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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 of the year pictures, Covid-19 pandemic, 2020

Dimitris — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 15:04:28 +0000

Our best of the year pictures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

People queue outside a Boots pharmacy in the Uplands area of Swansea, south Wales, UK. Thursday 19 March 2020

A man removes his facemask to light a cigarette in the city centre of Swansea, south Wales, UK. Friday 20 March 2020

Manager Levente Jakab and owner Noah Redfern, kill time after doing some light maintenance work at Noah’s Yard bar and cafe, which had to close following instructions from Government, in the Uplands area in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 21 March 2020

Ewan Donaldson who is self-isolating in his flat in Neath, Wales, UK. Friday 27 March 2020

Two mounted police officers inspect the deserted car park in Bracelet Bay near Swansea, Wales, UK. Friday 10 April 2020

Workers build the temporary Bay Field Hospital near Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 16 April 2020

Nikolas Ioan, 15, is doing homework at his home while isolating with his family during the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Swansea, Wales, UK. Friday 24 April 2020

Two police officers and a Coastguard officer speak to a man who was swimming in Langland Bay near Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 26 April 2020

A man creates giant soap bubbles at the end of a warm sunny day, just before sunset on the sandy beach of Swansea Bay, Wales, UK

Local residents Hayley Francis (R) with daughter Evie who is an army cadet, celebrate VE Day by social distancing in the Loughor area of Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 26 March 2020

A Stay Home graffiti on a wall at St Helen’s Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 16 May2020

Protests for NHS pay take place in Castle Square, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 08 August 2020

Layla, one of the young women whose work at the For Your Eyes Only club has been affected because of the Covid-19 pandemic in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Tuesday 29 September 2020

Barber Maz Kamal gives customer Paul Phillips a haircut in Narberth, Wales, UK. Friday 23 October2020

A woman waves while standing outside Chick-o-land take-away in Wind Street during Beaujolais Day, Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 19 November 2020

A member of staff tests himself before the Covid-19 mass testing facility opens for the public at the Leisure Centre in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK. Saturday 21 November 2020

Shoppers during the Tier 4 lockdown in the almost deserted Oxford Street, Swansea, Wales, UK.

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

Our best pictures for 2018

athena_admin — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 15:29:03 +0000

2018 is a landmark year for Athena Pictures as it marks our tenth anniversary.

Having looked through thousands of pictures, these are my personal favourites for 2018.

Thank you all for your support.

Chris Williams proposes to his girlfriend Beth Marchant to the amusement of friends and passers-by on the zebra crossing in Wind Street, Swansea. 01 January 2018

A flour wars participant throws orange coloured flour during Clean Monday (Monday of Lent) celebration of flour wars (Alevromoutzouroma) in Galaxidi, Greece. 19 February 2018 (Picture by John Liakos)

Manic Street Preachers, James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore at their studio in Caerleon, south Wales, UK. 28 March 2018

The largest mechanical puppet in Britain, the Man Engine at the Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Wales, UK. 12 April 2018

Young people with rainbow coloured umbrellas take part in the Pride parade as it travels through the streets of Swansea, Wales, UK. 05 May 2018

Taylor Swift, BBC Radio 1 Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park in Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 27 May 2018

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses supporters during the celebration for the 70 years since the National Health Service (NHS) was founded by Aneurin Bevan, Bedwellty Park, Tredegar, Wales, UK. 01 July 2018

A full moon rises, which turned into a blood moon lunar eclipse, over the ancient temple of Poseidon in Sounion, Greece. 27 July 2018

Natasha Jenkins enjoys a walk during sunset amongst a field of sunflowers in Rhossili, in the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea, Wales, UK. 13 August 2018

Lynne Neagle, Assembly Member for Wales, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, Wales, UK. 17 September 2018

A full moon, known as Harvest Moon is seen rising over the RNLI boathouse in Mumbles Pier, near Swansea, Wales, UK. 25 September 2018

Flags are down during the Commemoration for the 100 years since the end of the First World War on Remembrance Day at the Swansea Cenotaph in south Wales, UK. 11 November 2018

