Criminals

[mdaddyrabbit]

I dont visit so called bad areas but crime is previlent anywhere you roam, what do you guys do to protect your self when out in areas that are less traveled when you may be alone. I mean if you only carry a Canon and a couple of lenses you have a wad of money in your hands that some low life wants to take from you to sell for his nasty habits.

[liza]

I try not to put myself in that situation. Being proactive is the best way to go.

[Miyagi-san]

I just got a monopod for my camera made by Bogen/Manfrotto.....I have been studying martial arts my whole life and like to think I could make pretty good use of it as a weapon.

Even if you have no self-defense training....this thing could do some damage if needed. It's stout and would make a dangerous weapon.

I would recommend insurance on your gear, and don't go to really nasty spots in the city or you are just asking to get messed with by someone eventually.

The freaks come out at night.

Don't go buying a gun or even a knife unless you know how to use it and are sure you are willing to use it if absolutely needed (last resort). In inexperienced hands the weapon will do more harm to you than good. Can easily be taken from you if you don't know what you are doing and now they are mugging you with your own weapon.

Avoidance is key, and remember your electronics are not worth your health or your life!

I know this sounds girly, but I don't care....pepper spray can be very useful. Study a bit about it, learn how to use it properly...and learn how to defend yourself against it should it be taken away from you. (there are ways!)

I've gone through a pepper spray use class for my job and everybody had to catch a spray in the eyes so we knew the effects of it and understood it that much more. It's effective. People will say that tweakers on PCP and whatnot will not respond to it. VERY RARE. You catch someone in the face/eyes with a good potent pepper spray and they will leave you alone I can almost guarantee it.

good luck, let me know if you have other questions.

and remember, wax on, wax off lol

[pagefile]

I just bring my wife with me.

I just got a monopod for my camera made by Bogen/Manfrotto.....I have been studying martial arts my whole life and like to think I could make pretty good use of it as a weapon.

Even if you have no self-defense training....this thing could do some damage if needed. It's stout and would make a dangerous weapon.

I have not taken martial arts but I do know some moves that others have shown me.

No it was not me in the alleyway getting my but kicked. I was the one behind the dumpster watching.

[ScottE]

In some parts of the world you can hire a couple of guys with AK47's for a reasonable price. Then you only have to worry about what you own body gaurds might do.

[Jason77]

pepper spray is a good idea. also, take someone along with you if you can. i guess the main thing is not to do anything stupid for the sake of a shot.

[tweatherred]

One strategy that has become popularized by people like Gavin de Becker (https://www.gavindebecker.com/books-gof.cfm) is to learn to use your intuition and be aware of your surroundings. If you feel uncomfortable in a given situation or surroundings, then either leave or take steps to protect yourself. I think this attitude of "pay attention to what is around you" actually merges well with the goals of seeing what is around you in order to make a good photograph.

[Jesper]

Don't go buying a gun or even a knife unless you know how to use it and are sure you are willing to use it if absolutely needed (last resort). In inexperienced hands the weapon will do more harm to you than good. Can easily be taken from you if you don't know what you are doing and now they are mugging you with your own weapon.

...

I know this sounds girly, but I don't care....pepper spray can be very useful. Study a bit about it, learn how to use it properly...and learn how to defend yourself against it should it be taken away from you. (there are ways!)

I don't know how it is in North Carolina (USA) where mdaddyrabbit is from, but at least where I'm from (The Netherlands) and most likely also where you're from (Germany) having a weapon like a gun, a knife or pepperspray is illegal. If you'd use that on someone who wants to steal your camera, you will be arredted by the police for having an illegal weapon. So it's certainly not a good idea to start walking around with weapons like that.

[neil_r]

I never worry about this, it is alarming how many time this topic has cropped up over the last few months, it is also interesting that most concern seems to originate with our US members.

I really do not want fear to prevent me doing what I do. I shoot regularly in the UK, USA and India and to be honest I have never had a second thought about this. There are some things in my favour I am 6’7” and 21 stone (294 lbs), but having said that all my gear is insured and that is probably a better investment than pepper spray, and the like.

[KatmanDu]

Keep in mind pepper spray isn't a "magic bullet". 4% of the population are unaffected by it, and well-motivated (ie, drugged out, highly p-o'd) folks have been known to continue fighting. I'm a law enforcement OC instructor and just sprayed a class; reactions ranged from a quick hose-off and good to go to all out panic attack. If it's legal for you to use it and situation calls for it, by all means squirt away; but have a back up plan in case it doesn't work.

