#193 SILENCING THE PRESS
'Arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.' Why that particular charge has a familiar ring for two photojournalists with the Irish sea between them. Part of a growing conversation of late on this show about how the press and in particular photojournalists have found attitudes toward them changing, from the public, the law keepers and the law makers. Photojournalists Niall Carson and Andy Aitchison, share their stories.
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Patron of the day is Andy Clark whose Instagram shows the photographic ramblings of an amateur photographer, FujiFilm X series user and fanboy – and Yorkshire flat cap wearer. I’m a sucker for the well organised, colour keyed grid on Insta, where like a carefully curated exhibition, each image gives a knowing nod to the next. And though it’s not everyone’s cup of Tetley’s, I really like the chequer box grids, quote one day, picture the next. On the complete flip, I equally think Insta is a great place to experiment and enjoy a little creative chaos. I like that Andy fires up a monochrome image then introduces the same, only in colour, just because he can, where a picture of Venice sits adjacent an image of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon playing on your deck right at the start of last year’s lockdown when everyday observations became a thing.
FURTHER REFERENCE: Adam Gray in episode #12 ‘Arrested in NYC making news pictures’, Andy Aitchison’s Twitter and Press Gazette feature follow up to his arrest story.
Photographs copyright Andy Aitchison. Not to be reproduced or used without express permission of the photographer. This picture was made at the protest discussed, hours before his arrest.
A protest covered by Andy Aitchison a week prior.
A photograph made at Napier Barracks the day bail was lifted following his arrest.
