This blog will be different than all my others! The previous 17 all focused on some aspect of the American Revolution. Not this time. Recently, I attended the PhotoPlus Expo at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan on Saturday, October 26. It's probably been over 5 years, don't remember exactly, since I last attended? I'm originally from Long Island so it felt good to be back in the "city". So what is the PhotoPlus Expo?
Beginning in 1983, it's the largest photography and imaging event in North America. There are over 200 exhibitors and brands displaying thousands of the latest equipment, products, and services. Most of the major camera companies are represented. Think of this expo as Disneyland for photographers!
I knew this would be a long trip because it involved taking both the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) & NJ Transit trains from the Philly suburbs. The earliest first SEPTA train to the beautiful 30th Street Station was at 5:30 am. I'm used to the commute. Every weekday I take the train to work.
From 30th Street to Trenton, NJ.
Once at the Trenton Transit Center, I boarded the double-decker train to the NY PENN station, about a 2-hour trip. When closer to Manhattan the train became packed.
It was about 10 blocks to the Javitts Center. I arrived around Noon.
It took only a few minutes to activate my registration. Once inside, I was immediately immersed in photography-related products and award-winning photographs displayed everywhere. My first stop was the Nikon booth near the front entrance. I've always had Nikon SLR cameras & I'm in the market in purchasing a new one hopefully soon. Oh, if money wasn't a concern! So many great cameras, lenses, & accessories to choose from. This hobby can get very expensive. How much do those big lenses that photographers use at sporting events cost? Easily, over $10,000!
I walked the hall to view the different vendors; it was less crowded than I remember. At the Skink Ink Fine Art Printing booth they had a promotion for a complimentary 8 x 10 print. Fantastic, I believed the photo below photographed at the recent would look great printed/framed. Thank you Skink Ink Fine Art Printing!
Because of smartphones, folks today have fewer printed photos than in years past. Print, frame & mount your photos; they have so much more impact.
After staying for about 4 hours it was time to go home. Reviewing all the vendor's literature made the trip feel quicker. Next year try to attend the PhotoPlus Expo. For photographers, it's a wonderful day to review & compare products plus dream!
Thanks for reading. Blog # 19 will be posted in January 2020.
Ken Bohrer