Quis Custodiet…

I photographed these two men standing guard outside a government building, their uniforms marking the distinction between routine policing and ceremonial presence. The man on the left, in standard attire, leans casually, his stance relaxed. The man on the right, draped in a cape and holding a sword, maintains rigidity, his posture ceremonial, as though embodying an institution rather than an individual.

Compositionally, I framed them against the imposing stone architecture, the vertical columns echoing the upright form of the ceremonial guard. The iron gate behind them adds depth and formality, while the shadows creeping into the arch contrast with the brightness of the façade. The pairing of the two figures is what holds the photograph together: symmetry in their uniforms, asymmetry in their bearing.

Technically, I exposed for the stone wall, ensuring detail in its texture without losing shadow information in the darker recesses of the gate. The strong midday light risked harsh contrasts, but the stone reflected it evenly, softening the overall effect. The uniforms remain distinct in tone, the cape’s black retaining depth and separation from the background. Colour rendering is naturalistic, favouring fidelity over stylisation.

The photograph works because of the tension between formality and informality. It captures not just guards on duty, but two roles performed side by side: one anchored in discipline, the other in pragmatism. Together, they stand as a visual commentary on the layers of state authority—ritual, law, and the human presence beneath.