Safety of the lone togger ?

Fivetide

Fivetide

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Right I’m not a small person as several of the guys on here will tell you.. 6”3’ and 19 stone.. But I’m still worried about walking around with what I consider to be a chav friendly goody bag. I’d like to know how the other people especially the girls because lets face it they are prime targets.. Prepare to go on a one togger shoot in areas like I live in ..Nicknamed Beirut ? There’s a gorgeous park near me and I’ve often wanted to go and shoot some late evening shots of the light through trees etc.. But I’m wary of the opportunist pilfer having a drug induced lurch at my camera bag. Any suggestions?
 
Oh..Poor chavs..They get such a bad name considering they are the best Sport ever invented.
Only ever had one encounter with them whilst out shooting in Drumpellier Park in Coatbridge..

Ned..(a scottish chav) Aww right there big man how much is all that gear worth.
Without looking at him.
Me.. Considerably more than your life.

I turned around to explain all my gear to him but i dont think he was interested as he left.
 
Oi im nearly a chav...I live in a rented flat ..................got a hat (nearly a hood)
Got job (do they work ...) car is insured taxed and tested and I pay council tax

OK I dont qualify but my flat is rented surely this counts oh and I smoke ( not the green stuff its normally drum or golden virginia:)) and drink:nuts::baby: so yes I get HIGH (and skint ):thumbsdown:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The usual question I get from the neds is "are youse ra Digger?"
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That is odd, I thought they would ask you " are you the ****** from Talk Photography?"............;)
 
Lol...The Digger...Awesome..
For those that dont know the Digger is an Anti Criminal type of newspaper type offering.
A brilliant read if you can get a hold of one.
 
Ah was wondering there.
I live nearby to a major council estate which I have lived in and around for many years but I am now in a quieter area but still close.

We a have a wonderfully restored section of the Union Canal which passes through this estate I do like to walk along it and did so other day with Grandson but always wary when using the camera as unfortunately it sometimes can be frequented by groups of youngsters not always up to mischief to give them there due.

But I do tend to be wary I am 59 and pretty slim so maybe age makes me wary too.
 
I've never been concerned because i'm similar build to the OP but 2st lighter and can give most a good run for their money. Having said that, I always try to reduce the temptation for them as much as possible by always zipping and buckling up my bag every time i change equipment and always keep it on me or next to me if i'm setting up tripod.

Other good ideas are to try to keep in an open area so you can just quickly glance round every now and again and see anyone approaching. If this is not possible try to keep the area behind you as open as possible or make sure its a wall or something. Essentially trying to limit anyone's approach to your field of view.

Oh, and always keep a monopod with you ;)
 
I'm thinking of buying a bright yellow jacket with SOCO written on the back lol...
 
ive got 2 lens pouches...and only carry the 2 around ...the lens pouches fit to my belt so the ****ers would have to get pretty close to take my kit....never the less i am still wary as the area i live is swarming in hte little *******s
 
I had thought about doing a night photography around Norwich, but after the problems there its put me right off.
Any one concidering this should (IMO) go in packs of 3, but remember you are likly to be out numbered if confronted by a drunkin mob. or maybe you might be lucky and they have all gone home to sleep there night off...

Fivetide said:
Right I’m not a small person as several of the guys on here will tell you.. 6”3’ and 19 stone.. But I’m still worried about walking around with what I consider to be a chav friendly goody bag. I’d like to know how the other people especially the girls because lets face it they are prime targets.. Prepare to go on a one togger shoot in areas like I live in ..Nicknamed Beirut ? There’s a gorgeous park near me and I’ve often wanted to go and shoot some late evening shots of the light through trees etc.. But I’m wary of the opportunist pilfer having a drug induced lurch at my camera bag. Any suggestions?
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I live in Oldham....do I really need to say anymore? :lol:

Never had a problem tbh, but then again, i'm only young myself so it'll probably put them off.
 
Can't say I've ver encountered a problem to be honest (touch wood) and I always tend to shoot on my own.

I do always make sure I'm aware of who is around me at any time, especially when seting up shots and the kit bag is open. As soon as what I need it out though, it's buckled shut again and I either stand with my foot in the shoulder strap or have it between me and the tripod/camera.

As I normally wander round with the tripod out of it's case and slung over my shoulder, I'd have something to swing at them with if they did try! :bat:
 
I find having a gun visibly tucked into my belt and a couple of grenades hanging off my backpack is a HUGE deterrent :D
 
As a woman with a slight frame I often feel nervous when I go out togging by myself. There are a few places I'd like to go but don't because of the safety issue. My gear is only a 400d, kit lens and nifty fifty but I still feel vulnerable to muggers. What a sad state of affairs hey!! :(
 
Duckydoodle said:
My gear is only a 400d, kit lens and nifty fifty but I still feel vulnerable to muggers.
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I know what you mean. It would make me feel so much better if I knew my prospective mugger was clued up about the quality and value of camera kit. They'd know that mine isn't worth a second look :lol:
 
Whilst it is nice to carry loads of kit just in case it may come in handy, there is something to be said for only taking the gear you actually expect to need.

This means that one can just put a couple of lenses or whatever in the pockets of the warm jacket that is needed at this time of the year. The benefits of this include no bag to advertise that you are carrying expensive stuff, harder to grab your kit off you, easier to run away if you have to and a more enjoyable walk.

