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Taylor Swift’s father Scott Swift has been accused of assaulting an Australian photographer on a wharf on the Sydney Harbour early on Tuesday after the singer’s final concert, according to the police.

Local media identified the paparazzo as Ben McDonald, the chief executive of Matrix Media Group, who was photographing Swift as she got off a yacht at the Neutral Bay wharf around 2am following a late-night cruise on the Sydney Harbour.

“Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man,” the New South Wales Police said in a statement, without naming Swift’s father, Scott.

“The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now underway by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command. The man did not require medical treatment,” according to the police.

Swift was with her father at the time but had entered a car when the alleged assault occurred, according to state broadcaster ABC. “He’s charged in and punched me in the face,” McDonald told the outlet.

“In 23 years of doing this I’ve never been assaulted, let alone been punched in the face by a father,” he said.

“I didn’t realise it was her dad at the time,” he told The Guardian. “It was a bit of a shock but I’ll leave the police to do their job.”

A spokesperson for Taylor Swift told the Rolling Stone two people were acting “aggressively” towards Swift and her entourage when the incident occurred.

“Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The ABC reported the photographer said Swift‘s entourage used umbrellas to try and prevent him taking photographs and in the alleged altercation Swift‘s father became involved.

Swift‘s Australian leg of her record-breaking Eras tour wrapped up on Monday evening.

Paul Shambroom has been interested in government since he was a kid. But not the usual stuff like candidates kissing babies or heated moments in a political debate.

“I’m just really fascinated with the dynamics of meetings,” he said.

A frequent observer of city council and school boards meetings, Shambroom said these civic rituals reveal a lot about how our communities operate.

“There’s someone who’s sort of the troublemaker, who asks a lot of questions and pushes back. There’s the peacemakers. And there are people who don’t really say much in a meeting. They just kind of sit back and listen,” he said.

Which is why Shambroom, who also teaches at the University of Minnesota, spent four years photographing local government meetings.

That same anthropological instinct inspired his current project, Purpletown. Since 2021, Shambroom has mapped hundreds of communities that were statistically tied during the last presidential election with votes split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. He’s traveled to 22 states so far and photographed more than 60 so-called “purple” communities.

He likes to be unobtrusive on these trips. His portfolio is full of landscapes, gatherings, and gaming events. 

“It’s almost as if I dropped in from another planet. I’ll wander around and just see what there is to see,” he said.

‘Nobody talks politics in the bar’

In mid-February, Shambroom headed to Dundas — a dot of purple in a sea of blue and red communities. Just next door is Northfield, a Democratic-leaning college town. To the south are rural counties that tend to vote Republican.

In 2020, President Joe Biden won Dundas by seven votes. 

Shambroom’s first stop was the L & M Bar, where he chatted with patron Donald Williams.

Williams said he voted for presidential candidate and rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, in 2020, and he plans to vote for Trump this year. He doesn’t love either major political party, but he’s especially turned off by Democrats, who he feels have abandoned labor union workers like himself.  

“It’s either you’re rich or you’re poor. And even the middle class you’re just floating above water,” said Williams.

Sharing his voting record and reasons made Williams a little uncomfortable. He’s seen how politics has strained ties within his own family, so he tends to avoid these discussions. 

And besides “nobody talks politics in the bar,” he told Shambroom. “It’s an unstated rule.”

Observations from a lensman

Shambroom stresses his work isn’t an academic study, and there’s no unifying theme for the project. 

But after all his years photographing towns that are split down the middle politically, he’s noticed that purple towns aren’t as polarized as people might think they are. 

“I think if people live in a community that is really split down the middle, they’re probably more civil to each other. You know, these people may go to church together, their kids go to school together, they shop in the same stores, and I think they behave differently than people who live in a bubble,” he said.

It’s a theory that bears out during each stop Shambroom makes in Dundas — at city hall, a local brewery and in private homes. His subjects agree that talking about politics is hard and awkward, so why stir things up?

Shambroom’s final stop was the Red Gate Alpaca Farm, where Teri and Kraig Quamme breed award-winning alpacas. 

The couple said they get along well with their neighbors.

“For me anyway, you get a feel on who you can talk to and who you just don’t say anything to,” said Teri.

“So for the most part we don’t talk about anything,” joked Kraig. 

In a small town like Dundas, where everyone knows each other, they said it’s just not worth the risk.

Melbourne, Australia — A photographer told police he was punched in the face by Taylor Swift’s father on the Sydney waterfront on Tuesday, hours after the pop star’s Australian tour ended.

