Would you run into a burning house to rescue your favorite photos? Actually, you're more likely to lose your photos in a hard drive crash. And do you know if the pictures you printed on your new inkjet printer will stand the test of time? At PMA 07, Laura Oles provides a concise reference guide showing you how to make the most of your digital photos now to safeguard them for the future. Hear Oles Speak at Session 704 "Long Term Photo Care" on Saturday, March 10 at 8:00 a.m. or at Session C1 "Long Term Photo Care" on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Glenn Omura discusses some of the finer points of The Complete Picture booth with showgoers. Omura noted the feedback he has received suggests retailers are finding this year's presentation "more do-able," and that the pavilion had a lighter look and feel to it, using more color.

Photo and reporting by PMA Senior Editor Don Long

InfoTrends, Weymouth, Mass., will provide a high-level, informative breakfast briefing from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. on today at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Level 2, in Room S219, during PMA 07. At the briefing, analyst presentations will focus on critical trends that will shape the consumer digital imaging market in 2007. This event is designed for imaging vendors as well as large retailers. Pre-registration was required as space is limited.

As part of PMA 07 and PIEA 2007, spend an evening with documentary photographer Charles Moore tonight at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Civil Rights photographer Moore will present his Evening with an Artist lecture, "Powerful Days," and will display work from his 50-year career as a photojournalist.

  Moore has more than 100 magazine covers to his credit. He has two books, "Powerful Days," first published in 1991 and now in its fourth printing; and "The Mother Lode," a work on the California Gold Rush country. His work is in the collections of most museums, including The International Center of Photography in New York, N.Y.; the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; and the George Eastman House in Rochester, N.Y.

Stan Slap, president of the San Francisco, Calif.-based international consulting company slap is a PMA 07 Official Business Session speaker. Slap -- the man and the company -- have helped businesses in more than 70 countries create "strategic insurance" by reaching the groups that determine the success of a company. Slap's Official Business Session, "The Wide World of Management Excuses," will take place at 9:15 a.m. tomorrow in rooms S220-S223, Level Two, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Lindsay Dill and Nicholas Duers, both from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), view some of the prints at the Giclee Pavilion at PMA 07. Both felt the lighting could have been better, saying hot spots prevented accurate comparisons. Another visitor to this pavilion, Gerard Pivtrowski from Colourworks in Wilmington, Del., said he was checking out what equipment was used to make the prints prior to entering the market himself.

Photo and reporting by PMA Senior Editor Don Long

The members of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) elected their 2007-2008 Board of Directors yesterday at the PPFA 2007 All-Member Meeting. Fran Gray, MCPF, Roney's Creative Picture Framing, Florence, S.C., is the new PPFA president. She succeeds John Pruitt, CPF, The Frameworks, Carrollton,Texas, who becomes immediate past president.
  Other elected positions include: Bob Carter, The Frame Up, Phoenix, Ariz., vice president; Barb Pelton, CPF, Artfully Framed, Poplar Bluff, Mo., treasurer; and Barry Kaufman, American Mat & Frame, La Habra, Calif., past president.
  Serving as directors are: George Alvarez, CPF, framestudio, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Gene Ausili, CPF, The Picture Show, Valencia, Calif.; Constance Henshaw, Elmer's Products, Inc., Columbus, Ohio; Quentin Hunt Webster, CPF, Framing Matters, Manuka, Australia; John Ranes II, CPF, GCF, The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc., Appleton, Wis.; and Bill Zimdar, Frames Unlimited Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. Ted Fox, PMA, Jackson, Mich., holds the non-elected office of executive director/secretary.

The members of the Professional Picture Framers Association enjoyed a full agenda of activities yesterday, the second day of their Annual Convention in Las Vegas. A new Board of Directors, reflecting the diversity of the association, was voted into office at the All-Member Meeting.

  For the first time in PPFA history, two women -- President-elect Fran Gray, MCPF; and Treasurer-elect Barbara Pelton, CPF -- will sit on the Executive Board. The addition of two new directors -- George Alvarez, CPF, from Canada; and Quentin Webster, CPF, from Australia -- make this a truly international Board.

