Protests are often great opportunities for photographers.

For photographers who live in places where political action and protest is common, these can provide a rich source of photographic opportunities. Extra care does need to be taken because protests can and do become violent, so make sure you are aware of your surroundings and ensure that you don’t get caught in the middle of confrontation.

Simplicity is often the key to successful protest photography. Don’t burden yourself with too much gear; instead keep it simple. You may need to react and move quickly so the less equipment you have hanging around your neck, the better off you’ll be. A wide angle zoom makes a good choice if you think you will be able to get in close, otherwise a 35mm or 50mm prime lens is a good choice.

Finding out where the rally is due to start is useful. If you can arrive there beforehand, you’ll have some good chances to get your shots before things get underway. People will be a little more relaxed and you can get some good portrait images.

Marching part of the way in the crowd can provide strong images, particularly when using a wide angle lens. If the march is not too densely packed, it may even be possible to dart in and out from the sides, giving you a range of different subjects as you move along the lines.

A protest march will often finish up in a central location for speeches and the like. This can be a good chance to capture people while their emotions are high and their passion for the cause is on display.

Don’t neglect the police and other authorities. When the protest is peaceful, they will often be very approachable for photos. If things are tense however, you may need to exercise discretion in who you turn the lens on.

However you choose to cover the protest, remember to stay safe.

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