I know it works on me, though. :( I've been sprayed numerous times and each time I'm useless for 15 minutes or so. This last class, in fact, while spraying the students, I had two start to run for the hose immediately after they were sprayed. I jumped forward to grab their arm and lead them to the hose and ran into the mist. I could feel each individual mist droplet hit my eyeball at the same time. *&%^%*&!!

ifonline has some pics of the spraying, in fact... dunno if he's posted any of them.

[liza]

Pepper spray can also blow back in your face if the wind is blowing the wrong way. And if you're indoors it can overwhelm you as well. That was one of the first things we learned at the law enforcement academy.

[JaertX]

everywhere I go, I take my charming personality. so far, so good. :)

[ifonline]

ifonline has some pics of the spraying, in fact... dunno if he's posted any of them.

Not posted yet... need to cull through them all.

[ifonline]

Photos here: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=261564

[PhotosGuy]

If I'm being paid, I'd hire a few Neil types (6’7” and 21 stone (294 lbs) to be my assistant? :D
Otherwise, I chose the situations & generally stay away from the "iffy" ones.

[tofuboy]

I don't know how it is in North Carolina (USA) where mdaddyrabbit is from, but at least where I'm from (The Netherlands) and most likely also where you're from (Germany) having a weapon like a gun, a knife or pepperspray is illegal. If you'd use that on someone who wants to steal your camera, you will be arredted by the police for having an illegal weapon. So it's certainly not a good idea to start walking around with weapons like that.

In the USA, we have a constitutional right to bear arms and the majority of states (laws vary from state to state) offer concealed pistol permits; which extends that right to legally carrying a concealed pistol (except in certain places, generally schools, bars, courts, post offices, etc etc, and for some odd reason national parks).

However, carrying a gun isn't necessarily going to make one any safer. It can only be used when one feels their life is threatened. Being paranoid and waving the gun around at people who are just walking down the road is a surefire way to get yourself in trouble with the law.

[xpsentity]

Some states, (AZ, CO), you can carry un-concealed with no permit or permission of any sort. Not even a background check for handguns provided it's a show or private sale (AZ).

Back on topic.. don't go places you don't feel safe (alone), problem solved.

[deadpass]

Some states, (AZ, CO), you can carry un-concealed with no permit or permission of any sort. Not even a background check for handguns provided it's a show or private sale (AZ).

Back on topic.. don't go places you don't feel safe (alone), problem solved.


You can open carry in Nevada as well, you can get a CCW here easily too.

My first answer would be Springfield Arms Xp-40, however it really is best to avoid those situations all together. If you're going to be shootingin a place that's not very safe, go there during the day, early if possible, gangbangers don't get up early. I'm a decent sized guy 6'3", 235lbs, but on top of that I have large stretched lobes, tattoos, a foot long dreaded goatee, and I always look like i'm ready to break someone. For the less fortunate, insure your equipment and know when to run, literally.

[Lost sheep]

I carry the Glock 22 or if I'm feeling that small the glock 17

either way I"m pretty well protected.......

[Jaime]

Never leave home without the partners: Horace Smith & Daniel B. Wesson

[Titus213]

I've found my LowePro Minni-trekker will just hold a small thermo-nuclear device. I keep the dead man trigger switch in my hand at all times. I've spent too much money on my gear to give it up to anyone....

Seriously - I'm sure there are areas, especially in the US, where you just shouldn't be with expensive camera gear. I've yet to be in any of those and I suspect they are few and far between. Just be aware of your surroundings, show that awareness, and be confident in what you are doing.

Now I have encountered less than friendly dogs on several occasions. They do not generally react well to anything but brute force. Up until recently I carried an asp. Lost it somewhere and must replace it.

[TXLEBER]

I've found my LowePro Minni-trekker will just hold a small thermo-nuclear device.

Is that with or without the hood on? :D

Rabbit, where in NC are you referring to? I'd take a guess, but I might offend some of my North kaki-laky friends here.

[mdaddyrabbit]

I would have to say lower Sampson County around he rivers come to mind, nice places for landscape but very secluded.

[Scottes]

I try not to put myself in that situation. Being proactive is the best way to go.
This gets my vote.

[NeverFollow]

When I shoot in shady parts of town I will always take minimal equipment and conceal my camera. After the shoot i will take the memory card out and put it in one of my pockets. That way if anyone where to steal the camera, I still got the shots out of it. As far as weapons go besides my structure, the best weapon is being aware of your surroundings.
1. Always have your source of transportation within a close distance
2. Upon arrival evalute the surrounding areas
3. Look for multiple exit points
4. Look for various enviromental weapons (rocks, bricks)
5. The most important: Dont let yourself get caught up in the moment ,always be on the look out.