The moon is seen through a ride of the festive Winter Wonderland in Swansea, Wales, UK. 18 November 2018

Waves caused by Storm Diana, crash against the promenade wall by the Lighthouse in Porthcawl, south Wales, UK. 29 November 2018

First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones greets his successor Mark Drakeford as he walks out of the Senedd. 11 December 2018

Two young women in Santa outfits in what has become known as Black Eye Friday, walk down Wind Street, Swansea, south Wales, UK. 21 December 2018

An exciting year for Athena Picture Agency, our 2017 highlights

athena_admin — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:55:55 +0000

There is a certain glory attached to being a press photographer and being allowed or even invited to important events is one.

The more difficult aspect is achieving to get your work published on a speculative basis. Having a picture published quite prominently in any publication is very rewarding, nothing compares though, with having a picture used on the front page of a newspaper.

Our year pretty much started just like that.

Thick ice forms on cars parked in central Salonika, Greece. Monday 09 January 2017

News-worthy weather pictures have no physical boundaries. As it happened, I syndicated the great work of a photographer I have known for years. His set of images (seen here) was quite unusual and was the result of a leaking water pipe when the temperature dropped to well below zero in central Salonica in Greece.

Rather appropriately, the Daily Express was running a story about a cold spell forecast for the UK.

This sort of coincidence is known as “Bingo” in the news industry. What a great cutting and a great way to start the year in the competitive world of the news industry.

Then in March The Guardian commissioned me to take some portraits of Welsh Assembly Minister Vaughan Gething.

Welsh Assembly Minister Vaughan Gething at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay, Wales, UK

I first met Mr Gething a few years back in his Cardiff Constituency. During our latest encounter, he was equally as friendly, waiting patiently for me to sort out my non-working portable lights, although his schedule was already running late. He even offered to help carry my gear for some additional pictures shot outdoors.

I only wish the Guardian had gone for any of the pictures taken outside (seen here) that show the great architecture of The Senedd building, as the equally great interior has been used in so many other portraits of prominent Welsh politicians.

My greatest achievement though in portraits of politicians, was when I was invited to photograph Carwyn Jones, the First Minister for Wales in his office, I even wrote a blog about the experience here.

During the month of March, I was also asked by The Times to photograph Ioan Jenkins, who is the Development Director of Tidal Lagoon a magnificent project proposed for Swansea Bay.

Ioan Jenkins, Development Director of Tidal Lagoon in Swansea beach, Wales, UK

The weather was simply attrocious, it was cold with driving rain. Mr Jenkins was very patiently opening and closing his umbrella to take shelter between set-ups.

The driving rain didn’t help with my gear either with my trusty Canon 17-40 lens getting soaked.

Nevertheless, we were both determined to carry on. The shoot (pictures found here) didn’t take a long time but was disappointed to see that a generic headshot was used instead of the nice landscape shot I took of him, where he is facing towards the bay, while in the background you can see the recent Swansea Marina development.

Next one up was a picture of giant waves crashing against the promenade wall and the lighthouse in Porthcawl, Wales in early June. The exact spot is packed with photographers when it’s windy and the tide is high.

Waves crash against the promenade wall in Porthcawl, Wales, UK

In another recent blog of mine here I explain the challenges faced by press photographers when they need to take “weather pictures”.

In this instance the weather was dry -although windy- and the fact that not many other photohgraphers were around helped to guarantee a space in the Guardian newspaper.

A selection of other pictures from the same set can be seen here.

Then a few days after that, it was time for the general elections which takes us back to news photography opening various doors for important events.

The only picture I could see making from the day of the election, was that of the ballot count at the Guildhall in Swansea. All candidates would be there and their reactions almost always make for a great news-worthy picture.

A news photographer though has to keep his eyes open for the slightly unusual or even entertaining and while I was walking around the venue, I came across a young woman who was resting, after a very long day counting ballots. Her friend found the fact that I took interest in her quite amusing.

