Italian Police, a photo from Rome, Lazio

Photographer's Note

During the peace protests in Europe I was in Rome where one of the largest protests took place. In several photographs I have tried to capture what happened from both sides. One thing I noticed is how the Italian police seemed to be disorganised and how over the top they go in numbers and actions.
The police are formed by three forces, the Carabinieri which are the elite semi military police (and scary), the Polizia and the Vigili Urbani.
I was trying to capture how many of the police here were needed to hold up the protesters which are just coming down the street. I can't say how many protesters their were but I believe it was several hundred thousand.

drayde, paulw, zips, vthomas, fadingstar78, ndb1958 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

drayde (380) 2006-10-23 5:22

Great! I like how the police man (woman???) on the left turn saround to you. This makes the shot!

paulw (2016) 2006-10-23 5:25

Nice photo. I like the way that the one police officer is looking back at you. Nice composition, just being able to see the crowd. Well captured.

zips (1958) 2006-10-23 6:16

Good piece of photojournalism. Seems that with the strong backlight flash may have been the only way to go. Would like to see this one without flash to compare though.

You might try converting it to black and white to see what you think...I did it (no workshop)...and I like it better in B/W.

Great Job.
Aloha, JB

vthomas (441) 2006-10-23 12:06

Hi Mark!
And belated welcome to TE!
A brave act to shoot the police in the back ;-) , haha. Did you get roughed after taking the snap?
Seriously, it's a real decisive moment and a nice photo! An interesting testimony I agree. I think the low POV is a very nice idea, as long as we can keep seing the crowd in the background through the policemen (policewomen in fact)!
Excellent!
Keep in touch!
Vincent

fadingstar78 (420) 2006-10-27 5:05

I like this picture, more than the other police picture, actually. Here, the focus is all on the policewoman turning to the camera and her look, between defying and surprised. Very nice pic!

ndb1958 (9289) 2006-12-05 14:18

Hi Mark,
the big plus of this shot is the police woman turning her head around to you. The way she holds that thing in her hand gives her an agressive attitude.
Police in Italy? I would always try to keep distance to them!
Good documentation.
Nino

zizzer77 (721) 2006-12-22 9:45

hi Mark

this police is called "REPARTO CELERE".
you are brave....

good job!

tfs

baldcoco (0) 2007-03-08 22:41 [Comment]

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