There’s a new sheriff in town..
So eleven weeks to the day after winning the US Presidential election, Barack Hussein Obama II was declared the 44th President of the United States of America. As during the night of the election itself, I had to find a way to illustrate the British interest in the story so headed up to Tottenham in North London to the Bernie Grant Arts Centre to scout that out before heading back to central London for the big show at the Hard Rock Cafe.
As was the case on Novemeber 4th 2008, these kind of jobs are always a little odd as you know that the picture of the day is going to be from the other side of the world. However, the challenge remains and you have to do your best to capture something that shows how the world was watching.
From an agency point of view, the additonal complication comes from trying to photographically locate the events without setting things up. Somehow, for your shots to work for the best, you need to show that British people are also watching but aside from getting a London bobby to be in the background of every frame or attempting to drive a London bus through the bar, you’re left somewhat stuck.
The downside to me explaining all of this here is that you can now see how I clearly failed in my task. Bahh.. There’s never friendly beefeater carrying a red phone box when you need one..
Anyhow, congratulation’s Mr. President!
