News
| Contact:Lisa Keller Internet/PR Supervisor (631) 858-8409 evans@tamron.com |
Press Release
TAMRON ANNOUNCES FOCUS ON YOU, SEASON 2:
Tamron and Popular Photography Team Up to Bring You a Series of Live, Online Q&A Events Where You Talk to Top Photographers One-On-One!
All participants get a choice of free gifts and can enter to win a new Tamron AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens for their Canon, Konica Minolta, Nikon or Pentax digital SLR camera.
Commack, NY, March 1, 2005 -- Tamron USA, Inc., renowned for optical excellence and innovation, and Popular Photography & Imaging, the world’s largest imaging magazine and the most respected authority in the field, proudly announce the second in an exciting series of live, co-branded internet chat events that give photo enthusiasts and budding pros a chance to interact with and learn from a select group of outstanding photographers. Getting there couldn’t be simpler—just log onto www.tamron.popphoto.com and sign up free of charge! Five separate internet events take place on the second Tuesday of the month from August to December 2005, each hosted by acclaimed experts in their respective genres. Participants get to look at the pros’ portfolios, to post questions that the pros answer, and to chat with them in real time. In effect, each FOCUS ON YOU segment is nothing less than a free photographic workshop, and that’s not the only thing that’s free. Each participant gets to pick a gift of an attractive Tamron T-shirt or cap each time they sign up for a session—a total of five free gifts if you enroll in all five events! And all participants get to enter a drawing to win a superb new Tamron AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens (list price $726.95) designed exclusively for digital photography and provides the popular all-in-one focal length of 28-300mm (when converted to 35mm), in their choice of four popular digital SLR mounts. (Film users or those looking for more telephoto on their digital camera may choose the award-winning AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens available in the same mounts). Best of all, FOCUS ON YOU is open to anyone with an interest in photography. “At Tamron, we’re not just dedicated to providing photographers with innovative and outstanding lenses, we’re committed to photographic education, which provides the best way for all photographers to get the most out of their cameras and our lenses,” says Stacie Errera, Chief Marketing Officer for Tamron. “If we can inspire people to take better pictures, and provide the information they need to express their creative potential more effectively, everybody wins.” Indeed, Tamron has recently upgraded its website, www.tamron.com to include the PRO Learning Center, a dynamic new online resource featuring a wide range of incisive, up-to-date articles and inspiring images by leading pros and experts presented in a graphically exciting, user-friendly format. In the coming months it will include articles on shooting tips and techniques by specialists in all fields, from formal portraits to wildlife and practically everything in between. Those who log on will be able to download mini-courses on lighting, lens selection, filters, Photoshop programs, color management and a wealth of additional digital and traditional topics. “Tamron’s focus on education is very much in keeping with Popular Photography’s mission to provide our readers with authoritative information on the latest techniques for creating better pictures as well as comprehensive coverage of the latest innovations in imaging equipment,” says Richard Rabinowitz, Vice President and Publisher of Popular Photography & Imaging magazine. “Partnering with leaders in the photographic and imaging industry like Tamron extends the range of our website, www.popphoto.com, by connecting our audience directly to some of the world’s top photographers. It operates in an interactive dimension that enhances the scope and effectiveness of both the print and electronic media. The concept of a unique co-branded website that is not officially a part of either Tamron’s or Popular Photography’s website provides a place where Pop Photo’s readers and Tamron’s customers can come together to learn and to share their passion for photography in the context of a live event.” The 2004 launch of FOCUS ON YOU was so successful and well received (there were 82,809 unique visitors!) that Rabinowitz again called upon FLASHcap Interactive, a New York City based web design, internet application, virtual software, and marketing firm, to come up with an enhanced design and concept for the 2005 FOCUS ON YOU, SEASON 2. According to Bill Indursky, Marketing/Design Director at FLASHcap “We’ve improved the site considerably compared to last year by posting comprehensive pre-chat FAQ’s and answers by the master photographers along with larger-image slide shows of their work. There’s a new crop of photographers, and each photographer’s topic is more clearly defined and focused in terms of presentation. We’ve incorporated structural upgrades too. To enable more efficient one-on-one conversations with a large number of participants there are now two windows, one a general chat area, and another where specific questions are answered in real time. Using this configuration lets people take time to absorb the materiel before formulating and responding to questions. I think we’ve got a winner here, and I expect the response will be even better than last year’s very successful launch.” The first FOCUS ON YOU, SEASON 2 event is scheduled to go live at 9:00 PM EST on August 9, 2005. The host will be acclaimed wedding photographer Michael Ayers, cited by WPPI as “one of the world’s best wedding photographers and hailed by Rangefinder Magazine as “one of the best wedding album designers in the world.” A winner of numerous awards including the prestigious Accolade of Exceptional Photographic Achievement from WPPI, Ayers has photographed elite weddings all across the Eastern United States and Canada, and lectured extensively on his specialty. Ayers says, “ I am very excited about participating in this unique educational venture and contributing to the pursuit of photographic excellence and the passion for photography exemplified by Tamron and Popular Photography.” The schedule for all five events is as follows:
August 9, 2005 at 9:00PM EST
September 13, 2005 at 9:00PM EST
October 11, 2005 at 9:00PM EST
November 8. 2005 at 9:00PM EST
December 13, 2005 at 9:00PM EST
About Tamron Tamron is a leading manufacturer of lenses for photographic, industrial, laboratory, video, digital, and scientific applications. Ever since it opened its doors in 1950, Tamron has been noted for optical innovation and imaging excellence. Among the pioneers of zoom lens technology, Tamron was also among the first to mass produce hybrid aspherical elements in 1997, paving the way for producing today’s remarkable high quality, long-range zoom lenses with macro capability, including the ground-breaking 28-200mm and 28-300mm which have won more awards than any other lenses in their class. This legacy continues with the current line of Di and Di-II lenses specifically formulated to meet the stringent demands of today’s digital imaging systems. View Tamron's new website at www.tamron.com. About Popular Photography & Imaging Popular Photography & Imaging, the world’s largest imaging magazine, has been the authoritative source of information for photographic enthusiasts and pros for over 68 years. With its million-dollar on-site test lab, Pop Photo is able to publish the most comprehensive and scientifically accurate equipments tests of any U.S photographic magazine. It also provides extensive coverage of the contemporary imaging trends including the latest technical advice and outstanding images by its staff of experts and leading pros. Its love of photography can be seen on every page of the magazine. Visit www.PopPhoto.com for the latest photography has to offer. About FLASHcap Interactive FLASHcap Interactive is an award winning, New York City-based design, internet application, virtual software maker, and marketing firm committed to achieving its clients’ business goals. With two offices in the U.S, and one overseas, FLASHcap provides complete development from marketing inception to tested finished product. Visit www.flashcap.com for more information on products and services.
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3/1/05 |