Protest Photography: Portraying The Protesters In Their Context

A Protest symbolizes a special form of human society’s dynamics, when facing inequality or suppression. Therefore, the protest is basically, a democratic expression of the popular opinion. It is known that the protests are one of the most difficult situations for photographers, because it is like an action scene where a lot of things happen at the same time. As a result, taking good photos can be difficult and challenging. That is why, a lot of photographers are not interested in it. On the other hand, it might be very attractive to other photographers who use photos to tell people’s stories and share their messages. Furthermore, protest photography helps photographers to feel real and raw emotions which helps to create a clear picture of the situation. So, it can be a big help for better explaining the issues . In an attempt, Argentinian photographer (Mia Ferrara Basel) portrays the freedom of expression in the core of the protests in her country. more details in her words:

In Argentina, social protest is linked to the end of the dictatorial state, to the struggle for human rights and the demands of the popular sectors.Marches, supportive hugs, popular pots,” ruidazos “(making big noises) are the ways in which the protests are multiplying nowadays. Some massive, others small, but all in a growing malaise ,this is product of the economic and social crisis, fundamentally.It is worth highlighting the particularity of the female collective “# NI UNA MENOS” that had its first march in 2015, claiming for a national registry of femicides.In 2016 the march had a new slogan “# WE WANT TO BE ALIVE”.In 2017 the protest was called under the slogan “# NO MORE VIOLENCE SEXISM AND STATE COMPLICITY”.In 2018 the march of the female collective was “# SEXUAL EDUCATION TO DECIDE .CONTRACEPTIVES TO NOT ABORT .LEGAL ABORTION FOR NOT DYING”. Symbolized by the green handkerchief, the streets were flooded by women and men alike, demanding the legality of abortion.Another annual manifestation of unique characteristics is the Gay Pride March. In which Lesbian Gays and Transgender attend claiming for their rights.The current government has a restrictive perspective on social mobilization. This is evident from the negative messages about the protests, which are intervened with repression and criminalization.In spite of this governmental attitude, the protests continue on the streets, and that is where I try to be, portraying the protesters in their context, looking for faces and their uniqueness in each popular demand.

In Spanish:

En la Argentina la protesta social está vinculada al fin del estado dictatorial, a la lucha por los derechos humanos y a las reivindicaciones de los sectores populares.Marchas, abrazos solidarios, ollas populares, ruidazos son las formas en que en la actualidad se multiplican las protestas. Algunas masivas, otras pequeñas, pero todas en un creciente malestar producto de la crisis económica y social, fundamentalmente. Temas como jubilaciones, reforma laboral o defensa de los recursos naturales son algunos de los tópicos que enmarcan dichas manifestaciones.Cabe destacar la particularidad del colectivo femenino “ # NI UNA MENOS” que tuvo su primera marcha en el año 2015, reclamando un por registro nacional de femicidios.En el 2016 la marcha tuvo una nueva consigna “# VIVAS NOS QUEREMOS”.En el 2017 la protesta fue convocada bajo el lema “# BASTA DE VIOLENCIA MACHISTA Y COMPLICIDAD ESTATAL”.En el 2018 la marcha del colectivo femenino fue “# EDUCACIÓN SEXUAL PARA DECIDIR ANTICONCEPTIVOS PARA NO ABORTAR ABORTO LEGAL PARA NO MORIR”.Simbolizado por el pañuelo verde las calles fueron inundadas por mujeres y varones por igual reclamando la legalidad del aborto.Otra manifestación anual de singulares características es la Marcha del Orgullo Gay. En la cual asisten Lesbianas Gays y Trangénero reclamando por sus derechos.El gobierno actual tiene una perspectiva restrictiva de la movilización social. Ello queda de manifiesto a partir de mensajes negativos sobre las protestas, las cuales son intervenidas con represión y criminalización.A pesar de esta actitud gubernamental las manifestaciones siguen en las calles, y ahí es donde trato de estar, retratando a los manifestantes en su contexto, buscando rostros y su singularidad en cada reclamo popular.