Important Polite Notice!

I understand that some folk are disappointed to find that some items of news or information that they are expecting to see posted here are not to be found. I must make it clear that whilst I don't mind doing this basic site, I'm not a roving reporter as well and rely on others to send me anything important and/or interesting that needs to be circulated to member clubs. So, in brief, as I usually upload stuff on receipt, if it's not here, I haven't received it! Ruth

Day at Port Lympne -

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is running an animal photography course
on the 17th July and 7th August, it is a bespoke opportunity for
photographers to spend a day with our expert wildlife photographer
Dave Rolfe as well as meet our keepers and of course get close to the
wide range of animals at Port Lympne so they can advance and develop
their wildlife photography skills.

Numbers are strictly limited to 8 per day so booking is essential, if
this is a course which you feel your members would be interested in
then please email stevec@aspinallfoundation.org or call 01303 264647
for further information. Alternatively visit:
http://www.aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne/functions-and-events/view/307/Animal-Photography-Course---17th-July-7th-August

Some links that you might find useful, by kind permission of EPUK {Editorial Photographers, UK}, regarding the police misuse of stop and search powers and I'll post anything else that may be useful or interesting.

Posted 26th July

Smash and grab

The NUJ has launched an investigation after a photographer's equipment
was seized and his images deleted by Thames Valley Police.

More here: http://tinyurl.com/35ekhh6

Have you been affected by the Data Protection Act?

The Government has made a call for evidence on how current Data
Protection legislation is affecting individuals and organisations
in the UK.

More here: http://tinyurl.com/34nsepr

Nought to a hundred in 250th of a second

A German designer has unveiled a camera that assesses the artistic
quality of photos in percentages before the shutter is pressed.

More here: http://tinyurl.com/22q9mba

Another fine mess

As BP prepares for a change of CEOs Jeremy Nicholl reports on how
the oil giant is trying to cap a flow of tampered photographs.

More here: http://tinyurl.com/2359h4a

Definitions of Categories

The committee thought it would be helpful to have various definitions available on the site and they will be published as they become available to me. Initially, John Bowsher has supplied to me the PAGB nature definition, as others become available they will be posted here and later on the downloads page. Also below is the correspondence between the KCPA and Kent Police about photographer's rights.

Download the PAGB nature definition

Download the PSA and FIAP definitions

Download the Royal Photographic Society definition

PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit

Various updates from Leo Rich via John Bowsher

February update:
Just a quick note to let you know that the above Adjudication is now fully subscribed and I already have a couple of entries which are being held over. I will not be opening the books for the April 2011 event yet as moves are afoot to try and avoid any applicant having to wait too long. News of this will probably reach you via PAGB enews as I am going to be away for a while.   As in previous years I have made arrangements
for any applications received in the interim to be dated so that we maintain our "first come, first served" procedure.

March Newsflash - Important!

There is to be an additional adjudication, to be held in December, for details, click here

May 4th Update, click here

PAGB Awards Update {May 19th}

Greetings to all; I have sent off all the Certificates to the Federation Secretaries (unless alternative arrangements prevail) and they should receive them before the weekend.   So you have the answer if anyone asks you where theirs is!

Although many clubs are winding down for the Summer, applications for the Awards continue to arrive in a steady stream.   The "additional " one day Adjudication on the 4th December (Credit and Distinction levels only) has six Credit/or 4 Distinction places left and this is despite our attempts to make maximum use of the day because we are cutting down on the "ceremonies"   However we are short of numbers in the Distinction PDI category and do not have enough applicants for this to run - at the moment.   If this does have to be cancelled this will free up a couple of spaces for D prints. Our selectors are going to be kept very busy.

What has been pleasing is this extra event does not seem to have had any adverse effect on the applications for April 2011 because a large number  wish to see their work compared with their peers - and also to enjoy the company/atmosphere which is unique to the Awards.   There are plenty of spaces available and we have applicants in every category except Credit PDI.   The Master Print section is particularly well supported and should be a treat for anyone wishing to see some of the best work in the UK.   I will update you with venue details as soon as I can.

