After looking into the various photographers that I have done for this project, I realised that all of them covered the events they documented from a few different styles of photographing. This includes portraits, candid photos and close ups, the reason they do this is because it gives the viewer lots of visual information from all angles and aspects of the event. Which then when the different techniques are collaborated together in the form of a portfolio or book tells the whole story of the event and gives the viewer the bigger picture. Because of this, I have decided to split the photographs I took up into these different sections so make it obvious through in my coursework what I mean about this technique. I will then choose my favourite images from the groups for my final pieces, which will when viewed together hopefully show a more detailed account of the days events.
The event was a really good experience to improve my photojournalistic techniques as this is the kind of photography that I want to do when I'm older. The day started with me travelling to Dudley port train station, because this is the nearest one to the march, which I knew because I had been using the EDL's directions they had posted on their website. When on the train I began talking with a few members of the EDL who were also on it, I didn't tell them I was a photographer for fear they might take it the wrong way and my day would be over before it started. When arriving to Dudley station, I decided that I may as well get on the coaches that the EDL had put on for their supporters to take them to the meeting point, these coaches were escorted through the town by 8 police on motorbikes who had stopped the traffic in the town. After looking at Brodie's work and how he got fully involved with the people he photographed, I decided that this would be a good chance to become part of the EDL which would give me a better chance at representing them through my photographs. Also I understood that much of the media would've never done this, so it gave me an individual insight into the EDL that most people would never see.
I began talking to a man on the coach who asked me if this was my first march which I replied it was too, he turned out to be the leader of a few of the southern districts of the EDL. The conversation mood changed after I told him about my actual reason why I was here, because he was concerned for my safety, he stressed to me that many people would not like being photographed and that I should be very cautious. But he went onto say how I could photograph him, which will be the first image I show, and also he put me in touch with the head of the EDL's media in case I needed anything from him.
The head of their media called Colin Lunn gave me his email address- Edlcolinlunn@gmail.com
and said that if I ever needed anything from the group to contact him via that. This has given me ideas of projects that I could do in the future, as a spin off from this one. To carry on photographing the EDL.
I arrived at the venue they were meeting at and got off the coach with all of the EDL. And began walking around talking to people, and telling them why I'm here and if I could photograph them for my project. Then they began doing their march around Dudley, which I documented as well to go into a different section of my project. After they finished marching, they listened to a few talks from their leaders and guest speakers which I also photographed. Half way through this I went to find the UAF who were also doing their own demonstration. On the way I noticed an incident with a very drunk man, a few of the public and the police which I have also photographed and put into its own post. I then found where the UAF were demonstrating, and I photographed them to finish the day.
Overall it was a successful day to improve my documentary techniques, and try to photograph an event from all angles to capture the greater picture. The only incident that happened to me was one of the EDL flicked his cigarette at me because he thought I took his picture which I didn't, later on from this I saw a member of the EDL throw a bottle at a photographer. But luckily nothing more serious happened.
Im now going to upload the photographs in their different sections, before merging some back together for my final pieces.