How & Why YOU Should Photograph PROTESTS!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Please be sensible, stay safe, and engage brain before taking action. Protest photography is important, but it is definitely something you should think carefully about, and take the time to decide on your approach in line with your ethics, skillset, and online reach. This video is intended to help you stay safe and avoid conflict at all costs ❤️ Look after people and be excellent to one another.
You might find it interesting to look at the AP code of ethics: www.csus.edu/i...
also the NPPA code of ethics: nppa.org/resou...
→ Join my free email community:
email.huntercr... 💌
→ Beginner's Film Photography Course: learnphotograp...
Follow me on instagram:
/ huntercreatesthings 📷
Merch is new and now available (more coming soon) : shop.huntercre...
Get Your Gear From Moment to Support Me
bit.ly/MomentS... ❤️
I Lit This Video With Zhiyun Lights
bit.ly/ZhiyunS... 🔦
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you'd like to buy me a coffee, or contribute to my production budget, why not become a channel member? / @huntercreatesthings
Thank you for watching x
Hey hello you should definitely sign up to my emails! I will send you cool stuff for inspo, share cool photography, and you actually can email me back and ask questions! I am an open book. → email.huntercreatesthings.com/ 📸
I photographed a protest on a whim during the height of 2020. Most regulars for a regional news paper were either sick or scared to get sick and I decided to fill in the gap. It was one of the most intense experiences of my life. It forces you to lean how to read the crowd and rely on the senses and instincts that we have tuned out due to the privilege of living in civilized society
100%!
Been wanting to photograph a protest ever since I started - thanks for all the advice (and amazing videos as always)
Thank you haha, happy to help! Good luck :)
I’m a photojournalist for a small suburban Chicago newspaper group. Here’s a tip if you have a press pass and cover protests. Don’t wear your pass on a neck lanyard. Put it on a retractable belt clip. Having it around your neck is going to be a big problem if things turn ugly.
100%, I keep mine handy but hidden unless I need it.
The dry humour at 9:22 🤣🤣
"Don't worry, it'll never change".... That had me 😂😂
Hahahaha
Soy Fotoperiodista en Bolivia. Cada país es muy diferente en protestas. En los últimos años la prensa ha sido un objetivo para la gente que protesta, como también con la policía. Amo mi trabajo. Buenos consejos.
went to one of the protests at my uni recently and having the camera with you really is such a great icebreaker if you're shy, asking if i could get a photo was so much less awkward than introducing myself point blank
Oh 100%, camera is a great convo starter
I have covered a lot of protests, both for myself and professionally as a freelance photojournalist, I've photographed everything from a climate action where I covered the group "Fridays for future" when they were climbing up onto tanker carts trying to stop them from driving, to covering a far-right march in Stockholm Sweeden, I've also covered a lot of the pro-Palestine protest marches going on. (of course that's not all of it, but the most interesting)
I definitely agree with a lot of what you are saying philosophy-wise, of course, since I shoot as a photojournalist, I have to go by the stringent impartiality that professional photojournalism Requires (for good reason) hence why if it is necessary for the story and context of the protest in the article I would publish a photo that mightn't put someone in the most flattering light, of course, I try not to if I can help it.
I also really do agree with a lot of what you are saying in the video, there are some very solid tips in the video, especially about the comfortable shoes, and the gear that can take a beating, but I would also like to add a few tips for anyone interested, I've learnt these by trial and error:
1, Always, and I mean ALWAYS bring a first aid kit with you, you never know when you or someone else will need it! and usually, the times you do need it are the times when you left it at home.
2, Take notes, these can be quotes you hear, it can be people's names or your own reflections on what you see and hear. Even if you are not planning on writing a real article about it, it's a good way to remember details and context if you for example are planning on posting online on for example Instagram. you think you will remember everything in your head, you won´t!!! (I've fallen victim to this more times than i can count)
3, Talk to people, ask questions! This is both a way to both get an understanding of what is actually going on, on the ground at the protest, but it is also a good way to dispel and disarm a lot of the suspicion around the "person with the camera".
