Your photo can be anything you think best represents the Fourth of July: fireworks, candid party shots, parades, sparkler sky writing…the choice is yours. Get creative this Fourth of July! Have fun, and be safe!

Today Im going to talk about camera phone photography and discuss how to transfer your camera phone pictures to your online photo account. Camera phones are great for spontaneous photos because you almost always have your phone with you. Many of the new camera phones also come with enhanced camera features (zoom, picture size, flash, white balance, black & white, etc.) and are very capable of taking print-quality photos.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking pictures with your camera phone:

• Choose a larger picture size. Many camera phones come with the picture size set to 640×480. While this is acceptable for taking a quick picture, you are better off choosing a higher size for better quality prints. Most camera phones allow you to change your picture size in the camera settings on your phone (look for the resolution” or picture size” option).
• Clean your lens regularly. Your camera has a lens cover and case to protect the lens, but your phone likely does not. Since the lens on your camera phone is probably uncovered all the time, it is a good idea to clean it regularly with a lens cleaning cloth.
• Use your camera phone in a well-lit location. This will increase the quality of your photos. Many camera phones have a flash in case good lighting is not available, but you are better off with natural light.
• Use a memory card if possible. A memory card lets you store more photos on your phone and easily transfer them to your computer and online photo account. Be sure to verify that your camera phone is set to automatically save the picture to your memory card (this option can be found in your camera phone settings).
• Learn to use your camera phone before you need it. When you get a new camera phone, or have one that you do not use often, it is a good idea to practice taking pictures to get a feel for how the camera functions. After all, you never know when you are going to need it!

Transferring Camera Phone Pictures to your Online Account
You can transfer your photos from your camera phone to your online account in two fast and easy ways:

• If you use a memory card with your camera phone, be sure the photos are saved on the card, and insert the card in the appropriate slot on your computer. Then, log into your online account, click Add Photos,” navigate to the memory card device, select the pictures, and press Send.”
• You can also send them directly from your phone. First, you must create a 4 digit PIN code. Log into your account, click on My Account,” and select Add Photos via Email Account Settings.” Enter your custom PIN code (4 digits, letters and/or numbers) in the Personal Identification Number” field, and enter the email address your cell phone sends emails from in the Add another address” field. You can obtain this address by sending an email to yourself from your cell phone. Once the PIN code and email address are entered, press Update.” Then, go into your phone, select the picture you want uploaded, and choose the send” option. Send the photo to add@lifepics.com” and enter your PIN code in the subject line. Your photo will be uploaded to your account and you will receive a confirmation email. For more information on this process, click the red Order Prints and Enlargements” tab in your account, and select On my cell phone.”

Apa had no plans to make an 18th attempt this year until he heard about the Eco-Everest Expedition. The Eco-Everest expedition was created to study the effect of global warming on the glaciers of the Himalayas.  Data from the expedition can be used to educate the people of the Himalayan highlands about the dangers of flooding due to increasing melt water.  Apa’s record breaking 18th summit attempt is his way of raising awareness how global warming will change his beloved Himalayan mountains.

Ritz Camera and  Ritzpix.com know what its like to reach the summit of the Photo Industry.  It takes hard work, dedication, a commitment to serving your customers fairly and providing them with real value each and every day. Ritz Camera is also an environmental leader.  Teaming with Nikon and through Carbonfund.org, Ritz Camera has a nation wide program in place to prevent over 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide from harming the earth.
When Apa needed a new digital camera to take photos and an HD camera to film some of his special moments of his Mt. Everest 18th world breaking attempt, he visited his local Ritz Camera location in Draper Utah. Chris, the store manager was great. He made some calls and soon a Ritz team evolved that worked together to make it all happen .

Ritz “Top Of The World” Team Members
Chris Anderson (Manager Store #1771)
Rory Andus (D.M. District  #56)
Gabe Garcia (R.M. Region #8)
Bob DeVita (Director of Marketing and Advertising)
David Ritz (Owner \ Visionary)

Ritz Camera provided the SuperSherpas with a Canon PowerShot G9. In image quality and functionality, the G9 stands above the competition with 12.1 megapixels of resolution, a 6x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, and RAW mode for the ultimate in creative control.Along with the G9 Ritz Camera provided a Canon VIXIA HV30. Camcorder of the Year and the best!

