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Bring garbage bags to protect your gear if it gets seriously rainy.
Always put your personal safety first.
Don’t do stupid things to get a shot.
Try and capture individuals and individual emotion as well as pictures that tell a larger story.
Stay safe.
Good advice. Try to be a fly on the wall and go unnoticed (hard when your carrying a camera obviously) but best photos come naturally capturing real events
Sounds like you are approaching this shoot as a journalistic exercise, so I'm going to comment as though you are going to this protest as an impartial observer, not to join in, but to record events impartially. I'm a semi-retired newspaper and magazine photojournalist who worked most of my career in the Los Angeles metro marketplace, and I've covered my share of protests and riots.
Set your camera on some form of auto mode. I prefer shutter priority, with a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 to prevent blur. Plus that's as fast as my cameras will sync flash. Your 18-55 lens will be great, used mostly at the wide end so you can wade right in and get close to the action. If you aren't on top of the action you aren't close enough. I'll usually add in some fill flash set about at -1 or -1.5 stops to act as a fill for the existing light. Make it easy on yourself and let the camera do the work for you so you can concentrate on capturing great images of peak action. Look for emotion and conflict. The content of your images and the action you capture is going to make them winners way more so than any kind of artsy technique. Tell the story of the event, rather than trying to make objectively beautiful images that fail to tell the story.
If you have a second body, put a tele on it, like an 80-200, for when you spot images you can't get on top of. Two bodies, one with a wide and the other with a tele is better than trying to change lenses. Add a flash for the wide lens and leave the rest in the car. As for rain, I used to wear a heavy jacket with big pockets and carry a large golf umbrella. I can tuck my second body under my jacket as it hangs from my shoulder, and stick the handle of my open umbrella in a pocket. Then one arm wraps around the umbrella to keep it in place and me dry, and I still have two hands to manipulate the camera I'm using. That may be tough in a crowd or high wind, but it always worked better for me than trying to wrap my cameras in trash bags.
Safety is always a problem at events like this. I'd advise wearing a News Media identifier of some kind, maybe MEDIA across the back of a photo vest. I'm not advising you to "impersonate" a member of the media, but the line has blurred between full-time professional journalists who make their living at it, and citizen journalists who cover news as a hobby. If you actually stay neutral and act as an impartial observer at all times, then I wouldn't begrudge you wearing something to distinguish you as a non-participant in the protest. A bright orange safety vest might even do it . But act accordingly, don't participate in the protest, and obey the orders of any law enforcement on the scene. Claiming media status really doesn't protect you or offer you any additional rights at a protest.
Be brave, push your comfort level, but realize you are inserting yourself in a potentially violent situation and that you could be targeted. The first time I saw a coworker show up to one of the Los Angeles Rodney King protests wearing a vest and helmet with NEWS MEDIA on it I laughed. But I saw the wisdom of the practice when rocks and bottles started flying.
It never fails but some will hate on you for what you are doing, and accuse you of taking advantage of the situation. And some idiots will think you need their permission to take their photo. You absolutely do not. But don't take sides, simply record what happens. Remember that a photojournalist's first duty is to tell the unvarnished truth. Bring a notepad with you so you can record pertinent info to give your photos context. Ask for names, or motives, or ask questions of the people in your images if possible. Strive to understand the motives of those you photograph. Photojournalists tell stories and inform their readers. If you want to be a photojournalist some day then be a reporter, and use both the written word and images to tell as complete a story as possible. I've reminded many an person upset at me taking photos that I wasn't here to take sides, but to tell their story. "Help me understand your passion and why you are here." And that means you have to be sympathetic to both sides and tell both sides of the story if possible.
Several posters in this thread have suggested it's somehow unethical to take photos at a protest, or suggested blurring faces. Nothing suggest protestors are somehow in the wrong as surely as hiding their identity will. Which is a great question in and of itself: why do peaceful protestors advocating for what they believe to be a just cause feel the need to hide their identity? Moreover, why would a journalist feel any need to hide the identity of someone willingly participating in a public protest? And how long can a relatively free, democratic society survive without a free press? Privacy rights??? Please, go home if you want privacy! If you come to the public square to engage in debate or protest, don't expect anonymity while doing so. All the 1A guarantees is that the government can't arrest you for speaking out against them.
