With a concentration of top photographers, media companies - publishers, advertising, design, broadcast, corporate-- and picture libraries, London's photo community is incredibly vibrant and diverse. It was therefore wonderful to see so many picture buyers, photographers and agency members turn out to attend the BAPLA Picture Buyer Fair this week.

Opening night reception, BAPLA Picture Buyer's Fair, London, May 7, 2008
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During the opening night reception, BAPLA announced annual awards for newspapers with the highest percentage of images published with proper photo credit. The winners were The Sunday Independent with 73% pf published images credited; Telegraph with 64%. The Sun was chastised for having the lowest percentage with only a mere 37% of all published images appearing with a credit.

Digital Railroad UK Sales Manager Andy Mitchell meets picture buyers at BAPLA.
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The most well received featured at the show for Digital Railroad was our Research Network. After being introduced to the service, several buyers were so excited by the potential to tap 1000's of member archives for fresh images, they entered requests for images before leaving the show floor.

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UK Member Support Manager James Jones demos Digital Railroad archives to Angela Murphy.

Of course, no BAPLA fair would be complete without "tipping a few jars" with editors and picture buyers at Cantina, an annual tradition. As usual, the place was packed with revelers spilling out on to the sidewalk to enjoy laughs among friends and colleagues.

London's photo community gathers at Cantina Augustus Pub post-BAPLA, May 7, 2008
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See more images from this years event and mark you calendar for next year!