Visual media news and updates from Visual Connections

FOTOFINDER launches International Service

Germany based Fotofinder GmbH announces the launch of its international service in English and French. FOTOFINDER has evolved into one of Europe's favourite online marketplaces for photojournalism and stock photography. We are presenting more than 250 diverse digital content providers with subject matters ranging from editorial & feature, culture, fine art, food, livestyle, nature & wildlife, travel and many more. Access is easy and free - join the professional photo researcher community now! Our services for picture buyers include a simple keyword search, powerful editing tools, RF or RM licensing and an interactive online tool to negotiate prices with copyright holders.

Aurora Photos and Agence VU’ announce representation agreement

Aurora Photos agency founder, Jose Azel is pleased to announce that effective immediately, Paris based, Agence VU’ will be represented in the United States by Aurora. Aurora Photos, firmly established as a premier independent photo agency, already represents some of the finest editorial and commercial photographers in North America. The addition of Agence VU’ to Aurora Photos photographic offer creates one of the strongest and most diverse collections of photography available. For 20 years Agence VU’ has been an independent photo agency providing compelling images to the European editorial market through a roster of 80 photographers based around the world. Now, Aurora Photos continues the tradition of these sensitive and caring photographers in the North America market. In addition to bringing a diverse selection of imagery to Aurora Photos’ archive, Agence VU’ photographers enhance the ability of Select, Aurora’s assignment division, to provide top quality assignment photographers to Aurora clients.

Masterfile gives sneak peek of its revolutionary image search technology

Masterfile Corporation, one of the world’s leading independent stock photo agencies is offering a sneak preview of its revolutionary image search technology at Picturehouse New York on October 29th, 2008. John McDonald, Masterfile’s Vice President of Product Development and the technology’s developer, says “Think of it as visual logic for designers with the extreme speed of a desktop application. It’s a ‘type less and see more’ paradigm where the user follows their own visual instincts to direct the search. There is nothing out there with its speed and simplicity… and this is just the beginning.”

akg-images announces major changes in their London office

After twelve years based in the London office, Managing Director Ute Krebs is transferring to the Berlin headquarters to take up an entirely new role in charge of akg's international marketing strategy. Already a familiar and well-liked face in the industry, Ute will be using her expertise and first-hand knowledge to promote the akg-images collection worldwide. Ute's final day in the London office will be 7 November, and she will begin her new role in Berlin on 1 December. David Price-Hughes, who has been with akg-images for six years, will be taking up the reins in London as the new Managing Director. Both Ute and David will be at Picturehouse New York on stand #29.

Majority World Pioneering Digital Fair Trade

The Image Works invites picture buyers to meet Rowan Watts, the Managing Director of Majority World. Rowan will be at The Image Works booth #69, at Picturehouse New York on Wednesday, October 29th from 11-8, discussing this exciting new initiative. Majority World is a business with a social purpose formed to promote professional photographers in Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is the objective of Majority World to enable indigenous photographers from these continents to showcase their images on the world stage and within the globalised marketplace. Just like food and handicraft producers, Majority World photographers face many barriers to competing in the world economy and gaining a share of global markets. Many of the barriers stem from lack of digital access, travel, market knowledge and contacts. Majority World enables the discovery of indigenous photographic talent, promoting ethical standards in trade and valuing the authentic view that local photographers can provide. Majority World helps bring to light the wealth of fresh imagery emerging from the majority world, a more accurate term for what has been known as the developing world. The Image Works is proud to be the North American distributor of the Majority World archive.

Motion – New from North Wind

The first samples of history-specialty footage from North Wind Picture Archives will be displayed at Picturehouse New York on October 29. With animation provided by ColdWater Media of Colorado, North Wind is featuring historical pictures from its own collection in a multidimensional motion format designed with educational projects in mind. In addition to animation, North Wind is also shooting video of historical subjects, such as Anasazi ruins, windmills, pioneer trails. North Wind’s website will be expanded to offer a video search page in the near future.

WGBH Stock Sales launches Digital Images Collections

WGBH Stock Sales is launching two new digital image collections in October, the American History collection and the WGBH Signature Collection featuring Julia Child. The American History collection will be available to customers via e-commerce. In addition, the WGBH Stock Sales site is being upgraded so that customers can search across video, text and stills and retrieve results simultaneously.

picturemaxx USA has new Managing Director

Tom Tinervin is the new Managing Director of picturemaxx USA for digital media suppliers as well as buyers. He and his team will establish and widen the business solution picturemaxx BACKSTAGE and the media network i-picturemaxx in the United States. Mr. Tinervin has over 10 years experience in global SaaS (Software as a service) solutions as an executive officer and manager of the following dominant, market leading companies; Digital Railroad, Getty Images, and Corbis. Unique to his accomplishments and vision has been the ability to advocate for artists rights and education; having been at the forefront of leveraging the intersection between digital content providers and buyers. Prior to his leadership in the media industry, Tom founded OminFineArt, an art publishing company with exclusive license to reproduce the masterworks of the Smithsonian American Art Museum as well as working in financial services with Smith Barney. Mr. Tinervin is an active member of various leadership and strategic planning committees and an executive and spokesman of copyright protection with a strong record of leadership and participation with Plus, ASMP, APA, SAA, NPPA, WHNPA.

Cutcaster launches revolutionary search functionality

Cutcaster, the first dynamic marketplace to unite the authenticity of images from content sharing communities on the web with Cutcaster’s growing image library, photographic expertise and experience in the licensing of digital media, today announced the launch of its revolutionary suggestive image, vector and footage search functionality. The new search tools will help buyers of royalty free photos and vector illustrations quickly find the most relevant content to license and cut down the time it takes to search through www.cutcaster.com. Cutcaster implemented the use of a very targeted controlled vocabulary to define what was precisely relevant in each particular image, vector or footage. Cutcaster has reduced the total number of keyword terms so they are now organized in a hierarchical structure with segregated synonyms and adjoining adjectives so the image or vector is specifically defined to just what is in the image and nothing else. Search and filter to get exactly what you are looking for on the first page of results.

Picture this: Berliner and Rex merge to take on US image market

Alan Berliner and John Selby are pleased to announce the merger of the Berliner group of companies and Rex Features’ North America operations. The two companies will work in partnership in the USA bringing a greater range and depth of choice for both companies’ clients in the USA, the UK and worldwide. Rex will now be investing in the development of production and sales operations on the US East and West coasts. Rex Features has a long history as the UK sales agency for Berliner Studio, and in recent years this collaboration has become increasingly close and successful. Regarded as one of the world’s leading image sources, Rex has been planning to expand its existing stateside operations while Berliner, a highly respected market leader in event and celebrity portrait photography in the US, was looking for a strong partner to boost its position in the international market.