Thank you Apa Sherpa for taking Ritz Camera and RitzPix.com along side you on your epic journey to the top of the world!  We are extremely proud to be part of your record breaking 18th successful Mt. Everest summit, and equally proud in helping you bring awareness to important environmental issues.

Fathers Day is approaching fast and I wanted to give you a few ideas on what to get Dad this year. Ties, socks, and tools are great, but a unique, one-of-a-kind photo gift will really mean a lot to him. Here are some ideas:

Photograph your father or husband doing something he loves to do. What is he most proud of? What is something he truly enjoys? Try to covertly photograph him fishing, biking, hiking, golfing, playing with the kids, hanging out with his friends, or partaking in any other hobby. Once you have the picture, think about how he would like it portrayed. Mouse pads and mugs are always popular gift ideas, as are framed enlargements. Browse the Gifts tab in your online account for other unique gift options. 

Another great gift idea is to find some rare old family photos, frame them, and give them to Dad. Or, take it up a notch with an enlargement or canvas print, which you can order from your online account. Look especially for photos of his dad and grandfather, or for pictures of him as a kid with his dad. Take his childhood photo and frame it side by side with a photo of him with the kids. The significance of this gift will be very special to him.  

Pictures of Dad with his newborn(s) are also very meaningful, no matter what age the kids are now. No father forgets those first few weeks bonding with his child, and a photo allows those memories to live in his heart forever. Your online photo account has the perfect gift or print size to complement whichever picture you decide to use. 

Magazine Covers

Magazine covers are a great way to add a little flare to a photo of Dad doing something he loves. They are fun and easy to create, and Dad will love bragging about his cover for years to come. Follow these simple steps to create a magazine cover (please note that magazine covers are not available at all locations):

1. Log into your online photo account and click the yellow Create Cards and Calendars tab.

2. Select Magazine Covers.

3. Browse the different templates and choose the cover most appropriate for Dad. There are dozens of amazing magazine cover templates to choose from.

4. Choose your image, add custom text, and create the magazine cover. Its that easy!

·    The recently-ended PMA Australia 2008 Imaging Technology Show, held in Brisbane, Australia is covered in the most recent DIMAcast. The new DIMAcast features Bill McCurry’s PMA Australia Marketing Idea Exchange, recorded live at the show. Hear some of the most successful ideas in photo retailing from Down Under by downloading the podcast. A transcript of this week’s show, filled with pictures, is also available on DIMAcast.com.

·    This week, the AIE Imaging Executive Podcast presents an interview with  Luis von Ahn, assistant professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. Ahn and his team have developed what they call “Games With A Purpose” (GWAP) to help improve computer intelligence. The site provides what they say are fun tasks that are easy for humans — but beyond the capability of computers. Among them are two imaging-specific games. In ”ESP,” players guess what words another will use to describe an image, which helps create descriptions of uncaptioned images. In ”Matchin,” players are asked which of two images they like best, which helps computers recognize what images people prefer.

·    IPIX , a division of Minds-Eye-View Inc., Cohoes, N.Y., licensed key 360-by-360-degree, immersive media patents, to French company Realviz, which was in turn purchased by Autodesk Inc. The license accrues to Autodesk. Autodesk now has certain non-exclusive rights under the seminal Oxaal patent portfolio, covering, among other things, 360-by-360-degree, immersive media applications, and more broadly, the ability to “Lookaround” in electronic media. Lookaround allows a Web surfer to interactively look up, down, and all around in a picture or video by using the mouse.

·    Bogen Imaging, Ramsey, N.J., a distributor of photographic support products and accessories in North America, announces a free introductory lighting webinar titled “How to Overcome 5 Common Problems When Shooting Outdoors.” Held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on June 6, this course targets beginner or amateur photographers. The speakers for the webinar, Christopher Abbiss, Elinchrom and Lastolite associate product manager, and David Fisher, Metz product manager, will explore some common techniques photographers can utilize to help overcome problems they may face when shooting their subject outdoors. Those interested can register for the introductory lighting course for online.

