Shooting the Shooter by Mairéad

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08-Mar-2013

Shooting the Shooter

Covering a story about anti-austerity protesters demonstrating outside the office of our local Government politician gave me the opportunity to gt a shot of our photographer in action.
Adopting the slogan 'Let Them Eat Cereal' the protesters were highlighting the fact that some Irish families have to eat breakfast cereal instead of proper meals due to
poverty.

Olympus E-P1
1/60s f/4.5 at 18.0mm iso640 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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John Lamb		10-Mar-2013 22:30
You can lead politicians to water...but you can't make them think. None of them have any answers but they keep taking their salary.

Barbara Heide		10-Mar-2013 21:56
there is cereal and cereal... healthy cereals are not the sugery crisps they sell in supermarkets... But in fact, a lot of poor people here can't afford fresh food... if they buy bad frozen food in a supermarket the dish costs much less than the fresh ingredients... but you don't know what you are eating... I do personally know quite a few people, who are not able to afford "healthy food"...

Alan K		10-Mar-2013 00:20
I'm not sure that Jerry Seinfeld would see the problem. (Nor do I actually; I sometimes have cereal with fruit as lunch or dinner when I'm feeling a need to cut back on the fats and go for a healthier alternative.) However in one respect the point is valid and it's likely to get worse. Over the next 50 years as we see increasing demand from Asia in particular the food prices of today will be fond memories. That having been said, I'm not sure what staple prices are like in Europe but here if you sacrifice the time you can (as Laine was alluding to) certainly make nutritious stews, stir fries and the like for a LOT less than your average Maccas meal. A trip to the hot bread shop at the local plaza will yield half a dozen very large bread rolls for $2.50. There's no denying that for a lot of people, particularly those with insecure or low paying jobs it's harder to make ends meet than it once was, but what's important is education in that respect as well; it's not something where it's merely a case of "the guv'mint has to DO something!" simply because too many people hace come to define "food" in terms of what they can "grab & go" from the supermarket or get at a fast food restaurant. Turned out to be an excellent piece of photojournalism as judging from the comments it certainly started people thinking about the issue!

laine		09-Mar-2013 20:49
This photojournalistic shot provokes many responses and some are very valid...the argument about being forced into eating cereal ( and we sometimes hear dogfood...blurgh!! ) forces me to say " Has anyone noticed the price of both those items as compared with a kilo of minced beef, potatoes, carrots etc...a pot of stew for under $10.00 or burgers, cokes, fries, that cost the earth even at what used to be "cheaper family restaurants " The last time I looked, those boots that lady is wearing were over $200 a pair so her credibility is shot :) Get back to basics, give up what you don't need, hunker down and pay for what the leaders of this world have placed you in...big debts!! and you may come out of it in the end. Go ask your great grandparents how they survived, depressions and wars. Thanks Mairead :)

borisalex		09-Mar-2013 07:17
Quote "the protesters were highlighting the fact that some Irish families have to eat breakfast cereal instead of proper meals due to poverty." What is wrong with cereals, there are actually expensive and good for breakfast, because you have also the milk and if you cut in some apples or bananas, its a perfect breakfast. But I guess the Irish are used to eat like the English with Ham and Egg, hashed browns and sausages, fat and unhealthy choices, but its like with the beer! :) Vote for the photojournalism!

Mieke WA Minkjan		09-Mar-2013 06:40
great action picture of people bringing forward their cause BV Mairead poverty is always lurking at the backdoor, even for mr Philips or Mrs Guinness

Janice Dunn		09-Mar-2013 04:37
We have many children going to school hungry here in NZ, and there has been a lot in the press and talks with government. Really - it is happening all over the world. Also been comments about no food for their children but many parents have the latest mobile phone, etc. Hungry children and their parents smoke, or play Bingo, or gamble. Yes, fruits and vegies are expensive and money is short... Good shot - I hope Mr Fitzpatrick was there to see and talk to the people here

LynnH		09-Mar-2013 02:39
Most low income people are overweight. Fruits and Veggies are expensive and hard to fill up hungry kids on a small budget. Starches end up being the main food source and hence the weight gain. What I don't understand here is, our cold breakfast cereals are quite expensive. I cringe when I buy a box. Good job with this one. And very interesting!

duo		09-Mar-2013 00:45
Wonderful image depicting the subject. As an aside do you notice that street people and others asking for help with food, I have observed as does this image show the asker is often quite a large weighted person. Is there something about hunger that makes one larger. I miss the point entirely. Sorry to vent on your image.

Brenda		09-Mar-2013 00:37
"Shoot the Shooter" or "Photojournalism" - Great image. Sad how prevalent food insecurity is these days. It's a world-wide problem. V

Karen Stuebing		08-Mar-2013 23:00
Excellent candid of the photographer capturing the protesters. Your photo seems better as a photojournalist shot as you have photographed the entire crowd. V.

Sheila		08-Mar-2013 22:51
You shot the shooter and it's a piece of photojournalism, too.

Helen Betts		08-Mar-2013 22:10
A great documentary capture, Margaret. Seems to me you could be the photographer for your paper as well! V.

Ray :)		08-Mar-2013 21:13
Good one of your colleague at work.

larose forest photos		08-Mar-2013 20:58
Very good documentary shot. Tells a story well. V

Frank Brault		08-Mar-2013 20:57
A terrific journalistic candid. V

Ann...		08-Mar-2013 20:31
Excellent candid, worrying that a protest such as this is being held in 2013.

Colin Storey		08-Mar-2013 20:23
Great image of the peaceful looking demonstraters and photographer.

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