A young woman rests after counting ballots during the count at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Wales, UK

This was enough though to get noticed by The Times picture desk and get used the following morning.

There were though, some interesting reactions by other candidates -winning and losing- all of which can be seen here.

The great thing about the next photograph was that it was taken from my bedroom window which proves that news-worthy pictures that appeal to picture editors can be taken with as little hassle as possible.

During the first weekend in July, Swansea hosted the Wales National Air Show with plenty of aerobatic shows. The highlight of the event are the Red Arrows which always attract large crowds in the city’s bay area.

The Red Arrows perform for the Wales National Air Show in Swansea Bay, Wales, UK

Not only was the picture used by the Daily Telegraph online, it was also used as the main picture in their printed edition.

Pictures from day one of the show can be seen here, whereas from day two here.

For the next one I could speak for ages and is one of my favourite aspects of portraiture, the environmental portrait.

I was always fascinated about showing the physical environment of the person photographed and what better way of doing that when the background is colourful and funky and the subject is a successful young businessman with a great name too.

Again this was a commission by The Times picture desk and it made a quite interesting business portrait.

Eifion Jones of Torchy at his office in Swansea, south Wales, UK

Shame about the powerpoints on the wall in the background though, but hey, you can’t have it all and deleting them would be cheating.

It was one of those news jobs that you didn’t have to try hard for a nicely framed shot, colours, interesting items and shapes were abundant in Eifion’s office. Have a look here if you may.

The next one had the vaguest briefs in freelance photography ever.

I was to join a Guardian journalist who was to write a piece about free dinners for young children and their families in Swansea, what could possibly go wrong? Starting off, there were no children or young families to photograph but in the end, things turned to our benefit and we were welcomed to St Teilo Church where local people meet for food and to socialise.

Young familes are served hot food at St Teilo Church in Clase, Swansea, UK

I just love how innocent and almost embarassed the young girls look, even the discarded Lego bricks to the right add substance to the picture story.

The parents were really accomodating and the children extremely well behaved, which helped as I managed to get a great set of pictures seen here.

What I also love photographing is performances, theatre or live gigs. This one was special, it touched on the thousands of workers threatened with possible unemployment at the Steel Works in Port Talbot. It was a theatrical performance by the National Theatre Wales and Common Wealth.

In one of my previous blogs, I recounted the difficulties that photography in dark places involves.

On top of documenting the rehersals and behind the scenes, I was also asked by The Guardian newspaper to spend a few hours for a great news article by my very good friend Steven Morris.

I won’t go into detail but having very little light can be so very challenging. There were quite a few days involved with

The last one was a very pleasant surprise.

I just went to have a look at the Run4All Santa 5km Run in Aberavon beach, south Wales as I don’t quite understand those events, to be perfectly frank, I find them silly, but offering a great picture service is what I do and though I might as well have a go.

Runners in Santa fancy dress take part in this year’s Run4All Santa 5km Run on Aberavon Promenade near Port Talbot, Wales, UK.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be used. There are so many similar events up and down the country.

I even went into the trouble of writing my most sarcastic blog ever about Christmas-related events that make the news.

To see our full set of images from the event, please click here.

To search through our entire archive please click here.

© Athena Picture Agency Ltd, proud suppliers of news and press photography, pr public relations photography, sports photography, features photography, stock and aerial photography in Wales, UK

Christmas is not only happy Santas

athena_admin — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 23:40:32 +0000

Don’t you just love Christmas? What’s not to like, everything gets illuminated with countless little lights, everyone is wearing a Santa hat, the entire population buys gifts, the amount of which exceeds many times over that of the population of the UK (mostly with money they don’t even have) and a great majority of adults, gets drunk and disorderly!

The bigger or more extravagant the Christmas event, the more chances it gets to make the news and as long a photographer is there to offer his services, then job done.

Then… a few day after everyone sober up, they show love and affection to their family and friends, specially the kids. And don’t kids just love Christmas? No idea though, that their parents got utterly plastered during the same festivity.

