The Photography Show is a major event in the Photography world, where all he giants come together showing off there latest gadgets and tempting professionals and keen hobbyists alike into buying new equipment. Even if you already have new equipment then just attending can fill you with inspiration and help you make any plans ahead.

 

A friend of mine went to the 2014 show and told me so much about this event which made me regret not going. So not to make the same mistake twice, i planned ahead deciding to leave the wife and children at home. I put this date aside in my diary, looking at what company’s and speakers would be there purchased my exhibition ticket in advance taking advantage of the discount and even booking a ridiculously cheap rail ticket from London the Birmingham International through Virgin trains.

 

With the doors to the even opening at 10am I anticipated getting an 8:30 train from London Euston (a station that seriously needs modernising) should get me to the venue on time. In true British style of course there was an issue on the train line and the train was delayed which meant by the time it did leave it was heavily overcrowded with photographers alike all carrying their cameras in the rucksacks. If you had reserved tickets now you had the issue even arguments forcing someone out of your reserved seat which meant much seat hopping and squeezing past other passengers and falling on another. In true British commuter style you can just imagine the chaos.

 

That moan aside before I knew it I had arrived at the NEC Birmingham and even though it was later than I planned the queue to get in was enormous! This just made me realise just how popular an even this is and just full of other like minded people. It was time now to get out my schedule and another reason why I had to leave the family at home. A quick walk around to get my bearings it was time now to be at a certain stand at particular times to listen to speakers offering words of wisdom and advice and in between the times of my chosen speakers, use this time to attend company stalls listening to their offers and advice and of course playing with there equipment for free.

 

I have to say in true exhibition style, everything on show was advertised to the customer at bargain price, the sellers behind the counter even pushing this price into you ears tempting the buyers to hand over their cash or tap in a four digit chip and pin number to make a purchase. Now I’m not saying there wasn’t any good offers but I can assure you with some equipment that I need or would like to add to my collection I knew the price on show on this the opening day wasn’t that competitive and knew where I can get my next F2.8 lens for cheaper. I had recently bought a Datacolor device from Amazon with delivery which was delivered 3-4 days later, cheaper than what they could hand over to you by selling it at this show. This seemed to be across the board on this day so my advice is if you really want something… Do your homework first then you decide what’s best as In this day and age we all have to do a bit of penny pinching I’m afraid. I did however thoroughly enjoy talking through the day to five canon reps, Spent most of my day at the Adobe theatre. Arranged photographer insurance picked up ideas and many leaflets (Note bring an additional bag to carry this stuff) and before I knew it, it was approaching 18:00 and time to get my train home. I must have walked a good few miles around this exhibition and Ias I had no children clinging onto me claiming they were hungry, I didn’t even find time to stop for lunch. Leaving and heading for home to catch my train I actually made my first purchase of the day. A cold cup of cappuccino and packet of popcorn before putting my head back and gathering my thoughts, reflecting on my successful day. I fully intend to attend the 2016 show but to avoid the hustle and bustle and non-stop rushing about, I would consider attending the show over two days to spread my seminars out and reduce the frantic pace of my walking.