  Several educational sessions made their PPFA Convention debut on Thursday. David Lantrip, MCPF, dispelled several fallacies about framing practices in his class yesterday. Students learned various ways to apply words to mats by carving open V-grooves and tracing hand calligraphy, among other techniques, during Beyond the 45, taught by Michael Derr, CPF.  

  Attendees took time away from the classroom to visit the PMA 07 Trade Show, which opened yesterday. Rob Markoff, CPF, helped framers make sense of the maze of exhibits by leading them on a tour of the show, pointing out products of possible interest.

Photography plays a large role in how Jones Soda Co., Seattle, Wash., has become a $450 million business despite being a tiny player in a market dominated by two giants, Coke and Pepsi. When Peter van Stolk started the company, he knew two things: the world didn't need another soft drink; and he could never win the game if he played by his competitors' rules. So he decided to make his own rules. He reached out to customers by putting their pictures on his bottles, thereby creating a customized product impossible for Coke or Pepsi to replicate.

  "I can never compete with the 500 million cans of Coke sold yesterday," van Stolk said, "but Coke can't put a picture of your grandson on its cans."

  There is a lesson here for any small business trying to compete with huge companies. By listening to customers from their perspective, companies can discover ways to create real, meaningful relationships consumers will get excited about.       

Winners in the Professional Picture Framers Association International Framing Competition were announced at yesterday's PPFA 2007 General Session Luncheon -- with the exception of Popular Choice, which has yet to be decided. Voting for Popular Choice continues through Saturday.

  Taking home First Place in the PRINT Competition, where entrants frame the same image, was April Mattedi, CPF, Great Mill, Md. Second Place and High Point First Time Entry went to Malia Bolt, CPF, Purple House Gallery and Frame Studio, Gainesville, Ga. Michael Sorenson, CPF, of I've Been Framed, Canton, Ohio, received the Third Place award. Honorable Mentions are presented for every 10 entries, so there were four such awards given in the PRINT category to: Jane Appelbaum, CPF, of Millersville, Md.; Richard Riman, CPF, Simone Stone, Jim White, and Carol Riman, The Frame Man, Randolph, Mass.; Robin Gentry, CPF, B&J Gallery, Bowling Green, Ky.; and Ursula Overdiek, Hang Ups, Austin, Texas, who also took home a special Judges Award for Innovative Use of Materials with Museum glass barrier. Another Judges Award, for Best Use of Fabric, went to Ken Ewald, CPF, The Great Frame Up, San Antonio, Texas.

  In the OPEN Competition, where the subject was left to the discretion of the framer, Donna Erwin, Columbia River Gallery, Troutdale, Ore., won First Place and High Point First Time Entry. Rich Holstein, Rich's Rustic Frame Art, Cody, Wy., received the Second Place award; and Ray Dwyer, CPF, West Art, Sagle, Idaho, Third Place. The team from The Frame Man won in this category as well, taking home both a special Judges Award for Innovative Mat Decoration and the one Honorable Mention.

  Framing Competition entries are on display in the upper west foyer of the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, near the second-floor entrance to the PMA 07 trade show floor. All PMA 07 visitors are welcome to view the framed pieces during trade show hours, and take part in the Popular Choice voting.

  PPFA 2007 wraps up with the International Framing Competition Reception at 4:20 p.m. Saturday.

  PSRO 2007 -- the annual convention for the Professional Scrapbook Retailers Organization, a PMA member association -- heads into Day Two with a 2-hour session at 11:00 a.m. "The Softer Side of Digital," presented by Kesley Anderson, vice president, scrapbook and craft business development, Lucidiom Inc., will show how to attract Generation-X moms.

  "While we may tend to think of digital as a man's world, women are leading the way in purchasing and using high tech photo gadgets to capture, preserve and present family memories," Anderson says.

  The afternoon kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with a 2-hour presentation, "Train Your Team to Sell," by industry consultant Tamara Lipori. Lipori, author of the new "PSRO Guide to Scrapbook Retailing" available at the PMA member booth, will hold a book signing at 4 p.m. after her presentation.

  The afternoon will wrap up with "Converting Classes into Sales," presented by PSRO Director Jeanne Wines-Reed, founder and editor of Scrapbook Retailer magazine.

