Also released is Foto SF Lite. Aimed at the single-user business without any need of hosting over a network. This stand-alone software has all the features of the Pro version and is priced very competitively at only £125.00 + VAT

Uzair Kharawala, the creator of Foto SF, explained the reasoning behind the new Lite version. “Our research showed that their is a huge niche market of small businesses who are looking for a solution to help them organise their business. Two most important factors when considering new software were ease of use and also the price. We decided to launch Foto SF which is priced very competitively and affordable for businesses either running part or full-time. The initial reaction since the SWPP Convention has been tremendous and very encouraging. We clearly feel that we’ve bridged a huge gap in the market with a very affordable product with almost all the features of the full version.”

For a FREE trial version and features list, please visit www.fotosf.com – or to purchase at MPA member price call MPA HQ on 01325 356555.

SPECIAL OFFER: Foto SF Seminar at Calumet
If you’ve purchased either the Pro or the Lite version or are thinking of purchasing before 31 Jan 2010, you will be invited to a full-day seminar with Uzair Kharawala at Calumet, Drummond Street, London. The date will be early March and will be released soon. Oz will cover various aspects of marketing, promotions, PR, internet marketing. This seminar will help you cut down your advertising costs by building relationships with vendors and networking with like-minded companies.

The SecureSave DVD’s 256-bit AES software encryption prevents unauthorised access of saved data through the use of a mandatory security password. Each DVD-R is capable of holding 4.5GB and the software loaded on the DVD starts automatically, making the process of encrypting the data on the DVD very easy. SecureSave DVDs also support multi-session recording, allowing up to 4.5GB of data to be written over several sessions.

It features Gill Shaw’s best selling book project, ‘The Hero Inside’; Ian Cartwright’s 2010 charity calendar giving a new level of professionalism to the ‘naked locals’ theme; the 2009 Mario Acerboni Awards regional winners; the complete Kodak MPA Wedding and Portrait Awards; and more.

This edition is free to all readers.

Click to launch the full edition in a new window.

- DK

There is no charge for admission to the exhibition and trade show, which runs through to 4.30pm. There are also four afternoon seminars taking place, between 2.00pm and 4.30pm, which are limited to free admission by MPA members and Affiliates. The tickets have been allocated by pre-registration. To check whether any places remain, call MPA on 01325 356555.

The Hilton hotel is located on the south bank of the Tyne immediately next to the high and low level bridges, with pedestrian access to the heart of Newcastle’s historic old castle district and the many riverbank attractions. It is close to the Sage Centre, galleries, museums, shops, bars and restaurants making the location perfect for a family day out. Family or friends not interested in the photographic show can find plenty to do within minutes of the Hilton, which makes a great base for activities. This is also one of the most photogenic spots at any time of day or night with great city and river views directly from the Hilton’s terraces.

We English, the latest work of one previous winner, Simon Roberts, will be exhibited at the Museum in March 2010. We English was produced with the help of a £7,000 award from the scheme.

Applicants must provide a brief written synopsis of their proposal together with their CV, an example of their work, and application form. Applications are invited from all nationalities providing they are resident in the UK at the time of the award and forms can be downloaded from:

http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/Photography/Photo_Bursary.asp

Projects must be completed within one year of awards being made and successful applicants are expected to work independently, but will receive support and guidance from Museum staff if required. At the completion of the project successful applicants must donate one work from an edition, or a series of works, to the National Media Museum.

The closing date for applications is 25 September 2009.

The sponsors working in partnership with the Museum are
Michael G Wilson (Chairman of the Trustees of the National Media Museum),
Zelda Cheatle (WMG Photography Advisor and Curator),
Simon Crocker (Chairman of The John Kobal Foundation),
Pierre Brahm (Chairman of the BRAHM and Henry & James Property Group),
James Hyman (James Hyman Gallery)

Nikon, Adobe Systems, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Nik Software, Wacom and X-Rite have joined forces for a unique, nine-city Creative Alliance Tour. The tour has been set up to provide creative professionals with a comprehensive insight into a complete digital workflow. A full-day seminar will take place at each city stop, hosted by photo professionals and evangelists Keith Thompson, Kevin Dopson, Robin Preston, and Guy Gowan among others. These influential master photographers will demonstrate live shoots, and talk about why colour profile and calibration is key to getting the best end product.

From image capture to printing and marketing, delegates of the Creative Alliance Tour will learn how to achieve optimum results (high resolution in, high resolution out) using the most innovative techniques available to photographic professionals. The seminars will consist of inspirational presentations and in-depth technical workshops, with the opportunity to share questions and experiences with the experts.