4, In the same vane as scouting the location beforehand: always know where to exit, scan the scene for escape roots in case the situation gets too dangerous, you need to know this BEFORE the dangerous situation happens! this is something you with enough practice will do automatically, but a good way to train this is to in everyday life always look for exit strategies, when you do that on a daily basis it will become second nature.
5, This is probably the most important non-safety tip I can give, DO RESEARCH BEFOREHAND!!! read up on the subject matter as much as you can, and come prepared, not just to know what is going on at the protest, but also and more importantly for the photography, if you are knowledgeable on the subject you might be able to capture a small detail that you otherwise would have messed if you hadn't done the research. And that photo is usually the one that if we take it to the extreme: is the one that is printed in the history books.
Thank you for sharing - that's all advice I 100% agree with!
I had a Zf very briefly and sold it again. To give some advice you didn't ask for: I would look at a first gen Z6. The software updates did a lot for it and it has the same sensor as the Zf. It might not be on the same technical level in some areas but it is a very solid body with no major weaknesses. The old Z6 also has lost most of it's value already and it might be easy to pick one up right now with the launch of the Z6III.
I was interested in the og Z6 but I think the ZF's brass dials have me sold hahaha
@@huntercreatesthings I get it, I loved the idea of it as well. ... just when you have the chance to look at a Zf ... tap the display hinge with your fingernail.
Ok, I'll shut up now. xD
Great video btw. Went on a couple Fridays For Future demos and it was a super fun experience photographically. Can recommend.
Public photography is a cornerstone of democracy
I agree
food for thought:
1) do people in the photo (main subject or not) look weird in a way they wouldn't like their photo? (they are in middle of a sneeze/yawn, picking their nose, eating, etc. Then if it's not the photo of the year, maybe don't pick it for publication. Or is it photo of the year BECAUSE it's weird? Rare occasion, but might happen.
2) if they are doing something illegal (especially if it's not related to the protest, like drinking in public): "they are doing it in a highly public setting, so it's their responsibility", or will you be kind to them, and omit that from your photos?
I totally agree with the points in the video (with one tiny exception below), photographing protests/parades/rallies is usually good fun, and can always turn out to be important that those moments are recorded.
The one thing I don't necessarily agree to the full extent with is being safe and avoiding harm. It's always situational, and in 99% of events, keeping yourself out of the harm's way is the best option (yes, no amount of likes are worth a broken nose or whatever), BUT every now and then, something happens that taking a photograph of is worth _some_ risk. If there are NO other photographers around, you might get the shot of your life without anyone capturing the same moment. Then it might be worth taking some calculated risks. But as soon as you see "more serious" guys throwing themselves in those situations, just get outta there :) they are probably paid to do it, and have proper insurance. You know, there are some crazy guys taking photos on the frontlines of wars, where live rounds are fired. Compare that risk with a broken nose, or a scratched camera (god forbid: lens!)
It's crucial to know how far are you willing to go, and to have a sense where a protest is going. For example, when pyrotechnics were used, it was fun, interesting pictures were there. But when clashes with police started (throwing beer cans and stuff, nothing really serious), that was my cue to remove myself from the protest, and observe from some distance instead.
I definitely agree!