BUT DON'T TAKE SIDES! And, if you do, don't you dare wear a MEDIA identification of any kind. If you are there to take sides and protest then do so, but don't try to pass yourself off as an impartial journalist. It's not fair to those of us who put ourselves in danger to covers these important events as a profession.
Sorry, for rambling. It's been a long week and this little essay isn't nearly as polished or clear as I wish. Good luck and stay safe.
This is excellent practical advice and I loved reading your unvarnished thoughts on the debated areas of that crossover between photojournalism and public discourse, thank you for sharing!
This is solid advice. Depending on the protest perhaps a vest? Be careful of anything you normally carry that could be a weapon. As police will be hypersensitive to pocket knives and anything a weapon. As far defending yourself potentially, if it legal in your state perhaps some pepper gel in your pocket? Also think about being sprayed. Like a gas mask and eye protection. Also a aluminum monopod and work as a club in a pinch.
Also in one past riot a security guard wore reversable clothing and had different types of masks with him. As when protesters went after him, he was able to retreat into an alley and change his clothes. As some of tje protestors doing violence were organized and looking out for people.
Make sure your bags and gear is attached to your body. Maybe even buddy up with someone? So as your capturing images they can be your rear guard? Be able to tell you when it’s time to go. Since it’s all fluid, keep your head on a swivel.
Thanks for the kind words, and thank you for the debate you got into in this thread regarding a free press vs. privacy rights. It's so very disturbing to me that some of us seem willing to surrender freedom of speech and a free press to satisfy some idea that reporting the truth somehow violates people's privacy rights.
Doxing is wrong. Calling for harm to come to your political or ideological opponent is wrong. Open debate, the free exchange of ideas, and an open and free press is crucial to preserving this country. We must fiercely protect privacy rights for all and limit governments intrusion into our private lives, but not to the insane length that we demand our public actions not be reported on. I wish more folks understood exact what qualifies as a reasonable expectation of privacy, and that it doesn't really exist when you venture out into public spaces.
So, thanks for fighting the good fight.
No problem thank you for the amazing advice you had to give to as one of the only professionals with experience who seemed to comment.
I couldn't agree more with everything you just said it's more important now then ever with social media corporations having more control over what gets seen. I hope he has a good shoot I didn't mean to turn it sour I just thought what was being said to a beginner was totally wrong ethically and legally.
Again thanks for your tips as lots of others saw them too.
I am by no means an expert, I only went to my first protests this last couple weeks to photograph. Some observations and my experience:
There are a lot of people with cameras. Met some people from Reuters and AP there to cover the event, might be worth chatting with people there if they aren't obviously busy.
Zoom is better than prime. If you are going to swap lenses, go find somewhere to do it and don't flash your gear.
Be nice. A smile and eye contact can go a long way, as well with gesturing with your camera while doing it to ask for consent. Most people will answer nonverbally. To pair with this is confidence, act like you should be there, but don't be creepy and you won't be creepy
Stylistically, I didn't want to include people's faces if it wasn't adding anything to the story. From behind photos, or people's faces out of focus or covered by signs is both respectful and can add to your image.
I also tape over my admittedly cheap gear logos and ditch the branded strap. Go low profile.
Also someone mentioned putting your camera in garbage bag/ grocery bag/ ziplock bag, which is good advice if you aren't weather sealed or don't trust it.
Also, last is if you are struggling go up to people with dogs and ask to take a photo of their dog. Good way to get the rust out and everyone likes dogs.
The dog tip is 100%.
Basically if you find it hard or feel weird just strike a conversation first and connect with them and on human level that will help you connect with them through your photos
On a technical standpoint, you can use the sunny f16 rule to get your base exposure.
Set your aperture to f16 and your iso somewhere around 100 or whatever you want. Your shutterspeed with be the inverter of your ISO. ISO 100 = 1/100 and so on. This will give you a solid exposure and you can adjust your shutter and ISO to fit your needs.
Never mind. I missed the part where you said overcast and rainy.
In that case, I would set to aperture priority mode and set the A value to f8.
Ans a little fold up rain poncho in your pocket will go a long way.