Nothing to do with Jesus’ birth though, don’t take my word for it, look it up!

Anyway… photographs to do with Christmas, its build-up and crescento… honestly I wouldn’t know where to start.

Here in Wales a lot of things happen that scream Christmas and make the news and at the end of the day, I am only making my living looking through a camera and pressing a silly button (called shutter release button to be utterly pedantic) at the right time, which someone called it “decisive moment“, a phrase that us press photographers love to use when we get great pictures.

Don’t get me wrong, it takes some skill to know what to look for, frame it and press the button at the right time.

A runners in Santa fancy dress stretches in preparation to the Run4All Santa 5km Run on Aberavon Promenade near Port Talbot, Wales, UK

I love the moment on the picture above, spoiled a bit by that other Santa runner in the background and if only the mast had a flag on it, any flag!

Did I mention that utter silliness can make the news too? What better way to show it, than have a powerful news picture with the news article?

Runners in Santa Claus fancy dress take part in this year’s Run4All Santa 5km Run on Aberavon Promenade near Port Talbot, Wales, UK

Not a great sense of running and the gaps between runners are quite obvious in the picture above but at least you get a scale of the number of Santas running.

For more images from the above event, please click here

Two women eat a take away on a night out, a day before Mad Friday, in Wind Street, Swansea, Wales, UK

Now then… it all started as Black Friday, then the Yanks took over and decided that Black Friday is when people spend loads of cash before Christmas. “How dare you call Black Friday something so unholy (getting pissed yeah sic.) when it can only mean the sacred act of spending?” said Donald Trump in an angry letter to Teresa May.

It is now affectionately called Black Eye Friday, Black Friday or even Booze Friday, us photographers refer to it as booze-watch and hey, why not? Let the Yanks change it again if they don’t like it.

Two young men in festive suits walk in Wind Street, Swansea, Wales on Mad Friday, Booze Black Friday or Black Eye Friday, the last Friday night before Christmas Day, when traditionally people in the UK go out to celebrate the start of their holidays. Friday 22 December 2017

When I posted the picture above to my facebook page, someone commented that “their mothers’ must be so proud”. He was of course being sarcastic. Then someone else commented in response: “How can they be? Their sons nicked their tablecloths to wear on a night out!”

A police officer and club security personnel detain a man in Wind Street, Swansea, Wales on Mad Friday, Booze Black Friday or Black Eye Friday, the last Friday night before Christmas Day, when traditionally people in the UK go out to celebrate the start of their holidays. Friday 22 December 2017

There was an unusually high number of arrests by South Wales Police during the night. I mean, I have photographed quite a few of those events but never experienced so many arrests.

A man falls on the pavement in Wind Street, Swansea, Wales on Mad Friday, Booze Black Friday or Black Eye Friday, the last Friday night before Christmas Day, when traditionally people in the UK go out to celebrate the start of their holidays. Friday 22 December 2017

The man above struggled to get up, only to be mocked by the girls on the left. C’mon girls, where is your Christmas spirit? Help the poor man out!

To see our full set of images from the above event, please click here

This was taken on Christmas Eve, being a Sunday, it was bound to be busy with shoppers in Oxford Street, Swansea. This just happened on my way back to my car. Two shop workers manouevre a big Sale sign to position, assisted by their colleague outside.Getting ready for Boxing Day Sales. Whoo-hoo, lets return all the expensive stuff and get it cheaper… I say!!!!

A dog walker on the beach

No reason not to stop and take a picture of the dramatic sky en route to photograph the annual Christmas Day Swim in Porthcawl. To be honest, I don’t quite like HDR but other people just absolutely adore it.

That’s what readers of certain tabloid newspapers like, blonde girls in angel wings. Before you start saying, yes, the lens got a bit wet hence the softness.

Back in the good old days they were using Vaseline to achieve the same soft focus effect, I used sea water, what’s the big deal?

