Photographers Vests that don't make you look like a dork

andrewc

andrewc

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Been trying to find a photographers vest that doesn't make you look like a dork (or a cretin (or both))

Have been trying to get my grubby mitts on an Alpinestars one but they will only give them out to people working for high end race series - Indycar / F1 and if/when they appear on the market get snapped up very quickly.

Instead I've got myself a MotoGP track vest. Black and dark grey with some light grey and red piping and some subtle MotoGP branding. Arrived today.

Looks OK. Will try it out at Oulton to see it my pics get any better. :)
 
Me and Michael are getting jackets that say "PRESS" just so we can take photos without feeling like knobs when in public places :D

If it's a job, then it would be easier. So we will simply pretend. Its a bit like a mask!

Gary.
 
andrewc said:
Been trying to find a photographers vest that doesn't make you look like a dork (or a cretin (or both))

Have been trying to get my grubby mitts on an Alpinestars one but they will only give them out to people working for high end race series - Indycar / F1 and if/when they appear on the market get snapped up very quickly.

Instead I've got myself a MotoGP track vest. Black and dark grey with some light grey and red piping and some subtle MotoGP branding. Arrived today.

Looks OK. Will try it out at Oulton to see it my pics get any better. :)
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Erm, actually. Not sure what you are on about, what is a photgraphers vest?
 
I have an orange hi-viz vest which I keep in my bag. It works almost as well as Doctor Whos psychic paper. Wear the hi-viz jacket and wander around with suitable intent and you can get away with anything. Plus you become indestructable...
 
A photographers vest is a jacket with lots of pockets in for memory cards and things that you want close to hand to save carrying around a bag. Fishermen have a similar type of vest.

Media get issued with an additional tabard or hi-viz jacket when they sign on.
 
Marcel will be along shortly to flog you a TP branded vest ;)
 
Serious question. Do you think you could get away with a police coloured hi vis jacket, with the black and white checks too - so the only difference is the lack of badge / logo, and the wording "police" ? Reason for asking, people might think twice about approaching and / or mugging you...

Flip side, you might end up with a knife in the back if someone hates the force.
 
Hi-viz definitely helps in terms of getting around venues but for carrying equipment I know what you mean about the dorkish look about tog vests .

The tog next to me at the 4X at the MTB World Cups had an Alipnestar vest and agree that they look the dogs.

Will watch with interest as to what else others suggest.
 
When I went to Anglesey Circuit, I received a laminated media pass through the post, but I went to find a circuit official to sign on and get a tabard but there didn't seem to be anyone in charge.

Eventually signed on with the Clerk of the Course on the marshall signing on sheet.

I just wore my orange hi-viz and no marshalls queried my right to be there :)
 
My completely baseless understanding of the law is that provided you're not 'impersonating a police officer', then you're fine. So if you're just wearing the same colours/styles and not giving any indication that you *are* the police, you're not doing anything wrong.

Right?
 
This is a photography forum so can we get some pictures of these vests???

Come on guys, work with me here! ;) :p
 
Thought of getting a vest instead of a bag but am yet to find one that makes me look like a nerd. That MotoGP track vest looks pretty low-key though.

That Viper Assult Vest surely makes you look like a bit of a terrorist, Hacker? (Like photographers need to make themselvs more attractive to the Police in the current social climate).
 
Hacker said:
I use the Viper Assault vest as do others on here, great bit of kit which is very comfortable.
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x2........:thumbs:

Edit.........of course I don`t wear it on the London underground or in Manchester city centre at 2 in the morning.But for wandering along rivers or through the woods, they are fantastic. They are comfy, don`t get in the way and have ample room for sarnies as well as your gear.
 
fracster said:
x2........:thumbs:

Edit.........of course I don`t wear it on the London underground or in Manchester city centre at 2 in the morning.But for wandering along rivers or through the woods, they are fantastic. They are comfy, don`t get in the way and have ample room for sarnies as well as your gear.
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What is the Dork Factor though?
 
andrewc said:
What is the Dork Factor though?
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About the same as lugging a rucksack around or a girlie shoulder bag.....:D

Plus the deer and other stuff don`t give a sh@t as they can`t see me.........:lol:
 
A normal hi vis from the market or building suppliers costs about a fiver, i guess you could always have "press" or "photgrapher" printed on the back for a few quid.
 
tel48 said:
A normal hi vis from the market or building suppliers costs about a fiver, i guess you could always have "press" or "photgrapher" printed on the back for a few quid.
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You can probably get them from a variety of car accessory retailers as they are mandatory items to carry when driving in many foreign countries.
 
