Do you guys carry weapons while photographing?

[Noice]

Don't think I would ever carry a firearm in a city, but would certainly
be packing a fully-charged SB-900 set at full power and max distance.

Someone walks up on me in the dark they're likely to get blinded just
long enough for me to either: 1) Escape or 2) get in a left hook and right
cross (or 2) before his vision starts to return...

this is definitely useful. almost like a pepper spray...but only effective at night or in poorly lit areas.

ill also add using a bicycle as something that works for me. quickly scoping out the whole area before a start not only give me the opportunity to find the best angles or spots, it also gives me an idea for escape routes and if there are any dwellers in the area.
sometimes if its a quick snap, i wont even get off the bike. snap and go

[Colin Southern]

Wow - all of this is a "great distance" from New Zealand - both in terms of distance AND culture. Over here - for the most part - the crims don't carry guns and neither do the police. Other than a little commion sense in not walking through the "wrong place at the wrong time", it's just not an issue.

[Graystar]

Wow - all of this is a "great distance" from New Zealand - both in terms of distance AND culture. Over here - for the most part - the crims don't carry guns and neither do the police. Other than a little commion sense in not walking through the "wrong place at the wrong time", it's just not an issue.

Yes well...you don't have Mexico with its drug pipeline hanging off your butt, nor its millions of illegal aliens, nor an entire race of millions people who are STILL trying to recover from enslavement. So I'd say our situation is just a touch different from that of an island nation.

[kdoc856]

I'm feeling a little sensitive that we might be admitting to a cultural situation that only very rarely exists. I have traveled extensively in the US, and a fair amount overseas, and I have NEVER wished I had a gun or felt in significant distress for my safety. As Colin suggests, a little common sense can keep us far removed from that circumstance

[b00gym4n]

I appreciate the feedback.

I don't think I'll be able to afford camera insurance. I'm still in college eating cup and noodles, but am fortunate enough to have a nice dslr, thanks to a lucky run in poker.

I saw this camera cover that hides your camera while it's around your neck. It does a good job at hiding your camera and hides it well, but also allows you to take pictures on the fly. I can't find the link where I saw it, but will post it once I do.

As for a weapon, you're right carrying a knife is sketchy, but I rather be caught with one than without. OC pepper seems like another good alternative as well.

As far as blending in... that's pretty good advice. It's just going to be a little hard with a tripod.

Night photography is something I'm highly interested in, especially long exposure photography. I'm not trying to jump fences and go into Lil Puppet's backyard, I'm just worried that someone strung out on drugs will want to take my gear for his next fix.

Thanks for all the input.

[photosbytw]

Okay, can't resist.

I think we've done this thread to death.
Haven't we beaten it up enough.
It's been kicked and it's down.
Time to let dead dogs die.
Graham

If their dead..........................??

[GrahamH]

Okay, can't resist.

I think we've done this thread to death.
Haven't we beaten it up enough.
It's been kicked and it's down.
Time to let dead dogs die.
Graham

If their dead..........................??

Exactly

[PBelarge]

Could we just be clear that we are talking about a duck here!?

LOL!!!
...and all this time I thought you were human.

Just kidding, I could not resist.

[drjuice]

I am a woman and often photograph at night in LA and environs as well as in just about all the National Parks I've been to. While I have a small Swiss Army knife in my pocket, it's for mechanical uses only when things get stuck or need to be unscrewed or tightened up, etc.

I do not carry a weapon, mainly because when I was quite a bit younger, some people who didn't know how to use a gun or knife wound up with one of them losing an arm and his opposite leg. He was one of the best athletes in town and seemed to be headed for a big-time university athletic program, but that was the end of that hope for him. Needless to say, it had a pretty big impact on me.

[Momo]

Interesting topic. I do carry a "weapon", but it is mainly for wildlife. I don't care to be on the bottom end of the food chain and I'll be damned if I am going to wind up as bear poop on the side of a mountain. So, when I go out into the wild, I carry a canister of bear pepper spray. It's enough to put down a small riot. Last week, I found myself being stalked by two coyotes. I had the spray with me. While I did not think much of it at the time, I did read later that they can be somewhat unpleasant if you're around their den. And, sure enough, I believe I was close to the den. Whatever, I got some good pix out of the encounter. Oh, and I do carry a nice Swiss army knife with me. Not for the blade and tools, but for extra wallop if I need to clobber someone. I spend plenty of time in Pioneer Square and the surrounding downtown Seattle area. If anyone knows this area, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

[Colin Southern]

Interesting topic. I do carry a "weapon", but it is mainly for wildlife. I don't care to be on the bottom end of the food chain and I'll be damned if I am going to wind up as bear poop on the side of a mountain. So, when I go out into the wild, I carry a canister of bear pepper spray. It's enough to put down a small riot. Last week, I found myself being stalked by two coyotes. I had the spray with me. While I did not think much of it at the time, I did read later that they can be somewhat unpleasant if you're around their den. And, sure enough, I believe I was close to the den. Whatever, I got some good pix out of the encounter. Oh, and I do carry a nice Swiss army knife with me. Not for the blade and tools, but for extra wallop if I need to clobber someone. I spend plenty of time in Pioneer Square and the surrounding downtown Seattle area. If anyone knows this area, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

You might not have read this ...

