G20 Protests

[rhubarb]

Managed to pop out yesterday from work and capture some shots from the G20 protests in the city. Interesting day as I'm sure you've seen in the press, mostly angry carnival rather than riot or anything - certainly whilst I was there. Never done anything like this before in fact never been within earshot of a protest but I actually found it quite exciting - invigurating even. Anyway shots below - I was trying to capture the atmosphere as much as I could. C&C welcome as always

1: One of the four horses of the apocolypse - need a bit of imagination here:



2: Protester rallying the troops



3: And shouting a bit louder



4: Protesters getting ready to fight - well actually have a good time by the looks of it:



5: Anarchists starting early these days



6: Cabby getting caught up in the protests



7: You say warfare we say welfare.....



8: More togs than protesters



9: Horse of the apocalypse



10: Anger



11: Anger 2



12: looking at me...



13: warfare, welfare, warfare, welfare......



14: Heavy mob



And some random people

15:


16:


17:


18:


19: Some famous bloke apparently



20: And finally city lockdown

[mikee boy]

I'm so jealous. I'm away at the moment otherwise I'd have been there (photographing rather than protesting).

I love the pictures of the protester surrounded by photographers.

[J111]

rhubarb said:

14: Heavy mob

Given the Kent Police (over ?)reaction to the climate camp, I'm amazed they got anywhere looking like that

rhubarb said:

Hot.

rhubarb said:

20: And finally city lockdown

Excellent shot

[GetCarter]

First class work.

[Mr_annie_vxr]

Some cracking shots.

[Simpo Two]

mikee boy said:

I love the pictures of the protester surrounded by photographers.

Including a Canon EOS-1 with black tape over the logo - presumably a standard practice when the BBC is around?

[Elderly]

Some excellent images and I thought a G20 was a new Panasonic

[LongQ]

Excellent shots.

The apparently famous bloke looks like he has some expensive teeth. Fancy risking them in such a place. Still, I guess of they were get broken he could buy some more.

[4hero]

Stunning set of shots, you caught the atmosphere brilliantly!

[Mrs Fish]

Russell Brand if I'm not mistaken.

Great pics

[tog]

Mrs Fish said:

Russell Brand if I'm not mistaken.

Great pics

Thanks, I was about to ask who it was. Not so famous that I'd have recognised him, that's why I'd make a rubbish pap!

[nick_bbb]

Great work

[_dobbo_]

Very nice, I particularly like the wide angle stuff.

[adam85]

Lovely shots, I'll bet 18 is filth

[rhubarb]

Hey thanks for all the comments. I actually really enjoyed getting in the middle of it (at least the morning before it kicked off) and pretty pleased wioth what I shot. The 10-20 lens is great just to get down low, and capture whats happening.

Found these shots ( http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/2009/0... ) though, which just shows what the pros do in the same circumstances. I think whoever took these really has potrayed everything as pretty menacing, hats off to them for getting so close to the action, not sure I'd was brave enough for this time although having experienced this for the first time I might stay around a little longer next time

[poah]

never understood why these idiots cover their faces.

[Dogsey]

poah said:

never understood why these idiots cover their faces.

Let's face it, the one's covering their faces aren't there for a peaceful protest are they?

Great shots Rhubarb, I was very tempted to take my camera in on Wednesday (I'm at the Barbican) so that I could see if I could get something but I decided against it in the end.

[LongQ]

rhubarb said:

Hey thanks for all the comments. I actually really enjoyed getting in the middle of it (at least the morning before it kicked off) and pretty pleased wioth what I shot. The 10-20 lens is great just to get down low, and capture whats happening.

Found these shots ( http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/2009/0... ) though, which just shows what the pros do in the same circumstances. I think whoever took these really has potrayed everything as pretty menacing, hats off to them for getting so close to the action, not sure I'd was brave enough for this time although having experienced this for the first time I might stay around a little longer next time

Quite a few different togs listed from the pro agencies. I suspect that not all the shots are quite as close as they seem. And several of them suggest, often based on reflections in the windows or what remains of the windows, that there were more photographers than protestors.

Seems thet French and German anti-NATO event in Strasbourg was a bit more lively. Tear gas used. The French know how to make real headlines.

Edited by LongQ on Saturday 4th April 21:05

[Slyjoe]

Does anyone else think its a bit suspicious that the whole of the city of London was boarded up - except the RBS bank? I mean who'da thunk the protestors would've headed for that target? The whole thing stinks of an inside job.

[Ledaig]

Simpo Two said:

mikee boy said:

I love the pictures of the protester surrounded by photographers.

Including a Canon EOS-1 with black tape over the logo - presumably a standard practice when the BBC is around?

Likewise the D3 above it, whilst I've seen wedding toggys do the same to avoid the avoid the "oh, I've got a Canon/Nikon etc so i could have taken the pic's" comments. It's probably more to do with hiding a corporate name given the circumstances.