So I've been wondering what kind of precautions people take when they go out to take photos.
Tonight was the first night I really wandered out beyond my comfort zone (ie. my neighborhood/school/etc). I went to the beach to shoot some photos of stars. Its winter here so I really couldn't find anyone to go with me (honestly... spending hours sitting on a dark beach in the middle of winter... what isn't appealing about that?). So about a half hour into taking photos a car pulls into the parking lot I parked in turns off its light and just starts to idle... that really freaked me out. Turns out it was most likely a couple making out... but still how am I supposed to know that.
I had my reservations about going tonight but decided to do it. It ended up working out, but something easily could have happened. There have been other places I have wanted to go and take photos, but don't feel comfortable going by myself.
So what kind of precautions do you take when you go to take photos? Do you always go with someone? How do you avoid "bad situations"? Any other advice or suggestions?
I have heard some people say that a monopod, or a nice solid tripod is a good deterrent as you could loosely swing that in an animated fashion when wandering...
One time here, I got up real early to catch some sunrise shots. I went to a small spit of land that juts out into a lake and as I wandered onto the spit in the dark, a large (easily 3m long) Python was spotted off to the side of the path. When I then managed to get to the end of the spit, something large slithered off the land and into the water (there are crocodiles up this way). I nearly filled my Kimbies in fear. And the worse part, the sunrise was pretty ordinary.
In Papua New Guinea where opportunistic crime is a popular pastime my security when taking photos was to engage in public interaction, make it fun for them as well as me. I would make sure I knew where the ladies were as they make a bigger fuss about young aggressive males then anyone.
Here in Australia, it is harder to rely on the reactions of strangers, so yeah, if you are going to be in a suspect location, pretend to talk with someone on your phone. Make it look like people know that you are there....
An air of confidence will always help, not a guarantee, but it can help.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of things you can do to keep yourself safer. But I think the most important thing is situational awareness combined with spatial awareness - be aware of your surroundings! If you find yourself losing track of what's around you (what's not in front of your camera), you have bigger issues than time of day. You can wind up in trouble almost anywhere, at any time, if you don't pay attention.
Self-defence practices come to mind. Be assertive. Appear confident. Be prepared for anything. If you are unsure about a place, don't go in (or get out immediately if you're already in). I truly believe most of it comes down to common-sense. Tell someone where you are (or "check in" on Facebook). Keep your phone on you, and not in your bag that could get stolen. Plan ahead, and you'll be safe more often than not.
@bobfoto thanks... yeah I definitely got on my cell phone and pretended to chat... and actually thought of actually calling someone... man if I had seen a python or a crocodile I think I would have gone screaming the other directing. You definitely have more guts that me lol.
@jinximages I try and keep aware of the things around me. Tonight when the car pulled in I ended up staying where I was because I had a better defensive position (yes I actually thought of this). If I headed back to my car it would have brought me closer to the unknown person. If they had started to come towards me I could have booked it down the beach. They would have had to come down a slope in the dark and around a fence. I was also near enough to houses that if I screamed I'm sure someone would hear. Already had my cell phone in my pocket... posted to facebook what was going on... and transferred my keys to my pocket. I was prepared to leave my equipment behind...would rather loose that than end up a victim of something much worse. When I went to that area to begin with I thought it would be ok (proximity to houses etc). Once the car pulled up that sense of safety was gone. Oh well... won't be going back to THAT particular spot :P
Rule One is to always let someone know where you are, what you are doing, anticipated time, and call them when you start or finish.
I live in a city and hike regularly so my comfort zone is more about temperature than people, but I would recommend finding a local photography club and making friends with members since they will be more willing to sit on a beach for shots of stars than regular friends.. Also find out if there are other 365'ers in your area that would want to do a shoot with you. Most people here are pretty normal non sketchy people. But if you feel uncomfortable the best thing to do is to trust your judgement.
Yes, definitely let someone know where you are!!!! I made the mistake of taking photos up off the side of Pikes Peak in the fall on a trail, mind you, but didn't tell anyone where I was going! I didn't have any problems with people, but got so caught up in the scenery and hiked off trail, a lot, trying to get a better shot and by the time I headed back to the car, I realized my keys were missing!! I searched everywhere, trying to backtrack my steps and even viewing my many photos to try and find my keys. It was like a needle in a haystack, but eventually found them and made sure the next time I was out, to let my family know where I was headed!
I usually will not go out by myself at night unless I know that I am in a safe area or unless there will be a lot of people around. Trust your instincts
I like to stay safe by never going out in the dark if I don't absolutely have to. Also, I text my husband to make sure he knows I think I saw a zombie anytime something moves. He regularly has to come get me from the truck after dark because I'm such a wimp.
Actually... I have nothing to contribute but good vibes!