Ben McDonald said he provided police with a statement alleging that Scott Swift assaulted him at the Neutral Bay Wharf, where the father and daughter had just come ashore from a yacht.

Agence France-Presse reports that McDonald said he’d been taking pictures of the pop superstar and her entourage on a luxury superyacht in Sydney Harbor during an apparent late-night celebration after the Australian leg of her Eras Tour concluded.

The veteran paparazzo said he decided to report the attack to police despite not being seriously injured.

“It was just a punch in the chops. It’s a little tender, but I don’t have any bruising and it didn’t require medical assistance,” McDonald said.

“In 23 years, I haven’t been assaulted and punched in the chops, particularly by the talent’s dad,” he added.

Taylor Swifts representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment emailed by The Associated Press.

But a spokesperson for the star told Rolling Stone magazine that at the time of the incident, two people were “aggressively pushing” to get to Taylor Swift, grabbed security and threatened a member of the singer’s staff.

The New South Wale Police Force media office confirmed that police were investigating the alleged assault of a 51-year-old man by a 71-year-old man at 2:30 a.m. Police did not release names, in accordance with their policy for such allegations.

But AFP says that in addition to McDonald, a law enforcement source identified the man who was accused as Scott Swift.

AFP cites Australian police as saying Scott Swift “has left the country” but that inquiries were continuing.

Taylor Swift left Australia on a private jet Tuesday, after more than 600,000 fans saw that leg of her tour at seven stadium concerts. Singapore is the next stop. AFP says more than 300,000 fans gobbled up tickets to her six sold-out dates at the National Stadium.

McDonald said media had been waiting to photograph the star as she walked with her entourage from a jetty to two waiting cars.

“There were about four or five security there and at one point, one of the American security started shoving his umbrella into me and my camera and then Taylor got in her car,” McDonald told the AP.

“Someone else came running at me and punched me in the left side of my face. Initially, I thought it was an Australian security that was trying to be the hero of the moment in the front of the Americans, but as it turned out it was her father,” McDonald added.

McDonald said he realized that his alleged assailant wasn’t a part of the security detail after seeing a photo of him holding Swift’s hand while reviewing photos from the evening. McDonald later identified Scott Swift from an online picture.

McDonald said there had been no cause for violence.

“We didn’t go rushing down the jetty. We didn’t go rushing to the back of the boat. We waited for her to come up. Kept it very civil,” he said.

“But no, they had to be (expletives) and put the umbrellas up and umbrellas over her and then shove the umbrellas into our faces and then make out that we’re the ones making contact with them,” he added.

Taylor Swift’s fans hurried to defend her father in social media posts, according to AFP. “Free Scott Swift,” posted one such user, @Soyytv.

AFP says “Papa Swift,” as he’s come to be known, has become a fan favorite, “handing out sandwiches, fruit, guitar picks and VIP passes to young members of his daughter’s audiences.”

After a career as a financial adviser, Scott Swift regularly attends Taylor Swift’s concerts and public appearances.

Honor just launched its flagship camera-focused smartphone, the Magic 6 Pro, at an event ahead of MWC 2024 in Barcelona. During the presentation, Honor described the Magic 6 Pro as the best phone for sports photography, it even coined a new term for it – “Sportography”. But, linguistic silliness aside, this phone has the hardware to backup that claim.

The phone packs some serious hardware, there’s a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and an adjustable aperture, a 50MP f/2 ultrawide and a 180MP f/2.6 5x telephoto with a 1/1.49-inch sensor. Yep, you read that right, not only is this the largest sensor size that I’ve seen in a smartphone telephoto camera, but it’s by far the highest resolution, too.

If you’ve ever tried shooting sports, then Honor’s claims should be starting to make sense. Larger sensors and wider apertures allow you to shoot at higher shutter speeds, resulting in sharp action shots that are free from motion blur. You’ll also know that longer focal lengths are what you need, especially if you’re stuck at the side of the pitch, and the reach of this 5x telephoto, combined with the digital crops you can get from such a high-res sensor, should deliver the goods.

It’s not all about the hardware, either. Honor has included some AI magic to help you get perfect action shots, in the form of a feature called Motion Sensing Capture. Enabling this feature lets the phone detect what you’re pointing it at, and when it sees sudden motion, like someone jumping, or even just a nice smile, it’ll automatically take a photo. It could be a godsend if you’re a little slow on the shutter button.

How does the Honor “Sportography” phone perform?