Day 3 of PPFA 2007, the annual convention of the Professional Picture Framers Association, opens with exams to earn the designation of Master Certified Picture Framer. These 4-hour exams will continue throughout today and tomorrow. The 4-hour exam for the Certified Picture Framer designation takes place after lunch.

  Nona Powers, MCPF, GCF, will lead off the education sessions with "Design I," and Rob Markoff, CPF, will lead the second of his tours of the PMA 07 Trade Show floor.

  Brian Wolf, CPF, will present "Advanced Mat Cutting"; Chris Paschke, CPF, GCF, will teach "Designing with Decorative Papers"; Hugh Phibbs will teach "Introductory Hinge-Free Support of Works on Paper"; and David Lantrip, MCPF, will present "Deep Bevel Strips."

  Powers is the keynote presenter at the PPFA General Session Luncheon, with "Bad Design - Would You Know It If You Saw It?!"

  Markoff returns after lunch with "Staying Ahead of the Curve -- New Technologies for Framers"; Phibbs is back with "Highly Sealed Packages"; and Paschke returns with "Understanding Competition Judging." Also on deck are Linda Wassell, MCPF, with "Compo Corners"; Baer Charlton, CPF, with "Fabric Wrapping"; and Ellen Collins, MCPF, with "Not Quite Frame Restoration."

  In addition, Jeff King will give a technology demo of SpecialtySoft software, and Steven Smeltz will demo LifeSaver software.

  Powers returns for the 4:15 p.m. line-up, with "Preservation Framing/FACTS"; and Phibbs will present "Preservation Lighting Issues." Markoff will teach "Selling at the Front Counter," and Charlton continues the fabric theme with "Making a Fabric Tray for a Shadowbox."

  Also at 4:15 p.m., William Parker, MCPF, will moderate a Round Table discussion - The Challenge of the Future: Will there be Custom Framing in 2012?!"

  The PPFA Face to Face Showcase Reception will be held today from 5:45-7:45 p.m., with refreshments, vendor displays, and an Awards ceremony for the PPFA Leadership Award, Service Award, and Chapter Volunteer of the Year.

  This OPEN Competition runs the gamut of subject, style and framing techniques. In the PRINT Framing Competition, competitors frame a piece of art selected last year by PPFA chapter leaders. The 2007 selection is a limited edition silkscreen print designed by Chris Paschke, CPF, and GCF.

  Judging was held Wednesday, and winners announced during yesterday's PPFA General Session Luncheon and All-Member Meeting -- with the exception of the Popular Choice vote which runs through Saturday until noon. The winner of that will be announced at Saturday's International Framing Competition Reception.

General Imaging, Torrance, Calif., launched its highly anticipated line of eight GE-branded digital cameras. The line of cameras represents the first time General Electric has bestowed its brand on a consumer camera line. General Imaging, led by Chairman and CEO Hiroshi "Hugh" Komiya, is the exclusive worldwide licensee for the GE cameras.

  General Imaging's new cameras range from entry-level to prosumer models. Also introduced was a consumer photo printer. All of GE's cameras offer popular advanced features at every price point, including face detection, image stabilization, red-eye removal, high ISO sensitivity, and panoramic stitching.

  "Consumers are demanding not just advanced features but stylish designs," says Komiya. "And General Imaging is meeting that demand with cameras that are a statement of style while offering all the latest technology."

  GE's signature camera, the GE G1, is part of the G series. The 7-megapixel compact camera includes 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen.

  In the A Series are GE's most affordable entry-level digital cameras: the A730 with 7 megapixels and 3x optical zoom; and the A830 with 8 megapixels and 3x optical zoom.

  Cameras in the E Series, GE's intermediate level, include: the E850 with 8 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, and 28mm equivalent wide-angle lens; the E1030 with 10 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom; the E1040 with 10 megapixels and 4x optical zoom; and the E1240 with 12 megapixels and 4x optical zoom. The E1030 features a 2.7-inch LCD screen; all other in the E Series offer a 3-inch LCD screen.

  The X Series offers cameras aimed at prosumer markets. The X1 is a high-performance camer with optical image stabilization, 12x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 8 megapixels, and a handgrip.

