New Police guidelines for street Photographers.

- Courtesy of BJP

The Home Office has admitted that the police have inappropriately restricted photography in public places, as it prepares new guidelines on stop-and-search powers. Olivier Laurent reports

The police have acted inappropriately at times in restricting photography in public places, the Home Office has admitted as it prepares to release new guidelines to police officers on stop-and-search powers. The ministry has pledged to improve police relations with journalists and photographers after a meeting between the National Union of Journalists and the new Minister for Security, Counter-terrorism, Crime and Policing, Vernon Coaker.

The meeting was arranged after Home Secretary Jacqui Smith shocked photographers by appearing to condone increasing police restrictions, despite confirming ...

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Passport regulations clarified!

We had a couple of phone calls this week from photographers telling us that passport photographs they had taken recently had been rejected by the Post Office as the Passport Office had changed passport picture regulations.

We phoned the Passport Office to find out what was going on. An Identity and Passport Service spokesperson told us that the policy has not changed and has been included in its guidelines since 2005.

From 1st October they will start enforcing the following standards:

• They will no longer accept black and white photos;
• They will no longer accept photos with an off white background and only light grey or cream backgrounds will be accepted;
• School photographs will now be accepted as the onus is on the applicant to gain permission to use any copyrighted photo for their application

They told us: “It is very important that applicants look at the guidance leaflet and send us photos that meet international standards: this allows the use of facial recognition technology and the production of the UK’s new biometric ePassports, to fight fraud and forgery”.

We asked them how the enforced guidelines had been communicated to photographers and the photographic trade press, they told us: “A leaflet explaining passport photograph requirements is included with each passport application. Clear guidance including the standards we are enforcing from 1 October is available on our website and The Passport Advice line can also provide help on queries regarding photograph standards.” So, in short, there has been no communication with the photographic trade or press about the enforced guidelines since they were announced on October 1st.

The good news, for the trade, is that with such strict guidelines to adhere to the chances of passport applicants taking their own photos must be greatly reduced, hopefully increasing the number of people turning to professional photographic services instead.

Article courtesy of Pixel Magazine, 20th October 2008.
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FOMEI Launches in the UK!

Fomei has recently awarded www.photomart.co.uk exclusivity to launch and distribute their exciting range of studio systems.

Professional photographer and Photomart studio specialist, Juan Silva, recently visited the Czech company to see the new range first hand.

“I was incredibly impressed with the new generation of flash systems from Fomei, so much so that I bought a Digitalis Pro 400 kit and brought it back to the UK with me on the plane!” says Juan.

There are 3 different series in their studio range:

1. Digital Pro : 1200 , 600 , 400 Boom light 1200 , 600
2. Digitalis Pro : 600, 400, 200
3. Digitalis : 600, 400, 200

My first impression was that the 3 different models are of good build quality and surprisingly high spec compared to other Bowens and Elinchrom systems.

Across their range the heads are protected by the glass cover to safeguard the user in the event of the modelling lamp or flash tube exploding.

All the units are fan cooled and another big advantage is the umbrella fitting. It is not as centered as the Elinchrom but more centered than the Bowens. On the subject of accessories, Fomei also produce an excellent range of softboxes. Their new …. Range is made from special …. material that is highly resistant to yellowing and produces a superb quality of light.

Flash duration is an impressive 1/2000 on most of the systems and even as short as 1/4000 on the Digitalis 200. Recycling time is a mere 0.1 - 1.7 seconds!

The modelling lamp for the Digital Pro is a thumping 1000w which is more than enough, even for continuous lighting. I even suggested we should market it as 2 for the price of 1! The Digitalis Pro takes a 300w modelling lamp and the smaller unit takes 100w.

But what really impressed me was the “Digitally Super Stabilised” output flash that provides output of such good consistency that the “FotoRobot” company uses the Fomei Digital Pro series for their photographic sequencing system that requires between 30- 50 flashes/second.

All the units share the bayonet attachment for accessories that are fully Bowens compatible and custom made kits are also available.
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"Best buy for Event Photography"

One of the fastest dye sub photo printers on the market, the Olmec OP1000 Print Box from ICI Imagedata is the ideal choice for event photographers.

Offering great value, the OP1000 prints full bleed, photo quality images from 6” x 4” to 6” x 9”, with standard 6” x 4” prints taking less than 7 seconds! It is child's play to set up and operate: one set of ribbon and paper can produce up to 700 prints and simple front loading makes it quick and easy to re-load.

In a recent review of dye sub event printers, Professional Photographer magazine voted the OP1000 its 'Best Buy'. Rated in five categories: Print Quality & Speed; Print Size; Driver Compatibility; Physical Specifications; and Warranty & Support, it came out best overall, thanks to its light weight, low cost and warranty package.

Professional Photographer Mike Weeks says:

“Everyone in my team is extremely happy with the OP1000, but the real question is what do the customers think? The usual comment is ‘wow that must be an expensive printer’ to which we answer ‘it is a fantastic piece of equipment’. We don’t want them to know just what good value it is.”

Currently supplied with the OP1000 are the Windows 2000, XP and Vista Drivers. The OP1000 will also be available with a Mac Driver option early in the new year.
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Aaduki extends it’s freeze on rates

Aaduki Multimedia Insurance has announced that it’s freeze on rates for photographers, journalists and video makers / film makers, due to expire on the 31st October, has been extended until 30th November 2008.

Vince Brown, Sales Manager for Aaduki said,” At this time of economic uncertainty we wanted to try and offer the best deal for essentials for the media industry, that is why we are proud to announce the 30 day extension that insurers have agreed to today.”

Nik Stewert, National Marketing Manager said, “ Vince and the team at Okehampton have been working hard behind the scenes to let Insurers know that the multimedia community is beginning to suffer from the economic crunch and that we need to try and mitigate this as best we can so as to keep the industry moving in the right direction. I am delighted that he has managed to secure this agreement which I believe will benefit a majority of photographers and video makers particularly those on a smaller income.”

Aaduki Multimedia has been working hard to offer best value for money for its customers all through 2008. It continues to strive to do this and quotes are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on 0845 838 6933. Quote indicators can be obtained 24 hours a day from www.aaduki.com
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The end of the roll?

Poster tubes- great fun aren't they? Especially when you have to stack them, or when you want to write on them, and hang on, where's the end cap? Anyone seen the end cap?

There is another way, Photomart have just brought out the cunning Poster Box, a triangular shaped box which will reduce some of the woes of tubes. For starters you can store them flat packed, therefore saving space. Of course, being triangular they will not roll away, and when stacked will be easier. Writing on them or printing will be alot less hassle too.

Oh , and well they are different too!