I got the chance to take the Honor Magic 6 Pro out for a spin after the launch event, and being in Barcelona, I knew exactly where I needed to go. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) is the Mecca of street skateboarding, and if you head there at any time, you’re sure to find scores of kids practicing flip tricks on the smooth-tiled floor, or throwing themselves down the stairs when they’re feeling adventurous. What better place to test out the self-proclaimed king of sports photography?

Sure enough, it was packed with skaters, and I was immediately thankful for the reach of this 5x telephoto. Mainly because it meant I could stay well out of the way, avoiding rogue boards that might fly into my ankles.

I enabled the Motion Sensing Capture mode, but I also tapped the shutter button myself as I saw fit. In theory, you might not have to use it all, but MACBA is a chaotic place and with so much going on in the frame, I wasn’t too confident that the AI would know what I was looking for.

I’m really pleased with the results. It was an overcast day, and the sun was setting, so there wasn’t an abundance of light to work with. Even still, the photos came out tack sharp, with barely a hint of motion blur. 

I mainly shot on the 5x telephoto, but I also took a lot of photos with the 2.5x setting, which is a digital crop of the main sensor. Both focal lengths produced detailed images with very similar color renditions. There was very little lag on the shutter, too, even though I had things like auto HDR enabled, which can slow things down a little.

The AI Motion Sensing was a little hit-and-miss. It took some extra shots that I might not have, and it’s always nice to have more than you need when shooting action, but the timing wasn’t always to my liking. As I mentioned, though, the conditions weren’t ideal, there were always multiple subjects in frame and the phone was handheld. I suspect it’d work better on a tripod with a single subject.

It’s not just motion that this mode detects, it’ll also look out for things like smiles, and automatically capture shots of moments it thinks you might want. Amusingly, while I was lining up a shot of a skater, the phone automatically captured a picture of a dog as it glanced at the camera. Adorable!

Later, as I was walking back towards my hotel, I happened across some breakdancing street performers. It was very dark at this point, and although the dancers had set up some little LED floodlights, I would struggle to get blur-free shots with even my full-frame mirrorless set-up.

I decided to give the Magic 6 Pro a try anyway, and while there’s plenty of motion blur, the results are better than I expected. In some cases, the motion blur almost adds to the effect. The AI Motion Capture worked in these conditions, too, grabbing multiple shots that I otherwise would have missed.

My first impressions

While it might be too early to come up with any definitive conclusions about its capabilities – what I do know is that this phone is capable of taking some excellent action shots.

In fact, it seems to be impressive in most areas. The display is lovely and the phone feels great in the hand. That’s before we even get to the software, which is littered with cutting-edge AI goodies to aid in productivity. If you’re keen to find out more, keep an eye out for our full review in the coming weeks.

The phone was released in China last month, but it’s now also available to pre-order in the UK and Europe, with units shipping on March 1.

For more check out our top picks for the best camera phone and best Android phone.

There aren’t many compact cameras available to buy new anymore, and what’s left are usually high-end, large sensor cameras, or waterproof compact cameras with smaller sensors. The OM System Tough TG-7 falls into the latter category, and is the 7th iteration in a long line of tough compact cameras from Olympus, and now OM System.   

OM System are quite serious about their tough compact cameras, with a range of accessories available, numerous controls and specialised shooting modes, and a waterproof rating down to 15m. You can shoot raw, adjust manual controls, and to help capture as much light as possible there’s an F2.0 aperture at the wide-angle end of the lens.   

At the lower end of the market for compact cameras, are budget, mostly unbranded cameras, and most of them best avoided, so it’s nice to see a genuine camera that is aiming to give users something that performs and fills a gap in the market.  

Key features

• 12MP BSI CMOS Sensor  
• 4x optical zoom lens, f/2.0-4.9, 24-100mm equivalent  
• In-body image stabilisation (CMOS shift, up to 2.5stops) 
• 3inch screen, 1040K 
• 15m waterproof  
• Drop/Shock/Dust/Freezeproof  
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth  
• GPS, Elevation, Temperature  
• ISO100 – ISO12800 
• 4K video recording  
• 113.9mm (W) x 65.8mm (H) x 32.7mm (D) 
• 249g 

The OM System TG-7 is OM System’s tough, compact, waterproof camera. There aren’t many compact cameras left, and even fewer waterproof cameras exist. Luckily OM has continued the tradition of releasing new models, and whilst this camera does have a small sensor compared to APS-C, Full-Frame and 1inch sensor compact cameras, it does benefit from a brighter than average F2.0 lens (at the wide-angle end).   

