Shooting in Crowds? At riots?

[kurtdriver]

Does anyone have any advice about shooting in crowds? At riots specifically? We have lots of that sort of thing here in Vancouver these days and I'm learning on the job. Tourists everywhere. Thanks, Kurt

[JAS_Photo]

Should prove to be interesting shooting. In Calgary during the Olympics the downtown area was filled with crowds everyday. Groups of athletes could be seen together wearing their team colors. The atmosphere is very friendly, so I imagine you could most likely get lots of photos just for the asking and make many new acquaintances as well. :)

[Iguanasan]

Sorry if these are obvious comments but it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Most of the time if you are trying to show the crowd size you'll want to get the camera up above your head or be standing on a bench or something otherwise it'll be hard to realize that it is more than a few people standing in front of the lens.

Also, most of the riot shots I've seen are very powerful if you can show both sides of the battle. ie. the crowd and the security teams that are trying to control them. Even better if you can get the emotions of the people on both sides. Bored cops or incensed rioters, etc.

[Kawarthabob]

A telephoto lens comes to mind, you don't really want to be in the thick of things when they happen. You could get roughed up or even arrested for being there.

[AcadieLibre]

The only way you are going to learn how to shoot in them is to be in the centre of the s h i t. I did all the photos for several political groups I used belong too and when we were attacked by the police ( common occurrence) or a riot broke out I was in the thick of it. IF your not willing to get into the thick of it why shoot it. To use a telephoto lens you will miss all the good shots, if you want to cover it, you must assume some risk. If you do not take the risk all you will get will be peripheral photos. If the risk of jail is a worry just do not go anywhere near it then, if your close and they see you taking photos and you stand out you are far more of a target then if you in the middle of it and you have thousands of others they can chase, stand on the side lines with a telephoto lens, the protest groups as well as the cops will look at you with suspicions. So get in the middle or stay home, see signature lol.

[Marko]

To use a telephoto lens you will miss all the good shots, if you want to cover it, you must assume some risk.

I'm with A.L here...Tele is the wrong lens UNLESS you want to stay on the sidelines.

28-70 or 50mm would be my choice here if my 'boys' were big like A.L.s.

[AcadieLibre]

I'm with A.L here...Tele is the wrong lens UNLESS you want to stay on the sidelines.

28-70 or 50mm would be my choice here if my 'boys' were big like A.L.s.

I would not use a prime, when it is happening and things do start to get hectic you want a good zoom lens. I agree with Marko on the 24-70 (or I guess Nikon is 28-70) would be my go to. Also one body, one lens, good rubber on your shoes, and make sure your dressed with tight clothes or easily removable outer layer that you do not care about. You need to make yourself as hard to grab hold of as possible, tight clothes are hard to grab, loose easy rip clothes will just leave that article in their hands and gives you time to get away. Not that I would know this, just something someone told me, yea, thats it, that is my story and I am sticking to it.

We have the G8 and G20 coming to Toronto so if I am not so broken I will be there to shoot it and those who protest those summits are my kind of protesters from a photography stand point. Almost certain the sh_it will hit the fan lol .... If you do decide to go into it, let me know I will try and give you a few other survival tactics.

[Marko]

If I had the choice I would not go prime either.... but some people don't have short zooms. A 50mm (cheap/sharp and readily available) is much better than a tele in this regard especially if you are shooting full frame.

[AcadieLibre]

If I had the choice I would not go prime either.... but some people don't have short zooms. A 50mm (cheap/sharp and readily available) is much better than a tele in this regard especially if you are shooting full frame.

You are right, never thought of that.

[kurtdriver]

let me know I will try and give you a few other survival tactics.

That's pretty much what I was looking for. I was in the midst of it, exhaling on people wearing hankerchiefs on their faces. I figured they were the best bet for troublemakers. It occurred to me afterwards that a understanding of how these things typically develop would have helped me predict which way the crowd would go and the best pace to shoot from. I'm shooting primes cause that's what I have. Last night I took just a 50mm, but I think the 28 might have been better. It fits in a pocket anyway. I wasn't really looking to show the size of the crowd, but rather get individuals within it. I think I'll leave the camera bag at home for any crowd, it got bumped alot, sometimes when pressing the shutter button.

There came a point when I realized that I didn't care if the camera was damaged, I wanted the shots.

[Marko]

.....

There came a point when I realized that I didn't care if the camera was damaged, I wanted the shots.

I've wrecked a camera or two with this attitude...and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The card/film inside the camera is usually the most valued part.

[AcadieLibre]

Oh sorry I did not realize it was yesterday. I was out all day so would not have made a difference to help. So did you get any good shots? A 50mm if your inside the action as you found out is not a good lens for that type of shooting your literally face to face often and things move so fast. If I had to use a prime you are right with a 28mm, I have a 30mm and from what I recall is close to what I would have used or close to it, it has been years so I am doing this from memory, that appears it would be the right focal length. A primes biggest advantage is the compact size of them. A 4/3rds Camera would be ideal for those conditions or a range finder.

To do the G8 or G20, why the 24 - 70 is a good lens, its the 24mm you use most of the time anyway. When I was doing it I shot all primes back then because zooms are not what they are today, back then zooms were OK at best. Not done any shooting like that for a while, and yes if you get into the middle you might as well assume you run the risk of your equipment getting damaged. I hope you had fun though, sometimes being confused makes it even more fun lol ... Any more protests to cover?

[Kawarthabob]

You have bigger stones than I. From my misspent youth I used to do stuff like that but never a camera with me. You run the risk of reprisal by both the protesters and the cops. And remember that if arrested , ignorance is no excuse for a defense in court. TRUST ME.

[kurtdriver]

Any more protests to cover?

Yeah, but I don't know how to find them. The one yesterday has been described as a "flash mob" that was organized on facebook. So I missed the mini riot yesterday. I'll be searching facebook daily.