If I am in a dodgy area I don't worry if I am carrying my F3 or F4 as they are both a lot harder than most people's heads!
 
I go out on my own a fair bit, but when I'm taking photos my mind is focussed on that, it's when I'm out running that I'm more worried about the chavs etc.

When I'm walking around town it is easy to spot the photogs - they are the ones with Lowe Pro bags - they just scream "I'm full of expensive camera gear".
 
Craikeybaby said:
When I'm walking around town it is easy to spot the photogs - they are the ones with Lowe Pro bags - they just scream "I'm full of expensive camera gear".
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Not always, I got my (rather large) LowePro bag free with a mag subscription, and I only keep my lunch in it :lol:

I dont think I have ever felt unsafe, the last time I took the 70-200mm out was to a scooter festival, some people there looked like they were going to smack me for shooting their scooters, but I felt very safe :)

I am not one for going out at night to shoot anyways, but on the odd occasion I have, I always keep an eye out for muggers :D
 
Mugging im not to worried about - the stuff is insured they can have it if it keeps me safe
 
I was concerned about this during a recent trip to London and my first night-shoot. I honestly had nothing to worry about. I guess it helped that I was wandering around an area that was mostly populated by tourists. Oh and the fact that I must've passed over 50 other photographers during the day - I would've had to be particularly unlucky to be singled out.

I didn't take my Lowepro bag though - just a normal rucksack, to be safe.
 
If they can get past a swinging tripod to get close to me they would have to be terminators.
 
Hmmm - you can get "spiky" feet for your tripod/monopod, can't you?

How long would be "too long"?
 
Never felt unsafe. I've gone a lots of night rounds and lately a few with a friend in graveyards (pics soon to come, hopefully). I guess it's not that bad in these parts. And the vast majority of people are smaller than me :)

Carry a knife (if that's legally allowed). I know Poland allows a 3inch blade on your person. They didn't before communism fell.
 
Markk said:
Carry a knife (if that's legally allowed). I know Poland allows a 3inch blade on your person. They didn't before communism fell.
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What a stupid suggestion :cuckoo: I recall recently on a program on knife crime that said an individual is more likely to be stabbed with their own knife than someone elses!!!

Plus the chances are that the mugger has a bigger knife than yours (think crocodile dundee in reverse) or worse a gun :shrug:
 
SimonTALM said:
What a stupid suggestion :cuckoo: I recall recently on a program on knife crime that said an individual is more likely to be stabbed with their own knife than someone elses!!!

Plus the chances are that the mugger has a bigger knife than yours (think crocodile dundee in reverse) or worse a gun :shrug:
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:agree: Fighting back is defo a bad idea, you'd just let them have the camera as long as you dont get hurt. (and i think the limit in the UK is 2", which is more blade than i'd like stuck in me personally, but as simon says, the other dude will likely have something bigger)
 
i have insurance so i will let my kit go if i'm out numbered/over powered i am not gonig to die for it!
a knife is a daft idea so i wont be donig that. i generally let the coppers know if i am going to an unsafe area and they hve said in the past that they will keep a look out for me.
 
I recently went to do some town shots at 3 in the morning and popped into the local police station to let them know in case they spotted me on CCTV looking suspicious. They were very friendly and I'm sure if I had been female they'd have kept an extra watch with their cameras.
 
Out of interest, has ayone actually been mugged for their camera or know personally of anyone who has?

I think I am more inhibited by the idea of about unwelcome attention through having the camera rather than being mugged for it. I don't know, but I suspect pulling out a mobile phone might make you more of a target than a camera.
 
33L said:
i have insurance so i will let my kit go if i'm out numbered/over powered i am not gonig to die for it!
a knife is a daft idea so i wont be donig that. i generally let the coppers know if i am going to an unsafe area and they hve said in the past that they will keep a look out for me.
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cops here would just tell you not to go there. lol
 
I'm only 5'4" but thankfully I've not had any problems. I am careful where I go at what time and I do tend to just take what I need with me. I'm also very aware of my surroundings.

My other half is 6'3" so if I want to go out at night or early morning then he is very good at coming along with me. He's also a former bodyguard so I do feel quite safe :)
 
I would never feel safe being out by myself with my camera gear, Especially where i live. Look young and ain't very big built so would look like an easy target.

Would love to do a bit of street photography at night but don't know anyone thats into photography round the luton area.
 
Blue Eagle said:
:agree: Fighting back is defo a bad idea, you'd just let them have the camera as long as you dont get hurt. (and i think the limit in the UK is 2", which is more blade than i'd like stuck in me personally, but as simon says, the other dude will likely have something bigger)
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As someone once said "They would need to prise it from my cold dead hands"

Sorry but no goddam Blue Monkey or Ned is taking Jack from me.
 
I think everyone blows it way out of proportion just be smart about where you go/who you walk past.I take night shots at 1am plus in a town that was in the top 10 of worst places to live in britain... I hardly see anyone not even homeless its like a ghost town just how I like it for the shots I want :thumbs:
 
I've had my camera out in some of the rougher parts of Leeds and East Hastings in Vancouver (the poorest district in the whole of Canada) and I find if you're not waving it around obviously and don't attract too much attention then generally people leave you be. Obviously that's not a hard and fast rule but just keep yourself to yourself as much as you can and keep aware of your surroundings and you shouldn't attract too much bother.
 
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