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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

Our best pictures for 2020

Dimitris — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 14:16:16 +0000

2020 marks 12 years since Athena Picture Agency was founded, we worked through 2020 to produce yet another portfolio of pictures.

Since March, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic bacame in itself a news category of its own which was enough for us to produce a blog of our coverage.

Having gone through hundreds of images, these are our very best for the year.

Stef Kamil Carlens performs at the No More Shall We Part exhibition in Antwerp, Belgium. Saturday 01 February 2020

Will Humphries swims in freezing weather conditions in Langland Bay, near Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 13 February 2020

PWaves crash against the promenade wall and lighthouse in Porthcawl, south Wales, UK. Saturday 15 February 2020
Re: Strong winds and heavy rain caused by storm Dennis has been affecting parts of the UK.

Two firemen bring two young children to safety after being evacuated in Nantgarw, Wales, UK. Sunday 16 February 2020

A young boy enters a flooded lane caused by storm Dannis in Pontypridd, Wales, UK. Sunday 16 February 2020

Jeremy Corbyn with local resident Richard Oliver whose house suffered flood damage at he area of Rhydyfelin near Pontypridd, south Wales, UK. Thursday 20 February 2020

Interior view of Retrosexual antique shop, Athens, Greece. Thursday 27 February 2020

Summer Solstice, a fishing boat departs from the port town of Oropos as the sun rises over the mountains of Evia island, north of Athens, Greece. Sunday 21 June 2020

Dean Beddis at his used records stall in the indoor Provisions Market which is being re-developed in Newport, south Wales, UK. Thursday 23 July 2020

A young couple from Hereford rest in their van on the site of an illegal rave party, in woods near the village of Banwen, in south Wales, UK. Monday 31 August 2020

A full moon, known as a Halloween Blue Moon, is seen rising over ruins of the Acropolis of Lindos, a Doric temple built for Athena Lindia, the ancient goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, marking the end of the tourist season in the country which was affected by the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic. 1974 was the last time a blue moon was visible in the UK and Ireland and in 1944 was the last one visible across the whole world with the next one in 19 years. Saturday 31 October 2020

Swansea City Councillor Rob Stewart lays a wreath during Armistice Day at the cenotaph in Swansea, Wales, UK. Wednesday 11 November 2020

The locally grown barley used to make whisky at the Welsh Wind gin distillery near Aberporth, Wales, UK. Wednesday 25 November 2020

Owners the Welsh Wind gin distillery Ellen Wakelam and Alex Jungmayr, near Aberporth, Wales, UK. Wednesday 25 November 2020

A football fan identified only as James (C) with other campaigners protest against the use of facial recognition technology used by South Wales Police, outside the stadium in Cardiff. Sunday 12 January 2019

Prince Charles stands next to an Aston Martin DBX, worth £158,000, at the Aston Martin Lagonda factory in St Athan, south Wales, UK . Friday 21 February 2020

Harriet Prothero Sultani who runs a rental union in the Roath area of Cardiff, Wales, UK. Thursday 10 December 2020

Four people walk their dogs as the sun rises over Swansea Bay, Wales, UK. Friday 25 December 2020

Natasha Jenkins enjoys a walk through the sunflower field, which has re-opened after the Covid-19 lockdown in Rhossili, Wales, UK. Sunday 26 July 2020

Craig Williams, owner of Capelli hair salon in Bridgend, Wales, UK. Wednesday 19 February 2020

Musician Cian Carran who is against the redevelopment of the Britannia Park in Cardiff Bay, Wales, UK. Tuesday 15 December 2020

A low cloud in Swansea Bay, Wales, UK. Wednesday 20 May 2020

Our best Swansea City AFC pictures for 2020

Dimitris — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 12:44:22 +0000

The 2020-2021 season marks the third year since Swansea City got relegated to the Championship after enjoying seven successive years in the Premier League.

2020 saw the previous football season being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic which continued in late summer.

Working as the exclusive photographers for the south Wales Club, we have witnessed first hand what has been happening behind the scenes since 2008.

