How to hide Camera

P

Professor1991

Suspended / Banned
Messages
255
Name
Anonymous
Edit My Images
Yes
I would like to say with this being my first message on this forum, Hello All !

I've recently got into photography and I'm a fan of bus, having been catching them for over a decade, I thought I'll see how they work and they've become a nice subject matter. My 1 personal gripe is however I don't revealing my camera in public except circumstances were I find its ok (Kind of hard to explain). I was wondering is it possible to take photos whilst the camera remains hidden ?!

I like going to visit garages although I personally don't feel comfortable taking my camera out so by having it look like I'm merely looking around but also getting some interesting shots would be swell ! I'm into full manual mode controls, I've found auto mode to be sufficient for my needs.

I was thinking of purchasing a camera which lets you take photos and control zoom via your phone so I was thinking of having the camera somewhere on me and making it look like I'm casually on my phone whilst I'm getting some good shots ! Im NOT after a spy kit by the way !

Views would be most appreciated
 
This was my worry about posting this question ! Essentially today I visited a few bus garages and while I don't mind walking up and past them, Its a different thing to pull out a bridge camera and start shooting, I'm not 1 who likes to draw attention to himself which was the case. My idea of hiding a camera would be probably on my bag so I'll pretend on I'm on my phone walk past, admire yet also be be taking shots on my phone by manipulating the camera via the app. I hope that makes sense

Im fully aware of spy kits but thats not what Im after !
 
Say someone see you trying to hide an camera,your more likely to draw attention to yourself,than just putting your camera eye and firing away :)
 
Its merely a idea I've been having, I usually have no problem when I go about my daily photo taking activities as their fairly comfortable I find.

My initial idea was the camera already be embedded wherever it was, I merely arrive at said place and begin my activities. I just wanted it to look I was having a look around as opposed to someone with a camera potentially taking photos of other things as well !
 
There are plenty of ways to do it. People have hidden cameras under their jacket and run a cable release down their sleeve, for shooting street stuff. Or there are numerous apps, as you say, for controlling a camera from your phone or tablet. CamRanger, etc. they're designed more for shooting commercial stuff, where you can't physically be behind the camera while you're shooting. But you could use it to control a hidden camera on your person.

You will look shifty though, someone will spot what you're doing (probably in about 3 seconds) and they will assume you're up to no good (because why else would you be hiding the camera?).
 
Don't hide the camera. I can hold mine whilst hanging down on a shoulder strap and trigger the shutter using the palm of my hand. To all purposes it looks like I'm just holding it from swinging.
I use fixed manual focus and a f stop to give a suitable depth of field.
 
I agree with the others, just take the photos, the more you do it the easier it will become and I would suggest going the other way and talk to people, ask if you can take photos. However if you must try to hide it why not just get a phone with a decent camera and use that.
 
If you are on private land which I surmise bus garages are, then what are the images for as any commercial use will AFAIK need releases. In for your own enjoyment screen or computer then as noted any such covert activity could he viewed with great suspicion and perhaps get your collar felt.
 
I'll give you a scenerio which happened yesterday.

I went past a garage which I found to be great, but be behind me a traffic jam had formed and I was in full view of it. I didn't feel comfortable just pulling out my camera, taking a few shots and then walking off. I resorted to holding my phone low as I was just holding it and walking along and used a volume key as a shutter button. Closer inspection after revealed fairly poor shots !

I take the photos on public land, I know not to trespass and I have seen photos of inside garages many a time before
 
Last edited:
Check the Sony QX range -- your smartphone is the body, display, live view etc. of a camera which is little more than a remote control lens and sensor. Looks like a detached lens.
 
Better off getting your camera out a taking the shot properly, you'll get a better shot anyway!

Using a hidden camera will raise suspicion and attract greater attention, leading to possible confrontation. If you're shooting from a public space that you have every right to shoot. If it's a case that you're lacking confidence, just get on with it and your confidence will grow.
 
A bus won't but others may object, I got into a mini argument with a security guard telling me to stop once, after consulting others, I found I was in the right as I wasn't inside the premises.