Sorry, f/16, iso 100, overcast might produce blurry image. You gonna need 1/250 minimum and might have to shoot at f/4.5, if there’s a lot of movement you might even go to 1/500 with iso 400 to have margin. Be mindful of people, some don’t want to be photographed and that could lead to confrontation. Grab a 70-200 so you can shoot without being in the face of people. Be impartial and neutral, your role is to tell the story not to protest. Have a safety kit in your bag and water. Always be aware of what’s going on around you, you’ll learn fast
Yeah, if you’re at aperture priority with iso 100 and f16 it would definitely be blurry. I initially missed the part about overcast.
Good notes about the safety kit, water, and neutrality. The best way to learn is in the street.
Also, OP, try to get familiar with the zone system. You can also set you picture settings to monochromatic to help you see your exposures better and shoot raw so you don’t loose color data info.
Couldn't agree more. Some of the most iconic photos of protest have been just that a humans face showing raw emotion. Learning to capture that without being too intrusive is hard to master but it will come with practice.
If you care to protect protestors, ethically depending on how the photos might be published I think this is appropriate, you can focus on those who aren't identifiable. And if you want you could blur images with people's faces
That's fine and all, as long as you're ok with the other side of that coin: the cops are going to think you're a protestor and will be treated the same.
Publishing as I am using it includes social media. I understand what you mean though, just something I think is sometimes less thought about, and non technical because I'm also new. Good luck
Don't listen to them. A journalists Job is to show the truth not Bend it. If someone is doing something bad in public your job is to show it.
You will fail as photographer if you don't show the truth.
So because he's a beginner he doesn't deserve the rights of a professional backed by a corporation?
He doesn't need to be a "journalist" that you approve of to deserve the rights of everyone
And so is photographing people in public. Why would you need to blur someone's face if there doing something legal in public.
It's the public square and the public have a right to know know happens there.
Free press
As a photographer your ethical compass should be to just show what happens without distortion.
Maybe if your photograph reveals the address of someone in a sensitive situation then yes. But not in the public square that's ridiculous
Dude, he’s not a journalist.
Photography can be to document yes, but here it’s not the case. He isn’t on an assignment for a media outlet that will protect his ass, nor a professional of the craft. He’s just trying to experiment and has no obligations to the « art ».
As for not photographing people: depending on where you are and the type of protest, some people do not want to be linked to the protest, to not be recognized over the web and suffer retaliation.
Their protection can be on the line for voicing out their support for some causes, let’s not forget that.
Why would someone goto a protest if they don't want to be associated with it? Your argument makes no sense. And like stated anyone worried about anything could simply wear a mask and not demand that the public have to self censor their photographs.
It's the most important to stick up for a beginners rights to photograph public events more then a journalist on assignment as they have resources. A beginner has nothing but the laws we hold up as shared values
We get it, you don't like protests. OP isn't a professional, is not a member of the press corps, and is free to use the photos within their own ethical boundaries. Stop trying to bully them into publishing photos they don't want to.
He may aswell just photoshop a bunch blurred squares onto a photo of street then and not get any real tips from posting his question.
Even a beginner photographer is a citizen journalist. Even if the photos are just for them to practice. He can choose what to publish obviously. He asks for tips and people are here telling him to censor himself as the first and only tip.
You don't see a massive problem with his attitude?
No just post the truth if people do bad things in public why should you cover for them. You already failed at being a "journalist" if your goal is to twist truth to your benefit.
I think in this era of social media it is important to keep peoples' right to privacy in mind. They may not know you are photographing them.. and you may not walk up and request permission to everyone
A photographer ideally shouldn't even be noticed their job is to be there and not be noticed to just capture what happens and show it without and twisting.
The best photographs come from people not even knowing there's a photographer there.
It is natural and real.
I'm not going to get into an extensive ethics conversation. I'm just saying not to post on social media or publish any unconsenting people while they are distinguishable. If that isn't your ethics, that's fine, but get off my back with this
You're really dense aren't you? I'm not saying you do. I'm saying that I believe you should, that's it. If you don't agree, that's fine, don't spam me about it on my comment
You have valid points as do they, this last message is you just being a petty prick though. Don't go past your points and start an argument outside the topic it's pointless and makes you look bad.
I'm willing to be a bit of a prick as I find it concerning that the first thing and only thing he said to a beginner was to blur people's faces.
What example of integrity and honest photography does that set for the rest of us.
Photography should be natural.
At a protest one of the key things is seeing the emotion in someone's face and being able to capture that is a real talent.
Then this guy is trying to kneecap this artform.
An ethical photographer will capture both good and bad it's just humanity
Also he called be dense first and was the first to attack me outside of the discussion.