Andre Ayew of Swansea City celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City at Ewood Park on in Blackburn, England, UK. Saturday 29 February 2020

Marc Guehi of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Huddersfield Town at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 17 October 2020

Saïd Benrahma of Brentford battles with Matt Grimes of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi-final 2nd Leg between Brentford and Swansea City at Griffin Park in Brentford, England, UK. 29th July, 2020

Rhian Webster of Swansea City celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Wigan Athletic at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 19 January 2020

Connor Roberts of Swansea City crosses the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Swansea City at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Sunday 12 January 2020

Marc Guehi ,Tivonge Rushesha, Jordon Garrick and Kristoffer Peterson of Swansea City during the Swansea City third kit launch at The Fairwood Training Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday September 22 2020

The Liberty Stadium is illuminated in blue, in support to the NHS and the fight against the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 22 April 2020

Matt Grimes of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Derby County at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 08 February 2020

Jake Bidwell of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Swansea Citry at Craven Cottage in London, England, UK. Wednesday February 26, 2020

Jay Fulton of Swansea City (C) celebrates his goal with team mate Rhian Webster (R) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Huddersfield Town at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 22 February 2020

Ben Pearson of Preston North End vies for possession with Bersant Celina of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Swansea City at the Deepdale Stadium in Preston, England, UK. Saturday 01 February 2020

George Byers (C) and Connor Roberts run to the pitch during the Swansea City Training Session at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 09 January 2020

A general view of the Liberty stadium during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Queens Park Ranger at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 11 February 2020

A general view of The Liberty Stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Luton Town at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 27 June 2020

Tivonge Rushesha of Swansea City in action during the pre season friendly match between Swansea City and Forest Green Rovers at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 01 September 2020

Freddie Woodman of Swansea City in action during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 22 September 2020

Jake Bidwell of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship between Swansea City and Rotherham at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 21 November 2020

Julian Winter new CEO for Swansea City poses for a portrait after a press conference at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 22 September 2020

Lewis Webb of Swansea City in action during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 22 September 2020

Yan Dhanda of Swansea City in action during the pre season friendly match between Swansea City and Forest Green Rovers at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 01 September 2020

Connor Roberts of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 05 July 2020

Player take the knee for the black life matters campaign during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Millwall at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 03 October 2020

Rhian Brewster of Swansea City celebrates at full time with Steve Cooper Head Coach of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Swansea City at the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium in Birmingham, England, UK. Wednesday 8th July 2020

Marc Guehi of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 19 September 2020

Rhian Brewster of Swansea City celebrates scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Swansea City at the KCOM Stadium, Hull, England, UK. Friday 14 February 2020

Conor Gallagher of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Swansea City at Craven Cottage, London, England, UK 26 February 2020

Connor Roberts of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wycombe Wanderers and Swansea City at Adams Park Stadium, High Wycombe, England UK. Saturday 26 September 2020

Summer solstice in Swansea Wales UK

athena_admin — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:18:16 +0000

News photography is a form of historical record-keeping and documenting celestial events certainly is a major event.

I am not strictly speaking about astro-photography, after all, I am well into press and editorial photography.

Having to photograph this year’s summer solstice in Swansea Bay certainly involved a very early start to the day and some forward planning as to finding out where the sun could be seen rising from.

Being a clear day helps. Haze in the horizon although not ideal may well help in that there isn’t as much contrast between the sun and the landscape.

The summer solstice occurs when a planet’s rotational axis or geographical pole on either its northern or its southern hemisphere, is most inclined toward the star that it orbits. On the summer solstice, Earth’s maximum axial tilt toward the Sun is 23.44°. This happens twice each year (once in each hemisphere), when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the north or south pole.

The sun rises over Kilvey Hill by Swansea Bay, Wales, UK

The summer solstice occurs during the hemisphere’s summer. This is the northern solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the southern solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the summer solstice occurs some time between June 20 and June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and between December 20 and December 23 each year in the Southern Hemisphere. The same dates in the opposite hemisphere are referred to as the winter solstice.

A cyclist travels on Oystermouth cycle path as the sun rises over Kilvey Hill in Swansea, Wales, UK

As seen from a geographic pole, the Sun reaches its highest altitude of the year on the summer solstice. It can be solar noon only along that longitude, which at that moment lies in the direction of the Sun from the pole. For other longitudes, it is not noon. Noon has either passed or has yet to come. Hence the notion of a solstice day is useful. The term is colloquially used like “midsummer” to refer to the day on which solstice occurs. The summer solstice day has the longest period of daylight, except in the polar regions, where daytime remains continuous for 24 hours every day during a period ranging from a few days to six months around the summer solstice.

The sun rises by the clock tower of the Guildhall in Swansea, Wales, UK

Our entire catalogue of pictures can now be found here.

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