·    The Morrison Hotel Gallery, New York, N.Y., and Sony BMG’s ICON Collectibles, New York, N.Y., announced an exclusive joint relationship to exhibit and sell images from Sony BMG’s music photography archive of more than 1.2 million images. Opening July 16 at the Morrison Hotel’s Soho gallery, the first exhibit drawn from the archive will feature candid, in-the-studio photographs taken mostly by Columbia Records’ in-house photographer Don Hunstein. The exhibit will feature fine art prints of singular artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Billie Holiday, Muhammad Ali, and Miles Davis among others. These photographs will also be available for sale at www.morrisonhotelgallery.com.

·    Fotolia LLC , New York, N.Y., announced a program that makes available a free collection of 500 images and illustrations to Microsoft Office customers through Microsoft Office Online. Microsoft Office customers can currently access a large library of free Fotolia stock photos, illustrations, sounds, and animations.

·    PixFusion LLC, New York, N.Y., creators of photo and audio-personalized video products and services, launched Kideo Australia through a distribution agreement with K.I.D. Productions Pty. Ltd. Using licensed content from several children’s brands, Kideo creates and sells photo-personalized DVDs targeted to children ages 1-7 years old. Under the new 3-year agreement, which covers Australia and New Zealand, K.I.D. Productions will retain exclusive distribution rights for select DVDs within the Kideo library. They have also secured the rights to PixFusion’s patented technologies and services, and will establish a manufacturing facility using Rimage 7100, the DVD burner used by PixFusion. Kideo DVDs are sold direct to consumers through www.kideo.com. Kideo Australia plans to launch its site within the next 2 months through www.kideo.com.au and www.kideo.co.nz. 

·    The Santa Barbara Museum of Art presents “Made in Hollywood: Photographs from the John Kobal Foundation.” The exhibition, running from July 12-Oct. 12, will showcase more than 90 original vintage prints by photographers working in Hollywood from 1920 - 1960. The collection of works in the exhibition are chosen from The John Kobal Foundation, a fine art archive of more than 4,500 original vintage photographs featuring the major studios and stars from the late teens until about 1960. The foundation is the legacy of John Kobal, who was among the pioneering generation of Hollywood historians and among the first to examine seriously the photographs taken to promote the stars, the films, and Hollywood as place.   

·    Webbsight Imaging Peripherals Inc., Oakville, Ontario, Canada, has been appointed the Canadian distributer for Heliopan Filter products and accessories, effective June 1. Established in 1949, Heliopan is known for manufactured photographic filters featuring Schott glass with brass rings. The new Heliopan PMC series features eight optical coatings on each side and takes the premium position in the Heliopan line up.

·    Circuit City Stores Inc., Richmond, Va., will lay off 123 employees nationally from its firedog division, which repairs, installs and optimizes digital devices, reports a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article. The positions being cut are in Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The layoffs represent slightly more than 4 percent of the cable-installment unit’s workforce of 3,000. The cable-installation segment of firedog was shut down because it did not meet goals or expectations, the company said. The employees are losing their jobs on July 21. They may apply for other positions in the company and those who don’t find work are entitled to separation pay. In March, the company announced it would lay off 67 employees who sold, installed or managed programs to wire and install electronics in new single-family homes.

·    PhotoChannel Networks Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, signed an agreement with Kodak (China) Investment Co. Ltd. to provide and operate Kodak’s imaging network in China. At the end of April, PhotoChannel signed a similiar agreement with Kodak Australia. PhotoChannel’s network and software expertise will enable Kodak Express stores in China to transmit digital versions of personalized photo products created in the store to a Kodak production facility. The products, created on Kodak Software, are delivered by the PNI software solution through direct connection with the Kodak Software in the store for transaction, credit clearance, and transport of the digital copy to the Kodak production facility whereby the physical product is created and shipped back to the store. There will be 800 Kodak Express stores connected to the platform in 2008.

·    Nikon Inc., Melville, N.Y., announced the “Nikon D60 Moving Moments Photo Contest” in conjunction with the D60 DSLR advertising campaign featuring actor Ashton Kutcher. Consumers can upload an image with an accompanying description to www.ashtonsd60.com for a chance to win the grand prize of a trip for two to Los Angeles to attend The Hollywood Style Awards sponsored by Nikon and a new D60 camera kit as well. Sixty first prize winners will also receive a new D60 camera kit. One-hundred and twenty semi-finalists in the contest will be chosen beginning June 21 by a panel of judges based on the interpretation of the theme, their accompanying description, and photo quality. The 60 winners will be determined by consumers visiting and voting on their preferred picture online between June 25-15.