As someone who attends protests cause I care about politics and who takes photos (some at protests) cause I like making art, this is a pretty great video. It should be said though that if someone is clearly trying to conceal their identity at a protest you shouldn't keep photos where their identity is more visible, and if you are at an especially polarized protest (like current protests against the genocide in gaza) or get a shot of people taking certain dangerous actions (creating graffiti, protecting themselves and their friends from violent counterprotestors or police, etc.) you should edit out their faces carefully unless they gave you consent to take their photo, as a commonly understood courtesy. Doxxing people is Bad not just because the government will know who they are, we always assume the government knows who we are unless we mask up, but its also Bad because oftentimes counterprotestors will use whatever personal information they can find to threaten and harass protestors. This is a problem to the point that in left wing spaces I've oftentimes been questioned about why I'm carrying a camera or what I'm doing with it, although its never led to a real problem. For yourself and others, just try and stay thoughtful and careful out there
Glad you enjoyed! I agree about being cautious with people's identity - I love the work of @emiliedesir on instagram, who is a great example of how you can censor people's faces
As a fellow protestor I totally agree. But those rules about not showing identities only aply to the people clearly hiding their face, most people don't care. But it's quite common in the harder engaged circles for oposing groups to look up who was there, find their families, coworkers, empoyers or whatever and harass them. When your political militancy impacts everyone you know priorities change...
I'm not sure I entirely agree. I think that in a protest situation, it is the responsibility of the people at the protest to cover their face if they don't want to be seen in photographs. These are highly public (getting the message out loudly is half the point!) situations - if you don't want to be seen protesting at a protest, you shouldn't go to the protest. If you are OK with being seen but want to conceal your identity, then cover your face. By going out and protesting, you are assuming certain levels of risk, this being one of them. That said, it is still up to the photographer to remain ethical when it comes to sharing their photos. I personally agree with the palestine protests that have been happening recently (I went to a lot of them that happened at my university) so I of course would never want to doxx or put anyone in jeoprady, I just think people should expect to be photographed and cover themselves according to their personal comfort level.
2:25 yep, this applies to any type of documentary photography. 👍
100%
I use a Ricoh GR. Great in closed in crowded places. Small, light, and a 28mm lens. Great quality and not noticed. JMO. 😎
I have been lusting for a GRIII for so long. I just wish they kept the flash from the older ones!
A very meaningful and impactful subject of photography. Thank you for covering this topic!
Glad it was helpful!
I love photographing protests with other photographers, because everyone sees the same thing and brings different pictures.
Exactly!
Some of my best photographs have come from covering protest in the last year. Coincidentally I covered one of the uk ones last Saturday in my home city of Nottingham (thankfully it was quiet in comparison to elsewhere).
There is a vibe and energy about these situations but yes, you need to remain vigilant and safe.
I recommend using a 28mm and zone focus without looking through your viewfinder where possible, in order to not draw too much attention to yourself.
+1 for 28mm and zone focus, it's my go-to approach
@@huntercreatesthings best option if you’re in a potentially hostile environment, plus you get some pleasant surprises when you never saw the full composition in the first place, especially if like me you only work in film and have to wait for the lab scans to come back.
I believe people should take images of protests. Especially here in the US as it’s part of our rights. But if someone is going to a protest with the mindset of getting bangers, they should stay home for their own safety.
People need to be careful doing this because it’s very dangerous. I have been doing journalism for years and many protest I have covered, even the small ones can turn bad fast.
Yes - but the risk doesn't mean it's not worth doing
Thanks for covering this Hunter! I was hoping you would.
Glad you enjoyed!
Good, thoughtful advice for doing this sort of photography.
Glad you enjoyed it!
in my photo class at college, we were looking at some photos, including a military sergeant being carried off a battlefield. one of my classmates said why someone had taken this, and the teacher responded someone has to.
Agree. It's history
Great tips, thank you. New sub here!
Awesome! Thank you!
I fuck wit this jawn 💯
🙏 Appreciate you
2 videos in one week? Hell yea dude
I'm on a roll
There's a really brave part of me that really likes the idea of photographing a protest, but then the logical side is like "ma'am you not that big and you've never been in an energetic crowd your gonna get tossed like a can of beans" maybe ill do it once ive met some photography friends I can go with
I am tiny irl and I do fine! Start out with a big parade or maybe a music festival and go from there :)
@@huntercreatesthings ok ill try that
Nice a new vid see you on the other side😂
I'm on a roll this month dw there's more on the way
Zdecydowanie chcę sfotografować protest, mam na to ochotę, odkąd zacząłem nosić ze sobą aparat wszędzie.
