Francis Ng, 19, a lifeguard sub-contractor poses in Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 7, 2014. “We have a team of 30 to 40 volunteers ready for the rescue. During my shift in the past eight days I have treated seven”. Ng said, “Life is more important than politics. I am neutral”. Reuters photographers Carlos Barria and Bobby Yip photographed protestors and details of life on the barricades, asking demonstrators what their role was in the movement, and what they wanted to happen. These two elements combine to form a portrait of the protests. Student protesters galvanized Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement with their energy, bringing tens of thousands of people on to the streets in a show of defiance against Beijing. As events of the last 12 days prove, however, sustaining momentum is difficult, and whatever success protesters had in pressuring the government by disrupting city life, they will always come up against a formidable foe – mainland China. Protest numbers have dwindled markedly to a few hundred people at times, and the focus for pro-democracy activists has switched to talks scheduled for Friday with key officials in the Hong Kong administration. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Joe Chan, 30, a shop owner and Mongkok resident, poses on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district, Hong Kong October 7, 2014. Chan said, “I don't care much about politics, but the local government tilting toward China is not good for Hong Kong. I come out because I am against the use of teargas by the police over non-violent protests”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Messages of support for pro-democracy demonstrations are seen on a wall near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 8, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Mobile phone chargers are seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 1, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Crystal, 15, a part-time boutique sales assistant, poses on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 7, 2014. Holding a walkie talkie for fast communication with other supporters, Crystal said, “I am not demanding Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to quit, but (want) to protect protesters from being threatened badly by opponents and the police”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Cleaning products are seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 1, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Andy Yung, 30, a lifeguard, poses on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 7, 2014. Yung said, “I come here to protect the students from being attacked and I support real universal suffrage”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Pictures showing how to protect against teargas are seen on a tent in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 8, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Wong Ka-pang, 89, poses on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 8, 2014. Wong, who fled mainland China in 1949, said, “My younger brother was killed in the cultural revolution. If I don't come, who will come? I won't revolt if there is a crackdown”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Umbrellas are seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 1, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Yuti Tam, 62, poses with her newly bought loud-hailer on Nathan Road in Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 8, 2014. Tam said, “I want to spread the message of why we are here. We fight for something that is priceless, to benefit the community as a whole in the long run. Individual's financial loss is temporary. I apologize to those being affected”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Towels and gloves, which protesters use as protection from teargas, are seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 1, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)

John, who works in design, poses at Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 7, 2014. Showing only his eyes to hide his identity, John said, “I am here to distribute leaflets on democracy, to tell people this movement is not a carnival”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Charky Leung, 24, an office worker, poses in front of a barricade at Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 7, 2014. Leung who mans the barricade said, “I carry a mask as I am afraid of being pepper sprayed by the police. Here in Mongkok we have a clear demand of a real universal suffrage, rather than just asking Hong Kong leader to step down”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Young, 49, poses on Nathan Road at Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong October 6, 2014. Wearing goggles and a face mask, Young said, “I come here not supporting students but support the spirit of this movement”. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

A barricade is seen in an area blocked by pro-democracy protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 8, 2014. (Photo by Carlos Barria/Reuters)