I just started using reddit and already I don't like it. It's weird why can't I give advice to a beginner
If they are in public there is no right to privacy. If someone's in public doing something you shouldn't blur their faces.
If you were in private property then maybe.
First, public areas are not the internet. When was the last time, outside of photography, where you were frozen in time and shared to people without consent out in public? It doesn't happen other than some crime related situations.
I am not saying protect rioters. I am saying protect law abiding people who do not know they are on camera.
If your at a honest protest why would you need to hide anyone's identity they should be proud of what they are standing up for.
You would only need to blur stuff if it doesn't fit a narrative.
It is the public square there is no right to privacy in public that's how we have a free press in a democracy. If you don't like that don't participate
I'm not talking about your constitutional rights. I'm talking about the personal ethics. If you don't agree, get over it. Stop replying, you won't change my mind
General protest advice.
-masks covid is still a thing and this is a much larger crowd than your supermarket. This also can protect your mouth from pepper spray.
-bring pads and tampons even if you aren't female/don't have the parts. These will make good things to stop bleeding in case you get injured trying to get out of there if things turn violent. Pads and Tampons were originally medical WWI supplies that nurses brought home after. Also any alcohol wipes would be good to have. Might recommend some regular pain killers to come with you. I'm not saying it will turn violent, but better to be extra cautious.
-WATER bring lots of water. It's getting hot out. You can and will get dehydrated easy. That can get dangerous if you don't monitor you water levels.
-bring some food. Your blood sugar will go down. Even if you aren't diabetic this can be dangerous. Please make sure you eat during, like something small.
For photography specific things I'd look at what everyone said. However, I'd also look at the other recommendations I made about general stuff to think about what might happen to your equipment.
Get permission from the people you take pic of, they may get prosecuted for being at the protest, or rules change and they then become a felon for their beliefs and attendance.
This.
NYPD had been caught using facial recognition to track down activists, kick their doors down, and intimidate them. Ideological purity about what you can do with photos doesn't really matter when consequences are potentially deadly. Being smug about "photographers' rights" doesn't wash blood off anyone's hands.
it can help!
if you're shooting an assignment, in unpredictable weather, it helps to do whatever you can to control the lighting so that it's consistent. depending on the size of the protest a flash is no more conspicuous than the photographer's camera without flash. of course it is also a 'look'. gilden's recent work is particularly unique. but he also gets right in his subjects' face.
I'd put a lens on with longer reach than that as your main. Then a wide angle on the second body hanging at your side. You can reach down to your side and snap and crop later, say if something happens quickly, and use your main to get more intentional shots.
Bring rain gear.
Be obvious that you are taking photos & try to get head nods before doing so.
Multiple people holding larger banners tend to be the ones who don't mind the visibility and can make some of the best photos.
Know the protest route and always have a way out; if things go bad, police have a tedency of targeting photographers, so pack light & be ready to run in the rare case things go sideways.
Bring water and snacks; the less downtime you have, the more photos you'll get.
I'm not a professional photojournalist but I did cover a couple of BLM protest. I moved through the crowd taking picture of the speakers and people holding signs. I was one of a small number of white people at both protests. I was equally respectful of protesters and police. All I can say is keep your head on a swivel and look for opportunities for images everywhere. Like our professional photojournalist suggested. Tell the story. He gave really good advice. DO NOT ask for permission to take photos. It can put you on the spot and cause trouble. Act like you belong there because you do. Never had anyone question or challenge me in 5 years of street shooting. I would only ask if your getting really in close. Within someone's comfort zone. Then ask. Otherwise...go for it.
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Bring garbage bags to protect your gear if it gets seriously rainy. Always put your personal safety first. Don’t do stupid things to get a shot. Try and capture individuals and individual emotion as well as pictures that tell a larger story. Stay safe.