It’s waterproof down to 15 meters, drop-proof, crushproof, dust proof, freeze proof, and whilst it may look very similar to previous versions, this has advantages in the range of accessories available that work interchangeably between the models.   

TG-7 vs TG-6 – Compared to the TG-6

The TG-7 differs from the TG-6 in the following ways: 

• USB Type-C connection  
• Vertical video recording support  
• Time-lapse movie creation in-camera  
• Remote control compatible (with optional wireless remote control unit)*  
• Construction mode  

*You can also use the OI Share App on your phone, but this is now also an option.  

OM System Tough TG-7 Features

The lens on the OM System TG-7 is a 4x optical zoom lens, starting at the wide-angle equivalent of 25mm, zooming to 100mm (equivalent). It also starts with an F2.0 aperture, which is quite bright, although this does stop down when using the zoom, stopping down to F4.9 at the telephoto end.  

There’s a 12MP BSI CMOS sensor, which is a 1/1.7inch-type sensor, meaning it’s smaller than most other compact cameras, and it’s even smaller than many flagship smartphones. Continuous shooting is available at 5fps with the mechanical shutter, or 20fps when using the electronic shutter, both with fixed focus.  

However, the smaller size means the camera can easily fit into pockets, and thanks to the tough and waterproof credentials, it can be attached to a float, or wristband, and be carried anywhere your adventure takes you.

There are a wide range of accessories available that can extend it’s usefulness, including a float as mentioned, as well as flash accessories for macro work, or even an additional underwater case to extend it’s depth range to 45m (with the PT-059 case).  

In terms of photography features, there are a range of shooting modes, including an incredibly impressive set of macro features, that let’s you get extremely close to your subject for larger than life-size magnification.   

Handling and Design

On the back of the camera you’ll find the 3inch screen, which isn’t a touch-screen. A touch-screen isn’t going to be the most useful thing on a waterproof camera though. The screen gives good colour, and has a reasonable resolution of 1040K dots.  

There’s a mode dial, which has a number of settings, including P (Program Auto), and A (Aperture priority), but there isn’t a dedicated M/Manual mode. There are a range of other modes that are designed to make the camera easy to use including Auto, Scene, Macro modes, Underwater (5 modes), Video, and two custom modes. 

All the dedicated macro modes can be found under the Macro setting, and includes: Macro – Microscope, Focus stacking (combines in-camera), Focus bracketing, and a further microscope control lets you use 2.9-11.1x magnification.   

Focus stacking lets you stack photos in-camera, with no further editing required. If you do want to use other software (such as Helicon Focus) then you can shoot a range of images using the focus bracketing mode, for even more control over the process.  

The menus are fairly straightforward to use, but could be improved with a little bit of colour coding. Quite a lot of the controls can be found by using the buttons on the camera, so when I was using the camera I managed to avoid having to dive into the menus too much.   

Construction menu enabled “Easy CALS” with CALS and CALS H. This lets you set the image size to the required resolution “that complies with the “Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Digital Photo Management Information Standards.”  

Performance

Dynamic range is generally okay, but nothing spectacular, and if you’re used to the auto-HDR shots you get with a smartphone, then you may be disappointed by the apparent lack of dynamic range. However, if you’re used to how compact cameras perform and like the look of images from digital cameras, then the results should please. It’s mostly about managing your expectations.   

The camera can’t compete with mirrorless cameras, or cameras with a larger sensor, in terms of detail, noise performance, or dynamic range, but it’s difficult to avoid the laws of physics. The camera has a smaller sensor than most cameras available, and this helps keep its size down. If the sensor was larger, then most likely the camera would also be much larger or have to compromise on the lens used.   

Considering all of this, we got some nice looking photos, with reasonable levels of detail, and some good colour reproduction. The design of the camera meant I was happy taking this camera with me to places I didn’t want to risk my smartphone, including in caves.

Noise can be an issue, but by shooting raw images, you can take advantage of the latest AI noise reduction features found on popular photo editing software. 

Slow sync flash is something that makes compact cameras a great choice for low-light at parties and gigs. Although focus can also struggle in low-light, for example, in a dark cave. 

JPEG results straight from the camera give the overall impression of a compact camera from a few years back, with fairly low dynamic range. Especially if you’re expecting something approaching what a smartphone is capable of with auto-HDR on every image.  

