Visual media news and updates from Visual Connections

Map Users Can Choose Digital Maps in Any Format

Now, designers can get any Map Resources digital map file in the format they prefer to use. Alternative format maps will offer the identical appearance as the original Illustrator map. Depending on the format they choose, users will have varied ability to customize their maps. Vector map formats, such as PDF and EPS, will allow resizing and font quality text. Photoshop format maps will include editable map layers. Users can choose from digital World maps, Country maps, USA maps, City maps, County maps. Custom maps can also be delivered in alternate formats.

PACA Helps Members Save and Learn During Tough Times

While winds of change blow across our nation, the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA) breezes into The Windy City for the "Best Practices" Symposium. In support of its membership during this economic crisis, PACA is kicking off its event on the heels of Picturehouse Chicago. In addition, PACA is offering early-bird discounts through April 10 with the largest savings coming to an end on February 28.

PACA members will converge on the historical and cosmopolitan Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago from April 17-19, 2009. Picturehouse Chicago will start off the weekend on April 16th, 2009, at the River East Art Center.

Picturehouse will feature, for the first time, a seminar on Copyright and Fair Use that is sponsored by PACA and will be presented by Nancy Wolff, PACA Counsel. In addition, many items on the weekend agenda were suggestions and recommendations from PACA members.

Picturehouse Announces 2009 Chicago Schedule

Picturehouse Marketing US, LLC (www.picturehouse-us.com) will be holding its fourth annual Chicago event on Wednesday, April 16, 2009. This year, Picturehouse returns to the River East Art Center, an elegantly designed and inspiring venue located in the city’s artistic and cultural hub.

Hundreds of buyers, including art directors, photography editors, researchers, graphic designers and publishers, are once again expected to attend Picturehouse’s free event. The forum offers buyers a unique opportunity to view a wide variety of image collections offered by a diverse range of suppliers from around the world—all under one roof and all in one day.

New this year is a free morning seminar sponsored by the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA) with attorney and author Nancy Wolff. Nancy’s lecture, “Copyright/Copywrong in Image Licensing,” will be of great interest to those who use and license visual content. A leading authority on copyright, Nancy examines actual case studies and explains complex issues in terms that everyone can understand. She also provides insights into the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and discusses new developments with fair use, orphan works, infringements and protections.

Final Plan for Digital Railroad Shutdown: Some license fees will reach photographers

After meetings with the senior secured creditor this past week, and continued communication with SAA, Diablo Management has announced final decisions made to complete the shutdown of Digital Railroad over the next month in an FAQ posted to the Diablo web site. The only positive news for photographers is the potential to receive a share of some license revenues. In summary: Monies already collected by DRR will not be paid or refunded to the photographers, including prepaid annual hosting fees and any license fees received. DRR will continue to invoice customers and collect fees until Dec. 19. Photographers will receive 70 percent of the proceeds of license revenues collected between Nov. 14 and Dec. 19. All files on the DRR servers have now been erased in a manner which they assure is "unrecoverable."

Photolibrary adds Red Cover to its Collections

Photolibrary Group is delighted to announce its latest representative agreement with the UK based collection, Red Cover. This stunning offering when added to the over 4 million images already on www.photolibrary.com allows Photolibrary’s clients continued access to the world’s premium image collections.

The Red Cover collection, specialising in interiors, is a natural fit alongside Photolibrary’s specialist house collections such as Garden Picture Library, Oxford Scientific (OSF) and Fresh Food Images. The Red Cover Collection is truly a one stop shop for interior picture needs along with key shots of gardens and food. Photolibrary now represents over 4 million images on its websites truly allowing all image users unparalleled choice.

Photographers with Digital Railroad Archives need to take immediate action

Visitors to DRR.net are now greeted with this notice: "We're sorry to inform you that Digital Railroad (DRR) has shut down. On October 15th we reported that the company had reduced its staff and was aggressively pursuing additional financing and/or a strategic partner. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful. Therefore Digital Railroad has been forced to suspend all operations. This archive may only be accessible for the next 24 hours." SAA recommends that any photographer with a DRR archive act without delay to: Ensure that all of your files and data are backed up. Download all details of licenses made with outstanding royalties due. Download a list of all registered users who have accessed your Archive. Check that any monthly or annual fees do not continue to be billed to your credit card. SAA is greatly concerned about the status of outstanding royalties due to photographers from DRR's Marketplace stock portal, as well as the manner in which this closure has been handled, giving loyal customers no reasonable advance warning or support. We will continue to monitor the situation and try to assist in any way we can on behalf of photographers.

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.