2016 Year Review

This is Part One of the Composed Images 2016 photography year review.

The year of 2016 will go down in history, as all years do. But this one has very obvious and tangible reasons. From Brexit to Trump, there have been plenty of seminal political moments. While Westminster in London is the obvious hub of major UK political activity, the Welsh capital city of Cardiff is a key media focus for Wales. As a Cardiff photographer, there are opportunities when politicians, royals and dignitaries deign to visit.

Within a couple of summer months the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay welcomed the Queen to open the fifth session of the National Assembly, and new prime minister Theresa May.

Prime Minister Theresa May visits the National Assembly for Wales Senedd building in Cardiff, July 18th 2016.
Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

The Senedd steps also saw a steady flow of sombre vigils. In fact there were two in one horrendous week. The first for victims of the Orlando massacre, and the second for brutally murdered MP Jo Cox. The emotion at the latter felt more raw, and palpably closer to home. The idea that something like that could happen on the streets of Britain is still shocking.

A vigil is held for victims of the LGBT nightclub massacre in Orlando at the National Assembly for Wales Senedd Building in Cardiff, Wales, UK on June 13th 2016.
Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

A vigil is held for the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox at the National Assembly for Wales Senedd Building in Cardiff, Wales, UK on June 17th 2016.
Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

In Cardiff city centre, as in many town and city centres across the UK, there were events organised expressing public upset, anger and dismay at the EU referendum result. While Cardiff as a city voted to remain part of the European Union, Wales as a whole voted to leave.

Cardiff For Europe event in Cardiff city centre, celebrating the European Union and everything it has offered to Wales. Cardiff, Wales, UK, June 28th 2016.
© Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

Cardiff For Europe event in Cardiff city centre, celebrating the European Union and everything it has offered to Wales. Cardiff, Wales, UK, June 28th 2016.
© Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

View more images from the Cardiff For Europe event on the Composed Images photoshelter site.

It’s likely that the year 2016 will be remembered mostly for Brexit, the political fallout, and the rise of US President elect Donald Trump.

EU referendum posters during polling day in Cardiff, Wales, UK on June 23rd 2016.
© Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

Cardiff Central Library polling station during EU referendum polling day in Cardiff City Centre, Wales, UK on June 23rd 2016.
© Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

Early morning in Cardiff after a referendum vote decided the UK will leave the European Union, Wales, UK on June 24th 2016.
© Mark Hawkins/Composed Images

2016 Away From Politics

Earlier in the year, local Cardiff documentary photography efforts saw me explore the areas around Rover Way and Cardiff Bay, pondering their respective histories as I went. These pages were also used to ponder the significance of old family photographs and memory.

(This photography year review is not strictly chronological: January, February, March.. etc. Which is the usual and logical way to order such a 2016 photography year review. Sorry if that offends but it’s been a crazy jumpy schizophrenic sort of year so maybe it’s fitting.)

[Read the Composed piece: Exploring Rover Way]

While a trip to North Wales and Llandudno in April gave me my best sunrise of the year.

[Read the Composed post: Visiting Llandudno]

2016 Sport Photography

In March the IAAF World Half Marathon brought thousands to the city for a rainy running carnival. It saw Great Britain legend Mo Farah compete, and ultimately finish third.

Mo Farah of Great Britain beats off the challenge of Abayneh Ayele of Eritrea to finish third in the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff City Centre, March 26th 2016.

As the domestic football season drew to a close, my most memorable match saw Bristol Rovers achieve a dramatic last gasp promotion from Sky Bet League Two to League One.

For Welsh football fans June and July was largely dominated by the unprecedented success of the Wales national football team at Euro 2016. Led by talisman Gareth Bale, the side reached the semi-finals where they were beaten by eventual winners Portugal.

Fan zones organised by Cardiff City Council in the city’s Coopers Field park, and for the semi-final at The Principality Stadium were a huge success. Witnessing at such close quarters how much it meant to the people of Cardiff was something special, and served as a kind of antidote to all the raw Brexit bitterness and division.

[Read the Composed piece: Euro 2016 from Cardiff]

Part two of the 2016 photography year review will be up here soon.

Thanks for reading. Please get in touch if you need photography services in 2017.