The Times Picture Annual 2010
Darrin Zammit Lupi
Allied Publications pp192
ISBN: 978-99909-3-160-0
The extraordinary events which occurred in this outgoing year has certainly given the quartet of The Times’ photographers ample opportunity to record for posterity many dramatic moments.
Darrin Zammit Lupi, Chris Sant Fournier, Matthew Mirabelli and Jason Borg have once again teamed together to give us some outstanding photos replete with emotional impact for the fifth edition of The Times Picture Annual 2010.
The Annual is divided into six local sections – news, people in the news, daily life, art and entertainment, sport and a special one dedicated to the Pope’s visit to our island – and a foreign news section.
Mr Zammit Lupi easily dominates the Annual with his numerous photos surpassing the contributions presented by his three counterparts. He retains his knack of “being at the right place at the right time” and very often ends up with that unusual detail which tends to escape the eye of other photographers. A perfect example of his alertness is his split-second moment of the Pope dozing off during a Mass at the Granaries. A good combination of drama and a touch of humour is the photo on page 157 in the sport section, in which, once again he shows his sharp reflexes. A rather unusual approach is the almost abstract rendition of a schoolgirl blowing soap bubbles.
Mr Sant Fournier can be described as our local street photographer Henri Cartiere Bresson. His photography depicts mostly street scenes with great emotional impact. A particular example is the portrait of the former prison warden Anthony Mifsud leaving the court of justice. Mr Mifsud’s face clearly shows his inner feelings after his long battle for justice, while another successful portrait is the double spread of Winter Moods’ singer Ivan Grech performing on the Granaries. The beautiful back lighting makes this powerful shot unique. Drama is also evident in the photo of the rescue operation by Civil Protection personnel as they hoist Joseph Apap out of a well. The expression on the man’s face tells the whole story.
Mr Mirabelli gives us no less than four powerful pictures. The grim expression of the Civil Protection rescuers as they carry the body of one of the victims of the Farrugia Fireworks Factory explosion in Għarb gives the viewer the entirety of the terrible tragedy. Annabelle Vassallo accepting the award from the Pro-life Lobby Group stands out and her unabated expression shows her will to live. One can almost hear the conversation which is going on between defence lawyer Joe Mifsud and his client Ċikku Fenech of Mosta as they stand outside the Law Courts. Mr Mirabelli’s fourth picture depicting an elderly woman as she steadies herself while crossing a flooded street in Msida is one of his many outstanding shots.
Sharp reflexes by Mr Borg give us a rather unusual picture in the sports category. Sylvano Comvalius, Birkirkara’s foreign player, celebrates his side’s third football league title by climbing on top of the goal posts. The contrast and beautiful cloudscape is certainly brought out between the diminutive figures flying a kite at Senglea against the backdrop of the two majestic cruise liners in the Grand Harbour, a well-seen and constructed panorama.
The back pages of the Picture Annual are once again dedicated to foreign news agencies. The two most outstanding shots are the dramatic rescue of the 33 Chilean miners after being trapped for 69 days in an underground mine and the night shot of the boats sailing past the largest LED screen ever made showing the flags of the participating nations in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
This year’s Picture Annual 2010 maintains its usual high standards with regard to the printing and choice of paper quality and gives us the pick of the best photos shot in the last 12 months for The Times and The Sunday Times.
☐ Mr Psaila is a former secrertay and president of the Malta Photographic Society.