·    Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography, Turners Falls, Mass., is hosting its third Annual Spring Exhibition & Benefit Print Sale, June 19-29. The museum is collaborating with volunteer students from Hallmark Institute of Photography, to benefit Doctors Without Borders. Showcasing more than 200 photographs by students from the Class of 2008, the graduating professional photographers have donated their photographs to the cause. All proceeds from the print sale will benefit Doctors Without Borders/Medecins san Frontieres (MSF), an international humanitarian medical organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural and manmade disasters, or exclusion from healthcare, in more than 70 countries around the world.

·    MyWedding-Online.com, a search engine developed to locate wedding photographers, was recently launched online. Free listings for photographers are available online at www.mywedding-online.com/signupsimple_start.html.

·    Target Corp., Minneapolis, Minn., donated $25,000 in support of the relief efforts for recent tornado damage in the United States. Donations were made to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Target has provided large scale product donations such as sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, food and water to support the immediate recovery efforts and to aid those families impacted by the storm. In addition, Target team members are volunteering in the recovery efforts.

·    MTI-Andrews Inc., Hillsboro, Ore., provider of retail merchandising solutions and supplier of aftermarket repair parts to the consumer electronics industry, announced three appointments to maximize the company’s sales and supply chain operations. Deena Ghazarian has been named vice president of business development where she will be manage the business development and outside sales managers in both the MTI and Andrews organizations. Barry Leach, formerly vice president of sales for MTI, moves over to spearhead international efforts as vice president of international development, and Victor Tang has been named to run the company’s new Hong Kong office as the company’s director of supply chain and business development.

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., and its Graphic Communications Group are launching a Web 2.0 community for graphic communications businesses. Kodak’s Graphic Community is an online world where users can build strategic relationships with business partners anywhere to create new revenue opportunities, says the company. Kodak is providing membership in this community free to all users of Kodak Insite Software Version 5.5 and to users of upcoming releases of products from the newly acquired Design2Launch, a Kodak company. Kodak’s Graphic Community is established to promote efficiencies and collaboration between Kodak’s workflow customers. 

Kodak to increase prices up to 20 percent on select consumables

Eastman Kodak Co.,

Rochester, N.Y., will increase prices on a select range of consumable products across its businesses on a worldwide basis by as much as 20 percent, depending on the product line and geography. The increases are a result of rising prices of key raw materials, especially silver and aluminum, as well as the rising cost of petroleum, says the company.

  Kodak previously noted the impact of these raw material costs during a conference call with investors following announcement of its first-quarter results on May 1. The price increases will help alleviate some of the impact of rising raw materials costs.

  The increases will be rolled out by product group and geography in the coming weeks, and the company expects them to be implemented by July 1.

  In recent weeks, Fujifilm Corp., DNP Photo Marketing, and Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd. all announced price increases on consumables based on reasons similar to those cited by Kodak. 

The United States files suit against European Union over taxes on high-tech devices

The United States recently filed suit against the European Union (EU) over tariffs on three kinds of popular high-tech gadgets, reports The Wall Street Journal. The EU taxes imports of set-top boxes, used to convert outside signals into sound and images on a television; flat computer screens; and multifunction electronics such as printer-fax machines. U.S. companies such as HP Co. believe those goods should be covered under a 1997 World Trade Organization treaty that guarantees tariff-free access for all information-technology products, says the article.

  The EU imports of the three high-tech products totaled US$11 billion last year. The EU says the products aren’t covered under the 1997 deal and shouldn’t be considered high-tech because they compete with traditional media. 

Microsoft signs search distribution deal with HP

In a bid to boost its Web search traffic, Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft Corp. announced a deal to make its Live Search the default on HP Co. personal computers shipped in the United States and Canada, starting in January, reports The Associated Press. The deal also calls for Palo Alto, Calif.-based HP to install copies of Internet Explorer with an extra Live Search toolbar on those computers. Microsoft said the toolbar also links to HP services such as its Snapfish digital photo printing site.

  The pilot stores are in Best Buy’s Northern California, Minneapolis, and Baltimore markets, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Depending on how the test goes, the nation’s largest electronics retailer may expand the recycling program to all of its 922 stores in the United States, says the AP.

