Anarchy at the March 26 London Protests

skeen · Mar 28, 2011

Hi all,

I had an intense day at the London protests on Saturday. I took over 1,200 photos, but I've compiled a collection based on the anarchist activities which took place on the day.

Here are 5 images, but there are 22 in total which you can see here. This is one of my first forays into photojournalism, and it's something that I'd really like to get into.

I'd love for your advice and constructive criticism.

-- by paulµ43, on Flickr
A member of an anarchist group lights a coloured smoke bomb and parades around London's Oxford Street, which had been closed off earlier by protest group, UK Uncut.

-- by paulµ43, on Flickr
Protestors make a bonfire of their Trojan Horse in the middle of London's Oxford Street.

-- by paulµ43, on Flickr
A member of an anarchist group shouts profanities as bonfires burn just oustide of Hyde Park.

-- by paulµ43, on Flickr
Riot police barracade Jermyn Street following bonfires and vandalism. Just moments later they would charge forward in an effort to thwart anarchist activity.

-- by paulµ43, on Flickr
Riot police stand in front of Jermyn Street, blocking access while bonfires burn behind.

Forkie · Mar 28, 2011

These are superb! Did you know the guy with the smoke bomb, or didn't he mind you crouching down in front of him?!

Bios. · Mar 28, 2011

From some of the footage it looks like there were more L series lenses than protestors at this march.

skeen · Mar 28, 2011

Forkie said:
These are superb! Did you know the guy with the smoke bomb, or didn't he mind you crouching down in front of him?!

No, I didn't know him. I guess I didn't think about it all that much - I saw him marching, and decided I wanted to get this shot...ran in front of him, crouched down, pressed the shutter. I did this kind of thing pretty much all day, and I think it afforded me some unique images.

Bios. said:
From some of the footage it looks like there were more L series lenses than protestors at this march.

You're not far off. I've never seen so many photographers before. With that in mind, I worked my ass off to get as many great shots as I could.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 28, 2011

skeen said:
You're not far off. I've never seen so many photographers before. With that in mind, I worked my ass off to get as many great shots as I could.

It's a conspiracy. They started the riots so that they could use their gear! :lol:

JBArts · Mar 28, 2011

I was really saddened to see this stand-off. I hope they'll be able to reach an agreement soon. With regards to your photos, I think you did a great job capturing the intensity of the protest. I like the second photo. Overall, these are nice pieces for your first foray in photojournalism.

NegativesRevealed · Mar 28, 2011

The smoke bomb shot is amazing! You definitely took a chance getting right in there in the chaos however it payed off. Congrats!

Mike Lamb · Mar 28, 2011

1st rate photo journalism. I hope you tried to sell them.

Derrel · Mar 28, 2011

Bios. said:
From some of the footage it looks like there were more L series lenses than protestors at this march.

Hi-L-arious comment!

skeen · Mar 29, 2011

JBArts said:
With regards to your photos, I think you did a great job capturing the intensity of the protest. I like the second photo. Overall, these are nice pieces for your first foray in photojournalism.

Thanks so much

NegativesRevealed said:
The smoke bomb shot is amazing! You definitely took a chance getting right in there in the chaos however it payed off. Congrats!

I just tried to be everywhere. I didn't have the luxury of a huge telephoto zoom, either; so I had to just get stuck in.

Mike Lamb said:
1st rate photo journalism. I hope you tried to sell them.

Wow, thanks. I actually did try to upload them to Demotix that night, but the site was being so slow and buggy; it was quite a disappointing and frustrating experience. But oh well.

Frequency · Mar 29, 2011

Excellent Job; as good as professional stuff!!!

skeen · Mar 29, 2011

Frequency said:
Excellent Job; as good as professional stuff!!!

Wow, thanks

That's very encouraging.

Davor · Mar 29, 2011

Good stuff, love the last 2 gives them an old school look.

tyler_h · Mar 29, 2011

Nice work. #2 and #3 don't work for me composition wise, but kudos for getting out there are getting some great shots. I like how you close you are in #2, but I think the guy should be on the right as he is facing the left...

skeen · Mar 30, 2011

tyler_h said:
Nice work. #2 and #3 don't work for me composition wise, but kudos for getting out there are getting some great shots. I like how you close you are in #2, but I think the guy should be on the right as he is facing the left...

Thanks for the feedback

I agree about the guy looking left; I actually have another shot of this, but it doesn't express the emotion as well.