Latest news with #RichardKing
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Photographer turns lens on unheralded parts of Wales
David Hurn is routinely described as Wales' most important living photographer - but he's not a fan of overstatement. "I'm a photographer, it's like being a plumber - it's no better than, it's less useful than," he says from his cottage in Tintern, Monmouthshire. Over the past seven decades the 90-year-old has documented everything from the Aberfan disaster to The Beatles at the height of Beatlemania. For his latest project David, who made his name photographing people, has turned to something different - the Welsh landscape. Anyone expecting quintessential images of Wales' rugged mountains and dramatic coastlines would be mistaken. Instead his book takes in some of the country's lesser-celebrated sites, including graveyards, council estates and even a public toilet. "I wasn't the least bit interested in romantic sort of postcards, people do that for a living and they do it incredibly well so don't compete with someone who does something better than you do," said David. Instead he set about allowing various experts to suggest what he should photograph when it came to exploring the human effect on the landscape. The result - Wales As Is - is an unflinchingly unsentimental portrayal of Wales. Author Richard King, who David invited to write an essay to accompany his photographs, said he found the images refreshing. He said searching for Welsh identity in the landscape seemed to be "a national hobby and a national obsession". "The thing that really struck me is how much we want to impose a narrative on these places," he said. David said he wanted his photographs to explore what people in Wales meant when they said "this is my culture". "Because whenever I asked them what they meant by the word they got all defensive which means they don't know what they're talking about," he laughed. "I wish that people who wanted to talk about culture were cultured, it's not asking a lot." Richard and David first met when Richard interviewed David about his experience of photographing the Aberfan disaster for one of his books. On 21 October 1966, David was one of the first photographers on the scene when a colliery spoil tip collapsed onto a school killing 116 children and 28 adults. It is an experience that has remained with him all his life. "It was undoubtedly the most difficult thing I've ever had to do and that is because you can't think of anything more obscene than children being suffocated with slurry off a tip," he said. It was made all the harder because he understood that the parents and miners desperately digging children out of the slurry did not want to be photographed - but it was also imperative he did so. "That's very difficult to deal with, very difficult and in this case we're talking children which makes it even more difficult," said David. "It was obvious they saw you as voyeurs but you as a photographer, as a journalist, realised you had to be there because this was an important thing that needed to be documented and you didn't want it to be pushed under the carpet. One of the ways to stop things being pushed under the carpet is to document them and publish them." Alongside his documentary photography, David made a name for himself photographing stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Michael Caine, Sophia Loren and The Beatles. He also shot five covers for fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar. Photographer's images expose mum's dementia agony Dreamlike Wales inspires Egyptian photographer The photos capturing life on margins of society "Of course all these things pay a lot of money. It's the trivial that pays a lot of money and what you try to do seriously pays the least," he said. "To go to the Canary Islands with 11 models in the '60s was nothing but fun, I enjoyed doing it but I wasn't the least bit interested in the end result, it's as simple as that." Many people of his age and with a long career behind them may be thinking of slowing down, but not David. In fact he says work on his next five books is already underway. "It's difficult because my legs don't want to work and to shoot pictures you have to walk places and that's difficult now I'm at an age where I struggle," he said. "But I want to do it."