Dasz radę!
@@huntercreatesthings I just have to get myself to go!
What’s the best lens that you would recommend, as in focal lengths
I like to use a 28mm or 35mm :)
It’s got to be the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8.
I generally find more use for a zoom (18/24/28-105/128/135) instead of a wide one. Even a 24-70 is too wide sometimes. But you do need wide lens, so you can photograph something up close, or just a crowd to show what it looks like. And definitely wouldn't bring my expensive lenses to a protest, no way :D Street and protest are perfect for a kit zoom lens.
@@huntercreatesthings thank you!
It's a red now....LOL
Meh. I’m not looking to give voice to astroturfed tryhard NPCs
Then go anyway, but don't publish the photos! It's still a great way to learn and hone your photography skills even if your politics don't align
Sorry, but this really the last thing I would take pictures of… - and a reason to avoid your channel.
Why not
There is a lot of stuff missing here, and some REALLY bad advice. Like other commenters said. Do your research on the protest. If you are inside of it, you are participating. If you don't know what it is about, you're still participating. So do your research, see how you feel about said protest, and then decide beforehand where you want to be.
About the bad advice, protests can escalate very quickly. People who are experienced with protest, and police as well, try to avoid this. One of the things you should NOT do, is RUN. Running can quickly cause other people to run, and cause panic. Sure, get out of there quickly but also calmly.
Also, the whole point about "I'm not on either side" is not just ok. It does makes you feel like a leech, who doesn't know why people are doing what they are doing. Protests are an important part of a democracy, not your Saturday photo hobby project.
I disagree with all of your points - and I think you misunderstood a lot.
As a photographer, you are not participating in the protest, that should be clear to anyone. I've shot loads of protests I vehemently disagreed with as a photojournalist.
If there's a physical conflict during a protest, there's going to be panic regardless - trying to be the cool guy who calmly walks away (which means you can't see what's going on behind you) is far more risky than simply legging it and removing yourself from the situation as fast as possible.
I agree that protests are an important part of democracy - but another important part of democracy is the freedom to not share your individual viewpoint. Being there to document and photograph what's happening is completely valid, and you don't ever have to "pick a side". That's us vs them thinking and doesn't get us anywhere.
I think a lot of your viewpoints have come from a place of assuming either that I'm not "on your side" or that I'm not giving my advice from a place of vast experience, which I am. I think if you're going to suggest that I'm giving out bad advice, it would help to back up your comment with some evidence that you know what you're talking about, Anon Anon.
@@huntercreatesthings
In turn, I think you've misunderstood my comment as well. I'll explain and maybe we can clear this up and understand each other better.
I'm not saying you should pick a side, or pick the side of the protest. I'm saying you are participating in the protests. That means you are in the middle of a lot of passionate (or maybe angry) people. They (and the police) may not care if you're handling a camera if you don't have a press card.
You don't have to pick a side, but you should know what the protest is about, in my opinion. You may end up in situations where this is extremely useful, and you might learn something yourself. In this video you are not talking about being a photojournalist, you're talking about just being a person making pictures at a protest. If you are there as a journalist, I hope you know what the protest is about as well. I believe this will help keep you safe in the long run.
About the running part, if there is a police officer in your face with a baton, sure, run away. In almost all other cases, I believe it's better NOT to run. Not to be 'cool', but to be safe and keep the people around you safe.
I'm not sure why you need 'evidence'. But I'm just someone who's attended a lot of protests (hence the anonymous account) and recently starting taking more pictures.
I'm not saying this to criticise you, but I'm saying this since there are (unfortunately) more and more protests. And I see more and more people getting hurt.
Disagree. I cringe something chronic when i regularly see more photographers, and obviously casual photographers at that, at protests. To me it's leeching for content.
I think there are some people who treat it like that, but the (hopefully) majority are looking to document it properly