February 2007

If for some reason you cannot view the newsletter, please click here or e-mail: fujifilm@2000net.com

Velvia 50 is back!

We’re delighted to announce the re-introduction of Fujichrome Velvia 50. Production of Velvia 50 was halted at the beginning of 2005 when vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion became unavailable.

In response to requests from photographers, Fujifilm’s research and development teams have been working hard to develop substitute raw materials and find new manufacturing technologies that have enabled the restart of production of this famous emulsion. The launch of new Velvia 50 is planned for the spring of 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product.

Leading landscape photographer, Charlie Waite, made this comment on the news: “When we heard of the demise of Velvia 50, many of us experienced considerable withdrawal symptoms! After some 15 years of using the same emulsion we had got to know all the film's character and personality and always relished looking at a transparency on a light box - still a visual and emotional experience that’s hard to beat. Now Velvia 50 has returned and amidst the hills and valleys, I hear trumpet voluntaries and chiming bells sounding throughout the landscape photography fraternity. Hurrah we all sing!"

An announcement of specific details, including price, formats and availability schedule will be made as soon as they are available.

Another new film from Fujifilm Professional

Fujifilm has demonstrated its continued commitment to traditional film with the announcement of the release of another professional film onto the UK market.

Fujichrome Provia 400X is a daylight-type, high-image-quality colour reversal film with an ISO speed rating of 400. Provia 400X replaces Fujichrome Provia 400F and the new film gives photographers many technical improvements on its predecessor.

It boasts one of the world’s highest levels of grain quality and sharpness, while delivering the same vivid colour reproduction and regulated grey balance as that of ISO 100 film. It produces fine results in push/pull processing for exposures ranging from –1/2 stop to +2 stops. These qualities, together with its high colour saturation, make Provia 400X a highly versatile film for many applications, including landscape, nature, sports, portrait and fashion photography.

Provia 400X uses Fujifilm’s newly developed Epitaxial Sigma Crystal (ESC) technology. The result is an ISO-400 film with an extremely high granularity (RMS11) approaching that of ISO-100 reversal film.

Provia 400X replaces Provia 400F and will be available from March 2007 in 35mm and 120 formats.

Focus 2007

This year’s Focus-on-Imaging show takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 25-28 February.

Focus is Europe's biggest annual imaging show and is always a useful place to visit to see the latest innovations in the industry and to catch-up with old friends.

Fujifilm’s stand is D10 in Hall 9, we look forward to seeing you all there.

Visit www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk for further information on the exhibition.

Distinctions 2007 update

Now in its fifth year, the Fujifilm Distinctions Awards opens for entries on 1 April 2007. There's a first prize of £2,000 on offer to the winner, plus runner-up prizes of £1,000 and £500.

The brief this year is again 'open', so photographers are not limited by the subject matter in any way. All images must be shot on Fujifilm Professional film and then the images are submitted online for first-round judging via www.fujifilmdistinctions.co.uk

Fujifilm Professional's senior market specialist Jerry Deeney said: "Film is the creative choice of many pro photographers and the Distinctions Awards are aimed at showcasing just what can be achieved when originating on this long-established medium. With an open brief, it allows photographers to really push the boundaries of their creativity."

The closing date for entries is 1 October 2007, where Merit winners will be chosen, then asked to submit a photographic print for final judging. All Merit winners will receive a certificate.

Since its launch, over 20,000 images have been submitted to the Distinctions Awards. Entry is free and photographers may submit as many images as they wish. The competition is open to all UK-based photographers.

Envisage

Could your marketing do with a helping hand?

Become part of ENVISAGE, Fujifilm Professional's marketing group of over 200 professional photographers across the UK - sharing information and advice on how to generate more wedding and portrait business.

This online initiative is open to ALL photographers - you don't need to be a Fujifilm user - and costs just £60 plus VAT per year (£30 plus VAT one-off registration fee applies).

