Some of you will be infuriated by this story and these photographs. (These are not the best images. The best will be printed and pasted in my journal.) I know some of you blame “Antifa” for every evil under the sun, including January 6, Charlottsville, the price of Girl Scout cookies, the stock market collapse, Ted Cruz, the rash on your privates, and anything else your master tells you to believe. If you fall into this category, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell you, but let’s shelve that for later.
I want to talk about photographing a protest.
My job is to record. That’s it. In the infamous words of Russell Price, “I don’t take sides, I take pictures.” As a photographer, you don’t put your political beliefs before your camera. Sorry, that’s for babies and whiners. You shoot what is there and make the best images for the best impact. That’s the idea anyway. Had this been a rally favoring the administration, I’d have photographed that too. But on this day, it was a “Hands Off” protest, one of many happening around this grand but fractured land of ours. There were many signs and causes reflective of just how much of our society is under attack. Public land, women’s rights, religious freedom, free speech, due process, racial justice, the rule of law, birthrights, right to assemble, the entire judicial system, and let’s toss in the desire to destroy our constitution. A few minor items, and this is just a partial list.
I’ve described the event; now let me tell you how I photographed it.
I wasn’t planning on going to this event. I had much more important things to do, like replacing the track system in our bedroom closet. The country was imploding, but this closet situation was under my skin. Drill, screws, track, wife, screwdriver, tape measure, all the essentials were in place, and because I’m so incredibly handy(not true) I tackled the job in minutes. Outside our door, a constant stream of people marched through heavy snow toward the Roundhouse. I felt pressure to go, so I did. I abandoned the tools, and my wife zipped up my hood and ventured downtown.
As I walked, I began to get butterflies. The same feeling I had in 1988 when I shot my first newspaper assignment. Still, after all these years, I get the jitters because even though I rarely shoot anymore, I feel the pressure to perform as a photographer, like I should be capable of turning high-level photography on and off like a light switch. I used to fear this feeling, but now I use it to focus. Getting a chance to photograph anything gets me excited now. Baby shower? On it! Swamp buggy races? Where are my waders?
The crowd was sizable, but there were no police.
No police. They send police to grocery store openings. (old fashioned word) I could not believe the lack of police presence. As I walked and looked for pictures, I imagined how this would be interpreted by folks on both sides of the aisle. One side might claim there were no police because if and when a counter-protest emerged and potentially looked to engage with the main protest, the lack of police would allow things to escalate rapidly. You might think this is odd or unlikely, but you can bet your ass I was planning for what that scene might look like and where that scene might unfold. I turned up my audible sensor to maximum because when confrontations occur, they are loud. The other reason for the lack of police presence was that the crowd was peaceful. By my count, there was ONE guy who was even remotely capable of starting something, and I’m almost positive he was hammered and trying to act like a sketchy guy. He kept saying, “Fu%$ the police” while throwing gang signs. His face was covered with a bandana. The only problem was that there were no police. I felt for him because he was unsettled. Like his voice had never been heard, and this was his chance to matter. He eventually wandered off.
Unlike the last protest, which held the bulk of its energy along the city streets, this protest was centered right next to the capitol building, making it nearly impossible to get close to the center. I do not like to be boxed in. When I shoot a protest, I keep my exit routes front and center. If something goes sideways, you want a way out. I worked with one camera and one lens. My first image was an overall from a slightly elevated position. There was no single vantage point showing the entire crowd, so I made do with what was there. I then began moving in and out, shooting individual protesters and their signs, covering my bases.
I also shot short black and white video segments for a film I’m working on. All handheld. Tripods are for “suckers and losers.” I ran into six other photographers I know and many others who were strangers. The snow made the scenes truly beautiful. I worked in and out, shooting wide and tight. I shot a portrait here and there, but mainly for practice in asking strangers for permission, something I routinely do to keep my “photo fitness” level up.