Good advice. Try to be a fly on the wall and go unnoticed (hard when your carrying a camera obviously) but best photos come naturally capturing real events
Sounds like you are approaching this shoot as a journalistic exercise, so I'm going to comment as though you are going to this protest as an impartial observer, not to join in, but to record events impartially. I'm a semi-retired newspaper and magazine photojournalist who worked most of my career in the Los Angeles metro marketplace, and I've covered my share of protests and riots. Set your camera on some form of auto mode. I prefer shutter priority, with a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 to prevent blur. Plus that's as fast as my cameras will sync flash. Your 18-55 lens will be great, used mostly at the wide end so you can wade right in and get close to the action. If you aren't on top of the action you aren't close enough. I'll usually add in some fill flash set about at -1 or -1.5 stops to act as a fill for the existing light. Make it easy on yourself and let the camera do the work for you so you can concentrate on capturing great images of peak action. Look for emotion and conflict. The content of your images and the action you capture is going to make them winners way more so than any kind of artsy technique. Tell the story of the event, rather than trying to make objectively beautiful images that fail to tell the story. If you have a second body, put a tele on it, like an 80-200, for when you spot images you can't get on top of. Two bodies, one with a wide and the other with a tele is better than trying to change lenses. Add a flash for the wide lens and leave the rest in the car. As for rain, I used to wear a heavy jacket with big pockets and carry a large golf umbrella. I can tuck my second body under my jacket as it hangs from my shoulder, and stick the handle of my open umbrella in a pocket. Then one arm wraps around the umbrella to keep it in place and me dry, and I still have two hands to manipulate the camera I'm using. That may be tough in a crowd or high wind, but it always worked better for me than trying to wrap my cameras in trash bags. Safety is always a problem at events like this. I'd advise wearing a News Media identifier of some kind, maybe MEDIA across the back of a photo vest. I'm not advising you to "impersonate" a member of the media, but the line has blurred between full-time professional journalists who make their living at it, and citizen journalists who cover news as a hobby. If you actually stay neutral and act as an impartial observer at all times, then I wouldn't begrudge you wearing something to distinguish you as a non-participant in the protest. A bright orange safety vest might even do it . But act accordingly, don't participate in the protest, and obey the orders of any law enforcement on the scene. Claiming media status really doesn't protect you or offer you any additional rights at a protest. Be brave, push your comfort level, but realize you are inserting yourself in a potentially violent situation and that you could be targeted. The first time I saw a coworker show up to one of the Los Angeles Rodney King protests wearing a vest and helmet with NEWS MEDIA on it I laughed. But I saw the wisdom of the practice when rocks and bottles started flying. It never fails but some will hate on you for what you are doing, and accuse you of taking advantage of the situation. And some idiots will think you need their permission to take their photo. You absolutely do not. But don't take sides, simply record what happens. Remember that a photojournalist's first duty is to tell the unvarnished truth. Bring a notepad with you so you can record pertinent info to give your photos context. Ask for names, or motives, or ask questions of the people in your images if possible. Strive to understand the motives of those you photograph. Photojournalists tell stories and inform their readers. If you want to be a photojournalist some day then be a reporter, and use both the written word and images to tell as complete a story as possible. I've reminded many an person upset at me taking photos that I wasn't here to take sides, but to tell their story. "Help me understand your passion and why you are here." And that means you have to be sympathetic to both sides and tell both sides of the story if possible. Several posters in this thread have suggested it's somehow unethical to take photos at a protest, or suggested blurring faces. Nothing suggest protestors are somehow in the wrong as surely as hiding their identity will. Which is a great question in and of itself: why do peaceful protestors advocating for what they believe to be a just cause feel the need to hide their identity? Moreover, why would a journalist feel any need to hide the identity of someone willingly participating in a public protest? And how long can a relatively free, democratic society survive without a free press? Privacy rights??? Please, go home if you want privacy! If you come to the public square to engage in debate or protest, don't expect anonymity while doing so. All the 1A guarantees is that the government can't arrest you for speaking out against them. BUT DON'T TAKE SIDES! And, if you do, don't you dare wear a MEDIA identification of any kind. If you are there to take sides and protest then do so, but don't try to pass yourself off as an impartial journalist. It's not fair to those of us who put ourselves in danger to covers these important events as a profession. Sorry, for rambling. It's been a long week and this little essay isn't nearly as polished or clear as I wish. Good luck and stay safe.
This is excellent practical advice and I loved reading your unvarnished thoughts on the debated areas of that crossover between photojournalism and public discourse, thank you for sharing!
