Every two years in Cologne, Germany, photokina brings together the imaging industry, trade, professional users and end-user consumers with a passion for photography. From image recording and processing to storage and output, innovations are demonstrated and cutting-edge technological developments and trends are placed in the spotlight, including mobile imaging, connectivity, movies and 3D printing.
The exhibits at photokina 2014, which takes place September 16–21, 2014, are rounded off by a program of events—conventions, workshops, symposia, photography shows and special events—all organized by Koelnmesse GmbH and Photoindustrie-Verband e.V. Here is a quick look at what this year’s visitors can expect.
photokina FotoTV stage. New this year is photokina FotoTV.stage, located in Hall 6 on the biggest stage of the fair. This nonstop program is organized by the FotoTV.de. The program is divided into two groups. During the week, the professional will be in the center of the action: LiveShootings, Influencer Talks and live productions of the photokina WebTV format, photokinaTV, will take place daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The audience is invited to look over the professionals’ shoulders while they film and reveal their best tips. Via debates, the Influencer Talks will address current themes in photography and help provide new insights.
During the weekend, the focus moves to the consumer: suggestions during LiveShootings will show them how to take the best photographs of friends and family. Stars such as Benjamin Jaworskyj, operator of the largest German YouTube photo channel, and the makers of FotoTV.de will provide programing that will also be available for viewing on the web via photokinaTV.
The Imaging Phenomenon Smartphone. photokina will highlight the “always available camera,” the smartphone, in detail. In cooperation with Suite 48 Analytics, which specializes in research and opinion polls in the mobile photography sector, photokina will offer a series of lectures, workshops and seminars that deal with the smartphone phenomenon. Included will be the most important developments on the smartphone market and an overview of the most interesting photo apps. There will be a “Mobile Photography News Announcements Roundup” on the second day where the latest innovations in the smartphone market are presented. International trade journalists, analysts and suppliers will appraise the products and assess their possible influence on the industry.
The lecture theme by mobile imaging experts on the photokina communities stage will be: “Which of the more than 45,000 photography apps you should know about, which ones you must have and how best to use them.” Also offered will be a presentation titled “The Integration of Smartphone Photography into the Life of a Professional Photographer” and the “I Want to Develop a Photo App” workshop (there’s workshop fee). During the three-hour workshop, app developers will discuss the dos and don’ts when selecting the right development platform, the right tools, practical business models and marketing strategies.
photokina 3D. Honing in on the latest trends, photokina will offer events surrounding 3D imaging, demonstrating new recording technologies and increasingly inexpensive printing technologies, as well as high-resolution screens that enable a new dimension of image viewing. Camera systems with 3D recording technology and monitors for displaying these images will be exhibited.
In addition, MakerBot Distributor Central & East Europe, provider of 3D design, printing and scanning solutions, will print 10 3D busts of photokina visitors each day. For an opportunity to take your bust home, place your business card in the lottery drum on the MakerBot stand.
photokina action. One of the hottest gadgets for sports and outdoor fans is the action cam. The mini recording devices film action where it happens—close-up and from exciting perspectives. As a new attraction, the photokina Action Zone will show action cameras in live applications, like being catapulted across photokina on a safety rope wearing an action cam or at the bull-riding event, where visitors can try and ride the bulls while an action cam captures spectacular rides and spectacular falls. The motto is: Borrow an action cam, participate and have fun!
photokina cgi. Computer Generated Imaging will be presented for the fourth time. The exhibition demonstrates the multifaceted range of possible 3D representations using CGI technology and the fusion between real photography and virtual photo material.
Visitors can also experience the Matrix ring with its 360º technology and 18 integrated digital cameras. Each day, visitors can stand in the middle of this rotunda and have matrix movies made of themselves, which can be “liked” afterwards via Facebook. The Matrix ring team will explain how 360º photography can be implemented in the fashion and product photography sector.
photokina movie. With more professional photographers using the option of filming with their still photo cameras to extend their creative range and enter new business areas, photokina offers a special section customized to the needs of this target group. They will find new products and developments in the form of local exhibitors’ displays and onstage programs that feature live sessions, lectures and workshops.
photokina professionals. The photokina professionals forum presents international experts and top lecturers on the most important trends in marketing, self-marketing, image culture, image rights and on the subjects of investment and financing. There are also best practice examples of successful photographers and their strategies. Professional associations will again be available at “Meet the Professionals” to answer relevant questions, and they will provide their best photographers for three Live Contests onstage, where they will carry out assigned tasks in front of the audience.
photokina weitblick. A popular attraction, photokina weitblick is located at the piazza, where birds of prey from Hellenthal fly freely. Visitors are invited to try out telephoto lenses to follow the birds. It is also possible to just watch from one of the stands, where visitors can use their own cameras. As a new highlight, one of the birds will fly across the piazza every show with an action cam attached to its body and film its flight. The videos will be shown on screens to give visitors the a bird’s eye perspective.
photokina Photo Exhibits. photokina will host a variety of photography exhibits throughout the fair.
