I predict a riot, a photo from Merseyside, England

Photographer's Note

Yesterday in Liverpool city centre, at around 1pm, myself, Serp2000, Royaldeveon and mkamionka (Serghei, Bev and Mariusz) experienced a dramatic turn of events during what was a very enjoyable TE meeting.

We encountered what local press described as a "far-right group calling itself the North West Infidels" who clashed with "anti-fascist protesters" outside St George抯 Hall, opposite Liverpool, Lime street station.

The police were trying to keep the two groups apart as eggs and beer cans were hurled at the far right group who were being contained by the police. They in turn threw things back into the crowd. Local press claimed that the missiles were "bottles and cobblestones" but as I recollect this was not the case and only saw eggs and beer cans being thrown. Chanting of "Nazi scum" resounded around the square and I witnessed one "anti-fascist" angrily questioning a police officer as to why they were protecting the "nazis".

I separated from the other TE members and mingled with the crowd getting as I close as I dared to take several photos. The focus and attention of the crowd was not on me with my camera and there seemed to be a "crowd mentality" existing over and above as well as around my own focus of taking pictures and my physical presence. I felt invisible and was surprised that I felt no real fear, the closer I got to the "action" such as it was. This may have been a kind of dissociation resulting from viewing things through the viewfinder rather than any courage on my part. I was though, at one point, aware that I was being filmed by a police officer and I did think that if events erupted into more violence, that the police would be viewing me as "one of them" since it was the anti-fascist crowd that was behaving with more hostility towards the far right group than vice versa. The police were, indeed, there to protect them from the larger crowd.

Photo-journalism is not my genre, or forte, I just wanted to record this for TE posterity given that a number of us were present at this event. I will post further shots of this event in subsequent days. With this image I was struck by the fact that the one police officer in the fluorescent coat appears to looking straight at camera and the conversation taking place in front of him.

Enjoy.

danos, ourania, pajaran, Royaldevon, serp2000, holmertz, abmdsudi, ktanska, CLODO, tyro, delpeoples, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danos (110407) 2016-02-28 12:14

Hello Michael,
a good documentary shot from Liverpool with the Police to were trying to keep the two groups apart.Every country in our days have a lot of problems with the citizens to are 'foolish'

Regards,Danos

mkamionka (75217) 2016-02-28 13:23

Hi Mike,
you are so fast! Just now I managed to have a look at my photos. I am not entirely happy but after previous Manchester meeting I was prepared for the worst. You got so close, risking your life to get good shots.
I think I have seen the bottles flying as well but I could not tell if they were glass or plastic. Once I also saw a firework but a little one and it did not make a noise. Who knows what happened after we left.
Nice documentary here. Great quality. Most of my shots were so noisy.
It was fun, I have enjoyed meeting you guys .
I have created a theme and included your photo in it.
M

ourania (51103) 2016-02-28 13:42

Hello Mike,
the scene is ugly and stressful but it could be worse if things were led to a clash and then you would be in danger too, even as an independent observer and not belonging to any of the three groups involved. I'm glad you're ok and I think I understand your feeling "no real fear" in the heart of the event. Your camera and purpose were your shield:) Your picture is great, so many faces and expressions covering all directions. The intensity in the tight frame is not easy to handle. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good night,
Ourania

willperrett (14215) 2016-02-28 23:49

Hello Mike

Strong reportage image, which sensibly and appropriately you've not effed around with (as you often do!) Interestingly Don McCullin talks of feeling invulnerable in the front line because of the little camera as a shield in front of him. Robert Capa too. And look what happened to him!

Regards

Will

abmdsudi (95869) 2016-02-29 1:15

Hi Mike
Interesting narratives. A piece of photo journalism street photography and it's part of "being seen and getting heard" that you are in amongst it and taking great pictures like this is brilliant. I love the viewpoint- you're are 3 meters tall for higher angle on the scene revealing what looks like a great set of characterful faces, the interaction & the body language as this picks out faces and lifts them against the backdrop.

It makes you wonder what words are being exchanged between them! very interesting image of real people in real situations and just enough detail for interest and depth. That CH 1687 in yellow makes the shot for me, and this spontaneous shot has a very polished look about it too. Question: if they became rowdy and moving more quickly - just how fast do you think you can run backwards and still take pictures? Just a thought!

Good luck on your course. My compliments.
Best wishes

Royaldevon (86526) 2016-02-29 1:20

Hello Mike,

Your photograph is extremely graphic and because we can see such close details of the expressions, the clothing, the postures, we can feel the drama of the moment! We can also imagine, the closeness of the intimidating groups!
Don't you feel a similarity with the storm troopers off Star Wars!

I saw cans, bottles and fireworks being thrown!
It isn't just what is being thrown, it is the the fact that things are being thrown at all, that creates this 'mob rule', this sense of violence!

