Wish I was there.

[rover]

This will go in the missed opportunities column. I heard a story this morning on NPR about an anti-war demonstration on the Green in New Haven CT yesterday. There was no prior "advertisement" of this "event" that I am aware of. The demonstrators placed 899 (I believe that was the correct number) pairs of empty combat boots on the Green, representing each of the members of the US military killed in Iraq.

I now work in the next town over, East Haven and easily could have made it over for the noon time demonstration. It is about an hour commute for me each way so I got a bit of time to visualize what this must have looked like. In my mind I am seeing a very powerful image, one which I would have liked to capture on film.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

That would have been an interesting image, not sure I agree with the message but interesting none the less. I really like images of protesters, they are typically very passionate about thier cause and it often shows on thier faces. A missed opportunity to be sure.

Todd

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Don't get me wrong... but unless you have some experience, be careful. I "mingled" a demonstration against terrorism in Barcelona and most of my shots turned out very undramatic, and even though my camera is black and small, I did get some strange looks from people.

Now, once I worked up the courage, I got into their ranks and crouched.

This is the only dramatic shot I've made in my life.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Very Nice!

 

[Rich Silfver]

real good franciso

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Thanks a lot! I do appreciate your comments, guys!

While in Barcelona, Oscar and I really pondered about Capa's statement in your signature, Todd. But boy, getting close can be scary...

Did you post your strike photos in the RF Gallery, Richard? I really like them. I don't think I'd dare photograph strikers in the US. People are a bit too sensitive here. 🙄

 

[Doug]

That's a nice shot, Francisco! Captures a sense of motion and passion. 🙂

 

[Kris]

Francisco, what lens did you use to take that shot? I too have tried many times taking photos of demonstration and they all look dull. I'll keep in mind taking low angle, up close & personal shot next time.

 

[Peter]

Great shot Francisco! I totally agree with Capa's statement on proximity to your subject but it could be dangerous here in Singapore. People got killed here by hooligans because of 'staring incidents'. A friend of mine nearly got beaten up for taking pictures of street punks. He have to literally buy himself out of trouble by buying them drinks and cigarettes.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Kris & Peter, thanks for your comments! Kris, the camera was a Leica M6TTL (my pride and joy) and the lens, a Konica Hexanon 35/2. I used Elite Chrome ISO 400 and no filter whatsoever.

Regarding your note, Peter... I tell you, even though the event in which I got mingled was made up by students (high-school and college), it still had its tense moments. I decided to play the "role" of photojournalists by walking toward the obvious looking journalists and copying their shots. The crowd must have seen me; then I drifted to the side and without asking for permission or anything, I crouched down, aimed and focused at the girl in the center.

Mind you, I already had prepared the exposure so as to have the DOF on my side. And with 400 film even the cloudiness of the day lend me light enough. In sum, I focused very quickly and shot.

Yesterday I showed a print of this shot to a friend who's helping me with my photographic work and he really loved it. It was a very lucky moment... that involved a bit of preparation, but Lady Luck was on my side that day! 🙂

Kris, the Konica is a killer lens. I don't know if you can see it, but check the girl's nose: is there a bit of dust on her nostril (right side)? What do you think?

You're right: it's a nose ring...

Respectfully bowing away...

 

[taffer]

I remember our conversation about Capa's statement that was Joe's signature back then. Now it's Todd's one, I'm sure that sentence is chasing us as some kind of RFF mantra 🙂
That demonstration shot is great, you couldn't really be closer, in fact you were 'inside', I doubt I'd had the guts to be there.

And yep, it's indeed a nose ring.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Capa's dictum a RFF mantra? Of course, indeed!! At times, when I'm carrying my gear in the street, the line resonates in my head and I simply, boldly, get close to what I want to photograph.

Now, if I were as bold as I want... 🙄

 

[back alley]

to boldly go where no photographer has gone before...

 

[nwcanonman]

I don't remember ever being afraid of taking a shot on the street or in crowds. I've gotten some questioning/hostile looks, but found that a big smile and a nod seems to disarm them. Of course being 5' 10" and 210lbs (former weightlifter) helps too - LOL.
Maybe when they see me smile, internally their thinking "It's OK, he won't hurt me". 🙂

 

[Doug]

H*, you're certainly signalling non-threatening confidence in your ability to handle a less-friendly situation, and that is picked up and assessed subconsciously by the others, saying "I am not a victim." That confidence helps in generating the easy-going attitude, and it all works to keep a confrontation from occurring. In my case it comes from a law-enforcement background and a 45 Auto. I wear funny t-shirts and don't look scary at all. :-D

 

[nwcanonman]

Doug,
When I was much younger I passed the sheriff's dept. test but decided against it. Didn't like the thought of people shooting at me. Became an EMT instead. But, many times had people ask , "Are you a NARC?" = LOL. I guess I have that "look" about me.