Aaaah the Sony QX range, I've dabbled with the idea of getting this. I'm after something which has good zoom as well, this is worth considering
 
Professor1991 said:
I'll give you a scenerio which happened yesterday.

I went past a garage which I found to be great, but be behind me a traffic jam had formed and I was in full view of it. I didn't feel comfortable just pulling out my camera, taking a few shots and then walking off. I resorted to holding my phone low as I was just holding it and walking along and used a volume key as a shutter button. Closer inspection after revealed fairly poor shots !

I take the photos on public land, I know not to trespass and I have seen photos of inside garages many a time before
Click to expand...

the main risk is probably a security guard as people in the traffic jam will only be worried about being stuck in traffic, not someone taking pics of busses! the amount of bus pictures you see on flickr, often in garages, means that the garage would be used to bus enthusiasts taking photos so would not think it unusual
 
Ask in the office. Explain that you like busses and would like to take a few shots for your personal enjoyment. Ideally get any permission in writing so you can show the security guards if/when asked for it.
 
I'll take on board your comments ! I was thinking of purchasing a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70, hopefully it should prove fruitful for my activities, I want something which has smalled form factor than my current Nikon L820
 
We get people turning up every week at the fire station asking to take pictures, and I imagine others professions such as truck & bus companies do as well. Just ask them if it's alright as I'm sure they get asked often and they may be used to it. The only problem being if it's their garage you may not be allowed too close for health & safety reasons.
 
This is merely a thought but how would 1 go about concealing a Sony QX30 ?!
 
Don't! Being a creepy guy with a camera gets us all a bad name.
 
I sincerely hope that I am wrong, but I can't help but feel your intentions are a little on the sinister side. If it really is buses and garages that interest you, I see no reason why you need to photograph them in such a covert way.
 
My main reason for doing it in this manner is because I dont feel naturally confident enough to pull out a camera with other people looking. My normal manner in going about admiring garages is visiting them, having a nice look and attempting to get a few photos in, I always get the feeling that a 3rd party whomever that may be is thinking I'm up to no good.
 
Last edited:
You'll just make the situation worse.

Just take the pics. No-one will notice you, they have their own lives to live.
 
go to the doctor and get some confidence tips then you can whip out your camera
failing that use a covert camera like 007
 
Get one of these. Put it in the corner of the garage with some tools around it so it looks like work is being done on it. Hide in the tent and snap away :D




or, if it's a confidence thing, talk to whoever is in charge. Ask them if you can take some photos. If it's ok I bet in no time you'll have a tripod set up in the middle of the garage with cones around it :)
Bite the bullet and get that glass out (y)
 
Last edited:
Professor1991 said:
My main reason for doing it in this manner is because I dont feel naturally confident enough to pull out a camera with other people looking.
Click to expand...

Might I suggest that you don't pull out a camera. Wear it on a strap around your neck. Pretty soon you'll get used to it being there and you're more likely to take photos of other subjects as well. The whole thing will become much easier. And you can walk up to the garage and get chatting with someone who doesn't look busy. When the staff understand your interest in something they're involved in, they'll guess that you might want to take photos before you even bring the subject up.
 
You will get into more trouble trying to secretively photograph a bus garage than just being open about it. Being secretive and furtive will get everyone's backs up - they'll all think you're either up to something naughty, or being paid to catch them out doing something you shouldn't.

Upset folk too much by acting this way and you may get a free lesson in the art of hiding a camera...

__:angelic::whistle::whistle::snaphappy::whistle::whistle:___:stop::rage::punch::punch:__:mooning:_:wideyed:__
 
Professor1991 said:
This is merely a thought but how would 1 go about concealing a Sony QX30 ?!
Click to expand...

Seems like you're ignoring the advice given.

You can keep being furtive if you want, but it looks FAR more suspicious if you're hanging around outside pretending to be on the phone, while trying to operate a hidden camera. Plus, you can't compose the image, and seeing as you like manual control, can't meter the image either if you're hiding the camera.

