Hi there,
I was thinking of going along to that protest as well - should be some great photo opportunities!
I'm not much of a reportage photographer, but I suggest you use your wildlife experience to isolate interesting individuals within the demo as a whole, and pick them out of the crowd with a zoom lens. If the individual is sharp focused and surrounded by unfocused crowd, you may get a good result with some "context". Watch for people carrying signs that make it clear what the march is about, or contain strong images. I'd expect colour to feature quite a lot in the signs people carry, so would recommend colour film, though for a journalistic feel black + white might work as well. If someone is moving towards you, you might use a similar technique to that used by football photographers - focus slightly in front of the person using manual focus, then take the shot as they walk into sharp focus. There will also be people in costume - personally I think photos of them will work well IF there is a context - eg a readable banner, or if their costume is "stand alone" obvious in it's intent.
As for larger crowd shots, if I go out to play I will be using a wide angle lens and trying to get above crowd level. No idea whether this will be possible or not. If I can pull it off, I might try for a shot composed 2/3 crowds, but also showing sky and some trees to make the location clear. I understand that they had to fight to be allowed to use the park, so it is "newsworthy" to show the crowd in situe. For this I will aim for as much depth of field as possible, and shooting above the crowd will try to portray a sense of the number of people present.
It may also be worth looking for juxtaposition shots - the protest will be attended by all sorts of different people, and showing this in a photograph will be an interesting challenge. Similarly (if you dare), shots of kids in juxtaposition with the violence of war imagery may be effective.
Also, keep an eye on the police - you may get very good shot potential from their tension, or lack of tension.
If I go, I will carry Fuji Provia at ISO400 and ISO100 and be prepared to push the film for extra speed if the weather is poor, or if I am using my long lens a lot.
Again if I go, I will check the route - it's available on the internet someplace. I will then get in place early to photograph the oncoming marchers part way en route, and I will intend to then skip ahead to Hyde Park for "massed crowd", again hoping to be in place somewhere elevated before the march arrives.
Be aware police etc are likely to be a little on edge, so be careful climbing monuments and things to get a better view. Finally, be aware that in any huge crowd there are people there looking to take advantage, pick pockets, steal your camera etc. Be ready to put the camera away in a padded bag and be jostled a lot.
Hope that helps a bit!
Chris
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