"Dividing Line" Demonstrators marching past a hotel in downtown Seattle (Seattle N30 anniversary celebration - November 30, 2002)

This was shot at the N30 anniversary march here in Seattle. The march is

passing by a high-end hotel near the city center. The reason I tripped the

shutter here is that this is one of the few moments in a highly controled protest

event where there seemed to be a real level of tension. The hotel patrons on

one side, seeming intrigued, repulsed, and slightly afraid of the protesters on

the left. The clear expanse of the hotel driveway, protected both by the hotel

security guard in the foreground and the line of police down the center. My

question: Does any of this come through on the photo? What do you see

when you look at the shot? Comments greatly appreciated.

The division hit me as soon as my browser opened the page. The division is obvious. In fact, just for a moment I thought you had stuck two difference pictures together - the kirb or joint in the pavement and the lamp post really serve to divide the picture in two. You have done well to get that line absolutely vertical and in the centre of the image.

 

The guy walking towards us on the right is also a nice juxtoposition for the hoards going away from us on the left. Ironically though, I think his presence takes a little bit away in that he fills the otherwise void forecourt infront of the hotel.

 

Definitely works. Well done.

Without the description it would be very hard to understand the scene. Everything is too small in the frame and the demonstrators all have their backs to you. You should have shot this from past the hotel, facing the opposite direction so we can see some faces.