Photo of the week - Riot Kiss

A couple are seen in the middle of the Vancouver riot after the Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup decider. Photograph: Rich Lam/Getty Images

I'm going to start doing a 'Photo of the week'. New, old, professional or ameture... I'll be selecting a photograph each week that really tickles my fancy.

This one, shared by many 'Tweeters' over the last week was shot during the riots in Vancouver after some ice hockey game. It looks like some advert for Lynx but despite that I think its bloody ace. Right time, right place - great execution.

The photographer was being buffeted by rioters and riot police when he spotted the couple. "I was about 20 or 30 yards away," he said. "There were these two people on the ground in this empty street. Initially I thought one of them was hurt." He took a few shots and then the moment was lost.

"It was complete chaos. Rioters set two cars on fire and then I saw looters break the window at a neighbouring department store," he said.

"At that point, the riot police charged right towards us. After I stopped running, I noticed in the space behind the line of police that two people were lying in the street with the riot police and a raging fire just beyond them.

"I knew I had captured a 'moment' when I snapped the still forms against the backdrop of such chaos but it wasn't until later when I returned to the rink to file my photos that my editor pointed out that the two people were not hurt, but kissing."


I have read that this is the greatest photo of all time, bollox! Don't be silly. It is though a top photo that captures something beautiful in a world where rioting seems to be an everyday event.

Grand