Well, Today is going to be slightly void of podcast (I arrived home at ridiculous o'clock and Shell would have had me killed if I started recording) Instead, you get to read about my ventures on day three of seven days.
I emailed The BPPA as I said I would, and, I actually received a reply from none other than Neil Turner, the BPPA's vice chairman and a full time photographer. Neil took some time out from editing photos to talk to me on the phone yesterday afternoon, He wanted to make sure I understood the difference between being accredited for a shoot and having a UK press card.
Accreditation is usually granted by a PR agency that is promoting a gig / game / function - So for example, if you wanted to shoot a concert, you'd most likely need to be on the "list" of people that the PR agency uses to shoot such events. Shooting concerts seems like a lot of fun, but then you only usually get to shoot the first three songs and then you're ushered out of the building, which I guess is OK if you have a deadline to meet. You shoot, then go edit and upload to your magazine / paper. I will try to get in touch with a PR agency and ask what criteria they use to choose the people that they hire.
I am quoting Neil here on accreditation...
"Accreditation for media events is very often done on an event by event basis. Different organisations have different rules by which they accredit individual photographers or agencies to cover their events. Some have very tight policies – such as The Premier League, Party Political Conferences and most major rock music venues who want to see covering letters from commissioning editors and/or evidence of where and how your work has been previously published before they will issue you with accreditation for their event/venue. Other events will accept the United Kingdom Press Card as proof that you are a legitimate press photographer but these are relatively few and far between. Some small events are just happy to see people who look like they might be Press but they are usually so small that the images are of little value anyway"
Alternatively, a Press Card, which you acquire through "The Gatekeepers" now, as I mentioned yesterday - you need to be a news gatherer to be considered for such a pass, A news gatherer is defined by the following...
"An Eligible Newsgatherer is anyone working in the UK whose employment or self-employment is wholly or significantly concerned with the gathering, transport or processing of information or images for publication in broadcast electronic or written media including TV, radio, internet-based services, newspapers and periodicals; and who needs in the course of those duties to identify themselves in public or other to official services"
A UK press card is much more tightly moderated, in that a holder could gain access to say, Downing street with the card... So, there you have why it is so important for these "gatekeepers" to strictly control the flow of issued cards. Neil mentioned that they have about a 95% "turn away" rate on the applicants that apply for a press card... (I don't guess I'll get one then!)
This is Neils piece on press cards...
"The BPPA is a member of the UK Press Card Authority and is what is know as a “Gatekeeper”. Our Chairman, Jeff Moore sits on the board of the UKPCA. We have the authority to approve the issue of Press Cards to members and other qualifying freelancers as long as the applicants fulfil the UKPCA criteria set out above. Membership of the BPPA is entirely at the discretion of The Association. Our basic test for membership is that you should be a full time photographer working for the British news media. We will almost always ask for references from applicants and we always check those references. Membership of the BPPA does not guarantee that a UK Press Card will be issued"
I really want to thank The BPPA, specifically Neil Turner, for taking the time to email me and let me call him (Don't worry mate, I won't publish your number!!) as most people, these days, don't even bother with a reply...
Please take some time to check out the amazing images on the BPPA website - Here is a link to Neils profile page on the BPPA site
Also pop across and check out Neils website from which this little gem comes... (sorry, it's the geek in me)
"I have been a professional photographer since 1986 and had two years as a photography student and five years as an enthusiastic amateur before that. I have been through many camera bags. I have used Domke bags since 1989 and currently favour their J1 model, although I also have the choice between the Lowe Pro Stealth 650AW and a Crumpler Shrinkle rucksack for times when I need to carry camera gear and a laptop in one bag.
In September 2002 I replaced my 1998 DCS520s with a pair of the Canon EOS1D bodies. It was an interesting transition and it took over a year to get over the loss of the Kodak software."
Have a nice day now y'all...
Sime
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