- Talk
- Society
- Manchester
- 2 March 2026
Under attack: 15 Years spent photographing Britain
Documenting Britain in real time: ethics, independence and risk in modern photojournalism
2 March 2026
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Manchester M1 3NJ
(Access via Altrincham Street Entrance)
Lecture Theatre, Renold Innovation Hub
81 Sackville Street
Manchester M1 3NJ
(Access via Altrincham Street Entrance)
Get directions
£15.00 General Admission / £6.00 Students / Members book for FREE
Overview
Joel Goodman will talk about his specific experiences as a photojournalist, framed with the context of his photographs and publications. He will be discussing why it should matter to him beyond his own self-interest, what success and failure look like to him, what values he tries to bring to his practice and the pressures of working independently in sometimes hostile and unforgiving environments.
Most of his photography involves politics and “hard news” – unscheduled coverage of breaking stories or of live events – and, when he does his job well, the work can be published widely in print, online and on television, around the world. Often this coverage results from images photographed and then transmitted directly from his camera, where the only editing is in the focal length and composition he chose at the moment of capture.
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “success” versus “failure” look like for a hard‑news image?
- Walk us through one frame shown tonight: where you stood, focal length, and timing—why those choices?
- How do you stay safe and de‑escalate in hostile or fast‑moving situations?
- What pressures do independent freelancers face – from subjects, police, editors, or online audiences – and how do you keep your independence and values?
- In the UK context, how do you balance public interest with minimising harm – handling consent, privacy, minors, victims, and arrestees?
- With images sent straight from camera, how do you caption and verify under time pressure and prevent miscontext?
Practical Information
The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Booking is strongly advised.
Access
Access to the event is via the Altrincham Street entrance.
Accessibility Information
Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk
Joel Goodman
Joel Goodman is a freelance photojournalist working across news, features, and documentary in the UK. He often works on spec—shooting first, selling after, and not getting paid if the work isn’t published. He also accepts commissions from various news outlets who, he presumes, hire him if they like his work or cannot find anyone better.
Most of his photography involves politics and “hard news”—unscheduled coverage of breaking stories or live events—and, when he does his job well, the work can be published widely in print, online, and on television around the world. Often this coverage comes from images photographed and transmitted directly from his camera, with the only “editing” being the focal length and composition he chose at the moment of capture.
As a photographer, he is self‑taught. In addition, he is NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) trained. Before it was cancelled due to lack of interest, the NCTJ’s photojournalism course was the internationally recognised reference training for photojournalists in the UK. Because such specialised legal and practical training no longer exists in the UK, photojournalists entering the industry now have few routes to learn safely and improve their practice.
His fifteen years of first‑hand experience in diverse environments have been supplemented with work as a picture editor for news agencies and the regional press, and he currently sits on the board of the British Press Photographers’ Association. He also accepts invitations to speak at universities and amateur photographic societies.
He believes that a free and open press, and respect for the witness that photojournalism uniquely delivers, are critical to explaining our world and acting as a democratic check on power. Restrictions on photojournalists’ freedoms strongly mirror the state of the society in which we live.
His portfolio, examples of his published work, and a large part of his news archive are available at https://joelgoodman.net
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