Input wanted: Need help picking images for photo exhibit

[prolesunited]

First off, I am so psyched! :bounce:

I had a great day shooting the March 20 protest in Chicago and posted some of my work at IndyMedia's Chicago site. One of the people there contacted me and asked if I would like to have my work included in an exhibit they are planning, perhaps in conjunction with Salsedo Press' (Chicago-based progressive publisher) annual gathering.

They'll be featuring the work of six to ten people. Details are still sketchy on the exact time (beginning of May?) and the venue. However, I need to pick what I want to submit so I can get them printed and prepared for display.

He asked for four to eight images. What I was hoping to get help with was narrowing it down. What grabs you? What tells the story? Look for tension, drama, color, humor, etc.

Here's the albums:
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/PhotoAlbum77.html
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/PhotoAlbum78.html
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/PhotoAlbum79.html

You can hotlink the images here from my site or describe it in as much detail as possible. I really value the opinions of the posters here, so thanks in advance for the help. :-)

[GOPisEvil]

1. I love this one!

[prolesunited]

5. That's one of my favorites as well

However, she was standing there for a long time and a lot of people took pictures. I just don't want to be redundant. It certainly makes a statement, though.

[bif]

2. Man, those are some bad-ass looking cops!

Nice job by the way.

[prolesunited]

7. Thanks!

And, yes, they were quite intimidating looking. Walking up to them alone and just starting to shoot pictures was quite a test for me.

[madrchsod]

3. the picture

of the three black cops..shows how they`re so dam bored! hey, how about those hatch girls getting tuned-up..think Daley got a call from the ag of Minnesota?

[prolesunited]

8. This one?

A video has surfaced about the incident and charges have been filed. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

[NewHampster]

4. Style - I think these make a style statement for you and the event

IMHO You've captured the many faces of protest. Your crowd shots are just basic tourist shots but your images of the people tell real stories without words. The essence of Photography.

[Aristus]

12. Anyone feel like Photoshopping the monk so

that he's giving the finger? That would be funny!

[prolesunited]

14. Personally, I hope no one

takes you up on this idea. I understand your thought on this, but I had a chance to talk with this man and he was very nice, a good person of passion and conviction. I would hate to think a photo I took of him was used to mock him.

[Aristus]

15. Aw, you're probably right. I was just in an irreverent mood, I guess.

It doesn't surprise me to hear that he is a man of belief and conviction. Most people like that are against the war. It's only the charlatans and snake oil salesmen and the supply-side "christians" who are the ones you need to watch out for.

Suggestion withdrawn.

Thanks for keeping me honest, prolesunited. :thumbsup:

[Deb]

6. Congratulations!

Wonderful photos. I'm not educated in critiquing photos but these are the ones I like best.


You captured a man covering his mouth with a paper and the sign next to him "Civil Liberties at Home". COOL!


I love this, it reminds of the higher purpose.


Look at those kids on the bottom right!


This photo made me do a double take. Subject is curious.

[pmbryant]

9. Very cool!

I'd like to help, and I should be able to get to this sometime late this afternoon, I hope, if that's not too late.

Congratulations!

:bounce:

Peter

[pmbryant]

17. Some favorites

I suspect many of these are the same as those recommended by others. But I tried not to look at the other recommendations yet, so as not to be biased. :-)

I'll use your labels from your web page to describe them:

(1) "A picture of courage"
(2) "No words needed"
(3) "Thin blue line? Looks pretty thick to me"
(4) "Buses block Michigan to halt marching"
(5) "Side streets were all blocked"

#1 is an obvious classic. #2 also really stood out, although I was turned off by the fellow's sign. The last three (in particular #3) struck me as excellent illustrations of the overkill on the police showing.

From the second set (which is still downloading over my creaky dialup service):

(1) The woman with the yellow sign "No war for oil & world domination"
(2) The woman with the small sign (bumpersticker?) "Peace is our No. 1 priority"

It finally finished downloading, but those are still my favorites from that set.

And from the third set: "Soccer mom catfight"

I hope that's helpful. I'll look over what everyone else liked now.

--Peter

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. don't know who posted it but the one with a midage women with sign...

GEORGE
PULL
OUT
YOUR
DADDY
SHOULD
HAVE

[prolesunited]

11. Umm...

As good as that sounds, I have to actually submit the work *I* shot. Did you get a chance to look through the albums I have linked above? Did you like any of those?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

19. they are all good but these two i like

[XNASA]

13. They're all great, but personally, I don't like it when....

...when the slogans on the signs are vitriolic.

So I'd avoid those. All in all, I'm sure that you'll have no problem picking out the right ones.

I do like the "Blessed are the Peacemakers" one. It makes it's point well.

[tigereye]

16. I really like the ones in the second link

with lots of color.. folks playing drums with cool hats. I also like the contrast of color with the black and gray of the police. And I thought we had too many barriers and hay and police in Pittsburgh for ours. Were the Chicago police expecting a riot... for a peace march? I know Chicago police have a rep... but were there recent outbreaks of violence to justify all the riot gear?

Where I live there were campus cops with battons and riot helmets in front of a 30's era university building assoc with military research... with long columns in front. It had a very fascist era vibe/look to it. Wish I had had a camera since that is the image that struck me the most. All in all our police were cool and there was no violence.

[prolesunited]

18. It was a bit much

But the march also marked the anniversary of when protesters took over Lakeshore Drive and stopped traffic dead. I guess they didn't want a repeat. There also was some controversy beforehand over the march route and they wanted to make sure we didn't take over the Mag Mile and interfere with the people going into Nieman Marcus and Saks.

Even though there was an overwhelming presence, I didn't see much trouble. I always talk to them and am friendly. The majority of them have no interest in busting heads, in spite of how it might look.

[Onlooker]

20. Closeups of individuals

I always think closeups of individuals are most powerful. A crowd scene doesn't capture much drama, unless it also shows expressions. The cops look relatively nonplussed, but in the second set you have several really good photos:

[prolesunited]

21. I agree

And I like the shots you selected. It certainly reflects the diversity of the crowd. If you look at my new sig line, you can see which one I particularly enjoyed.

Interesting story. The man in that photo found my work online and contacted me through my Web site. Thousands of people there and a zillion pages on the Web, and we managed to touch base again. He said he enjoyed all of the photos and especially appreciated having a photo of himself from that day.