Imaging USA Report, Day 0

Below is a preview of the ImagingUSA Expo in Tampa Florida, a presenation of the Professional Photographers of America.

(Comments, if any, after the Jump)

YouTube version, below.


Yes, yes, I know, it's 2008 now, and the text reads 2007.

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UPDATED: Gary Fong Knockoff! or His Wholesale Source?

Today, I was browsing for some equipment, in a store I don't normally shop, based in Hong Kong, DealExtreme. I stumbled upon an item that I not only paid $49 for from my US source, Gary Fong (at right), but I also paid $19 for a "tungsten" top of the device. Then, I run across the combined pair of items, seen below, for a sum total of $16.64, including shipping from Hong Kong! WHAT GIVES? Is this the same item?

(Continued after the Jump)

Gary has his item identified as the Lightsphere. DealExtreme calls it "Lambency Flash Diffuser". Over 400 of them can be found on Ebay under the Lambency name (below).
The items appear identical, and are available in both clear and opaque versions.

So, the question arises - since it's doubtful that Gary Fong owns the manufacturing of these, and unknown if he actually developed the device, could it be that Gary found these on a trip, and has been importing them for under $8 from the same manufacturer as DealExtreme (and all the ebayers) have, and selling them at a 600%+ markup?

Or, instead, did Fong design and find off-shore manufacturing of the device, and now it's being knocked off by others, or, since Fong has developed a new, WhaleTail and is now selling the Lightsphere at a $10 discount off his $49 price (i.e. drawing down the production), is the plant continuing to churn out the product and selling them to other companies who are selling them now worldwide for a fraction of Fong's price?

I do know that others whom I trust have made purchases without any problems from DealExtreme, so I am not concerned (in this case) about doing business with them. However, really, what gives?

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UPDATE: What gives, is that these guys are knocking off Gary's product, as he notes in the comments! (see below)

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JUST ANNOUNCED! Estimates & Bids

Back in October, we launched Assignment Construct, which delved into the what, where, when, why and how (not so much the who), of assignment photography. To date, nearly 20,000 people have looked at over 50,000 pages of those insights.

So, what was missing? Well, aside from the "who", it was really, the "how much."

(Full post and comments, after the Jump)

Enter Estimates & Bids, and the approach that "many minds, useful results" can provide insights to all.

One of the things that has been happening for probably seven or eight years, is that friends and colleagues have been calling to bounce ideas off me as to pricing and negotiating for a wide variety of assignments. These are calls I was happy to take, and moreover, I've made a few calls myself.

Of late, I've been getting a nice collection of e-mails of the same nature, and moreover, I get the calls and e-mails myself from prospective (and repeat) clients, all looking for estimates for the work I do for them. These inquiries go beyond the inquiries I get that can be resolved by referring to my online calculator on my pricing pages on John Harrington.com. So, what better way than to take those requests, and shine the light of day on them in a public forum. To engage the collective mind, and do a little learnin' in the process?

So, if you're writing to ask me how I might price an assignment, I'm happy to help, and the conduit not only to my help, but that of the collective brain trust of photographers, is Estimates & Bids. Friends and colleagues will continue to call, but, the results of that exchange will (with their permission) likely end up on Estimates & Bids. You will then have the opportunity to put in your two cents, ask questions, and everyone benefits.

But, this is interactive. This requires participation in the comments section of each post. But, for a number of reasons, we've opted to keep the comments moderated, so the level of comment and learnin' will be much higher (hopefully!).

This will, by no means, be something that would take the place of Blinkbid or fotoBiz/fotoQuote. In fact, those software packages should be what you use to prepare your estimates to send off! They have things like terms and conditions, coaching capabilities for your phone calls back and forth, databases of past work, and tracking capabilities, secondary pricing modules for post-assignment stock inquiries, and so forth. I certainly rely on fotoQuote on what seems like an almost daily basis, but which I can be sure is definitely a weekly basis!

Lastly, if you have an inquiry from a prospective client, send it along, and we'll consider posting it with (hopefully) enough time between when you send it and we post it, and when you need to send in your own estimate. Perhaps this will help you in providing a thoughtful response to your prospective client's request.

So, please take a look. There are three real assignments aready up - two assignments I got a call for, and one that was an inquiry from a colleague, to lead things off.

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Li-Ion Battery Ban Solution for Airline Travel

There is, rightly so, a great deal of consternation as it pertains to batteries that will be aboard aircraft, effective yesterday. I'd hate to be traveling on assignment with gear in the coming weeks (thankfully, I am not, as of now, scheduled to travel with cameras in the coming weeks), while the TSA gets their act together and learns how to handle professional photographers and videographers under this DOT/FAA change.