Benefits include:

- Direct marketing database, so you can easily communicate with clients and potential customers
- Downloadable promotions and artwork
- Lots of marketing advice tailored to the social and GP photographer
- Ask a question: we become your marketing agency
- Pre-printed Fujifilm Envisage promotional leaflets and literature
- Use of the Fujifilm Envisage brand to give you credibility in your local market
- Supplier discounts
- Free exhibition stand hire

Plus lots more reasons to join!

Envisage Awards

Congratulations to Mark Lewis, who is the winner of the inaugural Fujifilm Envisage Photography Awards.

The subject of Mark's superb image 'Cool' will receive £1000 cash prize, while Mark receives a trophy, certificate and PR support to publicise his win.

'Highly Commended' recognitions also go to: David Calvert (6), Maria Murray (3), Clare-Louise Watson, Sarah Loveland, Mark Lewis, Mike French and Barrie Downie. They receive certificates and PR support.

The judging team - Les Pringle, Dave Wall and Steve Howdle - commented: "There was a very high overall standard of both images and print quality and a nice diverse selection; some brave choices in the use of colour and cropping."

The Fujifilm Envisage Photography Awards is a 'consumer' award aimed at getting customers into member’s studios. Most Envisage members use it as an opportunity to promote their portrait services, but there's no reason why it cannot be an incentive to book weddings or even commercial work.

For more information and sign-up details please visit www.fujifilmenvisage.co.uk or contact:

Fujifilm Envisage
c/o WPS Media
1 Wish Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 4NX
Tel: 01323 749400
Email: info@fujifilmenvisage.co.uk

Next Connect out soon

The latest issue of Connect, Fujifilm Professional’s magazine, will be out soon.

This issue carries a variety of articles, including a feature on the 2006 Distinctions Awards, film tests by students from the University of Gloucestershire, wildlife photography, documentary photography, moustachioed men in Morocco and much more!

To ensure you receive your free copy through the post, click here and enter your details.

Student Awards reminder

Students have until 1 April to submit their images to the 2007 Fujifilm Student Awards.

The theme for the 2007 Awards is ‘Recreation’ and the brief is to photograph people at leisure, relaxing and doing the things they enjoy. The overall winner will collect £1,000 cash and the title of Fujifilm Student Photographer of the Year 2007.

All images must be taken on Fujifilm Professional film and submitted via www.fujifilmstudentawards.co.uk - merit winners will be asked to submit a print for final judging.

Landscape Photographer of the Year 2007 launched

The award, subtitled Take a View, offers a total prize fund of £20,000, including £10,000 for the overall winner.

A six-week exhibition on London’s South Bank will give many entrants the opportunity to display their work to the general public and a full-colour book of the winning entries will be available. All entries must be submitted via the competition website, www.take-a-view.co.uk and the closing date is 31st May 2007

SUN Awards update

The SUN Awards exhibition moves to the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle for a three-month residency. The exhibition opening coincides with The Biscuit Factory’s Spring Launch on 9th March. Visitors to the gallery will have the chance to buy limited edition prints from the show, each printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive Paper.

SUN Awards is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes professional photographers from the Northern regions of the UK within the disciplines of advertising, design, fashion and editorial.

The call for entries for the 2007 SUN Awards will be announced later in the Spring. Visit the SUN Award’s website, www.shotupnorth.co.uk for further details.

Change of phone number

Please note that all telephone calls to Fujifilm Professional must now go through the main Fujifilm switchboard, 020 7586 5900.

Competition: Click & Win

This month we have Fujifilm diaries and ‘Film on Film’ desk calendars up for grabs. The first 20 correct entries drawn out of the bag will each win a diary and a calendar.

This month's question: In which city is the Focus-on-Imaging show held?
a) Bristol
b) Bournemouth
c) Birmingham

Click on the link below to enter

www.2000net.com/fujicomp.shtml

Closing date for entries is 30 February 2007.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, email: professional@fuji.co.uk

In the last newsletter we gave you the chance to win 10 rolls of Fujichrome Provia 400F 135-36. The five lucky winners from the correct entries we received were Mike Amphlett, Annette Thomas, R.J Lam, James Yeats-Brown and Chris Bailey.