Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

FM Forum Rules
Landscape Posting Guidelines

FM Forums | Landscape Photographer | Join Upload & Sell

end

Archive 2013 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

PeakPhoto
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

Being in Montana it's never people I worry about, but animals.

So I really find carrying a gun useless at night. As someone else said, a grizzly doing a full charge at you in the middle of the night your aim is going to be terrible. I always carry bear spray, there is no aiming, it just creates a wall that is sure to stop any animal in it's tracks (including people). And I know this from experience when a canister accidently went off in my apartment this year. I felt like I was on fire. Then it affected everyone for the next month who came into my apartment.

I'm often by myself, but when I can I try to bring a friend. Most bear attacks happen when you surprise the bear, so making noise and talking is a great way to let wildlife know you're there.

Mar 09, 2013 at 01:17 AM

LandPirate
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

I don't feel that I'm paranoid at all. I believe that a healthy dose of caution is warranted in certain areas. Anywhere along the southern US border is one of those areas.

I deer hunt on a ranch south of Hebbronville, TX. The ranch is 14,000 acres and located only 20 miles north of Lake Falcon. Y'all may remember about two years ago when a jet skiing couple wandered onto the Mexican side of the lake. Cartel members chased them and ultimately shot the husband, killing him.

The ranch is also located south of the interior checkpoint (Border Patrol). This means that smugglers must leave the highway and trek through the brush to get around the checkpoint. It's not uncommon to sit in your deer blind and see the occasional group of illegals moving through the brush or crossing a sendero. We've had them wander into camp wanting food and/or water. We usually accommodate them, send them on their way and then call Border Patrol. The BP will come in and pick them up. Sometimes they come through at night, so we don't leave any weapons in vehicles over night. We don't leave vehicles unlocked and we don't leave keys in vehicles.

The borderlands are an entirely different world than what we are used to. Caution is certainly warranted. These same regions are also very scenic and attractive to people for the beauty. I say go and enjoy these lands but be mindful of the potential dangers and understand that if all goes wrong you'll be on your own for some time before help arrives. Be prepared.

If you're not comfortable carrying a firearm, then be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right simply leave the area. Putting distance between you and any potential threat, real or perceived, is the best course of action.

Mar 09, 2013 at 09:50 AM

ckcarr
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

It's a different world today. Different from even 20 years ago. The ability to protect oneself is paramount. IF something were to happen, you will be on your own. The government won't do it. And it's questionable whether they even care anymore. Borders are wide open, they (the government) can't protect the National Parks (instead they issue warnings to U.S. citizens instead of cleaning them up), and strangely enough there are actually bad people in the world. Yes, it's an unusual circumstance when an attack occurs, but it should be, shouldn't it? So saying "it won't ever happen" doesn't answer the question as to how best protect oneself. And dogs, they generally are not allowed in the national parks, unless they are leashed and or in the car. But you can't take a dog out with you. BLM is different of course. Without question, avoidance of certain types is the best defense, but that's a pretty unrealistic scenario.

Even a tripod with a good ball head will make a good club.
A nice light folding knife in your pocket doesn't hurt.
Bear spray may or may not work. If you are thinking fast enough to unlock the safety on the can.
Concealed carry versus open carry are different laws, and vary state by state. If you choose to carry, know how to handle a weapon, take some training. Realistically, most won't carry a firearm because they are heavy, or it's so ingrained in them because of their political beliefs... However, carrying does not mean you ever would have to draw the weapon, show the weapon, or let alone ever shoot someone. It's just a higher level of personal security.

But, self defense, and how you go about it, should be your choice.

(I knew this had come up before, here's an old thread) https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1014690/0

Mar 09, 2013 at 10:12 AM

camboman
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

I carry a small, aluminum tactical flashlight, it's very bright and has a flashing "strobe" mode. It could also be used as a club for self defense - the edge of the front is sculpted to inflict more damage than a smooth edge. I always have this in the pocket of my jacket - it makes me feel safer when I'm out alone. You need at least one light anyway, it may as well be one that does double duty for safety.