In the interim, what can we do, and how, exactly, does this affect us?

Let's look at specific batteries, do the math, and offer a few solutions.

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Geek Alert: If you're in a hurry, or confuse easily, skip to the bottom for the conclusion...

First things first - the AP is reporting "...air travelers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage...Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers...."The ban affects shipments of non-rechargeable lithium batteries...", but the AP, according to the official DOT website, there is no distinguishing between rechargeable and non-rechargable.

It' all about total Lithium-ion battery content. The full rules were published in the Federal Register back in August, probably when most of us were on vacation and not doing our daily read of the Register. It can be read in PDF form here. (this is worth printing and carrying with you, highlighted where it best serves you, as a part of your travel documents. For those of you not wanting to delve into the nuances of lawmaking, which, like sausage making, is best left unviewed, you can skip to page 22, and highlight the Part 175 section.)

A few worthwhile excerpts:

~ For example, several thousand small lithium batteries consolidated together present a higher potential risk than a shipment of a single lithium battery

Thus, why each passenger can carry a few, because they are expecting that several will carry a small amount. Woe-be-the-press plane with hundreds of battery packs in the hold, or carryon! Political campaigns, are you listening?

~ The amendments adopted here include tightened testing standards to ensure that batteries that pose the greatest risk in transportation are designed to withstand normal conditions of transportation and packaged to minimize risks of mishandling or damage in transit.

Thus, you can expect,in short order, that manufacturers will change the labeling on their batteries to say "air worthy", or some other designator. This is a boon for manufacturers, who will not be able to sell new batteries to all those currently with batteries, because the new batteries will be designated "air worthy."

The FINAL RULE, as outlined in the Federal Register, sets forth several designations:

	Small (no more than)	Medium (between)	Large (more than)
Cells: Primary Secondary	1g Li. 1.5g ELC*	1g and 5g Li. 1.5g and 5g ELC.	5g Li. 5g ELC.
Batteries: Primary Secondary	2g Li. 8g ELC	2g and 25g Li. 8g and 25g ELC.	&25g Li. 25g ELC.

ELC = Equivilent Lithium Content.

"For purposes of this rulemaking, we use the term ‘‘primary lithium battery’’ to refer to a non-rechargeable battery and the term ‘‘secondary lithium battery’’ to refer to a rechargeable battery."

This is a very important designator, because there are different allowances (as outlined below) for these two types.

"In weighing the costs and benefits of regulation, we consider the mode of transportation and impose the strictest standards in air transportation, particularly passenger service."

Note, they say "passenger service". More on this later.

Almost all of the incidents that occurred, and that the NTSB investigated (as outlined in the Register), were of major battery shipments, although there were a few carry-on issues they noted.

"Inevitably, further technological advances, new product development, and market shifts will drive continued change in risks and benefits. We are committed to addressing those changes in a manner that safeguards our transportation systems and the traveling public, while promoting positive technological advances and minimizing regulatory costs and burdens for
consumers and industry, including small businesses."

Thanks for thinking of us.

HM–224E Rulemaking. Based in part on the June 2004 FAA technical report...The IFR prohibits the ...transportation ...of primary lithium batteries and cells, and equipment containing or packed with large primary lithium batteries (i.e., batteries containing greater than 25 grams of lithium) as cargo aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. In addition, equipment packed with or containing small or medium-size primary lithium batteries (i.e., batteries containing 25 grams or less of lithium) must be transported in accordance with Special Provisions A101 or A102. Under these Special Provisions, a primary lithium battery or cell packed with or contained in equipment may not exceed a net
weight of 5 kg (11 pounds). Finally, the outside of each package that contains a primary lithium battery or cell
forbidden for transport aboard passenger carrying aircraft must be marked ‘‘PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES—
FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.’’

Are any of your batteries currently marked as such? Didn't think so.

"Unless contained in equipment, each package containing more than 24 lithium cells or 12 lithium batteries must also be: (1) Marked to indicate it contains lithium batteries and special procedures must be followed in the event that the package is damaged; (2) Accompanied by a document indicating the package contains lithium batteries and special procedures must be followed in the event that the package is damaged; (3) No more than 30 kilograms gross weight; and (4) Capable of withstanding a 1.2 meter drop test in any orientation without shifting of the contents that would allow short circuiting, and without release of package contents."

