ART Have you ever been robbed while out shooting?

[Eurbauk]

Hi guys,

My dad just purchased a $2000 camera and I'm hooked. I would love to go downtown at night to take pictures but I'm afraid of getting mugged.

What do you guys do? Do you go with a buddy or am I just a big pussy?

 

[Prison Mike]

Nope. But I'm usually with people.

 

[jigelow]

Depends on the area, I suppose. More public the better, but then that's not always the most interesting.

 

[FindersKeepers]

Carry a gun?

Don't go to a bad city and shoot at night?

Dotn go to the GHETTO and shoot at night.

Just dont shoot at night!


If you do, make sure your gear is insured against theft.

 

[alexromo]

carry a strap

roll with people crazier than you are and buy them beer for protecting you

 

[POScar]

I was in eastern europe 3 years ago and I felt kinda unsafe taking pictures there. I was more worried about all the police there giving me dirty looks for taking pictures than the people though.

 

[MSIGuy]

Nope... lol

 

[BBB]

Nope... lol

No one would want to steal a rebel

 

[FryingPan]

$2000 dollar camera? What'd you get, some old point and shoot?

 

[FryingPan]

Seriously though. I shot for 9 months in one of the poorest, most destitute, crime and drug ridden neighborhoods in the area and made it out without incident. You have two options- in scenarios like that: blend in and act like you belong there (which really, in some cases can just draw more attention to yourself) or make your presence clearly known. Take a buddy, don't be a douche, keep your head on a swivel, and don't go telling everybody that you just got a $2000 camera and you'll likely be fine.

 

[MSIGuy]

No one would want to steal a rebel

Fucking dot. Wait...

 

[Marix]

I've never worried about it. And I've carried cameras all over the world - africa, phillipines, rural thailand, china, eastern europe, egypt etc... and no problems.

And in the UK I've never had a problem

 

[havelegs]

I've been to some areas that are a bit dark, but my car is very much close by or I'll shoot from my car.

 

[LookUpMySkirt]

Actually went shooting out on the streets for the first time yesterday. I was semi-paranoid that someone would rob me or my buddy. I was looking all over my house for my pepper spray but had no luck. Went out anyway, just figured if someone had done something I would rage.

 

[N_A]

Nope... lol

you need a bigger camera...that thing looks tiny in your big mits

 

[xenon supra]

No one would want to steal a rebel

flawless

 

[xenon supra]

Hi guys,

My dad just purchased a $2000 camera and I'm hooked. I would love to go downtown at night to take pictures but I'm afraid of getting mugged.

What do you guys do? Do you go with a buddy or am I just a big pussy?

If you're smart you should be fine. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't go places that aren't well traveled or without street lights.

I've shot alone at night all throughout Europe and never had a scare. Just use common sense. Don't set your gear down, always look around.

Also, it helps to carry a tripod over your shoulder. Should scare away anyone who considers approaching you (unless they've got a gun: in which case you're fucked either way.)

 

[YourMomOnRyeBun]

Hi guys,

My dad just purchased a $2000 camera and I'm hooked. I would love to go downtown at night to take pictures but I'm afraid of getting mugged.

What do you guys do? Do you go with a buddy or am I just a big pussy?

Bring a buddy. Make sure he is looking AROUND (head on a swivel) and NOT just at the shit you are shooting. He can look at the photos later. He doesn't necessarily have to act like a body guard, but just make it known that you aren't "asking to be victims". Most thieves are looking for the easy target....some guy focused on his photography with his eye glued to the back of a camera would be a perfect opportunity.

Also be aware of the people around you. What are you taking pictures of? From their perspective...is your photography documenting something or mocking their lifestyle? Be prepared with a respectful answer in case someone should ask you.

"I'm trying to take pictures of this shithole town that you live in..." is probably not the best answer.


I was walking around an old automotive manufacturing plant in Detroit (Packard plant) and "local" guy walked up to me. I wasn't sure if he was going to give me shit or not so I just played it cool...but my defenses were on "high alert". He asked me what I was doing. I politely told him that I work in manufacturing and I am fascinated by historic manufacturing facilities so whenever I get a chance I like to explore them and take pictures as a personal memento (I didn't say it in those words).

His attitude completely changed and he opened up and started telling me about the place. He was an old guy and grew up near the plant his whole life (even when it was open). He went on to tell me how he can't stand people who come to Detroit just to take pictures of the run down areas and then put them on display - he said it made the town look back.

So...what could have been a bad situation, turned out to be really good.

I know that isn't what you originally asked...just a story I thought I would share.

 

[Wobistdu]

if me and my buddy didn't get robbed/beaten/raped in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland... which we decided to drive in to from Berlin just to "see Poland," then we never will

this fucking place was Stalin's Russia if I ever saw it. There we are 2 westerners with dslr's walking around totally ignorant to the fact the entire neighborhood is stalking us

 

[MSIGuy]

you need a bigger camera...that thing looks tiny in your big mits

It was my first camera... I've since upgraded to a couple of gripped 40D's.

That's just the only picture of myself I had handy.

 

[Wobistdu]

a couple of 40d's? shoulder mounted? predator style fuck yeah

 

[EWhytsell]

I feel pretty safe in my city's downtown at night. There are places I wouldn't show a camera, but I wouldn't be in those places at night ever.
Don't even like going their during daylight hours.

 

[marstaton4]

I've worked 10 years shooting news at night with video cameras much more attention getting and larger than most dslr's and have never had a problem. Had people say they were going to kill me etc... But the gear has been fine.

 

[Cesium]

Pro-tip: held correctly, the battery out of a 1Dmk2 looks just like a handgun.



































jk of course since that'd likely get you shot even faster. But it really does.

 

[Eurbauk]

$2000 dollar camera? What'd you get, some old point and shoot?

Nikon D7000 with a lens. I think it's pretty nice

Thanks for your posts.