The best thing is - there are optional colored filters that slip on the front for light painting!

Mar 09, 2013 at 11:24 AM

RobCD
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

blueimage wrote:
For good flashlights, the options cover a vast range of pricing and ability....I use a Lupine 'Betty'. The Lupine lights are German made, and expensive, but they are a precision instrument like your camera gear - they turn the darkest night into day, and take the mystery out of setting up your composition in the dark. They also have very even light for painting if you wish to employ that in your image.

Jim

I thought I was prepared for your definition of expensive until I clicked on the link

Mar 09, 2013 at 03:03 PM

astro-ep
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

RobCD wrote:
I thought I was prepared for your definition of expensive until I clicked on the link

!

The cost per lumen has definitely come down. Depending on brand, you can get ~2500 lumens(lm), with nice build quality, for under $200 with batteries and charger. You can get 3500+lm for ~$400. I carry one, when walking my dog at night, to let the cars know where I am. The oncoming cars slow down and aren't really sure what to think. The only problem is that I see stars, when I shut it off.

Eric

Mar 11, 2013 at 09:08 AM

Mark Metternich
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

I have had a lot of risky/potentially dangerous situations, many from animals like bear, or rattle snakes... Often from human beings like: coming up on a satanic cult deep in the mts, or druggies strung out on crack, or people targeting me (or my tour clients) for theft or going into a territory where people are doing shady things (growing marijuana) and you accidentally (and dangerously) are in their turf, or natives who may be sensitive to you being in their area or just wanting to cause trouble, or street gangs targeting my equipment, or just wanting to be hostile. All I can say is: preparation helps to avoid desperation. In most cases (even the gang situation) a large can of bear mace has sufficed. For theft, insurance. But, lastly, we have to control our fears and face them. Another big one I had was the dark and isolation for long periods of time. Some cant even handle that (my main shooting partner just got back from the SW going solo and asked me "how do you do it?"). I have done this for upwards to a month before. In a word, passion for the work and often simply manning up. Face your fears head on.

Mar 11, 2013 at 01:01 PM

gdanmitchell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

Mark Metternich wrote:
But, lastly, we have to control our fears and face them.

+1

Without diminishing real dangers in the unusual and few situations in which they exist, much of the "danger" that people fear is in their minds more than in the world.

In most ways, there are fewer real external dangers in the places in which many of us do our photography than there are in the modern urban world.

Mar 11, 2013 at 01:57 PM

toddlambert
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

Hmmm.... I have and often do, shoot in less than ideal places while being alone.

I've shot in the 9th Ward of New Orleans both pre and post Katrina, after midnight, alone. I've shot in many large cities at night. I've shot in random rundown locations all over the place and I've never had any major issues.

I try to keep my wits about me as much as possible, and just be very vigilant of my surroundings. I have carried a firearm with me, and yes, it does make you feel a bit better mentally, but I've never had a need or even felt that a handgun would have even helped in most circumstances.

I generally don't like to carry it with me though, as I tend to do a lot of trespassing and there's nothing that will escalate a harmless trespassing into something much more serious, very quickly.

I rely on my good looks and charisma to get me out of most things. When that doesn't work, is when I'm in trouble.

I did recently have a scenario where I got a little spooked. I was down on the Rio Grande, just west of Big Bend park. I was all by myself and there wasn't anyone else around for miles. Thoughts about gangs, human traffickers and cartels started to cross my mind, as I was essentially standing on the US/TX border, in the middle of nowhere, with at least $15k worth of gear on me.

I basically just put it out of my mind, went back to working and trying to keep my surroundings in check. Once again, everything worked out okay.