Whilst the TG-7 does feature a selectable HDR mode, this is relatively slow while you wait for the photos to be taken, and then wait again for the images to be combined in-camera. To avoid this feature, I shot almost all my images in JPEG+raw.  

Being able to shoot raw (and raw+JPEG) means you’re able to take single shots and then recover highlight and shadow detail at a later date, rather than having to try and remember to shoot using the HDR mode. However, it’s not always possible to recover all of the highlight detail. If you do process the raw files you also get the benefit of being in control of the noise reduction levels, and this can result in increased levels of detail.   

The camera comes with a range of settings and options, including the ability to customise the colour profiles (adjusting sharpness, contrast, saturation, gradation), and beyond this you can even adjust the noise reduction settings to reduce, or increase, this setting.  

Close-up photos taken with zoom mean you can get really close to the subject, and this can give you some nice blurred backgrounds.

Value for money

In terms of value for money, the T-G7 comes up as quite expensive for a compact camera at $549 / £499. However, there are very few alternatives available, with the only other company still playing in the compact waterproof camera market, being Ricoh/Pentax, with the WG-90. The Pentax WG-90 (at $350 / £399) offers very little over the OM System camera, and only offers a 2.7inch screen, as well as Full HD video, making it a camera that is long overdue a proper update. Other than these models, you’re looking at the second-hand market, or a third party waterproof case for a camera with a larger sensor.   

OM System Tough TG-7 Verdict

There’s not been a massive update with the release of the new TG-7, but the addition of USB-C keeps it up-to-date with other cameras, and for those that don’t want to invest in larger cameras and cases, or for those that don’t want to risk damaging a waterproof smartphone, this is a great choice.   

There are some useful computational photography features, but we’d like to see more added, as instant HDR photography would be a nice feature to have to help match the smartphone experience.  

If you’re a more traditional camera shooter, then the ability to shoot and edit raw images can help massively with tweaking photos to your own personal preferences, as well as eek out a little bit more dynamic range in images.   

For those that what an easy to use, but tough point-and-shoot camera, then the OM-System Tough TG-7 would make a great choice, particularly if you need something that can survive all types of adventure, whether that’s wet or dry.  

In the vibrant corridors of global fashion, a revolution brews, powered by the lenses of African fashion photographers. Their work, transcending mere aesthetics, has become a force for diversity, offering fresh perspectives and forging connections between Africa and its far-reaching diaspora. As we delve into this transformative era, we witness how these photographers are not just capturing fashion; they are redefining it, guiding global brands towards genuine cultural appreciation and steering clear of appropriation. The surge in demand for African fine art photography, spotlighted by exhibitions like the New Black Vanguard at the Saatchi Gallery and the Contemporary African Photography at London’s Tate, signals a broader awakening to Africa’s creative prowess.

The Renaissance of African Fashion Photography

The landscape of African fashion photography is witnessing a renaissance, marked by a blend of traditional aesthetics with contemporary narratives. These photographers, through their collaborations with both local and global brands, are redefining African fashion by showcasing its richness and diversity. The international acclaim of music genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano underscores a growing appreciation for Africa’s creative industries, a sentiment echoed in the 2023 UNESCO report which heralds Africa’s cultural and creative scene as a catalyst for economic growth.

Building Bridges, Not Appropriating Cultures

Amidst their rise, African fashion photographers shoulder a crucial responsibility: guiding brands on drawing inspiration respectfully. This delicate balance between cultural exchange and cultural appropriation is pivotal. By offering authentic narratives and insights into the African experience, these photographers play an instrumental role in educating and influencing the global fashion industry. Their work not only showcases the beauty of African cultures but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation among global audiences, thus contributing to a more inclusive and respectful fashion ecosystem.

The Global Stage Awaits

The increasing global recognition of African designers, as evidenced by their presence on international platforms and partnerships with global brands, speaks volumes. These designers are transforming fashion in Africa and beyond, tapping into social media and e-commerce to reach global markets while staying committed to eco-consciousness and ethical manufacturing. The challenge posed by global fast fashion and competition for local businesses is significant. Yet, through innovation, sustainability, and a deep-rooted cultural expression, African fashion is making indelible marks on the global stage, driven in part by the visionary work of African fashion photographers.

In the end, the story of African fashion photography is one of empowerment, diversity, and connection. It’s a narrative that transcends borders, bringing to the fore the richness of African cultures and the boundless potential of its creative industries. As these photographers continue to shape the luxury landscape, they remind us that fashion is not just about clothes; it’s a vibrant tapestry of stories, identities, and cultures waiting to be shared with the world.