Remember that any situation with a large crowd, especially one as emotionally charged as a protest is dangerous. It can quickly roll out of control into a riot from a poor reaction on the part of anyone in the area. There is no way to avoid all the risks of this type of photography. At some point you WILL be injured in some way and your gear WILL be damaged to some extent if you choose to participate in this type of photography.
What to Photograph
If your goal is true journalism your goal should be to tell the whole story of the protest. This means funny moments, the poignant moments, the overall scope of the protest, shining moments for both protestors and police, and the less than stellar actions of protestors and police. Now, it is perfectly acceptable to tell only one side of the story...IF you publish it as such. However, if you publish only one side of the story and present it as the whole truth you are doing a disservice to citizen journalism and journalism as a whole.Photos From Within the Protest and the Sidelines
- Signs - Everybody loves sign slogans. Get the funny signs, the misspelled signs, the sharp wit sign slogans, even the signs that have nothing to do with the protest (there are always a few). Also, don’t forget that the people holding the signs are just as important (if not more so) to telling the story as the signs themselves. You can close crop the frame so that only part of the person is shown but include at least most of the face of those holding the signs when you can.
- Scope of the Crowd - From within the protest this shot can be a little difficult. If you are on the front or back of the crowd you can hold your camera high for a wide angle sweeping view of the mass of people marching. If you are in the middle of the crowd focus on how tightly packed the protestors are to give a sense of scope. The more tightly packed the bodies are, the more the photo will convey a large crowd. If you are on the sidelines you can find some high ground and capture excellent wide angle views of the full crowd.
- Spectators - Just like the scope of the crowd is important, you need to capture those watching a march or just hanging around the sidelines. If you are within the protest you’ll have a great vantage point for various expressions of the spectators. From outside the protest you’ll most likely focus on profiles of spectators or a line of spectators stretching down the street.
- Police - Police have a hard job when it comes to protests and unfortunately the atmosphere can turn volatile on both sides very quickly. For safety reasons it is best to try an photograph the police presence from a distance rather than risk being caught up in any altercations (regardless of who starts them). Many officers unfortunately lack the training to know that it is lawful to photograph them in most situations while on duty. Stay out of the way of the police and keep a low profile to reduce the risk of confrontation or gear confiscation. Remember to capture any acts of kindness on the part of the police as well.
Additional Opportunities From Within the Protest
If you are within the protest you have photo opportunities not available to those outside the group.- Staging - As part of the protest you’ll have a better chance as some of the getting ready photos. People creating signs or handing out flyers before the protest are wonderful ways to set up the story. If there is a march then photograph the beginnings of the group as they begin to join together. Look for people standing out as leaders and use a low point of view if possible to emphasize their emerging roles.
- Clashes - Unfortunately, the rapidly changing situation often leads to large clashes with police or bystanders (or other protestors). Stay safe (out of the way) but capture these clashes whenever possible. Remember that your point of view can greatly influence the clash. Whoever you have in the higher position will seem the stronger most of the time. Also focus on expressions when possible. Expressions of fear and anger add a completely different dimension to these types of photographs. Remember to capture the aftermath of clashes as well.
If you witness a clash between protestors call for help immediately, this includes calling the police. As a photographer you want to capture the moment on film but as a human being your first duty is to human life. Call for help or render aid if safely possible before clicking the shutter. - Camp Life - If you are part of a long term protest that includes a sit in or long term camping you have a wonderful opportunity to capture the camaraderie of the protestors, the squabbles, and the hardships. Did rain turn the camp area in to mush? What are the protestors eating? What about snow or freezing temperatures? How are people staying warm (or are they staying warm)? Capture the overall size of the sit in or camp as well. A nighttime shot of glowing tents (if applicable) is a great overall shot.
Slanting the Story
Slanting the story is perfectly acceptable as long as you do not publish your photographs as the whole story or unbiased. Just remember that you do neither side of the issue any justice by publishing a photograph under false pretenses. Be honest in your photography and your statements to ensure your photographs carry the most weight with viewers.Safety
Safety is always an issue at protests. Whether it is a sit in, a peaceful march, or a protest turned riot there are always risks when so many people are together in an emotionally charged situation. Risks are to both photographer and camera. Be aware of the dangers and stay safe.- Examples of Risks to Photographers
- Protestors or Spectators throwing things, pushing, shoving, hitting, etc
- Being caught up in police actions
- Possibility of being trampled if you fall in a dense crowd
- Being arrested
- Examples of Risks to Cameras
- Confiscation by police or random individuals (not lawful for anyone)
- Weather damage (rain, snow, extreme temperatures)
- Breakage (from being dropped, shoved into buildings, etc)
Protecting Yourself from Gear Confiscation
Regardless of whether you are photographing from outside or inside a protest it is vitally important you know your rights before wading into this situation. First and foremost, no one has the right to confiscate your camera or memory card unless it is the police during an arrest. Unfortunately, if things escalate to the point where an official (or misguided property owner) tries to confiscate your property you are already in a very dangerous situation and the other person is very unlikely to listen to you. Sometimes you cannot prevent the confiscation (even if it is unlawful). To try and prevent confiscation and deal with the aftermath should it happen here are some things to keep in mind.- Keep a Copy of Bert Krages’ The Photographer’s Right Flyer With You
- Remain Calm and Polite Regardless of the Other Party’s Actions
- Insure Your Camera Ahead of Time
- Keep a Dummy Memory Card Ready for Slight of Hand Switches (can be risky to try this)
- Remember You are Worth More than Your Camera/Memory Card
- Try to Avoid the Confrontation, Even if This Means Temporary Retreat
Mistakes to Avoid
- Attaching your camera to a tripod and holding it above your head. This is a recipe for disaster. This throws off your center of gravity and if the tripod tilts backward the tiniest bit it is very nearly impossible to stop your camera from meeting the pavement at high velocity.
- Using a pop up flash at night. Your pop up flash is not suited to a protest situation. It doesn't have enough power for most shots and it will wash out the exposure of any close shots. A hot shoe mount flash is a better option when you use flash. Even better is dialing up the ISO to the highest possible setting. A protest is a gritty thing, noise/grain in your photos is ok for this subject. Using a high film speed will let you capture more of the action with available light.
What If...
| I am confronted by police about photography | Stay calm, be respectful, assert your rights but back down if that lets you leave quickly with gear intact. You can always complain to Internal Affairs later. |
| My gear is confiscated by the police | Record all badge numbers, be polite, call your lawyer and insurance provider immediately. What happens next will vary greatly depending on the situation and the police department. Don't count on a speedy or safe return of equipment. |
| My gear is stolen | Report incident to police and call your insurance provider ASAP. (You did engrave your gear with your name right?) |
| I witness inappropriate police behavior | Record from a safe distance and call Internal Affairs, be willing to provide your records. |
| I am injured | Seek medical help immediately. Your camera and/or media credentials do not protect you. Be careful out there! |
| I witness a crime | Offer assistance before photographing the event IF you can do so safely. Otherwise the best way you can help is to immediately call for help and then photograph events for evidence. |
