Scoop
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"I had stumbled across a scene of a big explosion on my way home." Tony looks back to when a photo he took started a journey into journalism.
Transcript
Sound - Camera shutter
"Considering the scene of devastation and the activities of the emergency services, the moment could have easily been missed.
A young woman was embracing the old lady who had pushed through the crowd next to me. I turned and took their picture instinctively. It was a Sunday afternoon nearly 30 years ago and I'd stumbled across the scene of a big explosion on my way home.
I suppose it was no great surprise that I used my camera to record the scene - after all I'd inherited my dad's eye for a picture as well as his camera.I offered my film to the Wrexham Leaders's photographer when he eventually arrived at the scene and I still remember his response ... he said, "don't bother me now sonny, I'm busy."
Luckily for me, their arrival at Wrexham Gazette snapped them up unseen. Their reporter discovered that someone had cut through the gas pipes and stole the entire gas meter from the empty house next door. The house filled with gas and the resulting explosion destroyed two homes.
The old lady was the owner of the second house and had gone for a walk, and returned to find her home in ruins. The younger woman was her daughter, who feared that her mother may still be inside the house. It was a major scoop for the Wrexham Gazette and a start of a career in photography for me.
Several years later I went to the Leader for a job and was interviewed by the Editor.
When he saw my name on the form, he paused ... sat back in his chair and looked at me and said ... "Sunday afternoon, Coed Afan, gas explosion." I knew there had been a big row about their rivals getting a scoop but I didn't think anyone would still remember. I nodded and he smiled and offered me my first job in a newspaper.
My photographic career has since taken me all over the world and now my daughters have inherited my ideal picture as well as my cameras."
An interview with the author
Tell us a bit about yourself Tony ...
I am 50 years of age, (and I spent my 50th birthday on the Denbigh workshop). I am married to my wife, Gaynor, with twin daughters Katie and Sarah aged 11. After leaving college, I spent two and a half years working on cruise ships as a ship's photographer. This took me to North and South America, the Caribbean, North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The sheer volume of work honed my photographic skills, encouraged me to compose and shoot quickly with my camera, and taught me a great deal about working with people. After I returned to Wrexham, I obtained my press card and worked as an NUJ freelance for a number of years. I began teaching part time in 1985, at what is now Yale College. Gradually the teaching increased until seven years ago I became full time. I am currently teaching Media across GNVQ and A level courses.
What's your story about?
My story, Scoop, was inspired by one of the first photos I ever took. It's the story of a gas explosion which gave me my first scoop. When I decided to tell this story I went home and searched through my attic (you spend a lot of time in the attic with this job!), found the newspaper from 1972 with my story and my pictures, and even the old negatives, and wrote the story. What pleased me most about the story was the fact that it could have easily have been lost for ever. Digital stories ensure that these stories are never lost or forgotten, and that they reach the widest possible audience, which in turn will inspire others to tell their own stories.
What were the best and the worst parts of the Denbigh workshop?
As with all digital stories, it was painful to cut your words, and you always start with far too many. If there is one skill which I will take with me, it is the understanding of what is essential about a story, and what can be cut without it being missed. (But I still write too many words !).
I have to say that I have seldom worked with such a friendly, skilled and creative crew as we had from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ that week. It was a joy, we were all affected by it, and none of us will ever forget the experience. I only hope that I can try to pass on that level of support and creativity to my own students.
Your comments
"Hey Tony!! Crap use of Premiere mate!!! Only joking!! Lovely little story, I like the bit where you go back into the past to tell us your reasons for getting into photography."
Philip Jones, Llangristiolus, Angelsey, Wales."Very, very interesting. It just goes to show that a chance happening can have a real impact on your life for ever. This story also brought back memories of my own, as I was also a photographer. I turned down my chance of working on the ships though! The memories ... of rushing through a black & white developing process, sometimes with baited breath, not knowing for sure if you have set the correct exposure, etc. Yes, memories are flooding back, I miss the photography and the equipment but I never miss the business. Great story!"
Vincent Shalom, Penarth, Wales.