Grizzly Bear Warnings

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently issued this bulletin...

"Warning: In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert of grizzly bears while in the field.

We ...advise outdoors men to wear noisy little bells on their clothing, so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoors men to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.

It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoors men should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat: Black bear scat is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear scat has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

[Momo]

ROFL! good to know...

[speedneeder]

I live in Los Angeles, CA and am amazed by some of the urban scenery. Many of the places I want to photograph, such as underpasses, train tracks and etc are not the best places to be alone at night with thousands of dollars in camera equipment. So as a newbie, I'm curious to what everyone does in order to help protect themselves and their equipment?

Do you bring a buddy along? Knife? Machete?

Any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Pat, interesting profile name for posting this question!
I think we can sum things up by saying awareness, avoidance, training, and use. In that order.
Sounds like the first two should solve the issue you are asking about.

[speedneeder]

Carrying weapons is likely to increase risk:

I have NEVER seen any factual evidence that supports this claim.
Do you have any?

[arith]

This is an almost true story; the (almost) is the get out of trouble clause. When I was a cadet (again ) I was given 6 .303 rifles to clean with ammunition for the one that wasn't drilled, as homework.
I thought, these are really heavy and so I caught the bus with them; and I didn't get any trouble at all.

The commanding officer did cos he retired early after a visit from the cops

[KCBrecks]

I am wishing I hadn't wandered into this thread. This July I am visiting Florida with my grandsons and their parents - the kids are sure that Grandpa must visit the parks. (I did help build the one in Paris) There are plenty of you in Florida so has anyone any advice about taking pictures in and around Clermont, as I don't carry weapons and as an overweight, unfit 67 year old I would have problems running away. Come to think of it if anyone can suggest places where I might get some good pictures I would be grateful.

A friend had his camera lifted out of his gadget bag on the lift at the top of the Eiffel Tower when we were in Paris. I had a small bag nicked from next to my feet under a table when in a well known restaurant in Southampton Row in London once. Neither of us even knew we were being robbed until afterwards. (Rotherham seems to be fairly safe though so perhaps I should just stop here.)

[Shadowman]

I am wishing I hadn't wandered into this thread. This July I am visiting Florida with my grandsons and their parents - the kids are sure that Grandpa must visit the parks. (I did help build the one in Paris) There are plenty of you in Florida so has anyone any advice about taking pictures in and around Clermont, as I don't carry weapons and as an overweight, unfit 67 year old I would have problems running away. Come to think of it if anyone can suggest places where I might get some good pictures I would be grateful.

A friend had his camera lifted out of his gadget bag on the lift at the top of the Eiffel Tower when we were in Paris. I had a small bag nicked from next to my feet under a table when in a well known restaurant in Southampton Row in London once. Neither of us even knew we were being robbed until afterwards. (Rotherham seems to be fairly safe though so perhaps I should just stop here.)

And the former President's daughter had her purse snatched right in front of Secret Service agents, once you've been violated your perspective will change and you will treat your equipment accordingly.

[arith]

I was just thinking; after another body is picked out of the Trent near my home. A couple of years ago I saw a case and full black bag on a public bench plus some weird chap looking like he was hiding, another day I realised immigrants were living in the park.

Then I saw a case under a viaduct which later turned out to contain the body of a murdered immigrant, a bit later and an old chap is seen floating down the river in his pyjamas, and now somebody is found floating near the 'Old Mill'.

It is probably time to start taking some precautions.

[smcconsulting]

I live in Canada, a generally safe country. However it does have some bigger cities that have areas that are crime hot spots. I was in Edmonton a couple of years ago and was approached by a pair of youths in the downtown core who were intent on getting my gear. I told them that the serial #'s were all registered with the cops and they would not be able to sell them. This did not phase them, so i then told them that the camera and lens and tripod weighs about 15 lbs. same as a sledge hammer and if i were going to loose my camera i would loose it over there heads! This worked! Long enough for me to get in my car and get the hell out of there!

My advise is always be close to your car and know the area for a quick exit out. Nothing i can think of worse then getting lost in east LA with a bunch of gang bangers on your tail.
Contact your local police station and explain that you are freelance photographer and want to do some urban photography and ask if it is possible to walk along with a foot patrol.
Most of all use common sense and don't go where you don't belong!!