Now known as “breaking news photography”, spot news photos are pictures of news as it happens. Harry Bishop had several instances in his career where a quick snap made all the difference (considering the bulky cameras of his day, with time-consuming loading of plates). Some of these photos are discussed in detail in the Stories section (see links in photo captions, below).
Three men hanging from a rope as the airship Akron climbs. The story.Plane crashes into the San Diego bay, May 16, 1941.Ensign Tennes standing on the plane after the floatation gear inflated and prevented the plane from sinking.Lieut. Walter Osipoff hangs by his parachute lines. May 15, 1941.On November 23, 1923, fire engulfed Tijuana, destroying a third of the “old town” district.A burning saloon in Tijuana.The overturned smoking car, where many were injured.On May 30, 1933, a Young Communists group from Los Angeles head a rally in downtown San Diego. Group organizer Jean Rand. The group were denied a permit, and the police stepped in when they started to march.More riot scenes.An hour before the San Diego firemen were to hold their annual Firemen’s Ball in the Civic Auditorium, the building caught fire and burned to the ground. November 25, 1925.
Robert Edsal’s grip fails and he falls to his death. Judged best news photo of 1932.A Navy crash boat speeds to the rescue of Ensign H. E. Tennes, still trapped in the plane.The plane shortly before it hit the water.Midair collision of two planes at the San Diego County Fair, July 4, 1946. Plane on the upper right flies to a safe landing. Other plane is split in two (tail section on left, fusilage on bottom) while its pilot parachutes to safety.A train wreck in Sorrento Mesa that killed one and injured 36.The overturned locomotive.Communist organizer Jack Olsen.An estimated 30 rioters and nine police were injured.Harry’s note on the back of this picture: “Man in center is Union reporter Joe Morgan. Artist painted Bolshevik hair on him so he couldn’t be identified.” It is unclear whether Morgan was trying to break things up, or contributing to the mayhem.Platform collapse at a bathing suit show, Ocean Beach, 1924.