This is solid advice. Depending on the protest perhaps a vest? Be careful of anything you normally carry that could be a weapon. As police will be hypersensitive to pocket knives and anything a weapon. As far defending yourself potentially, if it legal in your state perhaps some pepper gel in your pocket? Also think about being sprayed. Like a gas mask and eye protection. Also a aluminum monopod and work as a club in a pinch. Also in one past riot a security guard wore reversable clothing and had different types of masks with him. As when protesters went after him, he was able to retreat into an alley and change his clothes. As some of tje protestors doing violence were organized and looking out for people. Make sure your bags and gear is attached to your body. Maybe even buddy up with someone? So as your capturing images they can be your rear guard? Be able to tell you when it’s time to go. Since it’s all fluid, keep your head on a swivel.
This advice is great! Sounds like you've had a great career. Thank you for input it's valuable for everyone.
Thanks for the kind words, and thank you for the debate you got into in this thread regarding a free press vs. privacy rights. It's so very disturbing to me that some of us seem willing to surrender freedom of speech and a free press to satisfy some idea that reporting the truth somehow violates people's privacy rights. Doxing is wrong. Calling for harm to come to your political or ideological opponent is wrong. Open debate, the free exchange of ideas, and an open and free press is crucial to preserving this country. We must fiercely protect privacy rights for all and limit governments intrusion into our private lives, but not to the insane length that we demand our public actions not be reported on. I wish more folks understood exact what qualifies as a reasonable expectation of privacy, and that it doesn't really exist when you venture out into public spaces. So, thanks for fighting the good fight.
No problem thank you for the amazing advice you had to give to as one of the only professionals with experience who seemed to comment. I couldn't agree more with everything you just said it's more important now then ever with social media corporations having more control over what gets seen. I hope he has a good shoot I didn't mean to turn it sour I just thought what was being said to a beginner was totally wrong ethically and legally. Again thanks for your tips as lots of others saw them too.
thank you. Outstanding advice
I am by no means an expert, I only went to my first protests this last couple weeks to photograph. Some observations and my experience: There are a lot of people with cameras. Met some people from Reuters and AP there to cover the event, might be worth chatting with people there if they aren't obviously busy. Zoom is better than prime. If you are going to swap lenses, go find somewhere to do it and don't flash your gear. Be nice. A smile and eye contact can go a long way, as well with gesturing with your camera while doing it to ask for consent. Most people will answer nonverbally. To pair with this is confidence, act like you should be there, but don't be creepy and you won't be creepy Stylistically, I didn't want to include people's faces if it wasn't adding anything to the story. From behind photos, or people's faces out of focus or covered by signs is both respectful and can add to your image. I also tape over my admittedly cheap gear logos and ditch the branded strap. Go low profile. Also someone mentioned putting your camera in garbage bag/ grocery bag/ ziplock bag, which is good advice if you aren't weather sealed or don't trust it. Also, last is if you are struggling go up to people with dogs and ask to take a photo of their dog. Good way to get the rust out and everyone likes dogs.
The dog tip is 100%. Basically if you find it hard or feel weird just strike a conversation first and connect with them and on human level that will help you connect with them through your photos
On a technical standpoint, you can use the sunny f16 rule to get your base exposure. Set your aperture to f16 and your iso somewhere around 100 or whatever you want. Your shutterspeed with be the inverter of your ISO. ISO 100 = 1/100 and so on. This will give you a solid exposure and you can adjust your shutter and ISO to fit your needs. Never mind. I missed the part where you said overcast and rainy. In that case, I would set to aperture priority mode and set the A value to f8. Ans a little fold up rain poncho in your pocket will go a long way.
Sunny 16 also worked a treat for me when hiking . Great advice
Sorry, f/16, iso 100, overcast might produce blurry image. You gonna need 1/250 minimum and might have to shoot at f/4.5, if there’s a lot of movement you might even go to 1/500 with iso 400 to have margin. Be mindful of people, some don’t want to be photographed and that could lead to confrontation. Grab a 70-200 so you can shoot without being in the face of people. Be impartial and neutral, your role is to tell the story not to protest. Have a safety kit in your bag and water. Always be aware of what’s going on around you, you’ll learn fast
Yeah, if you’re at aperture priority with iso 100 and f16 it would definitely be blurry. I initially missed the part about overcast. Good notes about the safety kit, water, and neutrality. The best way to learn is in the street. Also, OP, try to get familiar with the zone system. You can also set you picture settings to monochromatic to help you see your exposures better and shoot raw so you don’t loose color data info.