As the event ended, I meandered away from the center mass and edged into town. I often find these before and after moments the best photographic opportunities. I like layers and isolation. And the snow just kept coming. What was my takeaway? First, I’m not very good at photography. I need practice. This is no big surprise. Two, how fantastic is it that we are free to express our views in public? The Constitution is under attack. I, for one, like the Constitution and would love to see it stick around. It doesn’t take a genius to see what’s happening. Fear, hate, and radicalized disinformation created our current quagmire. My job is to record. All of it. Edit and file it away as evidence of our fragility, stupidity perhaps, or at the very least, our hesitancy in learning from past mistakes.
Comments 33
I always love the reportage and your thoughts!
Author
Thanks Gerry. Wish I could do more of it.
I was there for the Milwaukee protests, over 9000 people, lots of pics but I was right at the podium, so a lot of fist pumping and labor cheers. Great day.
Author
Well done lad. Keep it up.
As a young college student, I went to an anti-education cutbacks protest with a friend. We were stuck in the middle of the crowd, and someone grabbed the mic and started shouting all sorts of things I didn’t agree with. Lots of people in the crowd were cheering, and it was really difficult to get ourselves out of there and away, very claustrophobic. It was peaceful, but lesson learned- the mob has one loud voice, best to be able to leave quickly.
Author
Yes. Especially in an age of people driving into crowds. Always know the way out.
That first photograph of the woman with her eyes closed… she looks like she’s sending fervent and beautiful prayers to the ethos for peace. Truly beautiful!
I attended our local protest with a dear friend. I’ve gone to protests before, like the one for George Floyd. But I’ve never participated in a political protest. Neither of us had so we had no idea what we were walking into. It turned out to be one of the most uplifting experiences of our lives. There were people walking around, handing out water (because it was 85 damn degrees here). Another person was walking around with poster board and markers so anyone who didn’t have a sign could make one. And there were hundreds of people walking around in solidarity for a better future for our country. People were smiling, cheering each other on, greeting neighbors and friends warmly, meeting new people with that same warmth. So many people driving past honked and waved, gave us thumbs up and love signs with their fingers cupped in heart shapes. It was completely peaceful. And we didn’t see any police either. Yeah, we had a couple of dudes rev their loud trucks at us but that was it for resistance. Towards the end, my friend and I got into my car and I asked her, “you wanna do a couple of drive bys?” “Hell yeah!” So she cued up Beyonce’s Freedom song and we played it loud as we drove past, waving, grinning ear to ear and tapping the horn to salute them. I certainly expected a more somber crowd, given what is going on. But no, it was a beautiful experience of many people from all walks of life, coming together to say HANDS OFF.
Author
She was so peaceful. So mello and unmoving. Stoic. I enjoyed it as well. To have the freedom to do this, and not get shot, at least for now.
“Babies and Whiners” “Suckers and Losers”. These sound like lyrics Axl tossed aside for stronger ones when he was writing One In A Million back in ’85. And, Russell Price. Jeez. You’re quite confrontational in this post, Dan. 🙂 These are you’re best images? Geez. I would have been happy to get any of these. Nicely done. Myself, I didn’t shoot any protests. Had too many 13U travel baseball games to shoot of my son. Still trying to stop those stitches in flight on the baseball. Getting there.
Author
Early Guns was arguably the pinnacle band of my youth. And The Cult. I like being confrontational but I’m just basing it on what I see and hear around me in this Post Truth Age. I’m fascinated by the normally rational, educated people who ate enough disinformation through social media to believe that no matter how bad this administration would be, it would still be better than the Dems. They are seriously hurting now as their friends and neighbors are getting fired, their 401k is getting slaughtered, their food prices are soaring and they are starting to realize he never had a plan for anything he talked about during the election. Guess who the suckers and losers are now? I think these images are okay but I had a ton of fun making them! See you in Nuevo York.
Beautiful photos. The woman with the catchlights in her eyes is terrific. Kudos to you for braving the snow and cold.
Author
What’s odd is I was wet but never got cold. I’m a wimp, normally.
Keep it real
Author
Roger that.
Black and white portraits are sooooo good. The guy with the snow around his face is my fave! They would look awesome in a journal with some cool type, Dan.
Author
That one and the woman with the catchlights. And thank you. Most importantly, I had fun making these.
Beautiful and perfect analysis.
If it was the Nikon Zf + the 40 you used it looks like you found your autofocus Leica M replacement.