A great shot, I have to say.
It brings back the memories!

Have a good day,
Bev :-)
Thnaks for being such a good guide. Len is much better today, thanks!

holmertz (103710) 2016-02-29 1:58

Hello Mike,
Not quite the kind of photo I would expect to find on TE, but to my mind far more interesting than the average beautiful view, although your note is needed for full action. All the persons are quite nicely lined up but virtually all of them looking in different directions. The policeman who seems to be looking at you also stands out in the crowd with his bright vest. By some magic coincidence (instincts or cropping?) you placed him perfectly on a third.
It's unfortunate that some "anti-fascists" don't behave much better than the right-wing extremists. It's often the same in Sweden, and probably elsewhere. Otherwise I wouldn't really mind seeing a Nazi or two beaten up (but don't tell anyone I said that).
Best wishes,
Gert

ktanska (45116) 2016-02-29 10:34

Hi Mike,
I'm a bit surprised to see such action in England. But on the other hand England is the homeland of football riots too. And something similar has happened also in Finland. Some people just seem to think they have the privilege for the one and only right opinion.
Excellent documentary shot. The policeman with the vest and the guys below him make interesting triangle.
Kari

Tue (93556) 2016-02-29 14:50

Hello Michael,
Great news photography and an interesting report about last Saturday's events depicted in this photo. It's a good mix of riot policemen and protesters. The older gentlemen seem to strike a slightly discordant note among all the others seen here at this demonstration.
Lars

emka (158936) 2016-03-03 23:29

Hello Mike, How brave you were to separate from our friends in order to make some picture from the place as close as possible. To be hit with beer can or just egg wouldn' be pleasant thing. But fortunately you survived and gave us excellent photo unusual in your gallery. Such surprises, something not planned is adventure. I like such events.

WArm regards MAlgo

CLODO (45118) 2016-03-11 6:49

Hello Mike

That's why I don't intend to be part of the meeting (TE one of course!). I arrived in Manchester Friday evening, but was not aware of your meeting!
Nice "street photography" and I appreciate the white jacket among the black cloth.
Cheers
CLODO

tyro (30513) 2016-03-12 16:46

Hi Mike,

This TE upload, in my opinion, should have received a lot more attention and acclaim than it so far has. Your note describes, in graphic detail, the events which might so easily have ended in a full blown riot and your photograph is a perfect illustration of a "snapshot" during those events.

It's always difficult (or impossible) to predict how one would react in a situation such as this but, whether your decision to move into the crowd with your camera was either courageous or foolhardy, I must admire your determination and that has certainly paid off in heaps.

Your photograph shows the uglier side of humanity, a perfect reportage shot, and of remarkably high technical quality too considering the fact that you were most probably being jostled in the crowd and having some difficulty controlling your camera.

Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

kasianowak (17676) 2016-04-03 7:51

Hi Mike
You say it's not your forte and, indeed, it's extremely difficult to shoot technically correct images in the crown, never mind using the rules of composition. But I can see that you remember to place the yellow jacket in accordance with the rule of thirds. Very good timing too. So maybe you are not that bad at that genre after all? :-)
Best wishes
Kasia
PS. Thank you for your last critique. If you must know... I do like reading long comment to my photos. :-) And appreciate it when people read my notes.
Have a nice Sunday evening

delpeoples (60342) 2016-06-04 5:43

Gidday Mike

I really enjoyed your commentary on this photo as much as I did the photo itself. And good on you for tackling the subject, politics on TE being a bit of a minefield. This scene could easily have been shot in Australia where the incidence of ultra-right and ultra-left groups seems to be on the increase. I've heard them described as two cheeks on the same ar*e, but who can really say. I must say I'm really conflicted about the Antifa v Fascist dynamic. My heart is with the Left but I think they do themselves or their cause no favours. Having defended several Antifa members charged with criminal matters, it's given me a bit of an insight into their thinking and has given me a pretty good view of the actions of the racists and the Press that cover them. Maybe I'll tell you about it one day over a beer or 6.

To your photo. A well-cropped, well-composed shot, taken no doubt under a fair bit of pressure. You were quite intrepid mingling with the protesters, who was to know how they would react, but I'm glad you emerged unscathed. I'd love for you to chat with a photographer friend of mine, a well-known Aboriginal photo-journalist, who did the same as you, walking amongst the racists. She had quite a different experience to you.

Anyway, thanks for sharing this and your subsequent photo. An excellent piece of photojournalism.

Cheers
Lisa

ikeharel (114715) 2016-07-06 1:56

Good morning Michael,
A strong vibrant sense conveyed by this photo. Not so convinient to stay around a demonstration with a camera, jurnalist or other - you might be spotted as hostile to their cause. Anyway, the outcome is great photo.
Best regards,
Ike