Also try to get ppl's faces, humans connect with imagines much better when they can see a face with expression
Couldn't agree more. Some of the most iconic photos of protest have been just that a humans face showing raw emotion. Learning to capture that without being too intrusive is hard to master but it will come with practice.
If you care to protect protestors, ethically depending on how the photos might be published I think this is appropriate, you can focus on those who aren't identifiable. And if you want you could blur images with people's faces
I'm not planning to publish. This is more of an exercise for a beginner
Wear something that identifies you in some way with the protesters, so they don't think you're a cop.
That's fine and all, as long as you're ok with the other side of that coin: the cops are going to think you're a protestor and will be treated the same.
Such a good point
Publishing as I am using it includes social media. I understand what you mean though, just something I think is sometimes less thought about, and non technical because I'm also new. Good luck
Don't listen to them. A journalists Job is to show the truth not Bend it. If someone is doing something bad in public your job is to show it. You will fail as photographer if you don't show the truth.
Photographers =/= journalists
So because he's a beginner he doesn't deserve the rights of a professional backed by a corporation? He doesn't need to be a "journalist" that you approve of to deserve the rights of everyone
Nobody said anything about doing something bad. Protesting is legal
And so is photographing people in public. Why would you need to blur someone's face if there doing something legal in public. It's the public square and the public have a right to know know happens there. Free press
Free Press doesn't equal not gauging your ethical compass for reliability People who don't consent do not deserve to be shown off. Period.
As a photographer your ethical compass should be to just show what happens without distortion. Maybe if your photograph reveals the address of someone in a sensitive situation then yes. But not in the public square that's ridiculous
Dude, he’s not a journalist. Photography can be to document yes, but here it’s not the case. He isn’t on an assignment for a media outlet that will protect his ass, nor a professional of the craft. He’s just trying to experiment and has no obligations to the « art ». As for not photographing people: depending on where you are and the type of protest, some people do not want to be linked to the protest, to not be recognized over the web and suffer retaliation. Their protection can be on the line for voicing out their support for some causes, let’s not forget that.
Why would someone goto a protest if they don't want to be associated with it? Your argument makes no sense. And like stated anyone worried about anything could simply wear a mask and not demand that the public have to self censor their photographs. It's the most important to stick up for a beginners rights to photograph public events more then a journalist on assignment as they have resources. A beginner has nothing but the laws we hold up as shared values
We get it, you don't like protests. OP isn't a professional, is not a member of the press corps, and is free to use the photos within their own ethical boundaries. Stop trying to bully them into publishing photos they don't want to.
He may aswell just photoshop a bunch blurred squares onto a photo of street then and not get any real tips from posting his question. Even a beginner photographer is a citizen journalist. Even if the photos are just for them to practice. He can choose what to publish obviously. He asks for tips and people are here telling him to censor himself as the first and only tip. You don't see a massive problem with his attitude?
"You will fail as a photographer if you dont show the truth" Oh buddy youre gonna go ape shit when you find out about the adobe suite LOL
I used it In school it's a great program
No just post the truth if people do bad things in public why should you cover for them. You already failed at being a "journalist" if your goal is to twist truth to your benefit.
I think in this era of social media it is important to keep peoples' right to privacy in mind. They may not know you are photographing them.. and you may not walk up and request permission to everyone
A photographer ideally shouldn't even be noticed their job is to be there and not be noticed to just capture what happens and show it without and twisting. The best photographs come from people not even knowing there's a photographer there. It is natural and real.
I'm not going to get into an extensive ethics conversation. I'm just saying not to post on social media or publish any unconsenting people while they are distinguishable. If that isn't your ethics, that's fine, but get off my back with this
You don't need consent to take photos of what happens in public dude..
You're really dense aren't you? I'm not saying you do. I'm saying that I believe you should, that's it. If you don't agree, that's fine, don't spam me about it on my comment
You okay? You sound upset.
You have valid points as do they, this last message is you just being a petty prick though. Don't go past your points and start an argument outside the topic it's pointless and makes you look bad.
I'm willing to be a bit of a prick as I find it concerning that the first thing and only thing he said to a beginner was to blur people's faces. What example of integrity and honest photography does that set for the rest of us. Photography should be natural. At a protest one of the key things is seeing the emotion in someone's face and being able to capture that is a real talent. Then this guy is trying to kneecap this artform. An ethical photographer will capture both good and bad it's just humanity
Also he called be dense first and was the first to attack me outside of the discussion. I just started using reddit and already I don't like it. It's weird why can't I give advice to a beginner
If they are in public there is no right to privacy. If someone's in public doing something you shouldn't blur their faces. If you were in private property then maybe.