A man stretches prior to taking to the sea in Porthcawl, Wales, UK

Great expression of the man above and I love the somehow motionless pose of the woman on the left, as well as the couple hugging in the background. If only the man was wearing a Santa hat!

To access all of our pictures from the Christmas Swim in Porthcawl, click here

This was taken at the Walrus Dip, a swim taking place on Boxing Day at Cefn Sidan beach in Carmarthenshire, great laughs and movement, shame it was a bit underexposed.

RNLI crew in the sea in this year’s Boxing Day Walrus Dip which see people in fancy dress taking to the sea at Cefn Sidan beach in Pembrey Country Park, west Wales, UK

Great opportunity to photograph the stars of the show, without these RNLI men, these events wouldn’t happen at all.

Before I go though, here is something that the BBC will never, ever broadcast, in case children listen… Santa is not real kids!

Our Walrus Dip collection is here

To search through our entire archive, please click here

© Athena Picture Agency Ltd, proud suppliers of news and press photography, pr public relations photography, sports photography, features photography, stock and aerial photography in Wales, UK

Weather pictures always make the news

athena_admin — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 13:56:28 +0000

Man has always been a curious creature, that’s the main reason the news industry operates, to feed that curiosity.

More often than not, weather phenomena tend to be on the top of the list of picture editors and news-gatherers alike, but it is rarely an easy task.

Whether a photograph can be taken or not, relies heavily on the photographer having the right gear with him, and I am not referring to cameras and lenses! Right gear might be a pair of Wellington boots, or even a spare pair of dry socks.

What might be involved is climbing a mountain, or walking through snow, ice, even cow manure. Gloves are essential and appropriate clothing a must.

On the other hand, a press photographer might be prepared, but very rarely does a photographer have the luxury of a pre-arranged photo-shoot to depict the weather. This would be more of a “photo-call” rather than a news picture.

When the weather turns cold and snowy, my first port of call is the stunning Brecon Beacons in mid Wales, a trully stunning location to photograph, irrespective of the weather. It has a few different things in terms of terrain and a variety of photography can be achieved including news and landscape.

I found myself going to the Brecon Beacons twice recently. The A4059, between Penderyn and the A470 can be quite a difficult road to drive on when it has snowed, as it’s more likely iced over.

Nevertheless, knowing when and where to stop and obviously what to look out for, is what drives a competent press photographer.

Safety is of paramount importance and you can’t just stop your car, switch your hazard lights on and wait for a picture to miraculously happen right in front of your very eyes.

During my first trip, it was really early in the morning and everything still had a light blue hue.

A car travels on the A4059 in the Brecon Beacons, south Wales, UK

The picture above shows the stretch of road which is pretty much right bretween Penderyn and the A470 junction, and works well with a long tele-photo lens. In this instance I used my Canon 400mm f4.0 DO.

I only wish there was more snow either side, or even a layer of snow on top of the car, but hey, you can’t have it all.

A car travels on the A4059 in the Brecon Beacons, south Wales, UK

On the same road, just a few miles closer to the A470 I safely stopped in a layby, and for this shot I used my Canon 24-105 on its wide end.

Not a particularly fruitful day in terms of stunning news-worthy pictures, enough though to get me a couple of online hits.

For our whole set of pictures from the day, click here.

My second trip was somewhat more rewarding. It was again a weekday, schools were closed in the area, the sun was shining with nice blue skies everywhere, which not only makes for a better photograph, it helps with people’s mood too, they tend to smile more which is usually what picture editors go for.

Two adults sleigh at Storey Arms in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK

The couple above seemed to have had more fun than their two young children, who gave up after only a couple of attempts, as they tended to pirouette more on their sledge than go straight down the slope.

The parents had a big sledge, not sure though it was enough for two adults, nevertheless they couldn’t stop laughing. Not only did they sleigh down the slope, but they seem to slide forward, off their sledge too.

PA man falls over as he skis in the snow at Storey Arms in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK

This works best as a triptych. I felt sorry for the poor man, he later confided in me that he his pair of skis was not very good with soft snow and they kept digging in.

