The rights of press photographers were pulled into focus at a national editorial photographers' conference.

The event, run by the National Union of Journalists, saw around 160 photographers and journalists attend meetings, lectures and workshops.

It was the first event of its kind run by the union, and attracted key speakers on a range of topics from the photographic industry, the legal profession, the police force and the union itself.

Highlights included Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Broadhurst, who is responsible for public order, and Mike Granatt from the Press Card Authority, both of whom spoke on Your Rights.

Aspects of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and privacy and human rights law were also covered and discussions included photographers' access to crime scenes, such as the July 7 bombings.

A session on Copyright and Intellectual Property centred on defences to copyright, the definition and licensing of orphan works, and the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies' digital guidelines and Metadata Group, which has produced a standardised template for digital images covering essential creator's information.

Other sessions were Get it in Writing, which covered contract law, small claims procedures and terms and conditions, and Strategy for Survival, which covered running a business, negotiating licences and NUJ organisation.

Speakers also included Linda Royles, the chief executive of the British Association of Photographic Libraries and Agencies, Camillo Gatta, of the Design and Artists Copyright Society, as well as photographers Graham Harrison, David Hoffman and Andrew Ward, legal expert Ryan Dunleavy and NUJ freelance organiser, John Toner.