Photographing peaceful demonstrations

[duncan_holmes2]

<p>Is there any advice or tips for taking pics at a political rally/demonstration? Obviously a degree of discretion and staying out of trouble are a given. This one is a protest about cuts in spending rather than students on the rampage it is likely to pass with minimal incidents (albeit in Glasgow...so all bets are off!)</p>

[AJHingel]

<p>Just be part of the rally/demonstration. You don't need to be discrete. Most demonstrators in Europe are there because they want to be counted and seen. Being on photos is just that. That is at least my experience. If it gets violent, it is another story.</p>

[wgpinc]

<p>I think your personal safety should be the most important thing for you to consider. Experience, good common sense and awareness are always necessary. Here's a picture of a demonstration I had no fear of taking although the mood can always change. Even the policeman was smiling. <br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/7645782-md.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[ellis_vener_photography]

<p>The demonstration is being held to attract attention to their issue. You don't need to be discrete, in fact being furtive may make you be appear to be suspicious in the eyes of the people you are photographing.</p>

[fi_rondo1]

<p>Duncan, if it's a "peaceful" demonstration you don't have anything to worry about. Be a lot more interesting if it's not peaceful...otherwise it's sort of like documenting a parade...</p>

<p>Off topic... just saw some footage from Egypt on Aljezeera English and there were tons of people documenting the action with their cell phones. They couldn't make calls, but they could still take pictures...</p>

[eric_arnold]

<p>over the past two years, there have been quite a number of rallies/demonstrations in oakland around the issue of police accountability and police abuse resulting from excessive use of force. a number of these started out peacefully and became more contentious as time went on; in several instances, the cops brought out the riot squad (which in and of itself may have escalated tensions).</p>

<p>anyway, my advice on photographing these things is stay alert. if you are a member of the media, a vest identifying you as press, along with credentials is a good idea--you will be allowed to pass through police lines in many instances, and this could be the difference between being arrested and not arrested.</p>

<p>for a demo not likely to result in confrontation, just following common sense is a good idea. for instance, stay in front of the marchers, and keep a respectful distance in-between you and police. also, be prepared for whatever may occur. all it takes is one rock thrown or trash can set afire to change the tenor of the event.</p><div></div>

[duncan_holmes2]

<p>Thanks, it worked out in the end, fairly low turn out and even the fractious students who went on a tour of the town only resorted to sitting in the street before being lifted out of the way by the policy. Posted some pics to Flickr under my name and protests.</p>

[jeff_sansome]

<p>Toronto - G20 Summit - 06/26/2010</p><div></div>