Behind the Ballot: Photography from the 2014 Referendum Count
Through the Lens: Photographing a Defining Moment in Scottish History
I knew when I was asked to photograph the count in 2014 for the Scottish Independence Referendum that, regardless of the outcome, history would be witnessed.
I was, in 2014, doing a substantial amount of freelance photography for the Kilmarnock Standard and was asked to cover the East Ayrshire count.
I was delighted.
Counts start at 10pm once polling (voting) has finished and, in the UK, the ballot boxes containing the votes are transported to a count venue (in this case a Sports Centre) where the count takes place.
The background, for those not aware, was that in 2014 there was a referendum, a yes or no vote, on whether Scotland should become independent of the UK - separated from Ireland, England and Wales. Or remain within it.
The campaign was vigorously fought and, on the whole, in good spirit.
So this was a privilege to be part of - to photograph the count in a balanced way so that the paper could present the result objectively.
Capturing the Vote: A Visual Journey Through the Scottish Independence Referendum
So the aim will be to go through some of the images shot and to describe what the thinking was. If appropriate I might set out some details of camera settings but it's not so much a camera technique blog. More a "what's going through a photographer's mind" blog.
First up was an image of the boxes arriving shortly after 10pm - I deliberately slowed the shutter down to add blur to the photo, to create a sense of movement and energy/excitement. This can be a tricky shot. If you over-do the blur the photo becomes meaningless and also the subject (usually the person) usually needs to remain recognisable. And second, the client (here the paper) might not understand what you are trying to convey and may think its an error. You also have to ask yourself if the reader would understand what you are doing - I'd never leave only this type of shot as the only option - "safer" images must also be shot.
Then there is the job of allowing people to see, through the paper, the process - this is in reality part of the paper's job is to see/cover/report on events and decisions (usually local authority ones) which most folk can't get access to simply, typically, due to the practicalities of life getting in the way. Here therefore was a shot of the ballot boxes being emptied in view of the folk there to count. Letting readers have a "behind the scenes" glimpse.
Then there were Observers. They were there to make sure the count was all "above board". Here I have shot over the shoulder to show a link between what he is doing, the formality of paperwork and the count process.
Then just to break things up a little, an abstract of a sealed ballot box. Again, not a bad thing from a democracy perspective to let folk see how these things are done. But for me it's also to break up a newspaper page: from just images of people counting/holding boxes. Variety is the spice of life as they say!
Again, showing the process - a Behind the Scenes insight into the counting process. The boxes being unsealed in front of those counting (and of course Observers).
Standing, is Fiona Lees, the then Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council and also the Returning Officer for this count - here the photo was to show an upbeat environment, and also reveal a bit of "buzz". You can see Observers in the background keeping an eye on counting.
Counting - clearly I needed a shot of counting as this was the whole point of the Referendum...😂 And below I shot this when it was about as much 50-50 as I could. So it could be used either way.
Above I had asked the local MSP and MP (I think Cathy Jamieson was an MP at this stage) to do a photo together again to show that, despite the passion with which the referendum was fought, such political differences did not spill over into affecting personal relationships.
Here the result is being announced by the Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council, and Returning Officer, Fiona Lees. For a news item perspective it's helpful to have the location spelled out and also the nature of the count - it's fairly literal here.
And finally once the outcome become known the TV crews suddenly became alive so that footage could be broadcast live on TV as the night unfolded. Good to capture this scene of the jubilant half of the campaign.
Throughout these images, where folk are identifiable (and where there were fewer than 5) names and details required to be taken and included in the metadata in the image.
Reflections on the Frame: Insights from Photographing Scotland’s Pivotal Vote
I hope you enjoyed the whistle-stop tour of what might be under consideration when shooting an event.
This was a "once in a generation vote" and therefore a "once in a lifetime job" and for that reason it was privilege to be there on the night. I knew a lot of the folk present from local councillors to MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) to MPs (Members of Parliament) to council staff and those observing. It was a great night to be part of.
It was an historical moment and I was proud to have been asked to cover it.
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