Olympic Torch Relay

EvilGentleman: 27th Apr 2008 - 18:34 GMT

Beatiful set of photos. You really captured the emotions of the rallies. I especially like the irony of the girl wearing a mask that says, "NO CNN", but a baseball cap that says, "American Blue & Fitch".

jeeff: 28th Apr 2008 - 02:10 GMT

i think the regional repercussions of the torch relay must loom large in korea. how were you received as a western dude taking photos?

chiamattt: 28th Apr 2008 - 08:03 GMT

I had no problems whatsoever. The vast majority of China Supporters (chinese students) were full of smiles and willingly posed for pictures. The Seoul Police were polite and didn't hinder my movements at all. I was able to take pictures of fans while riot police moved around me to form walls. It was quite surreal actually.

Nevertheless, I am convinced that there were professional agitators in the crowd. I am also 99% certain that Chinese officials wearing suits and white hats were coordinating "fan" activities. At one point, two of the white capped men filmed a video crew beside my buddy and then spoke to Seoul Police about them. They were asked to leave. I have a feeling they were from a news agency which China does not like.

All said and done, I had no problems, no confrontations, and I felt that regardless of what 'incidents' occured, the Chinese fans were out there to have a good time and just be happy about the Olympics.

Peter: 28th Apr 2008 - 13:04 GMT

wow, what a great set... the first thing that popped into my mind after seeing some of these shots was a curiosity of the level of official involvement (er, or "unofficial" involvement of officials) of chinese agitators/representatives/officials- glad to find your comment addressing that.

i particularly liked the short of the lone old man with field-glasses. nice.

hool: 28th Apr 2008 - 20:34 GMT

props chiam, good set. your photographs are completely different when you shoot them from the eye, a distinct style comes through quite clearly. nice edits too, the tonality is very good on all of them. interspersing the few shots of old people who aren't part of the protest helps punctuate the set a bit.