Thanks for sharing Seven. There's also an interesting article with some great pictures by Leon Neal from the AFP news agency, in the December edition of the UK magazine Practical Photography on the same subject.

From the BBC web site today

"England riots: One photographer's baptism of fire
When photographer Lewis Whyld of the Press Association arrived on Tottenham High Street on 6 August, the first and fiercest night of this summer's riots, he soon saw three other photographers being attacked. For the next hour he was forced to shoot on his mobile phone, and only pulled out his cameras once it was dark.

Shooting by the light of the police helicopter searchlight, Whyld captured these images that went right round the world. Here Whyld reveals how he documented a night of unrest in north London."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15519194

JJump said:
Great inspiration to all street shooters. While I agree one is stupid for thinking they can get in on the action and take some snaps, no one deserves to get beaten and robbed, whether you're getting paid to photograph it or you want to take some photos on your own. On the day things started up, some "amateurs" could have just thought it was an isolated incident, in no way thinking they would become in harm's way, and having no way of knowing what this was going to escalate into.

Hi all,

I think the Niko was speaking in hyperbole - no one deserves to be beaten and robbed. As someone who has been paid to be put in harm's way to get pictures, it's not any fun, but then it wasn't my equipment, but was my skin on the line.

Trying to second guess someone else's motives doesn't seem productive to me. If it's worth it to them to try and get a good picture that should be their business as long as they follow the law and don't put other people's safety in jeopardy.

That last bit can be a little tough. I admit that is where common sense can be really a hard call.

My best,

Mike

SkintBrit said:
Nope, or anything like it. In fact it's an offence to be caught in a public place in possession of a feather duster!

Wow are you serious?! With a riot like this I'd probably make my own then. Crack out the habanera peppers, vinegar and small spray bottle!

kanuck said:
By the way, can pepper spray be bought over there? Would I be nieve in thinking this would at least help a female covering this mess?

Nope, or anything like it. In fact it's an offence to be caught in a public place in possession of a feather duster!

NikoDoby said:If you are an "amateur" out and about looking to "take advantage" of a riot and get photos then you deserve to get beaten and have your gear stolen!

Great inspiration to all street shooters. While I agree one is stupid for thinking they can get in on the action and take some snaps, no one deserves to get beaten and robbed, whether you're getting paid to photograph it or you want to take some photos on your own. On the day things started up, some "amateurs" could have just thought it was an isolated incident, in no way thinking they would become in harm's way, and having no way of knowing what this was going to escalate into.

Skintbrit yes she mentioned safety frequently on her blog and how she had to keep her camera under her shirt. I doubt this would work for most people. Imagine sticking a D3s under there! Not likely..Yes be warned anything goes so be careful everyone. By the way, can pepper spray be bought over there? Would I be nieve in thinking this would at least help a female covering this mess?

When "covering" such an "event" your first priority should always be your own safety. If you are an "amateur" out and about looking to "take advantage" of a riot and get photos then you deserve to get beaten and have your gear stolen!

Riots is not a nice place to be, where violence and law-breaking acts are done by the masses... hope they will end soon..

Here in Israel, there are a lot of "social protests", but they are peaceful and following the law, no violence at all.. last Saturday, a huge demonstration was organized in Tel Aviv and in other cities as well, leading to more than 300.000 protesters against the high price of living over here..

I mention this, because the Bohemia o Tel Aviv now has become a tent neighborhood, a place that can be heaven for the street photographer... (I'm not lucky to live next to it)

Before going out to take pictures, you should read this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/09/london-riots-photographers-targeted

I work near Southall (on the outskirts of London near Heathrow airport for foreign readers), a very multicultural area. I always have a camera in my car, and had thought about popping out to get some shots, then watched and heard about journalists getting mugged for their equipment and thought better of it. If they're prepared to break into shops through security doors to steal cheap electrical goods and clothing, what chance would I have standing there alone with several £K of Nikon pro gear? I had thought about standing with the police (as an ex police officer I know the system), but in my experience that position can turn ugly mighty quickly! Anyone over here right now stay safe please, let's hope this madness fizzles out shortly. Not a "great" advert for Great Britain PLC in the run up to the Olympics.

Yes, Amy's shots were excellent Kanuck, but I think she lost her car to the rioters to get them. You realy need to go as a group in a situation like that, someone to cover your back while you've got your eye to the viewfinder.

P.S. Posting this via my iPhone, as I've had no landlines or Internet since the weekend due to criminal damage at the telephone exchange! Hundreds of properties effected.

Yes this is an amazing incident quite similar to the Rodney King riots 20 years ago. I saw this powerful image this morning:

http://lightbox.time.com/2011/08/09/a-desperate-leap-of-faith-in-london-the-riot-photo-that-has-the-world-buzzing/#1

I saw some video of a guy that had been hit in the face and was bleeding everywhere. Someone was helping him up and a guy walked behind him, opened his bag and grabbed whatever was in there and walked off.

I am in the US, but I would watch out if anyone has or is going out there especially with good equipment. I would be staying well out of harms way.

Just curious, do we have any fellow Nikon rumor members in the UK taking photos of events over there?

I was thinking about how I'd not want to take even my "humble" compact camera out in the face of rioting, yet several press photographers are obviously using good (well, decent) quality gear and then there was the shot of the Sky news cameraman being attacked yesterday... UPDATE: Also seen the footage from a BBC cameraman as he was set on my the rioters.

My daughter (lives in Walthamstow, east London), was scared to go out a couple of days ago too... Last night they had some fires set a mile away from them and there were LOTS of police vans with sirens on going about the place!