How do you choose what makes the front page? How hard is genAI making the job of the picture editor? Fiona Shields is the Guardian’s global head of photography, overseeing all the images across our websites and print publications. She’s online answering your questions now
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ezra23 asks: As a photo editor, do you find a still image can tell a more compelling story than video footage? What are some photographs that have stuck with you and have become synonymous when you think of a politician?
Fiona says:
Yes there’s certainly a firm place for photography in our media landscape as it has a different and often more immediate impact. This is constantly played out in politics to land a message or establish character. Trump is a master of the photo opportunity, with choreographed events and fistpumping appearances that signal his style of strongman leadership. Kim Jong Un cements his dictatorship by surrounding himself with adoring crowds who are often moved to tears by being in his presence. By contrast Keir Starmer often came across as dull in photographs and this didn’t help his profile. By their very nature a political photo opportunity is a form of manipulation so we always prefer to send our own photographers but control over access is becoming increasingly restrictive. Not everything can be controlled however … for example Rishi Sunak getting soaked to the skin while making his resignation speech.
