Running around the City with a big white lens...

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georgefun99
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p.2 #1 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Here comes the old gun arguements again.....

Pixel Perfect understands a little about the human thought process. Crimes are committed when people THINK they can get away with it! Ignore that fact of life and you will become one of the victims at some point. Denial and/or saying it shouldn't be that way doesn't change the possibility. Telling someone else they shouldn't defend themselves (using an effective defense strategy, yes guns are effective), is the equivelant of saying you want them to be helpless victims. Where is the human compassion, especially for your fellow photographers!

Before someone claims this is off topic, re-read the original poster statement regarding personal security in an uncertain world. I have had similar fears as I go around with the 70-200 2.8 IS, I never got as many looks from the Sigma 70-200 2.8 which is about the same size, but black!

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 05:57 AM

Mar 27, 2008 at 05:54 AM

J.D.
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p.2 #2 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Never had a problem in the city, even with the 300/2.8L up. I guess people don't really care about it that much and it would be pretty hard to conceal if someone tried to run off with it anyway.

The only time I get nervous is on beaches. People get funny ideas that you're shooting for a paedophile website or some other nonsense. At that point I feel a lot less safe than I would on the street. I know a female PJ who was threatened by an angry mob on the beach one hot summers' day last year. She was just doing her job. It hasn't happened to me yet but people are so paranoid and reactive these days I'm resigned to the fact that it probably will one day.

I'll never own or carry a gun. No point in going there. This is about photography.

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 06:39 AM

Mar 27, 2008 at 06:38 AM

Yakim Peled
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p.2 #3 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

claudermilk wrote:
Yakim Peled wrote:
WilsonImages wrote:
use a shorter lens...get involved in the picture instead of sniping...

todd

But when you get involved they notice you.....

Happy shooting,
Yakim.
Then hang out for a bit so they get used to you & start to ignore you. I don't do much street shooting, and that little bit is mostly at some kind of event (county fair for example). I usually use the 24-70 and have the gear hanging--no hiding what I'm up to. I'll get the occasional reaction to the brick, but usually can get my shot.

But the ignorance ends again when I put the camera to my eye….

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:03 AM

Yakim Peled
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p.2 #4 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

georgefun99 wrote:
I have had similar fears as I go around with the 70-200 2.8 IS, I never got as many looks from the Sigma 70-200 2.8 which is about the same size, but black!

The Nikon guys will be happy. Their lenses are all black…..

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:06 AM

Kurt Paris
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p.2 #5 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Thanks for the replies!

Personally i have no problem in both getting involved and sniping. I think that both approaches yield different photos and its not always possible to go with one or the other - particularly where there is the risk of someone getting offended.

My main concern was the security aspect - i come from malta which is a small, extremely safe place, however when i'm abroad in the city its comforting to know that i'm not running around with a big target mark on my back if i choose to use my larger lenses.

On a funny side note: For beach work there is this great product by opteka! :P http://www.opteka.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=50

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:28 AM

Gerry Kerr
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p.2 #6 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

I have to say I never had a problem and never felt threatened. I typically use a 1DMKii (now a Mkiii) and a 70-200 f2.8 IS for city candids not once have felt insecure. I travelled in India, africa, Aisa, Iran, Cuba and would regularly go off the beaten track.

Gerry

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:30 AM

RalphJ
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p.2 #7 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Maybe you can't carry or afford more kit, but the 135/2 or even 200/2.8 (without hoods) aren't intimidating at all on a 5D or smaller camera.

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:51 AM

RobertLynn
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p.2 #8 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

pipspeak wrote:
RobertLynn wrote:
I carry a pistol, and I'm also trained in Judo/JuJitsu. Fighting someone off isn't my concern.

Good lord. You sound almost as creepy as the guy pictured above

I don't think I'm creepy. I avoid confrontation at all costs. If I'm attacked, I'd do what's needed to get to safety. If I was in a position where I had to defend myself, what more can I do? Lay there and take it? No, when someone wishes harm on you, you've got to beat them to it.

More on topic, when I was in San Fran in 04 I was doing a lot of candids. Granted, they weren't good candids, but they were what they were. I was using a Canon Powershot G3. Most of the people didn't notice, however a few confronted me afterwards. Quick use of the menu and deleting their shot saved a lot of arguements (You took my picture, no sir I'm afraid you're mistaken, I was taking this picture "shows picture").

