Random Thoughts 69

Posted on 11/8/2003 by Jim Pickerell | Printable Version | Comments (0)

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RANDOM THOUGHTS 69



November 8, 2003

Hemera Images Get Less Expensive


Hemera Images has launched The Hemera Image Express, a cut-rate version of their
already low priced subscription royalty free offering.


This non-subscription model allows custromers to download five images for $4.95 and
additional images beyond that for $.99 each. Alternatively, users can sign up for a
monthly subscription for $19.95 or a one-year subscription at $99.95.


"At Hemera we understand that people have different needs," said Kim Dixon, CEO and
president of Hemera Technologies Inc. "Some people prefer to download just a few
images for a specific project, others prefer to have access to a large collection at
all times. Hemera Image Express allows our customers to easily purchase all the
high-quality images they need through a friendly and smart user interface, in the way
they prefer to work."


The Hemera online collection (available at www.hemera.com )
includes images in multiple formats, including stock photos, Photo-Objects images,
vector clip art and raster
illustrations.



Zefa Changes Management In Netherlands


The Management of zefa visual media gmbh and Lejo Duivenvoorde, Director of
zefabenelux and Fotostock image agencies in the Netherlands have decided to part
company. "We parted company with Mr. Duivenvoorde because of differing opinions
concerning major aspects of the direction of the business and brand management
regarding the Netherlands. Mr. Duivenvoorde tended to follow his own business policies
within the zefa group. This was unfortunately not compatible with the strategic
targets of the group as a whole," said Erwin Fey, CEO of zefa visual media.


Karin Cats takes over responsibility for the activities in the Netherlands market for
zefabeneluxpress and fotostock/fotostock and has the title of Dirctor of Marketing and
Sales for the Netherlands.


Claudia Stark is now fully responsible for the royalty-free subsidiary imageshop and
imageshop continues to be responsible for the royalty-free activities of the entire
zefa group.



Digital Color Printing Boom


TrendWatch Graphic Arts reports that 36% of design and production firms say that jobs
designed for digital color printing are increasing while at the same time 35% say that
jobs designed for traditional offset printing are declining.


The need for fast turnaround and the increasing number of projects designed for short
runs tends to push the printing industry toward digital. Since Q4 2001, the percentage
of creative professionals who view digital printing as a sales opportunity has steadily
risen from 3% to 11%. (Historically corporate designers make up a large percentage of
this group.)


In a new TWGA report entitled "Creative Market: Canaries in the Mine Shaft" they also
discovered:


  • The percentage of creative businesses reporting business conditions as "excellent,
    better than last year" has increase to 16% (from 13% in Q4 2002).


  • Direct mail has shown a slow but steady increase since Q2
    1996 (despite a decline between Q4 1998-Q2 2000) and the number of creatives seeing
    direct mail as a sales opportunity has risen from 30% in 1996 to 40% today.


  • Interest in digital photography as a sales opportunity among creative professionals
    has been on a steady and consistent rise from Q4 1997 to the present (from 13% to 39%).



    Index Stock Imagery Wins Award


    For the second year in a row, Index Stock Imagery
    ( www.indexstock.com ) has received an
    Outstanding Website Award in the 2003 WebAward Competition of The Web Marketing
    Association www.webaward.org ).

    The "Outstanding Website Award" allows the Web Marketing Association to "recognize
    work above and beyond the standard of excellence." Entries are judged on design,
    innovation, content, technology, interactivity, navigation and ease of use.
    Ryan Saghir, Creative Director of Index, attributed winning this honor to the Index
    site's ease of use. "We strive to combine form and function, and let the images be the
    star of the show. Having a site be aesthetically pleasing and usable can go together."


    Index has a 650,000 image library with 75,000 RF images, all completely available
    online.



    Canon Camera Production for 2003


    Canon expect to produce my than 9 million digital cameras in 2003. As many as 1
    million of the cameras sold this years will be the more sophisticated
    single-lens-reflex models.


    Digital camera shipments by Japanese manufacturers were more than double those of
    traditional film models in the first 8 months of 2003 according to the Tokyo based
    Camera and Imaging Products Association.



    Kodak Getting Out Of Film


    About 70% of Kodak's business today is based on film photography, but top executives
    expect the film side of the business to drop below 40% within three years.


    According to James Bandler of The Wall Street Journal Kodak will make "no more
    significant long-term investments in traditional consumer film."


    However, Karen Smith-Pilkington, VP of the Consumer and Professional Imaging Divison
    says certain unhappy shareholders have been responsible for spreading this negative
    message. She told PDN last week, "We love all film products and we will be making
    substantial investment in film over the next few years. At the same time we will also
    be aggressively trying to increase our market share in all aspects of digital. But
    people must understand that we are not replacing one with the other. The idea is that
    they work in tandem."



    Cashing Foreign Checks


    After reading my piece on Wire Transfer Ripoff in Story
    585 Zigy Kaluzny pointed out
    the following.


    "Bank One once tried to charge me something like $25.00 for a 'wire transfer'. After
    asking around among friends in the banking biz, it became clear to me that this was a
    complete rip-off -- it is an electronic transfer not requiring any time or effort on
    the part of the receiving bank."


    Kaluzny now used Thomas Cook to cash foreign checks. They charge a $5.00 fee per check
    and provide quick mail turnaround. He recommends that photographers set up an account
    at the nearest office and send checks in a foreign currency to them.



    Feedback:

    Larry Minden

    Some feedback on the Thomas Cook foreign currency suggestion: We have tried Thomas Cook
    extensively and find that whereas the per item check charge may be low, they cream you
    on the exchange rates. What's the use of getting excited about the $5.00 check charge
    if they're only giving you $1.02 per euro when the exchange rate is closer to $1.12.
    Gotta stay focused on the big picture.


  • Copyright © 2003 Jim Pickerell. The above article may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author. All requests should be submitted to Selling Stock at 10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 162, Bethesda, MD 20817, phone 301-461-7627, e-mail: wvz@fpcubgbf.pbz

    Jim Pickerell is founder of www.selling-stock.com, an online newsletter that publishes daily. He is also available for personal telephone consultations on pricing and other matters related to stock photography. He occasionally acts as an expert witness on matters related to stock photography. For his current curriculum vitae go to: http://www.jimpickerell.com/Curriculum-Vitae.aspx.  

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