My second day in the Beacons got me a hit in The Times, as well as a good few online hits.

For more pictures, see here.

Third day didn’t involve much travelling. To start off, I only had to open my Velux window in my attic. and this was the result.

A crescent moon is still visible in the clear sky over roof tops during an early frosty morning in Swansea, Wales, UK

If only the moon was nearer the horizon so I could have included more of the rooftops.

Ice on Swansea roof tops overlooking Mumbles during a frosty morning in Wales, UK

Moments later, I was walking on the road outside my house. The iced over road surface was not as visible but still worked, well… just about.

Having just a few minutes to photograph before I moved on to the seafront, it was impossible to get someone walking on the pavement or even crossing the road, which would have been great. Instead, I was happy to get a picture of a travelling car.

Ice has formed on the road during an frosty morning in Cromwell Street, Swansea, Wales, UK

My walk by the beach was more rewarding. Very quiet with the odd office worker pausing to take selfies with the sunrise in the background, or even with a couple of dog walkers on the beach.

What was strange, was a low flying cloud funneling through the entrance to Swansea Port which had to be part of my frame. From where I was standing, I could also see the sun rising. To get the shot below, I had to keep moving as did the walker and his dog.

My Canon 70-200mm f2.8 was just stunning and focusing either on the man’s silhouette or on the horizon beneath the sun was done effortlessly.

I even managed to squeeze a few frames from the promenade, a good few metres from the beach.

Thank you Mr Dog Walker, who ever you are!

JPEG compression however came to spoil the end result a bit as the file needs to be compressed so that it transfers quicker. That’s the reason it is so essential to always keep the original JPEG or even better, the RAW version of the file.

To look through our entire set of images, click here.

Upon my return to the Council car park, I discovered that a token was needed to exit and had to wait for 10 minutes until the Library would open.

I was prepared for weather phenomena in terms of cemeras, lenses and clothes, but that I wasn’t prepared for.

© Athena Picture Agency Ltd, proud suppliers of news and press photography, pr public relations photography, sports photography, features photography, stock and aerial photography in Wales, UK

Behind the scenes, Wilfried Bony signs contract with Swansea City FC, 31 August 2017

athena_admin — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 19:50:45 +0000

When Wilfried Bony arrived at the Fairwood Training Ground he was beaming, all smiles, and gave all people present the friendliest handshake.

You could tell he was returning back to where it all started for him, after all, his Premier League debut was with Swansea City in 2013.

Football medicals are not easy or quick but thorough and detailed. Club doctor Jez McCluskey always allows for a few pictures to be taken while he examines all the footballers arriving.

After which head physiotherapist Kate Rees examined that every single moving part on Wilfried’s body was operational.

What made this medical special though, was when first team head coach Paul Clement came in the physiotherapy room, embraced Wilfried and had a brief chat.

You could tell the two had a lot to talk about and it was obvious that both were very happy to see each other.

Ritson Lloyd of the coaching staff then made sure that Wilfried was fit enough on the pitch, it all happened under the watchful eye of Paul Clement.

Wilfried was more than happy to co-operate with the numerous requests by the club videographers and media team, by which time they all had a smile on their faces, Wilfried’s happiness became so contagious.

Although Wilfried had literally only about two minutes to pose for the customary pictures of new signings holding a home shirt he obliged willingly.

Head physiotherapist Kate Rees examines Wilfried Bony

Wilfried Bony during his medical at the gymnasium

Manager Paul Clement watches on as Wilfried Bony goes through his medical

Wilfried Bony is examined by team doctor Jez McCluskey

Wilfried Bony speaks with manager Paul Clement during his medical

Wilfried Bony on the pitch

Wilfried Bony holds a home shirt

Athena Picture Agency is the exclusive supplier of sports pictures to Swansea City AFC feel free to browse through our archive here.

© Athena Picture Agency Ltd, proud suppliers of news and press photography, pr public relations photography, sports photography, features photography, stock and aerial photography in Wales, UK