Hargey slams hazmat suit racists who threatened teenage boys
THE sky certainly wasn’t the limit for a Belfast snapper who captured a second international gong for his dark and brooding images.
Stephen S T Bradley (right) impressed judges at this year’s Moscow International Foto Awards, with ‘A Terrible Beauty’, named after W B Yeats’ famous poem.
His entry, showing clouds in constant battle with planes in the skies above us, won him second place in the prestigious competition.
He said that having his work recognised is a source of great pleasure to him.
“While I enjoy creating fine art photographs of Northern Ireland skies, knowing they are respected and admired by international creative organisations validates my creative abilities and, to put it simply, makes me happy,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“Knowing Northern Ireland is getting an international shout-out, through exposure of my work, gives me a stronger sense of pride in where I come from.”
The 61-year-old north Belfast man, who grew up on the Crumlin Road and now lives in Newtownabbey, explained how his home city inspired his award-winning creation.
“My subject matter includes airliner vapour trails juxtaposed with naturally formed cloud formations, caught in an ethereal dance high above Cave Hill,” he said.
“Each image is created from a single shot, with adjustments to exposure, contrast and saturation.”
It’s not the first time the former Belfast Telegraph and Pacemaker agency photographer has had his work recognised abroad.
Indeed, his cloud work also secured silver at Prix de la Photographie Paris 2019.
Having begun his professional career in a regional newspaper, he has documented many of the tragedies of the Troubles.
His extensive repertoire also includes photographs of A-list musicians including Elton John, Jermaine Dupri and LA Reid, which he took when he lived in Atlanta in the US.
Discovering fine art photography in 2015, his images of skies over Ireland and the US are now selling for more than £2,000 and are in private collections in the States, England, Germany and France.
The divorced father of two sons — Paul (36), a graffiti and tattoo artist who lives in Belfast, and Patrick (33) a Blackpool-based doctor — lives in Co
Antrim with partner Karen Mccloskey (49), who works in IT.
He also runs an online magazine called ‘Bout Yeh’, which has been going for a couple of years and has become an all-important “source of sanity” for him during the current coronavirus pandemic.
“The magazine is viewed 310,000 times a month on social media,” he said.
“Work has been extremely thin on the ground due to the lockdown, so I’ve been keeping myself extremely busy by interviewing and photographing people for that in recent times.”
Stephen’s reportage was acquired for permanent collection by National Museums Northern Ireland in 2018.
SINN Fein has condemned the racist abuse of two teenage boys in Belfast by a gang dressed in hazmat suits.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said the boys were racially abused on the Ormeau Road on Sunday evening.
“The gang of around 10 also made threats of violence against them,” the South Belfast MLA said, urging anyone with information to contact police.
“Those involved in this racist attack are to be condemned. Anyone with information in this incident should bring it forward so that those responsible can be brought before the courts.”
She said the gang was “dressed in hazmat suits”.
Ms Hargey also described the community spirit shown by people living on the Ormeau Road as “extremely heartening”.
“Those of all religions, races and ethnicities have been working together to support the vulnerable in our community during this pandemic,” she said.
“Our community has also been united and strong in our anti-racism message in recent days, standing fully in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Anti-racism and anti-fascism proudly form part of the DNA of our community.
“Those involved in this despicable incident will not succeed in undoing the strength of our community solidarity.”
Officers investigating the incident asked for anyone who was in the area around 6.30pm and may have information to contact the PSNI.
Inspector Natalie Mcnally said: “We are investigating this incident and I would appeal to anyone who either saw this group of up to 10 males, who were walking along the Ormeau Road wearing the distinctive while boiler suits, or anyone with dashcam footage of them, to call us on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1284 of June 7.
“A report can be made using the reporting form via www.psni. police.uk/makeareport.”
Information can also be provided to the Crimestoppers charity anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.