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Axed photographer bounces back in magazine role

Steve GarnettA former weekly editor has warned photographic redundancies in the regional press will be “the newspaper industry’s loss” and “the magazine industry’s gain.”

Adrian Braddy, former Teesdale Mercury and Craven Herald editor, made the comments after announcing an award-winning photographer made redundant after 26 years at a weekly newspaper is to get his own monthly feature in the regional magazine he now runs.

As reported by HTFP in November, Stephen Garnett left the Herald as part of cuts by owner Newsquest.

Having now turned freelance, Stephen, pictured left, will be undertaking editorial assignments for Dalesman magazine, which carries features and news from across Yorkshire.

Stephen’s monthly feature, which will carry his picture byline, is a continuation of the ‘Garnett’s Year’ feature which was regularly carried during his time at the Herald.

Among the accolades won by Stephen during his career are Landscape Photographer of the Year (2011), Yorkshire Photographer of the Year (six times), weekly newspaper photographer of the Year (2007 and 2008), MSN world top-twenty-five environmental image (2011) and World Press Organisation Great British Winter prize (2013).

Adrian, who took up his current role at Dalesman in 2012, says at least one reader has contacted him to say they will be subscribing to the magazine as a result of Stephen’s appointment.

He said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with Steve again, it’s just a shame that it had to be in these circumstances.

“He is one of the country’s most skilled photographers and the industry simply can’t afford to keep losing such creative talent.

“His pictures deserve to be seen by the widest possible audience.”

Adrian added: “If regional newspapers don’t require world-class photography any longer, regional magazines undoubtedly still do.

“There is so much user generated content out there in this digital world that the only way regional media can stand out from the crowd is by providing quality – the best writers and the best photographers.

“Readers don’t want pages filled with blurry, badly composed photographs – they get enough of that on Facebook – they want pictures that inspire them, make them smile and transport them to a better place.

“Creating these pictures is a rare skill and Steve has it in spades.

“The newspaper industry’s loss is the magazine industry’s gain.”

7 comments

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  • January 29, 2015 at 9:55 am
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    Best of luck Adrian I hope you wipe the floor with them.!

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  • January 29, 2015 at 10:06 am
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    “Readers don’t want blurry, badly composed photographs.”
    But editors do. In fact, anything that will be fill a predetermined Atex shape or similar. Quality is soooooo yesterday!

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  • January 29, 2015 at 12:56 pm
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    Always good to see a photographer “landing on their feet” after a knock, especially a talented one like Stephen. Also good to hear of an Editor appreciating quality pictures!

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  • January 29, 2015 at 6:31 pm
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    It’s owners who don’t want to pay for quality photography. Good photos will always sell papers but the stupid no-nothing Johnny come lately clueless owners don’t know that. Making photographers soft targets will soon cath up with the papers!

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  • February 5, 2015 at 12:18 pm
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    I was grateful for this story drawing my attention to Steve’s remarkable portfolio. His Remembrance Day shot would have enhanced the front page of any daily. In the Midlands last week I bought a weekly in which the centre “winter wonderland” spread consisted of pictures taken on an i-phone by a local rambler — OK for a village newsletter maybe but utterly out of place in a paid-for newspaper.

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