Conducted since 1999, The International Nature Photography Award Glanzlichter is one of the most prestigious German nature photography competitions. Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the exhibit of award-winning photos documents the high standard of nature photography and is a plea for the preservation of nature.
National Geographic Germany will present a selection of the best photographs from the 125-year history of the legendary magazine. The exhibition, comprising 55 photos, reflects the most important expeditions and coverage from National Geographic Society’s magazine—from 1888 until today.
The International Photographic Council, an NGO of the United Nations, will present “We the Peoples” (the opening words of the UN charter) in coordination with the UN Department of Public Information. The exhibition is sponsored and produced by Lifetouch Inc., the world’s largest portrait company.
Under the title “Children. The Present of the Future,” Unicef Germany and Geo magazine will show the best photos and reports from the international competition Unicef Photo of the Year 2012/2013. Twenty-five photographers from 16 countries contribute to this diverse exhibition with reports and photographs.
“A Fallen Angel,” the photo exhibit of the Japan Camera Industry Institute, consists of the first work of the famous Japanese photographer Yoshihiro Tatsuki, which he recorded when he was 27. These simple monochrome photographs still inspire due to their unique aesthetics and visual language.
Europe’s largest photo competition, Blende (Aperture), has for almost 40 years demonstrated the passion and devotion of amateur photographers. Blende photographs will decorate the central boulevard of photokina, comprising images from more than 40,000 photographs—from the dawn of photography to the present.
“Butterfly” from Umweltfotofestival »horizonte zingst« is an outdoor exhibition in front of the fair’s south entrance that consists of images of filigree butterflies. Photographer Jan Michael Hosan photographed the vitality of butterflies in the Garden of Butterflies of Castle Sayn. The spectacular XXL exhibition comes from the Environment Photo Festival »horizonte zingst« to Cologne for photokina.
The World’s Largest Photoglobe. Spanning nearly 500 square meters in Passage 4/5, the World’s Largest Photoglobe celebrates 175 years of photography and photokina 2014. The international community project appealed to photo enthusiasts worldwide to help create this unique picture journey through time via the German and English speaking portals. In addition, under the theme 175 Years of PhotoMoments, there will be a “Sea of Photos” in the concourse between Halls 4 and 5.
Preparing for photokina 2014
Travel. The organizers encourage attendees to book flights early enough to take advantage of lower rates. Economy class tickets from the East Coast start at $1,100. All major North American airlines offer service to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), which has its own train station. High-speed Inter-City Express (ICE) trains run three times per hour and will take passengers to downtown Cologne in less than an hour. One-way tickets cost about $60.
Entrance ticket/Show hours. Discounted entrance tickets ordered online offer a 35% savings. Two-day passes can be purchased for €48. The pass for all show days costs €78. Entrance tickets provide attendees with free-of-charge transportation on buses and subways during all show days. photokina is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including the last day.
Staying in Cologne. Prebooked hotel rooms in Cologne are available via photokina’s New York-based travel partner, TTI Travel, at 212.674.3476, customerservice@traveltradeint.com or mailto:bbrodsky@ttitravel.net. TTI holds a wide variety of room blocks in Cologne and offers advice to North American attendees on the hotels’ proximity to the fairgrounds. The travel agency provides maps, commuting tips to the fairground and a list of Cologne restaurants.
Preshow preparation. The exhibitor listing can be accessed at photokina-cologne.com to plan your trip and search out the companies you would like to see. You can sort the listing by product category or geography. photokina recommends making preshow appointments via its “online matchmaking services,” which is available six weeks prior to the event. You can learn about products and competition prior to visiting photokina and make a list of companies you plan to visit organized by halls, thus saving time during the fair.
On-site. photokina takes place at the fourth largest fairground worldwide. The halls are connected via a central “boulevard” that acts as a main artery to all 10 halls. Exhibitors at photokina are easy to find in clearly categorized and marked halls. Be sure to take advantage of the International Buyers’ Lounge at Congress Center East. The lounge provides detailed trade fair and product information, cell phone charger stations, and PCs with Internet access. It is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. And wear comfortable shoes; the aisles at photokina are not carpeted!
Things to do in Cologne. The organizers urge you to leave some time to visit the attractions in Cologne, such as the famous Cathedral (Dom) and a visit to the Old Town “Altstadt,” consisting of a large row of unique restaurants and bars. Or try one of the Brauhauses, where you will meet people from all over the world and taste locally brewed beer. Recommended ones are Paeffgen, Frueh and Peters Brauhaus.
North American companies interested in obtaining more information on attending or exhibiting at future photokina events should contact: Franz Balve, Koelnmesse Inc., 732-933-1117, f.balve@koelnmessenafta.com. photokina.com