  The P1 Printer can print 4-by-6 photos in 4800-by-1200 dpi resolution wuth an advanced three-color ink system in 75 seconds in normal mode or 105 seconds in photo mode. It includes a 2.5-inch LCD monitor with some editing functions, USB 2.0 and PictBridge ports, and a 25-sheet loading try.

  Prices are not yet firm, but are expected to range from $149 to $399. Cameras will begin reaching North American shelves in May, with European and Asian distribution planned for later in this year. Cameras will be available in black and silver as well as red, blue, and white. Based on retailers' perferences, additional colors are available some including pink, green, navy, and yellow.

HP Co., Palo Alto, Calif., announced several news digital cameras at PMA 07. The HP Photosmart M437 Digital Camera offers 5-megapixel photos with 3x optical and 5x digital zoom. Photos can be viewed on the 2-inch display. The HP Photosmart M537 Digital Camera snaps 6-megapixel photos and has a 2.5-inch display. It also provides 3x optical zoom and 6x digital zoom.

  The new cameras also incorporate HP steady photo anti-shake and HP Real Life technologies, such as HP Design Gallery and in-camera red-eye removal. HP Design Gallery allows users to change colors and add borders to photos right on the camera.

  The new HP Photosmart R837 Digital Camera takes 7.2-megapixel photos and features a 3-inch image display and an extra-wide viewing angle -- up to 170 degrees -- for viewing photos indoor and outdoor. Enhance photos in-camera with pet-eye fix and the latest generation of HP Real Life technologies, including HP Design Gallery with slimming and industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal. The HP Photosmart R837 Digital Camera also features HP touch-up for the removal of blemishes and HP steady photo anti-shake to help prevent blurred photos. The R837 also has a 3x internal optical zoom lens and an 8x digital zoom.

HP, Palo Alto, Calif., is introducing a new suite of tools and features for its HP Indigo presses specifically designed for the photo market. Leveraged in complete digital end-to-end workflows along with third party products such as Pixami and Album Printer, these tools enable photofinishers and print service providers to offer photo-intensive applications.

  The HP Indigo Photo Image Enhancement package is an automated application that enhances digital photographs by performing optimization procedures prior to printing. Features include image sharpening and smoothing, improved contrast and shadow detail and JPEG artifacts reduction.

  The HP Indigo Scalable RIP Solution (SRS) is a completely automated workflow and high-performance RIP solution for high-volume, short-run, image-rich print production. Available for the HP Indigo presses 3050, 5000 and w3250, it enables users to centrally process and feed jobs in parallel to multiple HP Indigo presses at maximum press speeds, while reporting production status in real time.

  Designed specifically for photography applications, HP Silverwire software links photo-related assets or equipment for the creation of more efficient workflows. This software product was designed and developed by Silverwire Holding AG, the Switzerland-based provider of commercial digital photography software acquired by HP in September 2006.

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., announced the latest additions to its consumer digital cameras, including the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS and Z885 Zoom digital cameras, with high ISO and image stabilization for taking great action pictures in any lighting conditions.

  The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS Zoom digital camera combines a 12x optical zoom lens (36-432 mm equivalent Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon) with optical image stabilization. The 7.1-megapixel camera boasts click-to-capture performance (0.26 sec.). Available in April, the Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS Zoom digital camera will retail for $299.95.

  The Kodak EasyShare Z885 Zoom digital camera boasts a 5x optical zoom lens and 8.1-megapixel resolution.  When combined with high ISO (up to 8000), it tackles low-light environments and action situations with ease, says the company. The fast AF 5x optical zoom lens (36-180 mm equivalent) is combined with 10 automatic smart scene modes. Available in May, the Kodak EasyShare Z885 Zoom digital camera will retail for $199.95.

DXG USA, City of Industry, Calif., debuted the new DXG-Roadster all-in-one Personal Media Center. The DXG-Roadster is a combination 5-megapixel digital and video camera, video game and music player with FM radio, voice recorder and storage device, with 32MB of internal storage and an SD slot for additional memory. It is geared towards kids, teens, and young parents. Not only can the user store and watch an entire media collection of music, videos, and photos, they'll also have a device to capture memories.

