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Yep I’m working very close to the Wednesday protest carnival at Bank; I’d love to take some photo’s but care for myself and my Canon EOS400 even more.
Should I fear Protesters or Police looking for photographers more – currently I’m more wary of the police arresting me for having a camera.
Apart from running shoes, how should I try and capture some of the good atmosphere that should be present?
What can I do to minimise the Police arresting me or confiscating my equipment when I pop put in my lunch hour?
Depending on your answers I may
a, take the day off and avoid the area completely.
b, try and take loads of picture with a small simple lens
c, go all in and take multiple lenses praying for a safe time.
Thanks for your ideas, (p.s. I'm NOT a banker, I'm an IT worker for a company that does managed IT & telecoms for other SME companies)
Go with C - you will not be committing any sort of offence, so should receive zero attention from the boys in blue. The only time you might need to be wary is if the protest takes a less peaceful turn, but this should be obvious from the general atmosphere. In this case, put your gear away and go back to work.
{Edit} The police have no power to confiscate your equipment in this situation - in fact I believe it is an offence for them even to touch your gear. As with all these things, if you are polite and courteous if approached, then you will receive the same treatment in return.
I'd say take pics with a small lens - in case you drop anything! It's always valuable having people who take record shots of an event like this in case things get ugly - there will always be the rent-a-mob people who turn up to discredit the main body of the protestors and the police don't have a particularly good record in managing crowds who have an axe to grind. (Not always the case I know, but it's a good rule of thumb in my own experience.) I have to say that they were pretty well behaved during the massive anti-war protest when over 2 million marchers descended on London.
No need to fear protestors - this is planned to be, as you say, a carnival. Just keep your eyes on the mounted police and an eye out for the troublemakers, and avoid them.
I work very close to Bank station and I work for a bank. I wouldn't call myself a banker as it causes confusion with the name us moderators get called so often 
The advice at the moment is not to stick out, so my company has implemented a dressdown policy. Given the advice was to blend in this morning I'm wearing jeans and I fire-bombed Starbucks.
I'm planning to bring my20D and big lens for the day. I doubt the police will give you any hassle as long as you don't obstruct them.
Thanks Lobsterboy,
I think i'm doing a single lens 17-85mm (27-136) as it should be a bright dry day so f4-5.6 should be OK.
As its to be sunny will also get a polariser as this might jazz up the colourful event and even show onlookers from windows with less reflections.
Must also remember the lens hood- i always forget this and i might be shooting into the sun if i'm unlucky.
I'd love to get to photograph some of the action this week, not sure I can though - working 'til Wednesday and off to Barcelona Thursday. Wednesday afternoon may be possible - and if so it'll probably be with the D700 & 35mm f2 lens for a classic PJ look and keeping gear to a minimum... I'd not worry too much about the police, it's not like you'll be the only one there with a camera.
On the subject of not dressing like a banker... apparently the official advice to bankers is to 'dress down' and wear chinos - so, just look like a weekend/casual banker, then
Good Point Jas, get in close for the energy, looks like Steve has the same idea 35mm on his 700, and this would be close to 17mm on my 400d.
Steve - lol, It will be funny to see the suit clones, redressed as a chino clones, GAP will be happy. Maybe we will also be more friendly to each other on the tube if were all in weekend casuals.
Although there is a good chance that the events will flare up at times, it's generally easy to avoid the hotspots and it doesn't erupt that quickly, that you can't make a good exit.
I have covered the may day/ reclaim the streets protests since 98, have been pressed up against riot shields and ducked batons and bricks on more than the odd occasion. But that is because I put myself there.
If you want to get into the action, take a wide angle and make it clear from what you wear, what you are doing. The protesters and police are very unlikely to take it out on you, they are far to busy with each other. Any injuries are usually down to unfortunate accidents. Not that many Police or Anarchists will actually get hurt.
If you want to stay safe but get some good shots, take a longer lens and snipe from the bushes, or a safe distance, hop on a bin and look around, you will see were the hotspots are and any good positions to get shots.
If you do decide to go to the 1st and 2nd events and want to get in there, up close and personal, keep your wits about you and be quick on your feet, it's like 12 year olds rugby, a brawling mass around a 'ball' just don't get caught up in the legs and arms. It may sound silly but a helmet is a good idea, when you're pressed up against the camera you can't see waiving flag sticks or if it gets worse bottles of water and bricks.
Don't get alarmed if you do get manhandled by an officer, he will just be pulling out of the way of a horse or something.
It can be fun! 
have to agree with the last, it can be a lot of fun. I have covered these sort of things since the 70's (not many really just now and again) and have never been hurt never been stopped etc, and they are great fun.
I will be there, prob at American embassy protest as I think it will be easier to get to from Victoria coach station and will be taking a d100 rather than my precious new d700 but go for it. Its fun.
pete
Quote: I work very close to Bank station and I work for a bank. I wouldn't call myself a banker as it causes confusion with the name us moderators get called so often
I'm planning to bring my20D and big lens for the day.
I'll stand behind you with my 70-200 on ......
Quote:
I'll stand behind you with my 70-200 on
ohh err missus
Me personally I'm looking forward to it, just be yourself get in the middle of things keep and lookout for trouble as this is where the money is in photojournalism. If this is to scary for you stay at home with a cup of tea and digestive. Ive been stopped 9 times in a day at docklands with my cameras, made to stop photographing using a 70-200 lens in morocco by a man from the military. Told to stop taking pics in Cuba. The police have asked me to stop taking pics before, but at the end of the day I get the pics I want regardless.
Quote: A helicopter would be good!
Hey RipRap007
I tried that - terrible camera shake and the IS/OS/VR was just not upto the job - only joking.
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