“Civil Disobedience”, a “riot”, an “unruly mob”, “hooligans”……….all music to a news photographer’s eyes and ears. The chaos, unpredictability, the pathos, of angry, emotional crowds of people. And Yes, the DANGER! These environments are among the most exciting to capture moments of anarchy, humanity, cruelty and even amusement.
Watching the scenes in Egypt today, I found myself flashing back on what I would do were I to join the photographic fray. A partial primer.
What would I take in addition to my camera package? A waist pack, with a Flashlight (LED), Soft Gloves, clean rags or hankies, water bottles (as many as you can easily carry), a cap and clear eye protection a hand held radio with pre loaded law enforcement and public safety frequencies (analog and digital), maps (no not your iPhone map) a paper blow up of the 25/50 square blocks around the area of the event (laminated in plastic), a hard hat (optional) and any must have prescribed medications. ( You may plan 3 hours at the Demo and end up in Jail for 3 days. Take your meds! And throw in a bottle of asprin too! Do I really even need to mention food?)
Dress in sturdy pants (no shorts) long sleeves, socks and light weight ankle high shoes (Merrells ). And dress for the climate.
Important Option: A gas mask. If you have no training or experience in the use of Gas protection, and you have the time (and money) then do it. Train with CS gas, and expose yourself to it under accepted training practices. There are many videos for gas training. Do your homework and buy/rent/ or borrow the gear, otherwise, go it the old fashion way. Take your chances.
Press Pass (what’s that you say, you’re a “Citizen Journalist”? NO “real” press pass?) Be imaginative go to Google Images search PRESS Pass take a template and make your own, laminate it and go forth) Hell even Flickr has a “Press Pass”. Everyone is a journalist! (I say that derisively!) Now, don’t get carried away. Make it clean and professional in appearance and do not misrepresent yourself. Often an official appearing badge will get you cleared into restricted areas that otherwise you’d be denied.
Covering a potentially violent demo is all about judgment. And luck! Want to stand on the top of that garbage truck for a better view of Police busting heads in the park nearby? Go ahead and if the truck takes off and you break your leg you knew the risk. Still, taking chances can yield visual dividends. Dare smartly!
Think and act responsibly. It doesn’t take a social psychologist to read a crowd’s mood. And an otherwise restrained group can turn into a hostile mob in a few seconds. Remain Situationally AWARE! Watch your surroundings. Do NOT “pal around with demonstrators”. They are NOT your friends. You are there to cover the event. No matter your politics you’ll be better served by remaining neutral in your actions. No “high fives” or “glad handing” with participants. The “perception” of favoritism or editorial bias is easy to misconstrue. Be careful! Likewise you are not there to “be friends with the Police” (way too many young reporters these days, think of themselves as allies of the Police. ) Further, hostile elements in a crowd of demonstrators may well interpret your behavior as being sympathetic or supportive of the “state”. Do as law enforcement instructs, say “Yes, Sir” “No, maam” and then move on and find a way around them and get back to covering the chaos of the event.
DON’T run from Tear gas! Relax. Check which way the wind is blowing. (And are the police advancing on your position?!) CS gas won’t kill you. Yes, it burns, yes it’s uncomfortable. Yes it may make you sick and give you a maximum headache. So what? You didn’t come to this event to feel good. You came to cover it. Man up! Practice with gas before hand, just as military and law enforcement do. Learn to quickly put on your gas mask and properly clear and fit it. NO gas mask? Cover your face, mouth, nose and eyes as best you can. Then pour clean water into your eyes and NEVER touch your eyes/face with your hands! Then reload, check your batteries and media and move out! Find the story! Keep moving!
TIP: Watch the Police Tactical Commander on the Street. They are key. Locate their Command post. Often "detainees" are held in a temporary staging area. Find it. If possible get the tactical radio frequency of all Public safety and law enforcement to monitor their actions. ( this is highly unlikely anymore as many cities have moved their radios to Digitally encrypted transmission systems.) Still it’s worth the look.
Each demonstration is different. Go to many. The vast majority are not violent. (thus less adrenaline). But you’ll learn with each event and one hopes get better at “covering” this kind of visual opportunity. There are many additional methods and means of planning to cover a demo. What is the route?: Have you done a recon? Where are buildings you can get access to for high shots? Do a multi-team Shoot with Radio communications between photographers. (Don't count on the Net or Cell service being up.) Anyway Go forth! Have a blast!
Disclaimer: Use this information at your own risk.
The author covered many demonstrations (some violent/most not) in Washington DC and elsewhere as a (20 year) television news cameraman.
