World AIDS Day Protest

[Cameron]

This is one of many photos I took at a World AIDS Day protest a few weeks ago. Together, I think my collection of photos do a decent job of telling the story of the event. However, I'm wondering if some of the photos, such at this one, can stand alone while still making sense and capturing the essence of the protest.

[Nicole]

I think that while it does a very good job of showing the essence of a protest, I wouldn't know that it was an AIDS day protest without you having said that.
It really does do an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere and emotion of the situation though, and I think that on it's own it is still a very powerful shot as long as making it clear what the subject of the protest is isn't necessarily the highest priority or you're ok with making sure that it's labeled with the reason for the protest.

Hope that makes sense

[KatherineEmma]

Although probably not what you were going for, I think I'd prefer it without the horses legs - because what I want to concentrate on are the three guys in the back who appear to be bored/joking around and the legs obscure that. I just have a weird thing for authority figures looking bored next to serious and committed protesters I guess

[Seltzer]

Actually, I kinda like how the horses legs frame the people behind them and even in the split between the pairs of legs.
I like actually that the protesters seem as bored as the security behind them.

[Cameron]

I was a bit disappointed that the protestors had quieted down for a while, but I don't blame them since the cops take forever to make the arrests.

Sometimes, such as in this instance, I focus too much on framing and not so much on the subjects (ie I should've waited for that one officer to turn to face forward again).

Thanks for the feedback so far!

[Saralonde]

I like the framing, though I might crop out the protester on the left, but that's strictly a personal preference. If you had waited for the one officer to turn around I guarantee someone else would have turned away. The fact that both the protesters and the police look bored actually does say something about this protest.

[tyrithe]

In all honesty, I'd vote for the shot without the horse's legs.

There is some story to be told in the obscured areas:

• The boredom of the officers implies the protesters are well behaved. That is a plus for them.
• The boredom of the protesters implies that they weren't too interested in the reason for the protest.

Technically it looks like a nice shot, but the "why should I concern myself with this picture" storytelling aspect would be improved by the above, I think.