Our best news pictures for 2021

Dimitris — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 12:29:56 +0000

It wasn’t just the Covid-19 pandemic that made the news, there were severe floods, politics, gigs, a riot, a double-decker bus and a man who loves baked beans…

A day before Storm Christoph affects parts of the United Kingdom, fire service rescue personnel wade through the a flooded section of Dynevor Road, Skewen, Wales. Thursday 21 January 2021

Two young men run into the sea at the end of an unusually warm day, just before sunset in Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 28 February 2021

A woman has her hair washed at Boosh Hair Salon on the day lockdown measures were eased off with barbers’ and hairdressers’ opening in Swansea, Wales, UK. Monday 15 March 2021

Adam Price, leader of Plaid Cymru during his Senedd (Welsh Parliament) pre-election campaing in Ton Pentre, Wales, UK in Ton Pentre. Tuesday 27 April 2021

Cardiff West independent candidate, Captain Beany speaks to two women outside the Senedd, during his pre-election campaign in Cardiff Bay, Wales, UK.

Palestinian people and local supporters hold a rally in Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 16 May 2021

The immediate aftermath of a riot, two burned-out cars in the Waun-Wen area of Mayhill in Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 20 May 2021

A young couple take a selfie on the beach as the sun rises, marking the beginning of the meteorological summer, Swansea Bay, Wales, UK. Tuesday 01 June 2021

Investigation into the death of five year old Logan Mwangi. A police diver surfaces from the river Ogmore in the Sarn area of Bridgend, Wales, UK. Monday 02 August 2021

Emergency services attend the scene of an accident in which a First Cymru Coaster open top bus lost its roof after crashing onto a tree while travelling on Mumbles Road near Swansea, Wales, UK.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis on stage at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Sunday 26 September 2021

GB News live broadcast Farage at Large, in which, Nigel Farage spoke with local MP Stephen Kinnock at the Twelve Knights pub in Port Talbot, Wales, UK. Thursday 15 October 2021

A band of five drummers, part of the Christmas Parade in Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 21 November 2021

Vistors of Luminate Live at Margam County Park, Wales, UK. Monday 29 November 2021

Two men fool around during Mad Friday in Wind Street, Swansea, Wales ,UK. Friday 17 December 2021

Photographing the First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones

athena_admin — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 16:33:12 +0000

News photography can be very rewarding at times and having to photograph a Head of State -although by no means easy- can be very fulfilling as an experience. Time is at a premium and photographers are rarely allowed more than a few minutes.

Throughout my career though I have been given quite a few opportunities to photograph Carwyn Jones, in his capacity as the First Minister for Wales.

The last time was when he gave a press conference following the death of Carl Sargeant and a few weeks prior to that, I was commissioned by The Guardian newspaper, to take his portrait at his Cardiff Bay office, for an editorial piece by Steven Morris.

Carwyn Jones takes over from Rhodri Morgan in the Senedd, Cardiff Bay on 8th of December 2009.

This is where it all started for First Minister Carwyn Jones, when he officially took over from Rhodri Morgan in December 2009 at The Senedd. The strange thing was, in typical Welsh politics fashion, there was no big fanfare, a few speeches in chambers and that was pretty much it.

Labour leader Ed Miliband (C) strolls through Llanelli town centre with First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones (L) and Welsh Assembly candidate for Llanelli Keith Davies (R). 20 April 2011

Carwyn Jones (R) with Nick Ainger (L) coming out of a flat they just canvassed in Carmarthen,Wales. 08 April 2010

Nia Griffiths and Carwyn Jones in Llanelli Market in Carmarthenshire west Wales. 08 April 2010

There is no politician without having to walk the streets and talk to people, and the First Minister has always been there joining his political allies on the streets of Carmartheshire.

There was some editorial coverage at the time, mostly by the Western Mail and South Wales Evening Post newspapers.

First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones with Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall visiting the Senedd (Welsh Assembly Parliament) in Cardiff Bay. 07 June 2011

This was indeed a rare occasion of HRH Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip having been joined by Prince Charles and wife Camilla, to visit the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

First Minister Carwyn Jones next to a picture of american golfer Payne Stewart celebrating his win on the last green of the 1999 US Open in North Carolina. 14 September 2010

The First Minister’s support to large employers has been great throughout the years. In 2010, he took part in a press conference ahead of the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, a venue which hosted the NATO Summit a few years later.

First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones in the cab of a refuse lorry in Pontypool, Wales. 22 July 2010

L-R: Debbie Wilcox, Sir Terry Matthews, Carwyn Jones and Stephen Bowcott during a ground-breaking photo-call for the ICC Wales at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. 23 June 2017

First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones in his office at the Ty Hywel building in Cardiff Bay, Wales. 13 September 2017

This must have been one of the quickest photo-shoots of my entire career. For this particular shot I approached the nice and simple theme, a horizontal headshot with a plain white background. My Canon 85mm f1.2 helped quite a bit too, throwing everything behind the First Minister’s shoulder out of focus.

To see our this photo-shoot’s entire set, please click here.

First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones speaks to the media at Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Wales, UK. 09 November 2017

First Minster for Wales Carwyn Jones hands over the sealed document to Claire Clancy Clerk of the Assembly at the Welsh Government in Cardiff, south Wales during the first bill passed by the Welsh assembly since last year’s referendum on its powers has become law at a ceremony in Cardiff. 12 November 2012

This is my favourite picture of the First Minister as it has the element of old technology which in effect gives power to new laws and also shows that there are quite a few other important people working for government, without whom, even a Head of State could not function.

To see all of our pictures of First Minister Carwyn Jones, click here.

To search our archive click here.

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Our best news pictures for 2021

Photographing the First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones