'Wanderings' .. How Safe Do You Feel?

InaGlo

InaGlo

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Just reading FB's 'Recent Wanderings' thread and in a reply I began to do some wandering myself, so I deleted and thought Id start a new thread about it.

Im one of those who has been feeling a lack of drive/talent/time of late to pick up my camera, and seeing FB's post reminded me of how much Id like to grab some urban/candid shots.
Coincidently, I just got asked to meet a friend in Birmingham city centre for the German market, she suggested that if I go, I take my camera along.
To meet her I have to take a bus & travel on the train alone. As soon as I told my bro of my plan he immediately said 'Take the G5 its less conspicuous'!

My bro's comment made me a little nervous and also made me wonder about you guys who shoot in the city .
Have you ever been aware of being watched by unfavourables? or been in a situation that you feel could turn nasty because of your kit?
How much does safety cross your mind when youre out with expensive kit? and ... if as a rough tough bloke you dont really think of it ... how would you feel about your wife/girlfriend doing it?
 
As long as she wasn't alone I think it would be OK ... :shrug:

Not sure I do think about the safety aspect ... where would we go and what would we do if that was always foremost Glo ... I know it has to be different for a lady ... and that is a sad fact of the world we live in ... :thinking:

But ... as long as you don't openly flaunt your gear ... and you are with your friend when you use it ... you will be as safe as the next person ... if someone wants it they will try whoever owns it ... imo ... just be insured and don't fight if someone does try ... not worth getting hurt over hardware ... imo ... ;)

Another thing I would do though ... keep batteries and memory cards out of the camera and totally separate from your other gear in a pocket/other bag too ... that way at least any pics you do take are safe ... and the camera cannot be used without further expense ... :shrug:

A plain and un-obvious black-pack ... ;) ... type gear bag is probably best too ... nothing to conspicuous ... :thumbs:

HTH ... :D




:p
 
One of the reasons I've never tried this type of photography, is down to feeling very vulnerable with a bag full of expensive equipment (and also a bit of a prat :nuts: ). I agree, a small compact would be marginally safer, but they are fairly expensive too. At least in a small group, you are relatively safe without causing too much of an obstruction!
 
Venomator said:
A plain and un-obvious black-pack ... ;) ... type gear bag is probably best too ... nothing to conspicuous ... :thumbs:
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Do you mean like this :thinking:

Case.jpg


For the monopod of course :naughty:
 
ROFL! W.S ... think Id feel very confident walking around with that bag on my shoulder whilst the camera swings free around my neck!!! :lol:

Might see if I can talk my bro into going to Brum with me, as he's getting into photography too.
Meantime Im going to leave the idea of taking the camera with my mate, even though I do feel such a frustrated wuss about it.
I have to be realistic, when she & I get together, we yak for England and I know I wouldnt fully have my wits about me ... either for safety of my gear or for taking pics.
No, Ill just concentrate on guarding the plastic ... from myself!
 
InaGlo said:
No, Ill just concentrate on guarding the plastic ... from myself!
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So you'll be leaving that at home with the camera then Glo ... :D

Hope you don't regret leaving your gear at home ... :shrug:








:p
 
LOL Wetsparks :D

Dont really feel threatened when out, but try to always be aware of those around me, dont do much street photography but do use my camera in city areas quite often. I must admit I feel more relaxed if theres someone there just to watch your back so to speak.

Just use common sense - as said dont flaunt it, keep away from quiet alleys and backstreets, if possible take a friend, and use a non discript bag. What I tend to do is keep the camera hanging into my jacket between the zip when not in use and only hold it when about to take a shot or checking composition.

Also hes your brother so naturally hes going to be concerned, I think we all find it very easy to show concern for others, but rarely take the same care of ourselves, so take care Glo :thumbs:
 
I wandered the streets of rome and florence with my gear. ok quite touristy but then thieves love tourists. might be that the crumpler sign makes the shoulder bag look less like a camera bag? one of my friends spotted it and thought it was a baby bag! well, after a fashion I suppose, but at least this one doesn't burp and smell funny
 
I think you'd be wise to just be careful. I wouldn't be most muggers first choice as an obvious looking victim, but there's places around here I definitely wouldn't go at certain times with expensive kit.

I got caught last year on a deserted canal towpath by a bunch of five unemployed dossers. They were very interested in the camera. It could have been a lot worse... just a lot of **** taking and mild bad mouthing, but I gave as good as I got plus a bit extra and they buggered off.
 
Thanks for the input peeps.
He! he! CT ... my early childhood was spent in a very rough area of Wednesbury, my playgrounds were those towpaths ... I know only too well the kind of vermin that wander them!

After looking at the Urban Exploration thread, I find that quite appealing (again more childhood memories I suppose) and I actually think Id prefer to take my chances nosing around such sites as those than to head into Brum with my gear.

Just had visions of a local news article 'Woman is mugged for camera in city hospital after breaking leg falling through derelict factory floor' :lol:
 
Btw Glo, Jan witnessed a lad getting punched in the face in Pipers Row and his mobile taken off him only a few weeks ago, and it's quite prevalent apparently, so I'd definitely be a bit careful around Wolves Town Centre.
 
CT said:
Btw Glo, Jan witnessed a lad getting punched in the face in Pipers Row and his mobile taken off him only a few weeks ago, and it's quite prevalent apparently, so I'd definitely be a bit careful around Wolves Town Centre.
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I had a very nasty experience on public transport when I first moved here ... so I dont normally do Wolves town centre.
Im a wuss ... I sick to the MerryHill Centre generally ... shame the shops are naff!
 
InaGlo said:
Just had visions of a local news article 'Woman is mugged for camera in city hospital after breaking leg falling through derelict factory floor' :lol:
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".....Internet forum is to blame" :lol:
 
If I'm going into town centres I keep the gear to a minimum... camera and one lens, maybe another in my pocket , usually the 50mm and the 17-40L. It attracts a lot less attention than being laden down with gear. I usually take the 20D sans battery grip too... looks a lot less impressive. ;)
 
Don't know what you're all worried about, no self-respecting mugger is going to nick a Can*n.

:D :D

:razz:
 
Hacker said:
Don't know what you're all worried about, no self-respecting mugger is going to nick a Can*n.

:D :D

:razz:
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But seriously tell that to Arkady's mate who lost his Canon 5D , sorry for the spoiler:|
 
I went to brum shopping last week and it looked full of shady characters, I'm not being snobby, but I thought about taking my camera, but didn't in the end as we were rushing around to get there. When I got there I'm glad I didn't take it.

It could just be me but I wouldn't chance it, having said that people might think the same about me, 6ft, shaved hair with a Nott'm accent????

It may be just what your used to ie I'd feel fine taking my camera around Nott'm but to other people we seem to be labelled gun/crime centre of the UK, which I think is absolute Balls, in all the years I've been going into town both day and night time, I've never seen any major trouble or been in any fight situation/mugging what so ever.
 
Glen said:
I went to brum shopping last week and it looked full of shady characters, I'm not being snobby, but I thought about taking my camera, but didn't in the end as we were rushing around to get there. When I got there I'm glad I didn't take it.
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Tbh, this is how I feel about Brum myself these days.
I know a lot of peeps will insist all cities are the same but I actually feel safer in London than Brum... there seems a general negative attitude & underlying aggressive atmosphere in Brum city centre!
 
Yeh felt the same to us, defo agree with that Glo.
 
This is an issue I've never really considered as I've always felt relatively safe wherever I've gone off with the camera... until recently. At the end of the summer a woman was stabbed and sexually assaulted just up the road from me on M.O.D land (very popular with dog walkers). I was heading to the same spot with my camera when the police were just starting to cordon the roads off. That really freaked me out as I'd been going on my own to nature reserves and remote places with the camera. Since that incident, I'd rather stick to busy places with lots of people around.

Going on public transport with all my equipment doesn't bother me too much - I just don't get any of it out. I think I'd feel safe doing street stuff - just stay away from the dodgy areas.
 
Glen said:
I went to brum shopping last week and it looked full of shady characters, I'm not being snobby, but I thought about taking my camera, but didn't in the end as we were rushing around to get there. When I got there I'm glad I didn't take it.

It could just be me but I wouldn't chance it, having said that people might think the same about me, 6ft, shaved hair with a Nott'm accent????

It may be just what your used to ie I'd feel fine taking my camera around Nott'm but to other people we seem to be labelled gun/crime centre of the UK, which I think is absolute Balls, in all the years I've been going into town both day and night time, I've never seen any major trouble or been in any fight situation/mugging what so ever.
Click to expand...

Heheh
Worked in Nottingham for a while, one of the worst, most violent places I've ever worked.
Went out a few nights too, lots of fighting.. very interesting stuff.. only place i have been threatened with a knife... you generally have 2 choices... I chose option 1 with option 2 as an immediate backup
However most cities these days can get very nasty if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Wouldnt risk my gear in any town centre without someone else there!
How about a TP telescopic night stick?
 
I don't really tend to go to remote places without a mate, I know the sort of ****'s that wonder about and would happly run off with ur camera if the chance came. I don't really do stuff in the city centre, I don't have a problem walking around with my camera taking photographs is another story. I don't have anything to hide so I really should have no problems shooting but I just don't like doing it.
 
I don't feel to worried when out on busy streets, or most places during the day, some areas are very much better than others I find, you should too..... Just make sure you've got hold of everything Glo, in case they try snatch and grab or something. I think it’s unlikely you'll ever face any real trouble....only of security guards anyway. Lol.

I find you need to keep your wits about you off the beaten track however, taking a friend with you is your best defence. I tend to use the van at the moment to check out an area first ….If I am nervous about an area I‘ll keep my stuff zipped up in a small back pack until I feel happy to wander along with camera in hand.... although the longer lens is making me feel more nervous, and silly too.

If you do go off and find some industrial wastelands or anywhere really, take a fully charged mobile... Tell someone where your going and when you'll be back...(I don't do this, but I should)
I'd also like to warn you about many of the derelict warehouses that I've explored with my camera, all in London, and most of them occupied in some way, all very desperate people living in absolute filth, mostly illegal and untraceable and ready, sane or not, to defend their small bed space with violence.

I could tell you a story...but I best not. ;)
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
I could tell you a story...but I best not. ;)
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Oh FB ... you cant dangle carrots like that!
You know you have to tell it now ... either here or by PM.

I have taken the dangers of these places into consideration.
I once got slammed in the stomach with a house brick while exploring such a place, as well as being chased by some perv with his kegs half mast, so I wouldnt be going expecting a danger-free zone.
Now about that story..... ;)
 
I think one trick which fits in with your brothers idea InaGlo is to take minimum kit with you. One lens, batteries ands cards in your pockets and no bag at all but a baggy enough jacket you can hide the camera under if it rains.
 
Steep said:
I think one trick which fits in with your brothers idea InaGlo is to take minimum kit with you. One lens, batteries ands cards in your pockets and no bag at all but a baggy enough jacket you can hide the camera under if it rains.
Click to expand...
Actually, if I do get around town ... thats the plan... well it was until I realised I didnt have a baggy enough coat, tut!
Need to ditch the Canon camera strap too me thinks in favour of plain black, the less conspicuous, the better.
Thanks all for your opinions on this.
 
I would definately advocate the "carry only what you need principle", no point risking something you would never use, and also no point lugging it about if you aint going to use it.
 
:lol:


--
InaGlo said:
Oh FB ... you cant dangle carrots like that!
You know you have to tell it now ... either here or by PM.

I have taken the dangers of these places into consideration.
I once got slammed in the stomach with a house brick while exploring such a place, as well as being chased by some perv with his kegs half mast, so I wouldnt be going expecting a danger-free zone.
Now about that story..... ;)
Click to expand...


Ok, if you insist :thumbs: Later on today though because it comes with pictures. :D real ugly ones... oh and its not actually that exciting by the way.. ;)
 
Excuse me for taking so long Glo... by the sound of your exploits you wouldn't have been dissuaded anyway, But I didn't want to put you off or anything... :)

I've always wanted to tell this story so since I've got piccies it’s thanks to you I eventually got around to processing them, just looking for the excuse realy. ;)


I stuck then in General here.
 
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