Photography News 09

Profile

INTERVIEW

BIOGRAPHY AGE: 38 YEARS IN THE PHOTO INDUSTRY: 21 BIOGRAPHY

Chris Carr This issue PN quizzes Manfrotto UK’s managing director Chris Carr to find out what makes Manfrotto such a trusted and recognised brand

CURRENT LOCATION: Ashby-de-la-Zouch LAST PICTURE TAKEN: At a friend’s wedding HOBBIES: Photography, football, spending time with my family WHEN YOUWERE YOUNGER, WHAT DID YOUWANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREWUP? An architect DOGS OR CATS? Definitely dogs TOAST OR CEREAL? Toast EMAIL OR PHONE CALL? Phone call all times. The new surface-mounted LED technology used on the Spectra 500F LED light is amazing with zero flicker when dimmed and the Advanced Tri Backpack Medium is so clever and flexible it is my first choice bag. Manfrotto’s tripods are known for their quality and durability, but often not the physical flexibility that competingmodels offer. Is that something you are working on developing? For Manfrotto, quality and durability are absolutely crucial and critical to photographers’ needs – that being said we do have some of the most versatile products in the market with the likes of Befree, hybrid photo/ video heads, Sympla video rigs, Fluid monopods and the complete KLYP system. We of course have products being designed and just about to launch, with one product which will revolutionise photography for people who love the great British outdoors! TheKLYP+rangeisthefirstall-in-onephotographic set for iPhones. Is the smartphone photographer the customer you are seeing the biggest rise in demand from? Yes, but only because we are only now offering accessories for their photography. Many photographers now have iPhones with them at all times – it may not be their best camera but often it is the best camera they have with them. We just want to ensure they have everything they need to get the best shot possible. Is there a product that hasn’t yet been developed that youwould like to see on themarket? Yes, but we are not in a position to release it just yet, you will just have to keep an eye out to find out more over the coming months. In the beginning, Manfrotto products were developed by photographers. Is that how R&D works today? Yes, withsignificant input fromdesigners andengineers to ensure the initial concept is delivered to the quality you would expect fromManfrotto. What are your future ambitions forManfrotto? We aim to continue to build our relationship with photographers, providing the solutions they need so they can realise their full potential. Come and see us at our Manfrotto Takeover Roadshows throughout June and July where there’ll be free seminars fromexpert photographers like David Noton, Drew Gardner, Michael Freeman, Phil Coates, Adam Duckworth and many more.

Can you tell us about your role atManfrotto? I manage the Manfrotto UK team. Between them they have over 300 years’ experience in the photographic trade. Together we ensure that in conjunction with our retail partners we get the products that photographers need to market and also help explain to people how the right accessories can improve their photography. At the end of the sixties, Lino Manfrotto was working as a photographer in Bassano del Grappa (close to Venice) and due to the lack of suitable equipment for his photographic needs he made his first product which was a light and sturdy lamp stand. Then in 1974 with support from his new partners the first Manfrotto tripod was created which joined the already existing wide range of light stands produced by Manfrotto, including the Autopole, Superboom and Superclamp. By the eighties, demand became so large that the production sites near Venice expanded to another five sites where we still make tripods today. Manfrotto is one of themost established brands in the industry. Please tell us about its history. Why do you think Manfrotto has the strong reputation that it does? We understand photography, many of our team both here in the UK and globally are photographers either professionally or in their spare time. In addition, we listen very carefully to other photographers, taking their feedback on board and slowly but surely we will find the best product for photographers’ needs. HowmuchhaveManfrotto’s tripods changedsince first being produced in the seventies? The basic principles have remained the same, and I am sure that many readers, like me, will still have a Manfrotto tripod they bought 15-20 years ago, but at the same time our improved designs have helped support the photographer and videographer in capturing their imagination. Someof thenewtechnology like theManfrottovideo heads, which provide fantastic fluidity to videography, have been revolutionary, whilst other developments like the new Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way Head is one of those things where everybody that sees it says simply, ‘Why has that not been done before?’ The 190 series recently won Best Tripod at the TIPA Awards, why do you think they make such successful products? The 190 rangehas always beenoneof thebenchmarks for tripods in the industry and this range builds upon that, focusing on the fantastic feedback we have had over the years. We havemade it stronger so it can hold more, taller at full extension yet shorter when folded down for transport, easier to open with the new Quick

Power Locks, as well as handy features like a rotating bubble level and easy link to connect accessories to.

The new Manfrotto

Manfrotto has grown from a manufacturer of innovative but basic photography accessories to selling a broad range of products, from bags to tripods to LEDs. Is this breadth of product the directionManfrottowill continue to head in? If a product idea supports the photographer to capture their imagination and we can then make what that photographer needs to the standard and quality you’d expect fromManfrotto, then the answer is yes. Camera bags are a relatively new venture for Manfrotto, what are your ambitions in this very competitivemarket? Our aim is to provide a wide range of bags, that enables us to answer the needs of all photographers (of varying levels and interests) combining the level of innovation and the quality you have come to expect fromall Manfrotto products. The scale of this challenge is significant because a photographer’s needs change so we have tried to answer it with a number of ranges. The Manfrotto Stile range is designed for the social photographer who does not want to carry a technical camera bag and therefore design and colour are crucial. Whilst the Manfrotto Advanced range is your more traditional technical bag with lots of pocket space, rain cover etc. Finally, the Manfrotto Professional bags are designed for ultimate protection; they have an Exo-tough exterior and a reinforced divider system inside called the Camera Protection System, which does just that. Tocomplement these ranges, wehave just launched the Manfrotto Pro Light collection. This provides a lightweight solution for the outdoor photographer whilst still utilising the strength of the Camera Protection System as found in our Professional range of bags. witnessedwhilst atManfrotto? The most significant change is the amount of videography being completed by what used to be traditional photographers. Some of the cameramodels changed this clearly but it is also fantastic to see some traditionalists take to a new medium. What significant developments have you What is the most innovative product Manfrotto has on themarket? That’s hard for me to answer as many of our products are innovative, for example we have recently won seven Red Dot Awards for innovation in our latest products. From a personal and photographer’s perspective, the Befree Travel tripod is great because it folds down to 40cm so you can have it with you at

XPRO3-Way Head is one of those thingswhere everybody that sees it says simply, ‘Whyhas this not beendone before?’

π To find out more, go to www.manfrotto.co.uk.

Photography News | Issue 9