Trust your instincts and consider the value of your life (priceless) vs the value of the pictures (there will be another chance) you might get. Being aware of everything around you is very important, whether you're taking pictures or just enjoying a nice walk. If anything, I mean anything, becomes a little bit worrisome, pack it up and leave.
A drunk guy who asked for a buck and wasn't happy with my "Sorry, not tonight" decided to play follow the leader as I zigzagged around the parking lot. He eventually backed off. Let nearby police know.
It's also not just people! One morning I was catching a sunrise when a skunk showed up. I backed off leaving my camera, and he ended up playing around in a drain next to my tripod. First time one has been intent on staying around. Eventually he went on his way and all was good.
Just be mindful, don't go looking for trouble, and be ready to leave. And a tripod might be a good defense if it comes down to it. You did everything right as long as you felt safe.
i have been shot at, had knives pulled on me, tear gas shot at me, worn a kevlar vest (needed), bent a bogen monopod over someones back, and a few other things, all to get a few good shots. granted i am insane when it comes to some things. the best bet... tell at least one person, maybe two where you are going, and have someone with you. also, carry a id card that states blood type and at least 2 or 3 emergency contacts. yes it sounds harsh, but it can help. also, take a few self defense classes.
after all that you can size a person up with a glance while continuing to shoot, and the concerns will be much less because they will size you up as well and probably walk away :)
Just be nice...I've survived a lot of years and a lot of dangerous situations by being super nice (and probably a tad vacuous) until I could run like hell!
I like to take a remote with me and use it whenever possible. It lets me trigger the shutter and keep an eye out. Granted, I need the camera to be on the tripod/sturdy platform but that is usually when I feel the most vunerable, cause I can't just move...Look ahead of where you are going. Decide on at least 2 exit routes from your position. When you are walking back to your car, start scanning around it as soon as you can see it. Keep your keys in your hand with at least one poking out between your fingers so if you do have to hit someone suddenly, you have more than just your fist to hurt them with. Once you have decided that it is safe, if you have a remote unlock the car, just before you get to it, get in, and then lock the doors, and start the engine. Then you can worry about getting your camera back into the bag if you left it in the car. This might seem paranoid, but I do it all the time, including tonight. I'm sure there was no one around me, but I didn't/don't care. It keeps me safe. :)
In the city it's not so bad as long as you stay out of alleys and empty streets. I guess have a bag you can slip your camera in if you see someone you don't like the look of. Hey I look like most of the guys off Most Wanted though so I very rarely worry, but you should find another photographer to go with you, that is the best option, get one of your friends into photography, or arrange a 365 meet up in your local area.
I recently found myself walking a rarely used track in wetlands in the late afternoon and thinking to myself if a not very nice person was wandering the same area I doubt I would be found if that was their plan. I always make sure I tell someone EXACTLY where I am going and ring (usually my hubby) while I'm out just in case. I second what the above poster mentioned about not sitting in an unlocked car when in a vulnerable position.
If there's a place I really want to go, for example, recently I wanted to take photos along the canal at night, I invited a friend along with their camera to take some shots too. Safety in numbers and combines meeting up with photography.
I tell people where I am going. I carry my cell phone with me and take it out when I feel that a person is acting in a strange way. This slows the person down and makes them turn away (at least, so far). I wear my photo club ID when I take pictures in public locations. I try to act confident. Although I become really intense and focused on what I am taking pictures of, I try to keep spatial awareness and check my surroundings a lot. I usually avoid going out from my yard to take pictures when it is dark. I have a photo partner when I go to Powell Gardens. I would like to have a photo partner when I take pictures locally, but I have not found one yet. I know I would like to feel safer.
When I stop by the lake for my lake ballinger series, there is always a car parked with someone sitting in it early in the morning. It bothers me a lot so I stay near the car and take pictures or if it's not a good day, I'll just turn around and leave and check back later. I totally understand and you need to listen to your voice at all times. If you feel uneasy, leave. You can always go back later.
I went into "the Hood" this morning to shoot. Took my Medium format, which is quite heavy. To stay safe:
1.) A quick swing with the camera would do some permanent damage to the cranium.
2.) A 180 degree westerly motion raising you left arm into the carotid, then as a finishing touch, the left knee upward is always fun if you want to see a person really throw up before they pass out.
3.) Tell them you are a Police Photographer. I bet they stay far away from you.
Never had to do any of them, thankfully, as I am rather passive. But, those are my plans. My girlfriend has a concealed carry permit, and is a real good shot. So, I let her stay at home, to a avoid being on the news.
