Anti Gun Campaigner - David 'Royal Star' King

[David Cantor]

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[Louis]

Nice shot; God bless him.

[David Cantor]

3 minutes ago, Louis said:

Nice shot; God bless him.

Thank you!  

Extract from my book 'Conversations'.

Where to start? I think the answer is to share a chance meeting with David ‘Royal Star’ King, not only because the memory remains so vivid but because it played an important part in the direction of my photography. That day, I became convinced that a meaningful connection with my subject is just as important as pressing the shutter. This notion is the starting point of most, if not all pages that follow. By the final image, I hope the curious and adventurous will discover not only the liberation that beckons, but a broader understanding of people from different backgrounds and walks of life. Here’s that story.

Several years ago, I crossed under Blackfriars Bridge on the south side of the Thames and there he stood, waiting at a bus stop. I knew that I should take a photograph of this striking man with his trolley and placard but weakly walked by. Ten seconds later, after berating myself for being so feeble-minded. I returned to ask permission. “Why do you want to do that?” It’s a question that I have been asked many times since. Back then, I fumbled some kind of response, instead of making a photograph, we had a conversation and David ‘Royal Star’ King told me his life-changing story.

As a young man David had been an up-and-coming boxer, until one fateful evening while leaving a club in Peckham, an assailant emptied a shotgun at David’s head. The wounds were horrific, it took a full year for David to learn to walk and speak again. When strong enough, David campaigned vigorously against the carrying of hand guns by those he disarmingly described as ‘young stars’. His undeniable logic was that he was uniquely qualified to appeal directly and successfully to gun-toting young men. Despite his best efforts, forceful opposition to David’s methods came from the office of the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Failure to agree a common approach to tackle gun crime, resulted in David being barred from entering County Hall.

Undeterred, David continued his crusade, all the time insisting he is a survivor not a victim. After sharing his story, David said “OK, you can take a picture”. I took about five, the bus arrived and he was gone. It was my privilege to have had such a momentous dialogue with this extraordinary man. This conversation has played such an important part in my photography and is something that I value deeply. That encounter is unforgettable, one that I shall always value, it embodies what Joel Meyerowitz tells us, that carrying a camera gives us the opportunity and authority to discover a different and exciting new world.

[stuny]

A sea change moment for your photography, and we all benefit from seeing how it impacted your images.  Bravo.

[David Cantor]

2 hours ago, stuny said:

A sea change moment for your photography, and we all benefit from seeing how it impacted your images.  Bravo.

Stu, you are always so encouraging to everyone here.  Thank you

[Sparkassenkunde]

Thank you very much for providing the story behind the picture! This gives the visual scene a much broader „image“ - a depth of field no lens could provide. I myself certainly lack this depth in my photography - and this will probably never happen to get better. The more I appreciate what others, like you, are capable of!

[David Cantor]

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1 hour ago, Sparkassenkunde said:

Thank you very much for providing the story behind the picture! This gives the visual scene a much broader „image“ - a depth of field no lens could provide. I myself certainly lack this depth in my photography - and this will probably never happen to get better. The more I appreciate what others, like you, are capable of!

James, I am really appreciative of your remarks.  Please do not underestimate your possibilities, if this is the kind of photography that you aspire to, you are certainly capable - provided you want it enough.  Respect for people is a requirement and some humility goes a very long way.  From your comment, I have the feeling that you would succeed.

There is a very useful Youtube video on Sean Tucker’s channel featuring Gabriella Motola.  I give presentations about my photography and after the talks, I provide the audience with handouts.  If you feel happy to send me a private message with your email address, I can send the information.

David

[Sparkassenkunde]

Thank you for your response and excuse my late reply! I will have a look at the video you mentioned and come back to you later 😀

[David Cantor]

On 5/18/2023 at 2:58 PM, David Cantor said:

James, I am really appreciative of your remarks.  Please do not underestimate your possibilities, if this is the kind of photography that you aspire to, you are certainly capable - provided you want it enough.  Respect for people is a requirement and some humility goes a very long way.  From your comment, I have the feeling that you would succeed.

There is a very useful Youtube video on Sean Tucker’s channel featuring Gabriella Motola.  I give presentations about my photography and after the talks, I provide the audience with handouts.  If you feel happy to send me a private message with your email address, I can send the information.

David

 

38 minutes ago, Sparkassenkunde said:

Thank you for your response and excuse my late reply! I will have a look at the video you mentioned and come back to you later 😀

This is it:-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba2OnpjbncQ