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
David Hurn: Photographer turns lens on lesser-celebrated Wales
David Hurn is routinely described as Wales' most important living photographer - but he's not a fan of overstatement. "I'm a photographer, it's like being a plumber - it's no better than, it's less useful than," he says from his cottage in Tintern, Monmouthshire. Over the past seven decades the 90-year-old has documented everything from the Aberfan disaster to The Beatles at the height of his latest project David, who made his name photographing people, has turned to something different - the Welsh landscape. Anyone expecting quintessential images of Wales' rugged mountains and dramatic coastlines would be mistaken. Instead his book takes in some of the country's lesser-celebrated sites, including graveyards, council estates and even a public toilet."I wasn't the least bit interested in romantic sort of postcards, people do that for a living and they do it incredibly well so don't compete with someone who does something better than you do," said David. Instead he set about allowing various experts to suggest what he should photograph when it came to exploring the human effect on the landscape. The result - Wales As Is - is an unflinchingly unsentimental portrayal of Wales. Author Richard King, who David invited to write an essay to accompany his photographs, said he found the images refreshing. He said searching for Welsh identity in the landscape seemed to be "a national hobby and a national obsession"."The thing that really struck me is how much we want to impose a narrative on these places," he said. David said he wanted his photographs to explore what people in Wales meant when they said "this is my culture"."Because whenever I asked them what they meant by the word they got all defensive which means they don't know what they're talking about," he laughed. "I wish that people who wanted to talk about culture were cultured, it's not asking a lot." Richard and David first met when Richard interviewed David about his experience of photographing the Aberfan disaster for one of his books. On 21 October 1966, David was one of the first photographers on the scene when a colliery spoil tip collapsed onto a school killing 116 children and 28 is an experience that has remained with him all his life. "It was undoubtedly the most difficult thing I've ever had to do and that is because you can't think of anything more obscene than children being suffocated with slurry off a tip," he said. It was made all the harder because he understood that the parents and miners desperately digging children out of the slurry did not want to be photographed - but it was also imperative he did so. "That's very difficult to deal with, very difficult and in this case we're talking children which makes it even more difficult," said David."It was obvious they saw you as voyeurs but you as a photographer, as a journalist, realised you had to be there because this was an important thing that needed to be documented and you didn't want it to be pushed under the carpet. One of the ways to stop things being pushed under the carpet is to document them and publish them." Alongside his documentary photography, David made a name for himself photographing stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Michael Caine, Sophia Loren and The also shot five covers for fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar. "Of course all these things pay a lot of money. It's the trivial that pays a lot of money and what you try to do seriously pays the least," he said."To go to the Canary Islands with 11 models in the '60s was nothing but fun, I enjoyed doing it but I wasn't the least bit interested in the end result, it's as simple as that." Many people of his age and with a long career behind them may be thinking of slowing down, but not fact he says work on his next five books is already underway."It's difficult because my legs don't want to work and to shoot pictures you have to walk places and that's difficult now I'm at an age where I struggle," he said."But I want to do it."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
From prison to paycheck: 1 Mo Question helps ex-offenders with jobs
The Brief 1 Mo Question, Inc. in Atlanta is helping ex-offenders reenter society by hosting career fairs and offering second chances. Richard King, a former inmate, was one of 17 ex-offenders hired on the spot at the organization's recent job fair. Founder Dr. Travis Barber, also formerly incarcerated, believes ex-offenders can become leaders and plans more job fairs to support their journey. ATLANTA - It's a scenario many don't often think about: what happens to ex-offenders when they are released from prison? For many, the transition back into society can be lonely and overwhelming. After serving their time and paying their debt to society, starting over is no easy task. One organization in Atlanta is working to change that. What we know When inmates finish their jail or prison sentence, reentering society can be almost impossible. 1 Mo Question, Inc. was created to offer second chances. "Being at a penitentiary, where you're not getting a call home every day. You are on lockdown most of the time is traumatic," said Richard King. King, a 38-year-old ex-convict, says life behind bars is denigrating and isolating. He spent 12 years in federal prison for sex trafficking and was released this past January. Now, he is focused on rebuilding his life. Recently, he attended the 1 Mo Question, Inc. job fair in search of employment. "I do deal with bad days, more so often as of late because of bills and I want to do more for my family and my son," King said. King was one of 17 ex-offenders hired on the spot during the organization's second annual Ex-Offenders Career and Employment Fair, founded by Dr. Travis Barber. Barber, who spent a decade in prison himself, knows the importance of a second chance and believes in helping others find theirs. What they're saying "They make employees like me. They become bosses, they become leaders, they become supervisors," said Dr. Barber. "It means the world to me, people counted me out, but I proved everybody wrong." King, now a tire technician, has a 16-year-old son and is committed to making a difference. He says his mission is to reach young people and keep them on the right path. "I am out here, 10 toes down, ready to embark on this new journey of my life," he said. Why you should care 1 Mo Question, Inc. remains committed to helping ex-offenders achieve redemption and plans to host additional job fairs in the coming months.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-lower league SPFL star scores stunning overhead kick on international debut before former Rangers target grabs winner