Author
It works pretty well. I like this camera a lot.
Photos are excellent. OT: I can’t help but feel that despite the numbers and places the protests happened, the subject was so varied and differently embraced that the messages got diluted. Even though there were much more serious themes at hand, the message didn’t come across nearly as unified as street protests in Trump’s first term. It feels like this is how the dem’s lost to an obvious wannabe authoritarian grifter — they just failed to unify around ideas that the dumber people could grasp. It’s come to that. Take a topic or two that even a moron could grasp and hammer on it.
As you know, I’m a dual. Canada is a long way from perfect. But damn….. it’s so refreshing to have intelligent people at the helm. I wasn’t a particular fan of Clinton or Obama, but knowing they were the smartest people in the room at least delivered relief from inner turmoil. To quote John Mulaney about Trump: “It’s like having a horse loose in a hospital. Nobody knows what’s going to happen.”
If you know the horse you can make a pretty good guess.
Author
It’s gonna be ugly. Horse is so tasty.
Author
The message was we are still free to protest. For now. New Mexico is unique, as is the message here. In a post-true world, the dumber people will remain dumb. They are willing. Willing to believe anything they read or hear from the man who says “Don’t listen to anyone else.” Clinton, Obama, Bush Sr. and Jr. were all saints in comparison. A lot of folks on the right are starting to get the picture now.
Danielsan, Thought provoking reportage – enjoyed it…And, such a “simple” word as well.
Author
Thanks Jeff. Seattle in June…
Nice photo set. I thought it was 50mm, but you confirmed it was 40mm above. Close enough…
I find 50mm (40mm) challenging for wide shots of fast-moving scenes with thin crowds because it gets tricky to clutter up the frame and get the focus the way I want. To me, 50mm shines in scenes like frame 7. That’s good separation with enough context in the surroundings and pleasing negative space. Nice gestures in the background for a sense of motion. You didn’t mention what she was burning in that mystery “mug” of hers – if we can call it that. My mind wanders.
Storytime: I was out beating the streets with my camera on probably the same day as you. I had no clue protests were happening, but there were signs (no pun intended). People kept asking if that’s where I was going. I had a brief conversation about policy with the owner of a large sign that caught my eye before asking if I could grab a few shots. This person questioned if I was with a paper. When I said “no,” they asked, “Are you posting on IG?” When I said, “I’m not on it [and]…this is for my personal art project,” you could see the ‘404’ message on their face, followed by a hint of disbelief. They consented, but they raised the sign to cover their face. I asked if they were scared about being identified, and they admitted they were. I told them not to worry about it because I have no plans to post a hit piece. I run into people with that particular fear more these days. A concerned “Who are you with? And where is this going?” Did you have to sweet-talk anyone that day?
Author
There were people in masks, but you don’t attend a mass demonstration in 2025 without knowing you are being filmed and photographed. There were many a dozen photographers at the event. And there were 4,000 Instagrammers. Anyone worried should not have come. I do, however, run into tons of people who want to control what I do and what I shoot. The civilians who say “You can’t shoot here,” but have no authority or reason for saying so.
Hi Daniel
Beautiful work. The combined snow, the cold and the expressions in peoples faces translates into a sense of sadness and disbelief. What is happening to our amazing world
Best wishes
James Dean Diamond
Author
Thanks JD!
There’s an oddly comforting feeling when you’re engrossed in a photographic activity that touches the sides. I bet it felt good to be back in a familiar environment, albeit probably not as confrontational as you’re more used to. On a more sociological note: Considering the gravity of the politics in the US, this demo seemed tame. Have ‘we’ become complacent in the art of making a point? Can you imagine how the student Americans of the 70’s would react to essentially being controlled by an Oligarchy?
Author
I think people are tired of violence. Being violent plays into the hands of the right who loves to get violent then blames everyone else.
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These will never get violent (in Santa Fe). They are organized and funded by “mobilize.us”, an NGO which was recently acquired by another NGO (“EveryAction”) which now funds and organizes these events and pays the participants. They have plenty upcoming on their website for photographers to find subjects.
Author
You are saying the locals were paid to attend?