Note here, the new law is does not use the word "installed", it says "contained in equipment", which lends credence to the idea that a battery could be "contained" in chargers for batteries, like Nikon's, that use a cradle.

"As amended in the IFR, lithium batteries contained in equipment and spares of all types (primary and secondary) are authorized in carry-on or checked baggage."

This looks promising.

"...spare lithium batteries may only be carried in carry-on luggage and that they must be individually protected against short circuits. Unprotected batteries are susceptible to short circuits when exposed to items typically carried by passengers and crew members, such as car keys and coins. We recommend that passengers protect spare batteries by placing them in protective cases or individual zip-top bags or placing non-conductive tape across exposed terminals."

They define:

"Aggregate lithium content means the sum of the grams of lithium content or equivalent lithium content contained by the cells comprising a battery."

So, the aggregated amount is all of your batteries, combined together. Do the math with your batteries. The Register gives you the formula:

Equivalent lithium content means, for a lithium-ion cell, the product of the rated capacity, in ampere-hours, of a lithium-ion cell times 0.3, with the result expressed in grams. The equivalent lithium content of a battery equals the sum of the grams of equivalent lithium content contained in the component cells of the battery.

They go on to say:

" The provisions of paragraph (a)(1) {preclusion from flying on passenger aircraft} do not apply to packages that contain 5 kg (11 pounds) net weight or less of primary lithium batteries or cells that are contained in or packed with equipment and the package contains no more than the number of lithium batteries or cells necessary to power the piece of equipment; "

We fall under the new, Part 175-Carriage By Aircraft, as amended, regulation, which reads:

§175.10 Exceptions.
(a) ***
(17) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, consumer electronic and medical devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top and notebook computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium cells or batteries and spare lithium batteries and cells for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Each
spare battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g., by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch) and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following: (i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or (ii) For a lithium-ion battery, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of not more than 8 grams per battery, except that up to two batteries with an
aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried.

So, here's my carry-on equipment:
Both my Canon and Nikon batteries are marked: Canon-2300mAh, Nikon-2500mAh. Since all batteries we use are listed in mAh, or milliamp hours, using the higher 2500mAh, that translates to 2.5 Ah. Thus:

2.5Ah x 0.3 = .75g.

So, when installed in a device, your camera's battery counts for .75g of your allotment.

My Apple 17" laptop is powered by a 5400mAh battery (although nowhere on the battery does it actually list the mAh). Thus:

5.4Ah x 3 = 1.62g.

So, when installed in my laptop, my battery counts for 1.62g of my allotment.

Small lithium cells and batteries.
Lithium cells or batteries, including cells or batteries packed with or contained in equipment, are not subject to any other requirements of this subchapter if they meet all of the following:

b. For a lithium metal or lithium alloy cell, the lithium content is not more than 1.0 g. For a lithium-ion cell, the equivalent lithium content is not more than 1.5 g;

c. For a lithium metal or lithium alloy battery, the aggregate lithium content is not more than 2.0 g. For a lithium-ion battery, the aggregate equivalent lithium content is not more than 8 g;

Thus, since I travel with two laptop Lithium-ion batteries (not cells), each of them falling below the aggregate equivilent, they are ok.

Solutions:

1) One solution that has been bantied about is "install" the batteries in your charger! Well, my read of the EOS 1Ds Mark III and the Nikon D3 manuals all refer to "placing" the batteries in the charger, not "installing" them, so, I think this is going to be a tenuous argument to the TSA lackey at the security checkpoint. Further, it doesn't change the aggregated maximum Li-ion capacity you can take - installed or spare. However, the actual law says "contained in", which means it should be fine.

2) Label your batteries with something like a brother p-touch. We do that with our contact information and battery # (i.e. Battery 01, Battery 02, Battery 03, and so forth). Label it: "Li-ion content: 0.75g". Under 2g requirement.

3) Ship your batteries. This entire issue is about passenger aircraft.

When transported aboard cargo-only aircraft, packages containing primary lithium batteries and cells transported in accordance with Special Provision A45 of the ICAO Technical Instructions must be marked ‘‘PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT’’ or ‘‘LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN
FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.’’ This marking is not required on packages that contain 5 kg (11 pounds) net weight or less of primary lithium batteries or cells that are contained in or packed with equipment. "

Battery weights:

• the Canon LP-E4, for the EOS Mark III line of cameras, and the Nikon EN-EL4a batteries both weigh in at .4 lbs. You could ship, in one package, over twenty of them, and be just fine.

