Had a Fright

pampers

pampers

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Clifford
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I went down to a local beach last night, with the wife in tow. To take some pictures of the moon (first attempt). Well just after setting up the camera on the tripod, and while we were haveing a coffee. A young person came up to where we were, and said that's a nice camera and lens. We thought nothing of it, untill he phoned his friend and said where he was, and would his friend come down, and bring a couple of mates with him:suspect:. At this piont we just grabbed the camera still on the tripod, and made our way back to the car. The young lad followed us all the way to the car park. So I took the photos of the moon from our back garden:(:(.
 
Sounds like you did the right thing, shame when you can't go to the local beach without having to look over your shoulder :shake:
 
I would have taken a photo of him. Then I would have laid on a display of that new martial art - monopodoism-itsu - of which I'm a black belt, 3rd dan.
 
Still wonder if I got the wrong end of the stick. Talking about stick's, the wife was getting ready to clobber him with her walking stick.
 
How ironic, me and my missus went to Cleethorpes last night, mainly for a drive and a KFC - but that's another story. We took the food down to the prom and sat in the car munching on the burger and fries. I had packed the camera as always and thought I'd nip onto the beach - it was 8pm and dark - and take a few pictures of the ships on the sea in the distance with all their lights on.

Just as I was getting the camera out of the bag, I noticed a large group of youths were heading my was along the beach. Sensing that there may be trouble ahead, I packed up and went back to the car where the missus asked 'did I get any photos then? you weren't long'......
 
You did the right thing. I'm not getting any younger, but I'm not most people's idea of an easy victim. I've still had a couple of dodgy encounters with the low lifes in remote spots. Sad sign of the times I'm afraid.
 
yep i'm 15 so im always on my toes when alone, i think my plan of action is if i cant get out, the tripod is going to be the best weapon. Obviously i dont recommend this, but i hate people like mentioned above theres alot going about
 
pampers said:
Yes you are more than likely right.

God I hate being old, there was a time I would have just stood my ground.:(
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You have no idea how sad it makes me feel that you have to write that.:(
 
I love my night time photography, but I'd rather walk away and lose a shot then risk damage or loss of equipment, and it has nothing to do with how 'hard' you are when there's likely to be half a dozen or more of them .............
 
You did the right thing. Like CT says, its an unfortunate sign of the times.

I think we should organise more local meets where we can get together with a few fellow forumgoers and practise the safety in numbers :)
 
I think I would have done the same thing! Was good of him to give you the warning though! :bonk:
 
Joe!!!!!!
 
:p to you too !!!!! x x x
 
pampers said:
God I hate being old, there was a time I would have just stood my ground.:(
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What a terrible fact mate..:thumbsdown:

Being over 6 foot and the top side of 20 stone helps my cause with these scumbags but alas as CT says it is a sign of the times. Not very bright I'm afraid..:(

BTW you made the correct decision..;) Better safe than sorry..:)
 
pampers said:
Yes you are more than likely right.

God I hate being old, there was a time I would have just stood my ground.:(
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yes I used to think this since my back broke a couple of years ago but lately with so many shootings and stabbings I am not so sure if it is really worth it. Better to avoid conflict today or you might well find yourself kicked to death by children .
 
a pox on them all
bat rags!

discretion is the better part of valour
but it does stick in the craw sometimes
 
I tried night time photography few nights ago in local park. Got few shots off just at sunset so waiting just a bit longer till it got bit darker. A few shady character decided to join me. I was watching him like a hawk, anyway one came over with large jacket on asking about camera.

Usual story its crap camera just looks good, lens is cheap. I kept eye contact but his hand kept going to pocket, i thought he had knife or something similar, I offered him cigarette, trying to suss out what he was waiting for, his mate wasn't anywhere to be seen. I put cigarettes back in pocket, making sure my keys stuck out (best legal weapon known to man). Talked about his local, where he stayed. It kept him talking but i had alterior motive at least i could find him later.

Camara was left unattended just beside me a forgotten dream, for the moment. Anyway he made his move but it was not what i expected.............. 'would you like to photograph me' I quickly said 'your not my type' after a few secs he looked at the growl on my face. If he thought about anything else like camera, now was time but he left. I was packed up in 10 secs flat. I was watching and I eventually seen his m8 skulking behind a tree, i could just make him out. If they thought about camera was tooooo late, I was well away.

Moral of story, at night go with a friend or large dog or both :D
 
V sad. It doesn't have to be night either. For problems to arise.
 
you really do need to anticipate situations and be very aware of everything around you these days. Nothing is as it seems .Its important to think about how a situation can develop , like in the park, think about protection, escape, being trapped etc . its safer in the jungle these days
 
I've never had any encounters with members of the public. In fact more people seem to quickly walk away from wherever I'm shooting. Me and my best mate was up London the other day, shooting quite late night in Westminster, we was diving around, laying on the floor, peering through windows.

Nobody approached us even though it was dark, we had a lot of expensive equipment on us and there was only 2 of us! quite nice really.
 
This just makes me sick, what's it coming to when you can't even go out late and take photos in safety.
You made the right decision, it's not having the camera stolen but what they would do to you to get the camera thats the problem.
I think it's time for a mass cull of the scum of society.
 
scraggs said:
This just makes me sick, what's it coming to when you can't even go out late and take photos in safety.
You made the right decision, it's not having the camera stolen but what they would do to you to get the camera thats the problem.
I think it's time for a mass cull of the scum of society.
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People saying how society has gone down the pan, as if living in the UK 50 years ago was a panacea of lovelyness.
 
Muffin said:
People saying how society has gone down the pan, as if living in the UK 50 years ago was a panacea of lovelyness.
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Well it was wasn't it ? ok you still had rationing and there was crime but nothing remotely like today with all the drug related crimes. if you asked anyone about drugs in the 50's they would have thought you meant asprin lol.

As a child I was allowed to go out all day into the evening alone on my own from the age of 8 often going on the tube to London or down to Southend and Canvey island and to Wanstead park flats for the fair.
At least when I was a nipper everyone respected everyone else's privacy and possesions. Peeps actually stopped to ask if they could help you..! not to mug you and help themselves to your possesions.

Welcome to the forum by the way.:D
 
on the few occasions we go out for a spot of night shooting we take protection.
an alsation /husky cross called tyson and a doberman /staffy cross called kane.
i,m not exactly little or sylphlike, but i wouldnt trust some of the hoody crowd further than i could throw em. sad fact of life.:(
 
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