The new Explanatory Leaflet, effective from April 2011 is now downloadable from the  PAGB  Website and can be found at the bottom of the Merit page.   Apart from a small reference on Page Four we have deleted Slides from the entries that will be accepted.   If you still have any Application Forms which refer to Slides can you please delete prior to sending out?   I ask this as I had one very irate person on the telephone the other day who was insisting that, as the form still showed Slides, he was going to enter in this media.   I thought I was going to end up with a Court case.   Making clear we only accept Prints and PDI will do wonders for my blood pressure.

Best wishes, Leo  

Note from Rod Whelan to Leo:

You could probably save a lot of argument (as could everyone else) by stating that, although we are no longer actively promoting them, we will accept Slide entries.  However it is very unlikely that we will get sufficient entries to meet the minimum required to run a section.  Anyone entering will have to wait until there are at least 5 entrants in their section - this may never come to pass.  Rod

31st May update:
December Adjudication - the extra one.  This is now full to bursting.   We have added extra entrants because some of the formalities have been dispensed with but, even so, we could not cater for everyone wishing to enter this event and the unlucky ones have been transferred to April.
April 2011 Adjudication
Many applicants did not wish to enter the December event, in view of its location and being a one day event. They have opted for April as many wish to experience the "joy" of being there on the day and seeing their work assessed against others.   Also it is a good time to rub shoulders with like minded people. So much so I can report that the Credit/Master day is over 40% full and the Distinction Day 45+% full. You know what I am going to say "If anyone is thinking of entering, do not dally"

And finally, please note that the PAGB Awards office is putting up its shutters immediately after the Bank Holiday and will not re-open until 1st July.   As usual  I am arranging for any applications that arrive meantime, to be logged in date order to maintain the "first come, first served" ethos.

Photography in Public Places

The following article is reproduced with kind permission of the Royal Photographic Society in whose Journal it was recently published. You might find it useful to keep in your camera bag.

The National Policing Improvement Agency issued new guidelines in November relating to the implementation of stop and search under the Terrorism Act 2000.

After reported difficulties and misunderstandings relating to the implementation of the Terrorism Act 2000, the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) issued advice relating to the implementation of stop and search under the Act at the end of November, stating that: "The Terrorism Act 2000 does not prohibit people from taking photographs or digital images in an area where an authority under section 44 is in place (power to stop and search people and vehicles under section 44 of the Terrorism Act). These powers are exceptional, and should only be used in specific circumstances." 

Further, the advice reminds police that the 2000 act is meant for use only in cases where the officer seriously suspects the individuals of gathering information for terrorist activities, saying, "If an officer suspects that photographs are being taken as part of hostile terrorist reconnaissance, then a search under Section 43 of the Terrorism Act or an arrest should be considered." 

It reminds officers that the act does not prohibit people from taking photos in public places unless they are suspected of terrorist activities. Even if a police officer suspects an individual of taking photos to inform and aid terrorist plots, the police officer does not have any power to delete images or destroy film. 

Power does remain for officers to restrict photography locally, to protect children, for example, but these decisions are made by local police forces. This was reiterated in July by Lord Bassam, who stated that: "Police officers have the discretion to ask people not to take photographs for public safety or security reasons. However, the taking of photographs in a public place is not subject to any rules or statute."

Despite the law, many professional and non-professional photographers have reported intervention and obstruction by the police in public places. Earlier this year, RPS Director General Stuart Blake contacted the Home Office to clarify the legality of photography in public. The reply, dated 6 June, stated, "There is no legal restriction on photography in public places", and that, "It is for the Chief Constable to ensure that officers and Police Community Support Officers are acting appropriately with regards to photography." 

Useful Abbreviations

The following list gives the meanings of the abbreviations you may find elsewhere on these pages.