For this issue we asked our contributors to take what they have learned from the last year, mix in a good dose of what they might have heard from peers and manufacturers about what's on the drawing board, and come up with some predictions about what we might expect in the year ahead. Their essays make for fascinating reading, with each contributor discussing an aspect of the...

Today's cameras are microprocessors with lenses. Most of us know how
to change color, sharpness and contrast, and even ISO settings, for every frame
we shoot, but did you know that you can also change how your camera's
dials and buttons work? By using Custom Function settings you can alter the
function of all those dials and buttons and personalize them to the way you
work, or to each unique shooting situation. When the camera comes out of the
box it has certain "default" settings, those chosen by the camera
manufacturer. While there is a certain wisdom in the defaults, they are not
necessarily the best way for your style or shooting needs.

...

Now that the Shutterbug Forums have been online for the last six months I can honestly say that they have been a success. We tried various topics and categories (and we're always open to your suggestions) and have honed them down to what we consider essential areas of interest. The feeling of success comes not so much from our creating the Forums but in how you, the readers...

Willard (Bill) Clark, a photo industry icon and the former executive director
of Photoimaging Manufacturers & Distributors Association (PMDA), died on Sept.
24. He was 77 years old. Cause of death was cancer.



Mr. Clark was associated with the photo industry for more than 40 years primarily
in consumer and trade journalism, both as a writer and photographer, and more
recently with PMDA. He worked with the senior executives of virtually every firm
in the photo industry, serving as confidant and advisor to many and earning the
respect of all.



Mr. Clark came to New York as a photographer for United Press after working for
a small Ohio newspaper as a reporter and photographer. His equipment in those
days was a 4x5 Speed Graphic, standard issue for a news journalist at that time
but now seen only in photo museums and period movies. In 1954 he became associate
editor of U.S. Camera magazine and then founding editor of Camera 35 magazine.
"I was a staff of one," he once said. He subsequently was appointed
editor.



After a variety of other magazine publishing positions, Mr. Clark came back to
the photo industry in 1981 as editor and associate publisher of Photo Weekly Magazine,
which evolved into Photo Business Magazine. His final publishing stint was a short
one as editor of PTN.



Mr. Clark retired from his position as PMDA executive director earlier this year.



At the time of his retirement, some industry associates paid tribute to him. Stacie
Errera, chief marketing officer for Tamron USA, Inc., and current president of
PMDA, said, "Bill always acted as a professional and was liked by everyone.
Everything Bill did was in the best interest of the organization."



Dan Unger, Agfa's director of marketing and PMDA board member, said of Bill:
"He was an easy-going guy who did everything right."



Mr. Clark is succeeded by two sons, Paul, Ashland, OR, and Bruce, Hopewell, NJ,
both attorneys, and two granddaughters, Fiona, 3 ½ and Emmeline, 1. He
was pre-deceased by his wife, Olga.



Editor's Note: The notes on Bill's life were kindly
provided by Jerry Lansky. I knew Bill for almost twenty years and he was always
a class act, with a kind word and encouragement for all. His "How are you
doin', man!" greeting will always echo in my ears. Those fortunate
enough to have known and worked with him understand that he was a great contributor
to photography and the photo industry and a genuinely good soul. I will miss him
greatly.

--George Schaub ...