London Photographers' Branch

We always struggle to find the right questions to ask. if we get the right ones, usually answers rapidly become apparent. I assume none of us are sclerotic Luddites and consequently, there is unity in embracing technological change. In many ways, digitalisation of the machinery most of us use is of contradictory benefit: modern cameras are mostly heavier than film ones, electricity is now required on location, instant initial editing is possible and rapid transmission of images is common. Another result of change is that we pass through airports with greater security for the work we’ve done because it’s no longer with us. Read the rest of this article »

Last week I spoke at  Where are all the Women? How to beat Sexism in the Media, a fringe event at the TUC Womens’ Conference.

In the run-up to the meeting I spoke to many of my colleagues, men and women about the topic. To be honest I was horrified by the accounts from my female colleagues about the day-to-day sexism they face.

Women are massively under represented in our industry with lower pay, less shifts, less staff positions, less security. They face discrimination for the type of work they do and are bullied and harassed by some of their male colleagues.

Read the NUJ conference report and listen to the podcast here

We plan to have a meet-up of female colleagues to talk about the issues and how they can be addressed this Friday 30th March – 7pm upstairs at the Bloomsbury Tavern.

Please email jess@jesshurd.com if you are planning to attend (for bar snack numbers)

This month’s branch meeting returns to Tips of the Trade, this time multimedia with Chryssa Panoussiadou, Lewis Whyld and Emma Dow.

Chryssa Panoussiadou is a photographer and a filmmaker based in London. She has a strong background in editorial photography and TV news production.  From 2000 and for five years she was based in Jerusalem working in Israel and the Palestinian Territories as a freelance photographer for Panos Pictures. Chryssa currently directs, produces and edits news and documentary films while photographing for various international clients. She holds an MA in Documentary Research for Film and TV (University of the Arts London).

Lewis Whyld is a Photojournalist for the Press Association. He recently won the P.A Video Journalist of the Year Award for films in which he combines photography and video.

Emma Dow is the features picture editor for the Daily Telegraph.

FACEBOOK EVENT

On Friday afternoon, 16 March 2012, we received conformation that the application for judicial review on the Dale Farm production was accepted by the High Court.

Following the October 2011 eviction police served production orders on all professional camera teams that covered the operation at the Dale Farm Irish Travellers site at Cray’s Hill in Essex. The court orders were to deliver all the footage shot over two days. Read the rest of this article »

The NUJ Freelance office and London Freelance Branch has arranged a meeting with representatives from the Met police to brief journalists on arrangements for covering the Olympics. Read the rest of this article »

Enter Dale Farm: A riot police officer points a taser gun

Following the case that lasted several months spanning 2011 and 2012 at Chelmsford Crown Court and the subsequent ruling against those involved, I can now report the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has submitted an appeal to challenge the production order forcing journalists, media organisations and broadcasters to submit all their footage to the police.

The legal challenge is in response to a court decision requiring those involved to comply with the production order and hand over all footage gathered over the first two days of the Dale Farm eviction to Essex police.

In today’s press release those applying for appeal in addition to myself are the BBC, ITN, BskyB, Hardcash Productions. Read the rest of this article »

Join us on Tuesday 28 February for a joint event with the NUJ Press and Public Relations Branch to discuss photography and PR. From practical best practice in commissioning and giving briefs, to more ethical questions about “constructing reality” we’ll debate and share experiences from both PRs and photographers. Guest speakers working in PR and professional photographers will set the scene before opening up for debate and networking.

6.00-8.00pm Tuesday 28 February NUJ, 308-312 Gray’s Inn Road, London Debate followed by networking and refreshments.

Facebook Event

The NUJ is planning an event at TUC women’s conference this year entitled Where are all the Women? Sexism in the media industry – Organising the fightback.

The event will take place on Wednesday 14 March at TUC Congress House in London starting at 7pm. The venue address and map are here

All are welcome – so please feel free to invite others and promote the event to people you know.

RSVP: campaigns@nuj.org.uk

Here is the event leaflet – download leaflet

How can we make the media fair for all?

Date Sat, 17 Mar 2012

Time to from 10:00 to 16:00

Location Congress House, London WC1B 3LS

Cost £10 registration fee, £6 unwaged, includes refreshments and a sandwich lunch.
Register online now for £10 + £1.25 booking fee, £6 + £0.80 for unwaged, or pay by cheque for £10, or £6 unwaged. Read the rest of this article »

Based on a talk given to NUJ London Photographers’ Branch by Nigel Dickinson, February 2012

Article 10 of the European Convention affirms that there are human rights for the freedom of expression and public rights to receive information. But in FRANCE this right is not absolute and has to be conciliated with certain individual rights. Read the rest of this article »