Press Association photographers pick their top shots of 2022 – BBC
PA Media photographers choose their best photographs from the past year and reflect on the stories behind the images.
Image source, Ben Birchall / PA Media
Ben Birchall was the only news photographer present at Highgrove House, where the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) danced with one of the guests, Bridget Tibbs, during a tea dance hosted by The Prince’s Foundation to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
“I consciously remember pulling back, leaving space to blend into guests and just observing without a camera to my eye.
“I could sense someone would ask him to dance, so I moved into the empty floor space, switched to my 20mm prime lens, and sure enough they began to waltz towards me.
“I remember almost swaying with them across the floor to keep them in the frame as I don’t have a zoom lens, which made it quite a personal moment for me also. They both looked as though they thoroughly enjoyed the spotlight, and everyone in the room was beaming from ear to ear to see not only how much fun they were having, but how gracefully they danced together.
“The dancing progressed for over two minutes, which is a lifetime in photography, but in true reportage fashion the nervous energy, charisma and spontaneity happened within the first 10 seconds. After that, the dancefloor crowded out and polite conversation replaced energetic giggles.”
Lionesses win the Euros
Image source, Joe Giddens / PA Media
Joe Giddens was at Wembley Stadium to capture a shot of Lioness Chloe Kelly, after she scored the winning goal of the Uefa Women’s Euro 2022 final.
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