Rallying around the Red and Blue

/ Drew

JRN.422 daily assignment

A speaker pumps his fist to pump up the crowd at the Back The Blue rally in Howell, MI, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.
A participant in the Back The Blue rally proudly displays her dissent for Governor Gretchen Whitmer with her new sign Saturday, Oct. 3.
In a sea of red hats, one protestor vehemently shouts his opinion at the speaker’s bidding Oct. 3, Howell, MI.
Standing atop his vehicle for a better vantage, this protestor at the Howell Trump rally stood amidst a sea of patriotic-colored flags Saturday, Oct. 3.
During the national anthem, this protestor proudly wears her mask, bearing ill likeness to the Commander-in-Chief Saturday, Oct. 3.
Two young female protestors wave flags at the Howell Trump rally Saturday, Oct. 3.
During a prayer before the speakers came onstage, this man reaches to the heavens in silent affirmation Saturday, Oct. 3.
With a proud display of his .45 ACP holstered on his hip, this protestor exercises his second-amendment rights at the Howell Trump Rally, Saturday, Oct. 3.
With a cigarette clamped firmly between his lips, this protestor proudly assents to the speaker’s words at the Howell Trump rally, Saturday, Oct. 3.
As only the third mask visible on the entire grounds of the rally (with one being mine) this protestor wears his symbolically around his ear (perhaps by chance) in Howell, MI, Saturday, Oct. 3.

As one of the key rural areas surrounding Lansing, Howell has been a battleground between the colors of Red and Blue. This rally, doubling as a “Back the Blue” counter-protest, began slowly as the cars rolled into the nearly vacant parking lot. The supporters of the cause began to circulate, purchasing memorabilia such as flags, signs, shirts, and even books. Shortly thereafter, the music began to rumble, vibrating off of the car windows in deafening assent.

Passers by honking their assent seemingly in time with the beat bolstered the morale of the protestors as the air seemed to hum with anticipation for the upcoming speeches. In the distance, a blanket drapes over the side of a merchant tent, President Trump’s visage poorly realized, improved upon with bulging muscles and a distinct lack of wrinkles, a body that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger even a bit jealous. In his hands, a heavy machine gun with a rocket propelled grenade stuck in the end for cinematic effect, or, more accurately, comedic.

Following the insults hurled in the general direction of Joe Biden and “Fake News,” the speakers would always end with that classic hint of propaganda to keep the blood flowing.

This particular project was not fun. I am very much not a fan of large groups of people, especially now, as this particular group was entirely naked upon the face – mask-less. I stayed a good distance segregated from others and furthermore, my camera seemed to part the crowds as it was. So aside from my apprehensions regarding crowds, it was alright. I moved rather fluidly through the crowds to capture different images from different angles as well as compositions.

This project was easier than the others as it was just the one-day feature project. I think the hardest part of capturing this story was driving to the event – my gas tank took a major hit – but I believe I learned a good amount about how to photograph these types of events.

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