Where I live now, there's no so much like bustling walkers all through the streets. When you think of the big city you can think of people walking through the city streets, and the oppourtunities for those shots are there. Basically if you're walking on the street here, you see the other person and they see you.

My biggest concern like I said wouldn't be the fight or anything, it would be the confrontation. Is it really worth the picture when some ass is getting irate over it? I'd rather go through life and not make some random stranger mad. Doesn't mean I won't do candids, I'll just be catious about it, and hopefully my approach will work, if they ask I'll delete the shot. Then again if they know I took it, how candid was it.

I think a few rules of thumb would be, don't take pictures of a crowd that is a demographic of people who would be inclined to kick your butt because of your demographic.

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 12:37 PM

Mar 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM

wilsonprince
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p.2 #9 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Yeah I would definitely confront someone taking my picture without permission. I would not strike that person with my fist, but I would let them know that I think paparazzi shots should be limited to celebrities and those who willingly put their likeness into the public arena for exploitation.

Mar 27, 2008 at 01:02 PM

Gerry Kerr
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p.2 #10 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

wilsonprince wrote:
Yeah I would definitely confront someone taking my picture without permission. I would not strike that person with my fist, but I would let them know that I think paparazzi shots should be limited to celebrities and those who willingly put their likeness into the public arena for exploitation.

And yet, that person is perfectly entitled to take the picture assuming you are both in a public place!

Gerry

Mar 27, 2008 at 01:35 PM

wilsonprince
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p.2 #11 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

at their own risk....not everyone is as nice as I am.

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 02:02 PM

Mar 27, 2008 at 02:00 PM

duncanidaho332
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p.2 #12 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Yakim Peled wrote:
First thing I do is to look around .. with the camera in the bag or pointed down. When I spot such a shooting opportunity I pull it out quickly, make the all the necessary arrangements (e.g. pre-selecting focal length ...) with my back to the subject and only when all is set I turn around and shoot.

This behaviour might seem a little odd to a member of the public. Here in London, odd behaviour with a camera can have its own consequences as the police here are fuelling the every-photographer-is-a-terrorist campaign.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Photographic-suspicions

Mar 27, 2008 at 02:22 PM

Yakim Peled
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p.2 #13 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

That's funny. Israel is a country which fought for it's existence since its birth, 60 years ago. Wars and terrorist acts are - unfortunately - our almost daily bread'n'butter from the cradle. It has its peaceful times but this issue is never far from our minds (just watch the news). Nevertheless, if I am not near a security facility, nobody seems to mind if I am taking pictures anywhere.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Mar 27, 2008 at 02:40 PM

reprobate
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p.2 #14 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

This whole string provides an excellent argument for adding a G9, or equivalent, to your kit. Small, easily concealed, quick to deploy, and provides a pretty good file (particularly if you shoot in RAW).

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 02:42 PM

Mar 27, 2008 at 02:41 PM

Johan Booysen
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p.2 #15 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Glassbottle wrote:
I live in South Africa, a high-crime country. I work for a newspaper that employs many photographers and fits them out with the latest gear.

Of the four in my office, none has ever been mugged, to my knowledge. And I think I would have heard of muggings among the eight or so photographers at head office, but I haven't.

Even bad places aren't as bad as we fear.

I live in South Africa as well and considering how horrible crime is over here I have only heard of one incident of photographers being mugged(I'm sure there are more). It was when I was still studying a group of 5 or 6 students were out for an assignment and got mugged. They were in a dodgy area right around sunset so I guess it's a case of wrong place at the wrong time. They didn't even have any pro equipment as far as I'm aware.

I think the biggest danger in SA would be for tourists who might not always know where these dodgy areas are.

I have felt slightly unsafe at times but I think it may be that I'm overly paranoid about crime at the moment. (Walking around with a 70-200 F2.8)

Mar 27, 2008 at 03:13 PM

sperraglia
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p.2 #16 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

It doesn't minimize the size, but I like the lens coat. I usually get the black one to go over my "white" lens - it just makes the lens a little less obvious.

Mar 27, 2008 at 03:42 PM

Jerren
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p.2 #17 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

I will not be a victim under any circumstances while I'm out on the street shooting. I will protect my self to the maxium legal limit.

A Leica rangefinder would be a good camera to use. They are quite costly though.