  Consumers will be able to bring in up to two gadgets per day at the participating Best Buy stores. The list of acceptable items includes phones, cameras, and other select devices and peripherals, along with computer processors, computer monitors, and televisions with screens up to 32 inches. Console televisions, air conditioners, microwave ovens, and other large appliances won’t be accepted.

  All Best Buy stores already have been accepting some electronics waste — such as cell phones, empty inkjet cartridges, and worn-out batteries — for several years. The retailer also will haul away old appliances and television sets when customers pay to have a replacement delivered to their homes.

  Best Buy agreed to set up the recycling trial after a social responsibility group, As You Sow, submitted a proposal that would have asked the company’s shareholders to endorse an electronics recycling program, says the AP. As You Sow withdrew the proposal after Best Buy indicated it was already exploring ways to expand its existing recycling programs.

Beltsville, MD - April 22, 2008 - In celebration of Earth Day, Ritz Camera, the largest retail camera and photo chain in the United States, today announced a unique new promotion called “Buy Green, Be Green” that empowers customers to make a significant contribution to the environment. Simply put, each time a customer purchases a special edition ECO-Green color Nikon COOLPIX S52 camera, Ritz Camera will make a donation to Carbonfund.org to help prevent nearly two tons of carbon dioxide from harming the Earth. This donation will also make the customer carbon neutral for one month by offsetting his or her carbon footprint.

“We are delighted to offer our customers the ‘Buy Green, Be Green’ promotion with the new, special edition ECO-Green Nikon S52 camera,” said David Ritz, CEO, Ritz Camera. “We believe our customers will respond enthusiastically to this promotion and together with their support we hope to accomplish our goal of reducing nearly 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the environment.”

As part of this promotion, Ritz Camera has partnered with Carbonfund.org, a certified 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization that leads the fight against global warming climate change. Ritz Camera will fund the reforestation activities of Carbonfund.org. These efforts will offset 1.91 tons of carbon dioxide per camera sold during the promotion. The average American produces this amount of carbon dioxide each month as a result of daily activities such as electricity use and travel, according to Carbonfund.org data.

“People make choices every day, from the clothes they wear to the gadgets they buy. If you’re in the market for a digital camera, this promotion from Ritz Camera offers you the choice to make a difference,” said Eric Carlson, executive director at Carbonfund.org. “Not everyone has the ability to drastically change their lifestyle to help reduce pollution in the environment. But by reducing what wecan and choosing products and opportunities that help offset our carbon emissions, we can make contributions that add up over time to make a huge positive impact on the environment.”

Customers can track Ritz Camera’s progress toward its goal of helping reduce almost 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the environment by visiting www.ritzpix.com/green . The website also provides additional detail about Carbonfund.org and simple ways people can reduce their impact on the environment.

The Nikon COOLPIX S52 camera was introduced earlier this month and the special edition ECO-Green color is available exclusively at Ritz Camera. The camera features 9.0 effective megapixels, a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and manual sensitivity settings as high as ISO 3200. The COOLPIX S52 includes Nikon’s unique image innovations including enhanced Face-Priority AF, which automatically finds and focuses on up to five faces within the frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.

The special edition ECO-Green Nikon COOLPIX S52 will be available exclusively at Ritz Camera stores nationwide and on www.ritzpix.com/green starting May 1, 2008 for an MSRP of $249.95.

About Ritz Camera Centers, Inc.
Ritz Camera Centers, headquartered in Beltsville, MD, is the largest specialty camera and image chain in the United States with approximately 1,000 locations in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The chain of stores includes Ritz Camera, Wolf Camera, Kits Camera, Inkley’s and The Camera Shop. All name brand camera and digital imaging products are available.
All stores have RitzPix Departments with sit-down Print Bars offering digital prints and many other image products including enlargements, photo books and cards “in minutes”. The Ritz Camera Centers, Inc. website, www.ritzpix.com, offers customers these same image products in 1 Hour with in-store pick-up and without shipping charges.

Ritz Camera Centers, Inc. also owns and operates Boater’s World Marine Centers, a leading marine specialty retail chain with 140 stores nationwide.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is the country’s leading carbon reduction and offset organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting high-quality verified renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. Carbonfund.org works with over 650 corporate and non-profit partners including Discovery, Allstate, Volkswagen, Dell, Orbitz, Environmental Defense, and Lancôme.