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Ritz Camera Centers to buy The Camera Shop, Inc.

According to PMAI Daily Newsline, Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Beltsville, Md., USA, will acquire The Camera Shop, Inc. effective Aug. 2. Ritz Camera is the largest specialty photographic chain in the United States with more than 915 stores, while The Camera Shop is the third largest with 72 stores. Both companies offer traditional and digital cameras, as well as 1-hour traditional and digital photofinishing services. The Camera Shop will continue to operate under its name in its major markets of Philadelphia, Pa., Delaware and New Jersey. All Ritz Camera Center promotions, products and programs will be available at all Camera Shop locations. John Bogosian, president of The Camera Shop, said Visual Sound Co., a division of The Camera Shop, will continue to serve the industrial, educational and commercial markets. Bogosian will serve as vice president of Ritz Camera Centers. Said David M. Ritz, president and CEO of Ritz Camera, "Customers of both companies should be very happy with this combination."

Dennis Harding Named Nikon Industrial Photographer of the Year
at 1999 Professional Photographers Association Convention

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon today presented the 24th annual Industrial Photographer of the Year Award to Chevron Corporation's Director of Photography Dennis Harding. For more than 30 years, Harding's evocative images -- captured around the globe and on nearly every continent -- served to publicize both the company and its services and operations.

The prestigious award -- a Nikon F5 professional camera and a laser etched plaque -- was presented to Harding by Nikon Forensic Services Technical Representative Bob Carruthers at the 1999 Professional Photographers of America Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Carruthers praised Harding's works as "prime examples of excellence in a lifetime of achievements..." "From the Americas -- North and South -- to such disparate locales as West Africa, Australia, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Papua, New Guinea, Dennis Harding's portfolio of images is a credit to his company, his talent and our profession. His body of work consistently achieves the delicate creative balance between the aesthetic requirements of the image, the demands of commercial photography and the needs of his company."

The son of a steelworker in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Harding attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a chemistry major and worked part time at a local photo studio where he says he became "hooked on this photography thing." In 1976 -- already serving as Chief Photographer at Pennsylvania Electric Company -- Harding achieved PPA's Master of Photography designation and a year later was hired by Gulf Oil as Chief Photographer for North America and West Africa. Harding was named Director of Photography for Chevron in 1984, following the company's acquisition of Gulf Oil. Directing a staff of five and a cadre of talented freelance photographers, Harding was now responsible for providing a visual identification of Chevron Corporation whether those images are seen by stockholders in an annual report, by employees during presentations, hung in office lobbies or posted on the web. Explains Harding: "The company values the power of my images to portray the company in a positive light; convey the company's concern for safety and the environment, and provide an invaluable historical archive."

Kodak Names Aschman Head of Commercial Unit in Kodak Professional

HOLLYWOOD, CA.--Eastman Kodak Company announced that Richard P. Aschman has been named to the position of Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Strategic Business unit for Kodak Professional, effective July 12. Most recently, Aschman has led the company's Professional Motion Imaging (PMI) division, based in Hollywood.

The Commercial unit is the largest business in the Kodak Professional division and is a major supplier of traditional still films, ink jet systems, high-end digital cameras and imaging software for advertising, sports photography, illustration, photojournalism, and other uses.

Aschman's position as president of PMI will be assumed by Joerg D. Agin, who will remain, also, Senior Vice President and President of Entertainment Imaging, the parent organization for PMI. "In the time Dick has been with us, he's run PMI with a real sense of confidence and a clear sense of direction," Agin said. "He leaves with the thanks and gratitude of many."

In his 27 year career, Aschman has had a number of leadership positions in various business units of the company. His most recent position, prior to PMI, has been a five-year management assignment in Kodak's Asia Pacific region, based in Japan. He is a graduate of Ohio State University and lives with his family in Rochester, NY.

Nikon School Announces New Cities for 1999 - 2000

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon Inc. today announced the new
1999/2000 schedule for the Nikon School of Photography, an enlightening
seminar offering both beginner and advanced amateur photographers expert
advice on everything from the basics to the latest in new photographic
techniques and technologies.

The school is pleased to feature its newly expanded curriculum, including
an introduction to digital photography. With four new locations added to the
schedule -- Southbury, CT, Durham, NC, Mesa, AZ and Indianapolis, IN -- the
school will visit a total of 21 cities this season, beginning September 25 in
Arlington, VA. These one-day, weekend classes combine audio-visual
presentations with lectures to provide a fun and exciting experience for all
photography enthusiasts, regardless of what camera equipment they use.

"The Nikon School was created to bring amateur photographers to a new
level by enhancing their creative techniques," said Bill Pekala, General
Manager of Nikon Professional Services. "The school is great for any
photographer who wants to take better photographs."

Created by Nikon, the school is taught by award-winning professional
photographers Bill Durrence and Sam Garcia, and addresses such general
subjects as portrait, scenic, fine art, sports and special purpose
photography; photojournalism; and general photography tips. Also covered are
the latest technological advances that have created new opportunities for
expanded creative control. During the eight-hour session the topics discussed
include camera handling, understanding light, exposure, metering, close-up
photography, lens selection, composition, flash photography.

The Nikon School of Photography one-day courses run from 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday. The $99 fee includes lunch and a 157-page
Nikon School Handbook, a comprehensive guide to photography, filled with
easy-to-understand examples and helpful hints from the pros (a $24.95 value).
Tickets can be ordered by mail from Nikon School, 1300 Walt Whitman Road,
Melville, NY 11747 or by calling 516-547-8666 or faxing 516-547-0309. Major
credit cards are accepted.

1999-2000 Nikon School of Photography

1999
Sep 25-26 Arlington, VA Crystal City Marriott
Oct 2-3 Southbury, CT Southbury Hilton
Oct 16-17 Bellevue, WA Meydenbauer Center
Oct 23-24 Anaheim, CA Anaheim Marriott
Nov 6-7 Chicago, IL Chicago O'Hare Marriott
Nov 13-14 Cincinnati, OH Radisson Hotel Cincinnati
Nov 20-21 Houston, TX Houston Marriott West Loop
Dec 11-12 New York, NY Fashion Institute of Technology

2000
Jan 8-9 Weston, MA (Boston) Regis College
Jan 15-16 Mesa, AZ Mesa Comm & Conference Center
Jan 22-23 Orlando, FL Disney Institute
Feb 5-6 Durham, NC Durham Marriott at the Civic Center
Feb 12-13 Berkeley. CA Berkeley Marina Radisson
Feb 26-27 Atlanta, GA Sheraton Buckhead Atlanta
Mar 4-5 Baltimore, MD BWI Airport Marriott
Mar 11-12 New York, NY Fashion Institute of Technology
Mar 25-26 Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia Airport Hilton
Apr 1-2 Addison, TX (Dallas) Addison Conference Center
Apr 8-9 Denver, CO Westin Tabor Center Denver
Apr 29-30 Chicago, IL Chicago O'Hare Marriott
May 6-7 Detroit Metro area Macomb Community College
May 20-21 New York, NY Fashion Institute of Technology
Jun 3-4 San Diego, CA SD Marriott Mission Valley
Jun 10-11 Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis MarriottSterling, VA.

Business news JUNE 1999