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 06:46 PM

Mar 27, 2008 at 06:42 PM

thehawkins
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p.2 #18 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

I haven't had any problems with being the obnoxious guy with a SLR in 35 countries in the last 5 years.

Just be aware of your surroundings, practice good street smarts and if you feel like you're going to be assaulted, duck into a high-end establishment for a cup of tea.

Mar 27, 2008 at 08:03 PM

pipspeak
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p.2 #19 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Marc Kurth wrote:
Here comes the old gun arguements again.....

Well this board is about shooting... people shooting their kids, cars, members of sports teams...

FWIW I've always hated the expression "shooting" to describe taking photos.

Edited by pipspeak on Mar 27, 2008 at 01:44 PM GMT

Edited on Mar 27, 2008 at 09:44 PM

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:35 PM

pipspeak
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p.2 #20 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

georgefun99 wrote:

Crimes are committed when people THINK they can get away with it!

Problem is there are some people in some areas with rather irrational ideas of what they can get away with, whether due to the influence of drugs, peers or simple bravado. Ain't no way of predicting the behaviour of an armed and desperate crackhead.

But street smarts have always served me well. I'll be crossing briefly into Haiti in a few months from the DR and in that case armed UN personnel will hopefully serve me well, too!

Mar 27, 2008 at 09:42 PM

reprobate
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p.2 #21 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

pipspeak wrote:

I'll be crossing briefly into Haiti in a few months from the DR and in that case armed UN personnel will hopefully serve me well, too!

I have had several experiences with "armed UN personnel" in various areas of the world.

Armed personnel, particularly armed UN personnel (generally contract troops from economically disadvantaged African and from other third world countries, but also on occasion from the US, Canada or northern European countries) are only as good as their training and their willingness to use that training, along with their weapons. In very recent times there are a number of people, in Africa for example, who bet their lives on the willingness and the abilities of armed UN personnel to defend them, and who have lost that bet. They are no longer with us. Google that, and get an eyeful.

I also have spent time on Hispaniola, on both sides of the Haiti / DR border. Without belaboring the point, Haiti today is troubled. Their populace gives the overused expression "grinding poverty" a refreshed perspective. You, or more accurately, the cool stuff that you will be carrying around with you might prove to be somebody's temporary solution to that poverty.

Don't bet your life, or your property, on the ability or willingness of those UN personnel to protect you or your property. I wouldn't - I know too much about them.

Come back in one piece, along with whatever stuff you took with you, and tell us about your experiences there.

Mar 27, 2008 at 10:11 PM

l.g.c.
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p.2 #22 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

pipspeak wrote:
georgefun99 wrote:

But street smarts have always served me well. I'll be crossing briefly into Haiti in a few months from the DR and in that case armed UN personnel will hopefully serve me well, too!

Street smarts would make you understand how foolish that might be.

Mar 27, 2008 at 11:06 PM

mdude85
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p.2 #23 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

pipspeak wrote:
Marc Kurth wrote:
Here comes the old gun arguements again.....

Well this board is about shooting... people shooting their kids, cars, members of sports teams...

FWIW I've always hated the expression "shooting" to describe taking photos.

Edited by pipspeak on Mar 27, 2008 at 01:44 PM GMT

Interesting .. I've always hated the expression "shooting" to describe using a gun.

Mar 27, 2008 at 11:17 PM

pipspeak
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p.2 #24 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

reprobate wrote:
I also have spent time on Hispaniola, on both sides of the Haiti / DR border. Without belaboring the point, Haiti today is troubled. Their populace gives the overused expression "grinding poverty" a refreshed perspective. You, or more accurately, the cool stuff that you will be carrying around with you might prove to be somebody's temporary solution to that poverty.

Don't bet your life, or your property, on the ability or willingness of those UN personnel to protect you or your property. I wouldn't - I know too much about them.

What were you doing there? It's probably the area I'll be in, part of a group of lawyers on a fact-finding mission with a posse of Dominicans and a few Brazilian peacekeepers.

Frankly I'll be putting far more faith in my equipment insurance policy than in the UN folks

Edited on Mar 28, 2008 at 12:41 AM

Mar 28, 2008 at 12:41 AM

RGS65
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p.2 #25 · Running around the City with a big white lens...

Ditch the long lens and do it like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dipTqJfiE4

Mar 28, 2008 at 01:02 AM


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