Mar 11, 2013 at 02:04 PM

John Richter
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

I've had my hackles stand up many times. From shooting Seattle at night or hiking in with a headlamp into the mountains. I normally do the headlamp hiking with a friend. But, sometimes you just need to venture out unexpectedly and you take your chances. I don't carry a gun. If I had to, and I had the time, I wouldn't hesitate to use my tripod as a baseball bat. Even if my camera was mounted on it.

One time I was shooting stars over Mt. Rainier at Reflection Lakes. Middle of the night, and just from the road. It's pitch black and you can hear every noise there is. The headlamp can reach only so far. Imagination already kinda running wild, I took a shot and there in the LCD was the head of a bear. Holy crap! Where did he come from? My head was darting around looking for this beast. Couldn't see anything. Then it hit me, my headlamp was on and I had a shirt on with a picture of a bear where the head was reflecting like a mirror on the LCD. I laughed so hard and loud, I more than likely scared off any bears and other creatures that were lurking.

JBR

Mar 12, 2013 at 01:43 AM

astro-ep
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

John Richter wrote:
I had a shirt on with a picture of a bear where the head was reflecting like a mirror on the LCD.

Ha ha ha... ROTFL. That's hilarious.

Mar 12, 2013 at 08:12 AM

dgdg
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

gdanmitchell wrote:
+1

Without diminishing real dangers in the unusual and few situations in which they exist, much of the "danger" that people fear is in their minds more than in the world.

In most ways, there are fewer real external dangers in the places in which many of us do our photography than there are in the modern urban world.

And then you have to realize the risk of harming someone unintentionally (friend, family, curious person) or having your weapon used against you. Since I am not paid for photos, I just avoid serious risks to a reasonable extent.

Mar 12, 2013 at 08:56 AM

gdanmitchell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

toddlambert wrote:
I have carried a firearm with me,...

I tend to do a lot of trespassing...

I wonder if it has ever occurred to you that your actions are precisely the reason that some other people in the areas where you photograph might contemplate carrying and using lethal weapons? And what will you do when people in the areas in which you trespass feel threatened and use their weapons to defend themselves against your suspicious intrusion?

Do you see a problem here?

Mar 12, 2013 at 09:45 AM

toddlambert
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

Thanks for your concern Dan, but I'd appreciate if you could please keep my quote intact instead of trying to obviously skew what I said, so that you can get on a high horse with it. Thanks.

Mar 12, 2013 at 10:34 AM

ckcarr
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

Utah empowers individuals, unlike states that dis-empower individuals. So if you don't like the rules - best keep away!

Utah Senate OKs bill that would allow concealed carry without permit
March 12th, 2013 @ 1:27pm
KSL. com

SALT LAKE CITY — Tuesday, the Utah Senate approved a controversial gun bill that would allow Utahns to carry concealed firearms without a permit.

Senate endorses bill allowing concealed guns to be carried without permit.

The Utah Senate HB76. "This is something that strengthens the right to carry a firearm."

The Senate voted 19-6 in favor of the measure in a preliminary vote. It would need to pass once more before it could be sent to the governor for consideration.

Mar 13, 2013 at 09:51 AM

darknite
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Night & Morning Photo Safety

ckcarr wrote:
The reports had been on the radio all day, though he hadn't paid much attention to them. Some crazy man had escaped from the state asylum. They were calling him the Hook Man since he had lost his right arm and had it replaced with a hook. He was a killer, and all the photographers in the region were warned to keep watch and report anything suspicious since they traveled frequently in remote locations. But this didn't concern him. He was more worried about those star trails on this perfect moonless night.

When he finally hit the main highway, his heartbeat...Show more →

ckcarr.... Thanks for the great story! OTOH, when I actually

'd a few people turned to look. Good thing I wasn't downing a Dr. Pepper or the laptop would have been toast. Brought back good memories of late night campfires in scouts. Too bad I didn't have a camera back then, lots less light and air pollution to contend with.

Mar 22, 2013 at 12:27 PM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Landscape Photographer \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.