Being alone whilst shooting?

Does anyone else get anxious when shooting alone at night? Be it in a remote place or country lanes/fields?

Ive just come back myself and did not feel comfortable atall, and I started to fear due to not beubg able to see anything around me apart from using my torch, which put me off shooting.

Anyone else experience this?

Thanks,

Ryan.

I don't get nervous when I'm out in the middle of nowhere. I do kinda look around when I'm near a public place where I can be seen. And the fact that I'm alone with a lot of electronic expensive looking stuff is pretty apparent.

I've never actually been or felt threatened though.

No, I haven't been afraid of the dark since I was a rather small boy.

No, but I am kind of a loner anyway. Not anti social... just dont have a strong need to be arround other people. I am alone all day with my wife at work, and the kids at school. And I am off to work before they come home in the afternoon. I work the second shift of our lab. And am the only one on second shift! So I am basicaly alone except for the weekends. So it is "normal" for me when I go out shooting by myself.

Generally, I'm fine out alone in the boonies after hours.

Twice I've had an anxiety meltdown while out in the wilderness. The first was in central California.... I was out in a rural area, about 1/2 grazing and farmland, 1/2 wild brush. I was shooting a this pretty little valley by moonlight when I started thinking about mountain lions. Once they entered into my head, I just couldn't shake the feeling that they were out there, watching me! I fought the impulse to leave for about 15 minute until I heard the most dreaded noise! From far off in the distance came a bloodcurdling ..... 'Mooooo!' For some unfathomable reason, this kicked my creeping anxiety into barely contained panic. It was all I could do to avoid running back to the car, about 1/4 mile away. Running, of course, only stimulates them (the lions, not the cows!) to attack!

And then there was 'ABANDON CAMP!' at 3am when I awoke from a Grizzly nightmare somewhere east of Grand Teton N.P.

Those two events were many years ago. Now I have no trouble driving and hiking all over the place, shooting both day and night. Sidestepping snakes and other critters has become second nature. I even ran into some killer bees the other day - with zero apprehension, I just turned around and took a detour.

Thanks for the replies guys. Maybe its because im new to trying this stuff? Also, I moved to Scotland less than a year ago and have not
walked about on my own at night until now, whereas at home, I knew where I was, and what was around me without being able to see it. If that makes sense.

Geonerd, I think what you said about having a thought that sticks! That really doesn't help!

I'm with Jeff on this one, it's not shooting alone at night that worries me, it's when other people turn up!

I could always bludgeon any robber-attackers with my mirror lens...

Pricey wrote in post #13106023
Thanks for the replies guys. Maybe its because im new to trying this stuff? Also, I moved to Scotland less than a year ago and have not
walked about on my own at night until now, whereas at home, I knew where I was, and what was around me without being able to see it. If that makes sense.

Geonerd, I think what you said about having a thought that sticks! That really doesn't help!

Hmm, there really isn't much scary stuff to worry about in Scotland. The local equivalent to geonerds mountain lions is the Scottish wildcat, which is barely bigger than a domestic tabby. Whilst they do tend to be vicious bas****s, they won't attack you unless you do a good imitation of a rabbit or similar. Badgers have a fearsome bite (and won't let go!!) but again, they won't bother you if you don't corner them. We really don't have any (non-human) predators in the UK that you need to worry about.

The Scottish highlanders are also pretty friendly these days, although as an Englishman I would be cautious about bringing up the subject of Culloden, the Glencoe Massacre, etc.

To be honest, the biggest threat to your life up there is what passes for local cuisine. With their taste for deepfrying everything (including pizza, pies and anything else that can be dunked in the fat) it is not a healthy diet. Having said that though, I must confess to being partial to a "mars bar supper" (deep fried, battered mars bar and chips) when up there.

Seriously, I have no qualms being out shooting alone at night in most parts of the UK (and that includes such 'notorious' hotbeds of crime as Manchester and Liverpool). The exception would be city centres, in some clubbing districts, as the drunks are coming out of the clubs. That is the same in most parts of the world though.

The only time I'm a bit apprehensive about being by myself while doing night shooting is when I'm somewhere where I shouldn't be....

those nights where I jump a fence to climb a hill because I saw a cool old bus up there.... I get worried about a farmer coming out with a shotgun....

Nights where I walked through the woods for a while to get to the observatory because the gate was closed and locked... I get worried about some sort of overworked, underpaid security guard with a can of mace....

occasionally when shooting in more urban areas late at night, or heck, even walking around with a bag full of camera gear.. I can get a little nervous if in an area where there are a lot of seedy characters... but, I'm more than willing to hand over all of the gear ... I would however request that they let me keep the CF card from the camera....

I love it. Its a great feeling. I usually have my mp3 player on, listening to some really atmospheric music! takes you away from all the other stresses of life and makes you humble under the great void of wonder

Thanks guys! Maybe it will grow on me. I do take my ipod but find myself turning it off so I can hear whats around me.

Although what Mark said about the atmospheric music sounds like a good idea! Any suggestions??

Only time I felt panic while shooting is while up in greenland during an attempted night season shoot I was alone by one of the permanent shelters miles from anyone. It was the darkest I've even been in outside, and suddenly remembered that there were polar bear sightings nearby a few days ago. Once in my mind I couldn't stop myself from thinking every ice crack or shift in wind was a polar bear stalking me. I packed up and used the excuse that it was "too cold" to be out there, you know for my ego and all.

As for music, I tend to listen to Sigur Ros when shooting at night, so soothing.

I'm 6'1 and 250 and built like a linebacker and brown. the kind of brown that you don't know what I am and don't want to ask. I'm very friendly and respectful but I admit that if I saw myself walking, I'd cross to the opposite street. I'm sure the gauged ears and mohawk don't help much either haha. It's nice to not have to worry about someone trying to mess with me though. I too just have my ipod in and usually some sort of calming music (last night was Journey ). I should also mention that I am legitimately afraid of the dark..

One time I decided to get a shot of a full moon. I drove out of the city limits to get away from the city lights. Parked my car on the side of the rural road. After I've set up my gears and started shooting. Not many vehicles use this road but after a second or third trucks that passes by. I started thinking what if the next vehicles that passes by stopped and demanded to hand over all my gears? Then I remember glass half-full, glass half-empty thingie, then I was fine and went back to what I was doing.

If you let fear get hold of you. You'll never get out of your house.

One time at dusk I set up camp in remote area next to dirt road, see somebody walking down road toward me, I say "How's it going?", well, "somebody" dropped to all four and high-tailed it out of there. It was Bear.

I've been followed for several miles through woods at night by Wild Pigs -- that was strange. I think they thought an animal big as me must know where to find the best acorns!

Several times after a long session I've packed the gear turned to leave and seen headlamp reflections off numerous wild eyes, some with quite wide spacing! Quite an audience I'd attracted.

One discovery I've made while living in wilderness is the World is watching us a lot more than we watch it! The phrase "God is always watching" takes on whole new meaning!