Chalk up another for the Viper. I'll probably be getting a Russian replacement version soon though.
 
Simple.

Drive along any motorway in the UK.

Somewhere you will find roadworks. Park car (fast lane is always a bonus). Walk to roadworks and look for the orange cones. Hanging on an orange cone you will find a hi vis vest (a coat if you are lucky!!). You can also get a flashing light and a new pointy orange hat on a good day!!!

Get a permanent marker - write the words TOP TOG on the back and away you go.

Happy days.

Anth.
 
High viz jackets are quite thin and may well suffer from ink soaking through, so you must make sure you wear this jacket the right way out otherwise all the local junkies will follow you like the Pied Piper of Hamlyn...
 
I've got a Hi-Vis vest and a Baseball cap with the TPF logo on it , all was going ok until Kimi pushed me over :(
 
andrewc said:
High viz jackets are quite thin and may well suffer from ink soaking through, so you must make sure you wear this jacket the right way out otherwise all the local junkies will follow you like the Pied Piper of Hamlyn...
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You have a twisted mind, what more can I say :shrug:

:D:D:D
 
Yawl need to lose you're inhibitions a bit..
Shooting fab photo's and looking good doing it, is too much of an ask.
You have to be prepared to look like a nonce in the name of Art, crouching with legs akimbo and various limbs at ungodly angles is never gonna be pretty, with or without a J.P Gaultier hi-viz ensemble with matching nail polish, heels and handbag.
:)
 
I find wandering around with my camera and 100-300mm f/4 attached to my monopod (extra-chunky Manfrotto jobby) clears the decks better than a hi-viz vest.

It's the same at work, or out taking pics - as long as you LOOK like you know what you're doing, no-one will bother questioning you!
 
Hacker said:
I use the Viper Assault vest as do others on here, great bit of kit which is very comfortable.
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Yup, Viper here aswell when at events, its a no brainer - some carribiners hold my Camelbak on, Canon 'L' Bag for the 100-400 attached left hand side, I can get either the 100-400 or the 70-200 in that, nifty in the back pocket with spare batteries, mobile, i-pod etc scattered about various smaller pockets, pen, paper aswell, in the big pockets go a disposable poncho, disposable camera sleeve x 2 on the right and small buns in the left along with energy bars, cereal bars etc. Normally carry my flashgun in the pocket designed for the water bladder, as I use a large 2 litre CamelBak the built in pocket is too small. I have 2 small zip up pouches attached to the straps, one grey, one black for cards, grey new and formatted, black bag is used. Lots of black gaffer tape on my lens hoods aswell, just in case, also on my Monopod !

Works a treat, wouldn't find me on the underground in it though ;)

Edit - post #11 in this thread you can see some of the set up :)
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=60750&highlight=barbon+hillclimb
 
What fits in mine....hmmmm.

D200
300 F4
1.7 TC
17-55 F2.8
35 F2
Spare cards
Spare batteries
Insect repellent......:thumbs:
Sarnies and gratuitous choccy bar.......:D
Flask in tamrac pouch attached to the side adjusters
Filters
Mobile ...switched to silent.......:D
Monopod hung off a crab
Ciggies........yeah,I know.
Remotes

I think thats about it.

And my D300 and 80-400 hung off my shoulder.

Sooooooo much easier than carrying a bag about and so much easier to move quietly.

Edit....forgot about my two camouflaged rain covers, my hat and gillie scarf
 
dseered said:
Yup, Viper here aswell when at events, its a no brainer - some carribiners hold my Camelbak on.....

......Canon 'L' Bag for the 100-400 attached left hand side,
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Couple of good ideas there, I usually just stick a two litre bottle of water in the pouch at the back but I might invest in a bladder.

:thumbs:
 
Hacker said:
Couple of good ideas there, I usually just stick a two litre bottle of water in the pouch at the back but I might invest in a bladder.

:thumbs:
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CAn't remember what model my CamalBak is but will have a look, it has 4 'd' loops on it so it is easy to attach with climbing carribenas or zip ties, tube over the shouler and then just sip away, always keep the fluids up :)
 
EdinburghGary said:
Flip side, you might end up with a knife in the back if someone hates the force.
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Like this guy?

images


:D





:coat:
 
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