A huge Maglight, helps for focusing too
pepper spray, and as Shades of Grey said- use a remote
Being winter, you can double up with a hoodie and a winter coat, make yourself appear bigger (and less female, helps to borrow a coat)
Take your dog(if you have one). My dog can be annoying, but he's helpful in more ways than he is trouble lol
look out for animals too- which brings to mind a quote from Thoreau "When a dog runs at you, whistle for him." If someone is a threat, sometimes you change the situation... always trust your gut and use your mind
Seriously, Elizabeth, women out at night are at more danger of something bad happening to them the men are. I would always take someone with me when shooting in a secluded place. I think it's better to be safe then sorry!
there are other dangers when taking photos... its not just needing to stay safe in unfamiliar surroundings and being out at night.....I've been known to climb things, scale down steep, rocky places, go out on railway bridges, etc, just for a better PoV, and sometimes just to find out if there WAS a better PoV..... I use a great deal of caution, and when I know I'm going to put myself in harms way, I make sure to get my camera settings right while I'm in a safe place, and the moment I feel there's more than a 25% chance that I'm going to slip, fall, possibly break my camera, etc, I back off. In nature, I'm always listening for wildlife, including snakes. And in the woods, if a lens cap gets dropped in the leaves or tall grass, etc.... it stays there. I don't go reaching into places I can't fully see.
@bobfoto when the lady at the DNR told me not to pick up a lens cap if I dropped it because I would be in an area with more than its share of copperheads and timber rattlesnakes because she's seen many photographers with bites on their hands, forearms and even their face (because of bending down), I figured my well being was more important than leaving plastic in nature. I lost one because it didn't fully click into place and then fell
@buttercup before exploring a national park in a different state, I always stop at the headquarters for DNR (might be called something else in diff states) and ask them what all I might encounter as far as wildlife is concerned, and where the best parts are to go for photography. They always have the best answers and info. I was also told I could potentially encounter a black bear, but that as long as I didn't annoy it, I could ignore it and go about my business. I was bummed that I didn't encounter one.
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One time here, I got up real early to catch some sunrise shots. I went to a small spit of land that juts out into a lake and as I wandered onto the spit in the dark, a large (easily 3m long) Python was spotted off to the side of the path. When I then managed to get to the end of the spit, something large slithered off the land and into the water (there are crocodiles up this way). I nearly filled my Kimbies in fear. And the worse part, the sunrise was pretty ordinary.
In Papua New Guinea where opportunistic crime is a popular pastime my security when taking photos was to engage in public interaction, make it fun for them as well as me. I would make sure I knew where the ladies were as they make a bigger fuss about young aggressive males then anyone.
Here in Australia, it is harder to rely on the reactions of strangers, so yeah, if you are going to be in a suspect location, pretend to talk with someone on your phone. Make it look like people know that you are there....
An air of confidence will always help, not a guarantee, but it can help.
Self-defence practices come to mind. Be assertive. Appear confident. Be prepared for anything. If you are unsure about a place, don't go in (or get out immediately if you're already in). I truly believe most of it comes down to common-sense. Tell someone where you are (or "check in" on Facebook). Keep your phone on you, and not in your bag that could get stolen. Plan ahead, and you'll be safe more often than not.
I live in a city and hike regularly so my comfort zone is more about temperature than people, but I would recommend finding a local photography club and making friends with members since they will be more willing to sit on a beach for shots of stars than regular friends.. Also find out if there are other 365'ers in your area that would want to do a shoot with you. Most people here are pretty normal non sketchy people. But if you feel uncomfortable the best thing to do is to trust your judgement.
Actually... I have nothing to contribute but good vibes!
A drunk guy who asked for a buck and wasn't happy with my "Sorry, not tonight" decided to play follow the leader as I zigzagged around the parking lot. He eventually backed off. Let nearby police know.
It's also not just people! One morning I was catching a sunrise when a skunk showed up. I backed off leaving my camera, and he ended up playing around in a drain next to my tripod. First time one has been intent on staying around. Eventually he went on his way and all was good.
Just be mindful, don't go looking for trouble, and be ready to leave. And a tripod might be a good defense if it comes down to it. You did everything right as long as you felt safe.
after all that you can size a person up with a glance while continuing to shoot, and the concerns will be much less because they will size you up as well and probably walk away :)
Just don't go there without backup
1.) A quick swing with the camera would do some permanent damage to the cranium.
2.) A 180 degree westerly motion raising you left arm into the carotid, then as a finishing touch, the left knee upward is always fun if you want to see a person really throw up before they pass out.
3.) Tell them you are a Police Photographer. I bet they stay far away from you.
Never had to do any of them, thankfully, as I am rather passive. But, those are my plans. My girlfriend has a concealed carry permit, and is a real good shot. So, I let her stay at home, to a avoid being on the news.
pepper spray, and as Shades of Grey said- use a remote
Being winter, you can double up with a hoodie and a winter coat, make yourself appear bigger (and less female, helps to borrow a coat)
Take your dog(if you have one). My dog can be annoying, but he's helpful in more ways than he is trouble lol
look out for animals too- which brings to mind a quote from Thoreau "When a dog runs at you, whistle for him." If someone is a threat, sometimes you change the situation... always trust your gut and use your mind