He scored a barrel-load of goals in Scotland's third tier RUM RISE Ex-lower league SPFL star scores stunning overhead kick on international debut before former Rangers target grabs winner Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JUST a few years ago he was playing in the third tier of Scottish football. But tonight he made himself a national hero with a stunning goal on his international debut. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Not a bad way to score your first goal on the international stage! Credit: Getty 3 Remember him, Kilmarnock fans? Credit: John Kirkby Rumarn Burrell had a loan spell at Kilmarnock in the 2021-22 season when the Ayrshire side were in the Championship, when on the books at Middlesbrough. He was released by North Yorkshire club in 2022 and he subsequently spent two years playing in Scotland's League One. The striker would go on to score 12 goals in 39 appearances for Falkirk after signing a one-year deal with the Bairns. But the next season he took his scoring feats to new heights. Burrell rattled in 25 goals in 42 games for Cove Rangers (including 21 in 34 in the league) and his excellent form saw him earn a move back to England. He signed for Burton Albion and has continued to impress, winning a call-up to the Jamaica national team this month. Burrell, 24, was born in Birmingham but has Jamaican ancestry and boss Steve McClaren was keen for him to join the Reggae Boyz ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer. He was handed his debut tonight in Jamaica's Unity Cup opener against rivals Trinidad & Tobago - managed by Manchester United and Aston Villa legend Dwight Yorke. This is the second edition of the Unity Cup, a tournament held in London between nations with large diasporas in the city. Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago are joined by Ghana and Nigeria this year (Jamaica, Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland competed in 2024). Rangers icon Paul Gascoigne makes surprise Match of the Day appearance as footie greats pay tribute to Gary Lineker The two Caribbean sides are fierce rivals, having played each other more than they have anyone else in their history. And Burrell was at the heart of the action at the Brentford Community Stadium. Hull City star Kasey Palmer opened the scoring for Jamaica in the first half with an audacious panenka penalty. But the Burrell outdid him with an inventive overhead kick in the 53rd minute. Burrell quickly improvised after Palmer had a shot saved from close range to turn his body into position and direct the ball into the net. Trinidad & Tobago pulled one back just a minute later through Isaiah Leacock and Kevin Molino equalised on 69 minutes. But defender Richard King, who at one time was briefly linked to Rangers, stepped up in injury time to score the winner from the penalty spot. 3 Richard King of Jamaica scores the winning goal from the penalty spot Credit: Getty Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
I'm a gardening expert – the free, easy way to keep pesky birds off your plants this summer
Plus, how it can keep kids busy for a few hours PECKING ORDER I'm a gardening expert – the free, easy way to keep pesky birds off your plants this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH spring in full swing, gardens will be enjoying a burst of new life - but there can be a few unwelcome visitors. Unfortunately for green-fingered Brits, birds are drawn to ripening plants looking for a tasty snack, often stealing crops before they have the chance to be picked. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 If you are fed up with birds eating fruit you are growing in your garden there may be a trick Credit: Getty 2 An expert shared how you can paint rocks to look like decoy fruit to deter birds Credit: Reddit To help, Richard King, garden expert at Dino Decking, has revealed a fun and family-friendly hack, which is gaining popularity on TikTok and Reddit. This trick is to use painted rocks as decoy fruit to keep birds at bay. The gardening professional explained: 'By painting small rocks using waterproof paint, gardeners can create realistic-looking decoys that resemble ripe fruit such as strawberries, tomatoes and more. 'These colourful fakes lure birds in early, only for them to be met with a hard, unappetising surprise and over time, conditioning birds to associate those bright colours with disappointment and avoid the real thing altogether. 'It's a brilliantly simple deterrent that's eco-friendly, safe for wildlife, and surprisingly effective. 'Plus, it's a great way to involve children in the garden. They get to be creative, learn about nature, and feel like part of the growing process.' Richard shared five easy steps to creating the bird deterrents in your garden… 1. Choose the right stones Start by collecting smooth, rounded stones that closely resemble the size and shape of the fruit you want to imitate, such as strawberries, tomatoes, or apricots. 2. Paint and add realistic fruit details Use outdoor-safe acrylic paint in bright colours so they are easy for birds to spot, think red for strawberries, yellow for apricots, or deep purple for plums. Be sure to apply an even coat and decorate them with fine details like seeds, stems, or shading using smaller brushes or paint pens to make your painted rocks more convincing. Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Garden Pest-Free 4. Seal for durability Once the paint has dried completely, protect your work by sealing the stones with a clear, waterproof sealant. A shellac glaze is particularly effective for long-lasting, weather-resistant results. 5. Place them in your garden Set the painted stones among your plants early in the growing season, ideally before any fruit begins to ripen, to train birds to avoid the area. For example, placing strawberry rocks in your garden about three weeks before your real strawberries begin to turn red can help deter birds just in time to save your crop.
