announced today, in addition to the approximately 40 billion yen investment in Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center (announced on September 1, 2010), Sony’s total production capacity for CCD and CMOS image sensors will increase from the current level of approximately 25,000 wafers per month to approximately 50,000 wafers per month by the end of March 2012.

Investment of approximately 100 billion yen in contemplated acquisition of fabrication facilities and expansion of production lines. Utilizing a governmental subsidy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan

December, 2010, Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that Sony plans to invest approximately 100 billion yen in Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Nagasaki Technology Center (“Nagasaki TEC”) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, to increase the production capacity for CMOS image sensors.

This investment plan includes (i) the transfer of the semiconductor fabrication facilities from Toshiba Corporation (“Toshiba”) contemplated under a non-binding memorandum of understanding between Sony and Toshiba jointly announced on December 24, 2010, (ii) refurbishment of a part of the above semiconductor fabrication facilities into new wafer lines capable of manufacturing CMOS image sensors, and (iii) refurbishment and equipment of a part of production facilities at Nagasaki TEC Building 3 for wafer processing to differentiate Sony’s CMOS image sensors with Sony’s independently developed unique technologies.*1

Through the investment plan, Sony will utilize a governmental subsidy to be provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan – the “subsidy for programs to promote siting low-carbon job-creating industries” – mainly in connection with the investment mentioned in (iii) above.

These investments will further strengthen Sony’s production capacity for “Exmor” and “Exmor R” CMOS image sensors in order to meet increased demand from markets such as those for smartphones and Digital Still Cameras. Through this increase of capacity, Sony expects to solidify its position as the world’s leading company in CMOS image sensors and CCD image sensors.

As a result of the investments announced today, in addition to the approximately 40 billion yen investment in Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center (announced on September 1, 2010), Sony’s total production capacity for CCD and CMOS image sensors will increase from the current level of approximately 25,000 wafers per month to approximately 50,000 wafers per month by the end of March 2012.*1
*1:These investments are subject to the execution of definitive agreements between Sony and Toshiba and the consummation of the contemplated transfer of the semiconductor fabrication facilities mentioned in (i) above.
*2 :This total production capacity (300mm wafer basis) includes the output of foundry operations to which Sony outsources a part of the manufacturing process. In calculating total production capacity, the capacity of 200mm wafer production lines in Kagoshima Technology Center and Nagasaki TEC is converted for purposes of the calculation to the new 300mm wafer production capacity basis.
*1:These investments are subject to the execution of definitive agreements between Sony and Toshiba and the consummation of the contemplated transfer of the semiconductor fabrication facilities mentioned in (i) above.
*2 :This total production capacity (300mm wafer basis) includes the output of foundry operations to which Sony outsources a part of the manufacturing process. In calculating total production capacity, the capacity of 200mm wafer production lines in Kagoshima Technology Center and Nagasaki TEC is converted for purposes of the calculation to the new 300mm wafer production capacity basis.