Environmental Protest

I very much like the simplicity of this and it almost comes off. Unfortunately it's really quite tricky to see exactly that it's a child immediately. I'd like to have seen the kid's face or at least a little more movement - but the splash of red on the helmet against what is a quite a monochrome frame is lovely. Sometimes it's just a question of waiting a few more seconds and seeing what happens. But a good effort.

A decent attempt at a situation that's quite difficult to photograph. Walking backwards is always tricky and trying to compose at the same time even more so. I like that the piper is well caught - but cutting his foot off is a little distracting. I like that the figures are reasonably clearly delineated but I wonder if a lower angle might have made a more dramatic and more clearly defined (ie without the passers-by) final image?

This is almost a really excellent frame. It nicely encapsulates the two sides of the environmental argument - the faceless, corporate headquarters of business in the City of London and the Extinction Rebellion protesters. There's a good centre of focus (the protester with the green flag) and good intent to show the contrast between him and the environment, I like that he's looking elsewhere too - but it bothers me that I can't see his full sign and feels a little cramped. A step back might have helped but I appreciate that in this situation that's often difficult. Very good effort though.

An intriguing image and one that by serendipity or judgement works beautifully well. Usually backlighting is not a photographer's friend in this kind of situation but the light streaming towards the protesters has made the flags create a sort of impressionistic and quite abstract image that catches the eye. Perhaps the framing could have been more precise but a great and interesting frame.

There's a lot of potential here - an interesting picture waiting to be taken but this frame doesn't capture it. Not only do I not see a focus but I see a frame that was a bit rushed without too much thought apart from capturing the smoke. It's a shame - the photographer's spotted a likely image but perhaps hasn't had the confidence to either get a bit closer/step back and assess the possibilities. A shame but well done for seeing the potential.

This is a really interesting moment but it hasn't quite worked photographically. This is both a technical and a composition issue. Firstly, there's a several stop difference between the sky and the shadows of the policeman. The eye goes straight towards the lightest part of the frame first - where nothing is happening. Secondly, the 'action' is compromised by the fact that the policeman's hand is not entirely clear - I can see what's happening but not clearly enough. It's a shame. It's a moment well seen - a bit more thought/practice and next time there'll be a better frame. Good try.

I like this because it isn't the usual protest picture of people marching. A bit of thought has gone into the construction and the image is well balanced. Dragging the shutter has created some interesting blur - it's just a shame that the figure on the right is pushing a dust cart - it's a bit too distracting as is one of the central figures looking straight at camera. But for all that it's a nicely executed and thoughtful attempt.

The image is 'nice' enough - and nicely composed but within that lies the problem. This is a press stunt - an event staged for the media and while there's nothing wrong with that - in fact that's how most 'formal' protests are arranged - I think that there's a better image here somewhere. And that is usually behind or to the side, before or after the stunt - away from the main press pack. The ingredients are there the photographer just needs to think a little more outside the box.

I quite like this. In demonstrations the photographer has a choice between trying to capture an entire scene or concentrate on one small part of the action. The photographer here has opted for the latter. The frame works because the image gives a clear and relatively clean message. However, it could have been better: the detail of hands to the left of the woman's face is distracting - changing the shooting angle just by and inch or so would have made a more impartial and pleasing frame. But still, a decent effort.

Sometimes, the most dramatic of situations don't yield the best images. I really think that there's a picture here in this moment but this isn't it. It's dramatic but trying to shoot this from this angle was always going to be tricky. I can see neither exactly what they're doing (I suspect dropping a banner?) or the figures clearly enough to see that this is a protest. Good images are about timing but also about where you position yourself. Not a bad try though.

This is tricky - on the one hand it IS a strong image but on the other it's a little bit of a wasted opportunity. These kind of choreographed photo events often throw up these 'dramas' but I'm wondering whether better framing might have made a better and stronger image. The grinning man to the left and the back of the man to the right dilute what could have been a really shocking frame. Nearly there.

I like this frame for its composition and it's closeness but what saves it sadly is some poor post processing. Always tricky in these situations to make a frame that is impactful - presumably protesters immobilising themselves - against police presence but I'd have liked to have seen a more solid technical foundation that doesn't detract from the final image. The exposure is out by a bit (some careful fill flash would have been useful) and the vignetting is too strong. But not a bad attempt in a tricky and fast moving situation.

Although Extinction Rebellion often provide striking and media-friendly situations, I really like the subtlety but directness of this frame. It seems to say something more than just a portrait of protest. Ironically, it's rather beautiful: nicely framed, decently exposed and with an eye to strong colour. I like that it's simple and direct and isn't trying to be too clever by delivering an obvious message. Nicely done.