I'd be far more suspicious of someone hanging around outside than someone blatantly taking photos. Why not walk in and speak to someone? Better still, phone the garage up and explain what you want, and get their blessing? Imagine how better the images would be if you could get in there with a tripod and do a proper job.
 
If you want to use the hidden camera, method as others have said, people will notice right away. Unless you train yourself to be convincing. Very difficult indeed. It's probably easier to train yourself to be more confident. Which has other benefits.

Another way is go in and take pictures quickly before someone shouts "Guards! Seize him!" , then run like bloody hell!
 
Last edited:
garryknight said:
Might I suggest that you don't pull out a camera. Wear it on a strap around your neck. Pretty soon you'll get used to it being there and you're more likely to take photos of other subjects as well. The whole thing will become much easier. And you can walk up to the garage and get chatting with someone who doesn't look busy. When the staff understand your interest in something they're involved in, they'll guess that you might want to take photos before you even bring the subject up.
Click to expand...

This is good advice. I tend to have my camera with me most places now.

These days everyone is taking photos, albeit it mostly on phones. The worse thats going to happen is someone saying you can't shoot there, in which case you politely apologise and walk on (unless it's somewhere secure). You'll still have whatever shots you took until then.
 
Professor1991 said:
My main reason for doing it in this manner is because I dont feel naturally confident enough to pull out a camera with other people looking. My normal manner in going about admiring garages is visiting them, having a nice look and attempting to get a few photos in, I always get the feeling that a 3rd party whomever that may be is thinking I'm up to no good.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid you appear to be shunning the best advice. People are used to seeing photographers and think nothing of it.
By behaving in what you believe to be a covert way, you actually draw more attention.
Let's put a positive spin on this, if guess your self-consciousness has a negative impact on your life generally. Take baby steps, go to the bus garage and ask at the desk if you can have a look round, tell them you're doing a 'project' and you think their garage is a great subject. Engage them, they'll think you're a bit odd, but they're used to it. Make return visits and really explore the place, say Hi to everyone who catches your eye.
Eventually, your nerves will subside, and you can start on your next subject.

Your self confidence will grow, you'll get better pictures.

Shy people assume that the rest of us are somehow 'different', whilst some people are naturally gregarious, I for one was desperately shy when I was younger, I now teach adults and stand in front of huge wedding parties acting the fool.
Of course there are times when my facade is weaker than others, but I steel myself and get on with it.

This won't just improve your pictures, it'll help in other areas of your life too :)
 
You will find that in this situation its better to be 'REALLY OBVIOUS'.....

Case in point:
Saw the London Transport L150 Loco on the back of a flatbed (while watching the Eurofighter Typhoon take off from Northolt airport 3 weeks ago. I waved to the driver to slow - & he stopped, allowed a gap to form in front of him, then drove forward slowly in a low gear so we could get some pics. I then thanked him....
If I was doing this sneakily then the driver would not have done this...,

If you are not confident then do this with a friend, & make it a social activity.........
 
After seeing someone walking around with a DSLR taking photos of buses in town centre without a care for anyone else, I've decided to implement the advice of my peers on this site.

I like the idea of a project and taking photos to supplement it. Can anyone expand on that, I'd like to be covered in case !
 
DerekL said:
Sneaking around with a hidden camera in this day and age is probably not a good idea. You could find yourself getting interrogated by some very large gentlemen.
Click to expand...

I'm with everyone else on this - just take the photos openly

however in general if anyone did want to take photos covertly the best option (apart from at a distance with a very long lens) has to be with a camera phone - its dead easy to appear to be texting or using the browser etc while taking a few shots ... they won't be anywhere near as good for aesthetic purposes as openly taken shots, but if the object is to get proof on a cheating partner or to evidence criminal activity etc or similar that's how i'd do it
 
Why don't you go on a street photography workshop or organised photo walk? Do that a few times and you'll soon get over your fear of taking pictures of strangers or of asking permission and interacting with your subjects. You might even improve your technique as well ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top