Photographers Blog

North Korea opened its doors and the internet to the World's media to allow a glimpse of the parade which marked the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party. More importantly, it gave the world its first independent look at the protege Kim Jong-un. China based Chief Photographer Petar Kujundzic took full advantage of the opportunity.  The warmth of the picture of the women soldiers smiling - a rare glimpse into the world from which we normally only get formal, over compressed and pixelated images.

North Korean female soldiers smile before a parade to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang October 10, 2010. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

Female North Korean soldiers march during a military parade to commemorate the 65th anniversary of founding of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang October 10, 2010. Secretive North Korea's leader-in-waiting, the youngest son of ailing ruler Kim Jong-il, took centre stage during a massive military parade on Sunday, appearing live for the first time in public.      REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (R) looks at his youngest son Kim Jong-un as they watch a parade to commemorate the 65th anniversary of founding of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang October 10, 2010. Secretive North Korea's leader-in-waiting, the youngest son of ailing ruler Kim Jong-il, took centre stage during a massive military parade on Sunday, appearing live for the first time in public.    REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

At the risk of appearing to throw stones into the dark and murky waters of succession, I will move directly from Kim Jong-un to Prince Charles.  I want to highlight this affectionate picture of Britain's heir to the throne by Sunil Verma. A perfectly timed image with legs, arms and delicately held umbrellas all leading the eye round and round in a dance of gentle enjoyment.

When a dignitary leaves home for a foreign trip, Reuters and other major news organisations make an editorial and logistical decision on whether to send a staff photographer or rely on local cover.

As we don’t have a local Jamaican photographer, I was dispatched from Washington to join the seven London-based photographers working for various newspapers, agencies and freelance organisations covering the recent visit to the Caribbean by Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Whether coming from London or elsewhere, our respective companies commit time, effort and money to get us into position for the royal tour. Having traveled all that way it usually boils down to a few precious seconds when the memorable images that define the whole assignment flash before your eyes and you have to be in place to capture them. Easier said than done when you have to decide what NOT to shoot!