“The long-established professional photographic community has seen dramatic changes to photographic technology in the past few years, with the transition from silver halide to digital, and from traditional SLR to digital SLR. Combining the resources and expertise of the seven companies, this tour will provide a unique platform for the photographic community to learn about the latest technological innovations and take advantage of a complete digital workflow within their existing production process,” said photographer and digital artist, Robin Preston.

Photographers should not miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight into the latest workflow tools that could help their business maintain its competitive edge.

Registration and dates

The Creative Alliance Tour has started in Ede on the 24th June 2009, in the Netherlands. The tour will resume the 15th September 2009 in Manchester and 17th September 2009 in London.

Spain, Germany, Italy and France will follow in October and November 2009. For the exact dates and registration information please visit: www.thecreativealliancetour.com

Photographers have until 1st September 2009 to submit their entries. There is an open brief and the awards are open to everyone, worldwide: professionals, enthusiasts, students – everyone. The only stipulation for entries is that submissions must have been originated on Fujifilm Professional film. All images are submitted electronically via the Distinctions website, www.fujifilmdistinctions.co.uk

A shortlist of Merit winners will be chosen by the judging panel of photographic industry experts. Each Merit winner will be presented with a certificate and will then be invited to submit a print for final judging.

There’s a first prize of £1,000 cash on offer to the winner, plus second and third place prizes of £500 and £250 cash respectively to the runners up.

Entry is free and photographers may submit as many images as they wish, for full terms and conditions go to, www.fujifilmdistinctions.co.uk or contact Jerry Deeney at Fujifilm Professional on jdeeney@fuji.co.uk

All entries must be received at MPA – Jubilee House, 1 Chancery Lane, Darlington DL1 5QP – by close of business on Wednesday August 12th. Each entry should consist of an unmounted print (10 x 8 or A4) which either shows the image area only of a final print, to be mounted and sized appropriately on a 20 x 16 mount; or shows a 1/4 size reproduction of the finished 20 x 16 exhibition print. This must be made from the same image file to be used for the final print, on the same materials, with the same finish (but not mounted).

Each print entered has an entry fee of £8.50 including VAT, which should be made payable to MPA and enclosed with the entries. Entry prints will not be returned. Entrants whose work is selected for exhibition will be informed by September 1st, and must provide a finished 20 x 16 mounted exhibition print by September 19th.

A print entry form must be attached to each print.

Click the small image of the entry label above, to open or download a full size 300dpi version for printing.

There are three categories open to all photographers – the Mario Acerboni 3-from-1 wedding award, the David Facey Award (Open Category) for the most original image, and the Fuji Silver Imaging Award for a photograph taken using film and printed using silver-halide based (colour or mono) materials. Intermediate scanning is accepted as long as the original is on film, and the final print is on photographic paper.

To enter the Mario Acerboni 3-from-1 award no fee is required. Three images from one wedding (one before, one during and one after the ceremony) must be presented as a set of 10 x 8 unmounted originals. A separate entry form applies and can be downloaded from the MPA website (download the overall entry form which contains this).

Remaining categories open to MPA members (UK) are:

• Bride&Groom – Cosmopolitan Bride sponsored, B&G only in shot
• Bride’s Choice – You & Your Wedding sponsored, layout of ten 5 x 4″ images to fill a 20 x 16″ board (reduce to 10 x 8 for entry)
• Parent and Child Portrait
• Family Portrait (minimum 2 generations)
• Under 5s
• Pets
• Commercial/Advertising
• Landscapes/Pictorial/Illustrative
• Industrial & Architectural
• Travel
• Press/PR/Stock
• Fashion & Beauty
• Events – Equestrian, Sports and Social
• Two awards are open to Licentiate Members only – the David Mathias Portrait Award, and the Dennis Hylander Wedding Award

The original deadline for entries of July 31st has been extended as a result of requests from members.

Single image prize: Last year Walter Astrada, an Argentinian World Press Photo award-winner picked up the single image prize for his stark shot of murder in Guatemala.

Portfolio prize: Beso Uznadze (©photo above) won the portfolio prize for his stunning series of portraits of Georgians, shot after the conflict with Russia in 2008.

The International Photography Award is judged by a panel of internationally-recognised photographers, picture editors and curators. Photographers may submit multiple entries into either category and the contest is open to all.

Entry is £5 (or $8 or €6) for the single image category and £25 (or $40 or €30) for the portfolio category. The deadline is 11 September. For more information and to enter, visit bjp-online.com/ipa.