  The DXG-Roadster has a suggested retail price of $199 and is available now.

Olympus America Inc., Center Valley, Pa., announces the EVOLT E-410 and EVOLT E-510 DSLR cameras. The E-410 is easy enough for the first-time user and advanced enough for the serious photographer, says the company. The E-510 has advanced technologies for photo hobbyists and those that are serious about photography, says the company.

  Both DSLRs offer a Live View LCD enabling users to compose shots from a variety of angles and incorporate 10-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensors that generates high-resolution images that can be cropped or blown up to poster size without sacrificing image quality. Both cameras also feature TruePic III for superior image quality in all lighting situations and a Dust Reduction System to ensure spot-free photos.

  Additionally, the E-510 offers a Mechanical Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology provides blur-free images. The Mechanical Image Stabilization compensates for camera movement. This new technology complements Digital Image Stabilization, which compensates for a moving subject. Combined, Mechanical Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization provide a powerful solution, ensuring blur-free photos even in active shooting situations where photographers may encounter camera shake or a moving subject, says the company.

  The Live View LCD on both cameras offers a wide 176-degree viewing angle, enabling images to be taken from angles that would typically be difficult with a traditional optical viewfinder. The E-410 and E-5210 have a 2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors. Both cameras include a full range of manual control options. The E-410 also offers 30 shooting modes. The E-510 has 28 shooting modes.

  All E-Series cameras support the Four-Thirds Standard whereby Olympus and various other manufacturers produce high-quality Four-Thirds-compliant lenses and accessories that are specifically designed for digital SLR image capture. Because the E-410 is part of the Olympus E-System, it is compatible with a large and growing range of Olympus E-System accessories to further enhance personal shooting styles and applications. This includes the full line-up of Zuiko Digital Specific lenses and flashes.

  The Olympus EVOLT E-410 DSLR will be available in May. The EVOLT E-410 body has an Estimated Street Price of $699; the EVOLT E-410 with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens has an Estimated Street Price of $799; the EVOLT E-410 with both ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 and ED 40-150mm f4.0/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens has an Estimated Street Price of $899.

  The Olympus EVOLT E-510 DSLR will be available in June. The EVOLT E-510 Body has an Estimated Street Price of $799; the EVOLT E-510 with 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens has an Estimated Street Price of $899; the EVOLT E-510 Two Lens Kit (Body, 14-42mm and 40-150mm Lenses) has an Estimated Street Price of $999.

Shutterfly Inc., Redwood City, Calif., announced a custom framing service, powered by internet framing company, Art.com. Frame sizes are 8-by-10, 12-by-15, 16-by-20, and 24-by-30. Customers can add one, two or three acid-free or regular mattes in dozens of colors, and choose from acrylic, non-glare or UV protected glass.

  "Our customers treasure their photos and want to display them with a gallery-worthy look at an affordable price. In response, we are now offering custom framing tools that offer the convenience and high quality that consumers expect from Shutterfly," says Jeffrey Housenbold, president and CEO. "With direct access to a large variety of mat and frame choices, our customers can surround themselves with creative expressions of their special memories."

  Also announced was the latest release of Shutterfly Studio photo management software gives consumers even more simple-to-use editing and enhancement tools including: Graphic Poster, Collage, and Oil Paint effects. Other new functions include:

• Whiten Teeth: Makes teeth look their whitest
• Thinning: Flatters the subjects in pictures, making them appear thinner
• Oil Paint: Makes photos look like oil paintings
• Graphic Poster: Changes pictures to look like a two-tone poster
• Auto Color: Automatically fixes color in pictures (remove color cast)
• Highlights: Darkens overexposed portions of photos
• Shadows: Brings out details and lightens underexposed portions of pictures
• Contrast: Adjusts contrast to heighten details
• Saturation: Removes or boosts color in a picture
• Color Temperature: Warms up or cools down a photo by changing the color balance
• Straighten: Straightens pictures to compensate for a tilted camera

  Shutterfly also announced enhancements to its Macintosh software. Shutterfly's enhanced iPhoto Export Assistant and Picture Upload Assistant let consumers upload photos directly to their Shutterfly account from within iPhoto. Both tools provide a much faster, easier experience when uploading pictures to Shutterfly. Alternatively, consumers can upload their photos one-by-one to the Shutterfly website from any of the key Mac browsers. Shutterfly has also enhanced its Photo Book creation experience for customers using Safari 2.0 and Firefox, allowing all Mac enthusiasts to take advantage of Shutterfly's Photo Book offerings, including new 8-by-8 and 12-by-12 formats.

