This image was shot in the winter of 1995 during the general strike in Paris and shows a couple of protestors burning the European flag in the street.

I just jumped into my car and drove to paris in the middle of the night. I slept in my car outside my agent’s offices (which at the time was Rapho). I woke up freezing cold and stiff as a board, got a quick coffee and then spent the whole day shooting pictures, after which I jumped in my car and drove home.

The picture sold to Liberation in paris for £50, then a few days later Network Photographers sold it for an economist ad campaign for £10K. Those were the days ! A bag of black and white film, one camera, two lens and a 50% of £10,050. The most enjoyable days work that I have ever done.

Justin Leighton became a professional photographer in 1988 and joined the Network agency in 1992 where he remained until it folded in 2006.

Justin won the Nikon News Photographer of the Year award in 1996, and since leaving Network has concentrated on shooting cars and flowers – which he loves.

Photographer since 1988, EPUK member since 2002

See more work by Justin Leighton