Panasonic has established a strategic partnership with Gulf Photo Plus to expand the coverage of the 'Let's Get Started in Digital Photography' campaign across the GCC region.

The photo tutorial campaign, which was established in Dubai in May 2006, will now include weekend courses in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar from January to March 2008, said an official spokesman.

To support the campaign, Gulf Photo Plus has enlisted experienced photography instructors to help beginners develop their creativity in using different types of cameras, particularly compact digicams or high-performance DSLRs.

Panasonic is providing product assistance in terms of cameras and necessary equipment, in efforts to promote a culture of responsible photography in view of the growing number of photo enthusiasts in the Gulf region.

"Panasonic is pleased to be part of this exciting campaign, which we believe will greatly help raise the interest level of photography in the Gulf region. Our great advances in digital technology have made high-power photo equipment more affordable to average consumers, and we are intent on further enhancing the experience of our clients by educating them on the different capabilities of our high-performance digital cameras," said product manager, Panasonic Marketing Middle East, Yasuo Kimoto.

Leveraging its cutting-edge technology and expertise in digital photography, Panasonic will also help participants, particularly the absolute beginners, decide on the most suitable specifications, accessories and other related equipment that match their preferences.

According to statistics from previous courses, around 85 per cent of beginners are DSLR users, while 15 per cent prefer compact cameras.

Moreover, around 25 per cent of previous participants of the tutorials wanted to purchase a new camera and had been looking for guidance and proper information to make a wise choice. On the other hand, 23 per cent planned to buy a compact or smaller equipment to complement their DSLR camera.

'Let's Get Started in Digital Photography' was established to address the growing demand for beginner photography courses in the region. Panasonic and Gulf Photo Plus have also organised a 'Level Two' course starting in January for keen upstarts looking to further raise their level of expertise.

“Camera ownership and the demand for photographs from the Middle East has never been higher, which is why we have spent the last four years holding workshops and lectures within the UAE to assist budding photographers. We are very thankful for Panasonic’s ongoing support, which has enabled us to encourage better visual preservation of our country’s heritage,” said director of Gulf Photo Plus Karen Hook.

Gulf Photo Plus is a 5,000-strong web community based in Dubai that provides training and education relating to photography. Owned and developed by FriedKoala and Marketing, Gulf Photo Plus has organised annual workshops and lectures in Dubai for the past four years.- TradeArabia News Service