PhotoRadar announced

Future, the special-interest media group, has announced the launch of PhotoRadar – its latest Radar Network and biggest UK online launch of 2009.

With a market of over 27m digital camera users in the UK, Future is aiming to establish PhotoRadar as the world’s leading online community for digital photographers of all abilities, offering inspiration, instruction, news, reviews, video content and community features.

The launch of PhotoRadar continues Future’s strategy of building its core portfolios across multiple platforms – in print, online and face-to-face. The company already reaches almost 300,000 photography enthusiasts a month through its magazines, digitally, and through its annual Photographer of the Year contest. PhotoRadar joins Future’s stable of international online Networks; BikeRadar, GamesRadar, MusicRadar and TechRadar. Together, these Networks now reach over 25 million unique users a month.

PhotoRadar will have its own dedicated editorial team, led by Rachael D’Cruze, delivering up-to-the minute news, first-look previews and reviews across the whole sector – from compacts and essential camera kit, through to top-end digital SLRS. It will also aggregate existing editorial and video content from Future’s multi-award-winning print titles Digital Camera and PhotoPlus. The latter being the UK’s fastest growing photography magazine.

Offering enthusiasts a rich media experience, PhotoRadar will be packed with video tutorials and user generated content, allowing photographers to upload their own images for peer review, and letting them rate others’ photographs. Pro-level photographers will regularly offer advice, while in-depth starter guides will reveal the best ways for beginners to improve their camera and photo-editing skills.

Robert Price, Chief Executive of Future UK said:

“The launch of PhotoRadar is another key milestone in Future’s digital strategy. Our other Radar sites have been hugely successful, building reach and engagement with our enthusiast audiences. With our strong print, digital and events pedigree in photography, PhotoRadar is a natural extension for us. We have bold plans to make PhotoRadar the world’s biggest and best site for digital photographers.”

Matt Pierce, Group Publisher of Future’s digital creative portfolio, added :

“We were amazed to discover that there weren’t any photography websites managing to serve the needs of all photography enthusiasts. We’ve therefore built PhotoRadar with clear aims: to be the definitive online destination for exciting and fresh photography technique, inspirational imagery, reviews, daily news and photo uploads. We’ve also taken our heritage in quality production values to deliver a site that really looks the part – something we believe will be appreciated by photographers of every ability.”

The beta version of Future’s PhotoRadar goes live late next month at www.photoradar.com – with the full site scheduled to launch in August.