CONCLUSION:

We fall under the new, Part 175-Carriage By Aircraft, as amended, regulation, which reads (I am putting this in this post twice, so you are sure to read it, if you skipped to the bottom):

§175.10 Exceptions.
(a) ***
(17) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, consumer electronic and medical devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top and notebook computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium cells or batteries and spare lithium batteries and cells for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Each
spare battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g., by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch) and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following: (i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or (ii) For a lithium-ion battery, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of not more than 8 grams per battery, except that up to two batteries with an
aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried.

So I can travel with a battery installed in Camera #1 (0.75g), two extra batteries for that camera (2x 0.75g), and in Camera #2 (0.75g), two extra batteries for that camera (2x 0.75g); Laptop battery (1.62g), an extra laptop battery (1.62), for a sub-total of 4.5g Li-ion for the cameras, a laptop sub-total of 3.24, or a grand total of 7.74g. Well below my limits.

Thus, I expect that the effect on us will be minimal, especially when we put batteries in individual zip-locks, keep them in manufacturer packaging (like AA's) until use, leave them in equipment, and place tape over contacts, we should all be fine.

Note: If someone wants to provide a re-interpretation of the laws, and post it in comments, or send it to me via e-mail, I am happy to look over another interpretation, and amend/update my post, as applicable.

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Don't Be Like Mark Focus!

Thanks to my colleague Stanley Rowin over at Pro Photo Business Blog for revealing this YouTube piece, of a photographer spiraling down from a high dollar figure to free during this 60 second example of self-flagellation, and further evidence of the negotiation axiom "whoever speaks first loses" after price is discussed:

(Continued after the Jump)

Interestingly, the character playing the photographer, humorously named Mark Focus (that's got to somehow be funny to all the people with Canon Mark III cameras having focus problems) is actor Eric Krupnik, who is also listed as a production assistant for this 1969 movie titled Putney Swope. Was Krupnik living the mentality of his character as well? Krupnik has done little since in the film industry, whereas Putney Swope (played by Arnold Jackson) went on to a well rounded career as an actor!

The plotline and one comment about the movie from IMDb:

ark satire in which the token black man on the executive board of an advertising firm is accidentally put in charge. Renaming the business "Truth and Soul, Inc.", he replaces the tight regime of monied white ad men with his militant brothers. Soon afterwards, however, the power that comes with its position takes its toll on Putney...

This movie shows that the free enterprise system and the quest for the almighty buck transcends all racial and ethnic barriers. Ultimately the market place determines the message that is sent to the public....A conservative white-collar advertising company is taken over by a group of street-wise African Americans...who wants to make a buck and believes he can sell products by telling the the truth. But the movie shows that no matter how hard he tries to do something different, the market place and the political system demands that he conform, rendering him no different than his predecessors. Interesting, off-beat movie.

Gotta love the low-five that the "militant" bodyguard (played by Buddy Butler) gives Putney Swope at the end!

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A Time for New Beginnings

Yes yes, I know, everyone has New Year's resolutions. I'm not suggesting you do that, but you will anyway, and you'll likely not follow through on that weight loss plan, get rich scheme, or other bright idea that, at 11:45pm this evening, will seem like such a good idea three shots in, but will be just a blur of an idea the morning after. Instead, consider that, from a tax and bookkeeping standpoint, beginning to use accounting software like Quickbooks (at right, the TOP link is the PC version - 2008, and at BOTTOM is the Mac version, currently 2007, make sure you pick the right one!), MYOB, or invoicing/estimating software on January 1, 2008 is, in fact, the easiest and cleanest way to get your financial house in order.

It's not that you shouldn't have done it months ago, in fact, the day you started your business (or before) you should have, but it's high time you do so if you have been procrastinating.

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It's as simple as buying the software today, Monday, and it'll likely arrive by Friday. Over the weekend, you can learn a bit about it, and when your bank statement for December arrives a few days later, use as the closing balance for your December statement (which probably actually closed between the 31st and the 7th) your opening balance in the software.

As checks from jobs from December come in, just re-create your invoice in the software as they were however you did it previously, using the categories that apply, like "photographers assignment fees" become "professional services", and so forth.

After several months, the notion of going back to reconstitute several months' worth of transactions is daunting, so you have a wonderful window of opportunity to get your act straight in a real and meaningful way for the coming year. In addition, six months from now, you'll be able to, with a few clicks of a mouse generate reports that make you look like the real business that you are, and show you how your income is trending, and where your profit centers are. Sound foreign? If so, what are you waiting for, get on it!

Happy New Years!

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