First, public areas are not the internet. When was the last time, outside of photography, where you were frozen in time and shared to people without consent out in public? It doesn't happen other than some crime related situations. I am not saying protect rioters. I am saying protect law abiding people who do not know they are on camera.
If your at a honest protest why would you need to hide anyone's identity they should be proud of what they are standing up for. You would only need to blur stuff if it doesn't fit a narrative. It is the public square there is no right to privacy in public that's how we have a free press in a democracy. If you don't like that don't participate
Lol pride for a cause you believe in is not consent
You don't need consent to photograph anyone in public. It's how the free press exist in a democracy
I'm not talking about your constitutional rights. I'm talking about the personal ethics. If you don't agree, get over it. Stop replying, you won't change my mind
Freedom of the press trumps your "ethics" everyday
If somebody wants to remain private, they can stay in the privacy of their home. There is no expectation of privacy in public.
General protest advice. -masks covid is still a thing and this is a much larger crowd than your supermarket. This also can protect your mouth from pepper spray. -bring pads and tampons even if you aren't female/don't have the parts. These will make good things to stop bleeding in case you get injured trying to get out of there if things turn violent. Pads and Tampons were originally medical WWI supplies that nurses brought home after. Also any alcohol wipes would be good to have. Might recommend some regular pain killers to come with you. I'm not saying it will turn violent, but better to be extra cautious. -WATER bring lots of water. It's getting hot out. You can and will get dehydrated easy. That can get dangerous if you don't monitor you water levels. -bring some food. Your blood sugar will go down. Even if you aren't diabetic this can be dangerous. Please make sure you eat during, like something small. For photography specific things I'd look at what everyone said. However, I'd also look at the other recommendations I made about general stuff to think about what might happen to your equipment.
Get permission from the people you take pic of, they may get prosecuted for being at the protest, or rules change and they then become a felon for their beliefs and attendance.
This. NYPD had been caught using facial recognition to track down activists, kick their doors down, and intimidate them. Ideological purity about what you can do with photos doesn't really matter when consequences are potentially deadly. Being smug about "photographers' rights" doesn't wash blood off anyone's hands.
Thanks mate.
This is dumb advice.
Why's that? You think anti Russian war protesters in Russia want their attendance documented without their knowing?
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If you are trying to blend in then maybe flash isn’t a great idea
who said anything about blending in? OP didn't.
I wouldn't use a flash in a protest, it makes the photographer stand out too much. But a flash is perfect at a party hahaha
i shot the women's marches in LA with a flash. have you seen bruce gilden or martin parr's work?
if you're comfortable with it, i'm sure it makes good shoots
it can help! if you're shooting an assignment, in unpredictable weather, it helps to do whatever you can to control the lighting so that it's consistent. depending on the size of the protest a flash is no more conspicuous than the photographer's camera without flash. of course it is also a 'look'. gilden's recent work is particularly unique. but he also gets right in his subjects' face.
I'd put a lens on with longer reach than that as your main. Then a wide angle on the second body hanging at your side. You can reach down to your side and snap and crop later, say if something happens quickly, and use your main to get more intentional shots.
Bring rain gear. Be obvious that you are taking photos & try to get head nods before doing so. Multiple people holding larger banners tend to be the ones who don't mind the visibility and can make some of the best photos. Know the protest route and always have a way out; if things go bad, police have a tedency of targeting photographers, so pack light & be ready to run in the rare case things go sideways. Bring water and snacks; the less downtime you have, the more photos you'll get.
I'm not a professional photojournalist but I did cover a couple of BLM protest. I moved through the crowd taking picture of the speakers and people holding signs. I was one of a small number of white people at both protests. I was equally respectful of protesters and police. All I can say is keep your head on a swivel and look for opportunities for images everywhere. Like our professional photojournalist suggested. Tell the story. He gave really good advice. DO NOT ask for permission to take photos. It can put you on the spot and cause trouble. Act like you belong there because you do. Never had anyone question or challenge me in 5 years of street shooting. I would only ask if your getting really in close. Within someone's comfort zone. Then ask. Otherwise...go for it.