Photographer’s runner during Queen’s coronation tells of power of printed images
Alex Falk was working for the Press Association at the age of 17 on Coronation Day 70 years ago.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A photographer’s runner who watched the late Queen’s coronation while perched high up on scaffolding inside Westminster Abbey has said he hopes the King’s coronation will make people appreciate the power of printed images.
Alex Falk was just 17 and working for the Press Association on Coronation Day 70 years ago.
It was his job on June 2 1953 to assist photographers during the ceremony and afterwards make his way quickly back to Fleet Street from the abbey, carrying a satchel full of precious 5×4 inch double dark slides to be processed.
He told the PA news agency: “What we try to do is show people you’ve got an image… if you don’t print it, you don’t see it for the next generation.
People are watching us, let us not let the country down and I feel sure that the new King and Queen won’t let us down
“When you travel the world you see people’s real images, from your parents, your grandparents, your great-grandparents.
He said digital images “travel the world” but get “lost” whereas printed images go on display in people’s homes and “hopefully this coronation will bring it back to people so they can enjoy it”.
Mr Falk, 86, said he cannot visit London on the big day because he has to care for his wife but they will enjoy watching the ceremony on television with a toast of wine.
He described working at the late Queen’s coronation as “wonderful”.
He told PA: “I was a junior runner on that particular occasion, a very long day working with photographers taking their images from wherever they were taking them back to Fleet Street to get them processed and printed to publish in magazines and papers.
“It was wonderful because of course everything was totally new. We were in the abbey and up at the scaffolding right at the top, facing them as they walked down the aisle.
“They were taking pictures, we then took those images on five by four sheet film back by motorbike to Fleet Street.”
He said he is sure the King will not “let us down” next month and hopes it will be an opportunity to showcase the UK to the world.
He said: “We are not an island unto ourselves. We need people to come, we need to travel abroad, take the good news. The Queen was yesterday, the King is today.
“We as a country should gain from it because we are the centre of attraction.
“People are watching us, let us not let the country down and I feel sure that the new King and Queen won’t let us down.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.