I flew up Wednesday night, the show started at 9 am on Thursday. I hit the trade show floor at 9 am, eager and excited to start meeting people and seeing what else was out there. I started off by visiting with the companies that I wonprizes from with the Aperture Nature Photography Workshop.
First up was Think Tank Photo Bags. I walked up and introduced myself and personally thanked them and let them know how much I love my Rotation 360 bag.
Next came Drobo. I love Drobo. From them I received one of their firewire external hard drive units. It is an amazing product that works on both a PC or a Mac. And I use it for everything, not just my photos. I thanked them and we set up an interview for Friday morning! How exciting.
Then came PeachPit Press. I found them and thanked them for all of the books they shipped to me. Told them I couldn't wait to start reading them. As I do start reading them, I will talk about them here.
There were so many vendors to see. Nikon and Epson had huge booths. The Sigma booth had their new telephoto lens on display. You can pick one up for a mere $35,000!
Met lots of people.
That night, went to a great Mexican restraurant with Martin and Rob. Had a great meal. Very cutely decorated. They had great food.
Friday morning I was ready for the trade show again. Round two. This time it would be a short walk on the floor and then over to talk with Mark Fuccio at Drobo. Had a great talk with him. I was able to tell him what I love about Drobo and why it makes things easier for me. Had a class later in the day about how to make your website and blog better. Learned a lot in that class.
Met up with Filic around 4:30 and had some pizza at Lombardi's. They still cook they pizza in the same coal burning oven from 1905. I have been eating at this place for years and the pizza is still delicious. Walked around Soho and the Village. Ended up seeing a Cheryl Underwood at Caroline's. She is FUNNY!
Saturday morning I woke up early and dragged Filic down to a rummage sale in Chelsea. Not his idea of a vacation activity. We had ome across this rummage sale while in the area in July and I had seen an old Polariod camera that I wanted badly. I couldn't leave without checking to see if they had another one for sale. The guys that sell the cameras were there, set up and had left due to the rain. They wouldn't be back. It was 8:30am. Decided to walk over to the Jacob Javits Center. Had to be there by 10 am for an interview.
I was interviewed by Derrick Story from O'Reilly about Aperture on Saturday morning. I was blown away to be interviewed by someone who has written books about photography and who does podcasts about Aperture.
Overall, it was a great trip. Here are some photos:
Church door in Chelsea
Times Square
SoHo
SoHo
Couldn't resist this one...
