As part of the Bureau of Freelance photographers’ campaign for photographers’ rights, every UK member is being issued with a BFP blue card. A card that assures photographers rights to take pictures in public places. The card which is enclosed with the June’s issue of BFP’s monthly market news letter may help members who find themselves being stopped in taking pictures in public places. In such circumstances the Bureau feels that members may find it useful to show the card to the particular police officer, security guard, or other officials. The card is written in simple language. It’s short and to the point and has been legally validated. It’s small enough to be slip into a camera bag or pocket, but the thing is, will it work? Will the card have the desired effect? BFP chief executive John Tracy says, with the increasing number of member being stopped by police officers, or more commonly, police community support officers from legitimately taking pictures, we felt we have to do something. Alamy, the largest stock photo site on the web is launching a new scheme offering customers a chance to buy images for limited uses for nominal fee. Aimed at new users like teachers or bloggers, you don’t normally buy pictures, the limited new scheme is initially being trialed in the UK only. Customers looking for photos for certain web uses, such as blogs and social networking sites, or for educational uses like classroom presentations, can buy from alamy for as little as 60 pit per picture. Contributors to alamy have the option of making their images available for limited use as well as being sold conventionally, giving them the opportunity to earn additional income without cannibalizing their existing sales. Alamy CEO James West says this opens up paraclyopedic collection the customers who can't afford conventional licenses. It also allows, like contributors to compete in the low cost markets without undermining their existing revenue streams. Printing on a budget, Epson had launched the new Epson Stylus S20, a stylish compact and affordable printer with individual ink cartridges. The Stylus S20 is a personal document and photo printer with individual ink cartridges that combines quality, versatility, and economy. With the contemporary and compact design, the S20 is engineered to meet the demands of every day printing in the home. Often a benefit only found in more premium products. The printer comes with individual ink cartridges for just 5.99 each. This supports cost efficient printing as consumers only need to replace the color they used, minimizing ink wastage. It also prints borderless photo up to A4 and up to 26 pages per minute in black and white and 14 pages per minute in color. The Epson Stylus S20 will be available from July 2008, at an RRP of 39.99, including VAT. More information is of course on the Epson website. Now, starting on September 26, 2008, the EE battery directive will make battery disposal more environmentally friendly. Consumers are being encouraged to recycle their disposable batteries at collection points. In the next four years the UK must recycle 25 percent of all batteries off from the current rate of only 3 percent. Uniross’ rechargeable batteries removed the need to go to collection points and cut down waste from the packaging and non recyclable battery components. Uniross are marking the countdown to the EU battery directive with the launch of a new range of chargers. With gadgets as an everyday part or peoples lives, 660 million batteries end up in the landfill sites each year. The reliance on portable power means the last thing you want to worry about is carrying spare batteries. Uniross are making battery recharging a way of life. With a new range of chargers that allow you to recharge your batteries anytime anywhere. Now if you’re in a hurry, use the new 15 minute charger at home to save time and the environment of course and then when you’re shooting outdoors, you can recharge your batteries with the new Uniross solar charger. Pentax have launched a new cash back promotion on their K20 and K200D digital SLR cameras. The promotion which runs until the 31st of August 2008 offers all UK and Ireland Pentax customers cash back on any K20 and K200D camera and lens kit. To claim your cash back, all you need to do is download the appropriate form from the Pentax website.