I like taking photos at protests. I think everyone should. Usually we only spend time in crowds because we’re queuing for something. At a protest it’s because we’ve decided to huddle together purely so we may be counted and seen as a group with an aim. It can, and should be, empowering and exciting – and that makes for good photos!

Some tips:

1. Individuals are much more interesting than crowds, so get closer. Get a long lens or alternatively ask people to pose for you! They spent ages making that placard, they might be flattered. 🤓
2. Find vantage points slightly above the crowd. An incline works well… standing on top of a bin can work, but also may lead to trouble. ⛰️
3. Try and frame your shots. If there are placards, consider how to get them in the picture. Photograph people with the demo behind them for a better atmosphere. 🖼️
4. Be patient. If you want a good photo of someone, for example, a speaker at a rally, you may need to time it right to get them at their most expressive: leading chants and singing often bring out the best in people! ⏱️
5. Think about what you’re recording. Parents might not want their kids in photos. Others may be at risk of state persecution. If you photograph someone doing something illegal, it could be used as evidence against them. ⚠️
6. Get your snaps online fast. Your photos are news when you take them, but within a few hours, they’ll just be history. Put them on social media, e.g. Twitter or Instagram, with hashtags (yes, they still exist!) within the hour for them to be most relevant and useful. 🌍

Originally posted on Instagram here.