Simple Star Inc., San Francisco, Calif., unveiled two new products at PMA 07 to advance its PhotoShow platform. PhotoShow 5 represents an important leap in the evolution of the PhotoShow experience, the company says. Eighty-eight One Click styles enable users to instantly create a show with preset musical or visual themes. Broadcast-quality 3D effects and transitions, new fonts and title packages, clever animations, and licensed music from real musical artists are now included. The Photoshow jukebox now has more than 400 songs from artists like Ornette Coleman, Deana Carter, John Coltrane, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Isaac Hayes, Blues Traveler, Miles Davis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Calexico, Thievery Corporation and many more. PhotoShow 5 also features a more intuitive user Interface, better management and photo editing tools and the ability to archive photos and video clips for safekeeping.

  And the software integrates seamlessly with the new PhotoShow.com, a new online sharing community bringing PhotoShow users and viewers together, by providing PhotoShow members with their own web page. The new PhotoShow.com channel format makes it easy to find the shows users want to see and provides a great viewing experience, the company claims. Shows created via the site can be emailed to friends and family or broadcast to blogs, popular social networking sites like MySpace or other sites such as Ebay to spruce up auctions.

Companies showed updated solutions to assist professional print providers in delivering high-quality products more simply.

  Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., introduced a new version of its Kodak Professional Digital Print Production Software (DP2). The DP2 Software V9, available early in the third quarter, improves workflow efficiencies and enhances the range of products that professional labs can offer to customers, while leveraging an open architecture that can link into almost any system or device. Enhancements are:

• Increased output capabilities: DP2 V9 provides professional labs with increased output options, both in terms of how the image looks and how it's printed.  Multiple text options and shadowing capabilities allow labs to increase their value-add, while "image grouping" capabilities enable labs to more easily offer options such as photo books and calendars.
• Kodak Professional auto-retouching software: This feature offers expanded controls to allow labs to fine tune the parameters and settings to reach the precise level of retouching to meet their needs. 
• RAW file conversion: Using technology from Bibble Labs, professional labs can now more easily and quickly convert RAW files into the desired .jpeg, .tiff, or .exif file format. 

Ferrania Technologies has updated film and RIP software that brings cost-savings to the in-house film separation process. It says the OptiJet Plotter-to-Film Solution is ideal for many prepress operations including offset, screen printing, flexo, and sign makers who are looking to economically migrate to a digital environment without incurring a substantial capital investment. The company says the film separation solution allows in-house operations to achieve a balance of fast turnaround times, low costs and high print quality, delivering up to 180 lines per inch (lpi).

eXaNetworks, Colour-Science and Colorplaza partnered on Nice2Use (N2U), an integrated and automated system for sharing and printing images. The solution , automatically enhances stored images and makes the content available for output.

  Nice2Use provides time-saving automated functionality, such as wireless transfer of captured content from the photographer's digital camera to his or her computer (via Bluetooth technology), and automatic image enhancement and image rotation, if necessary. In addition, Nice2Use automatically uploads captured content to a Webalbum, which generates an email with a link where the recently uploaded images can be ordered.

  The benefits of this process extend to photographers using both traditional and non-traditional digital image-capture devices, such as camera-phones and camera-enabled PDAs. With N2U's solution, photographers using such devices can reduce administrative time by having their images automatically enhanced, organized and archived for easy retrieval, and then uploaded almost instantaneously to a photo-sharing server.

  As part of the new process, the N2U system instantly publishes captured content to a private web page and allows the photographer to view the enhanced pictures and share them with friends and family. Both the photographer and website visitors can select images and directly order prints.

  Colour-Science ensures that captured images are automatically enhanced to higher quality, while eXaNetworks' custom-built photo-sharing infrastructure provides efficient sharing. In addition, Colorplaza completes the system.