[jbinpg]

In addition to the toilet paper, a shovel is a must.

[clackers]

In addition to the toilet paper, a shovel is a must.

Remember, dig hole beforehand, not afterwards! 😀

[hjoseph7]

First of all you got to ask yourself are the pictures you want to take, a risk to your life and equipment. If you are not getting paid, then why bother.
When I was in school, I chose 'Wildlife" as the theme for one of my final projects. Living in an urban environment, I had to visit wildlife refuge and state parks. This required that I got to those parks early enough for sunrise and stayed long enough for sunset when the wild life comes out for feeding. Often I found myself in the middle of nowhere with not one soul around except for the animals who live in those parks. Did I worry ? Not much, I mean the thought did come into mind especially when all of a sudden, someone came out of the bushes to say hello. However, to this day I'm still alive and none of my equipment has ever been stolen.


Most of these parks have minimum/maximum hours anyway where they allow vehicles in or out. These hours usually range from 7:00AM through 8:00PM. If you are caught inside the park before or after those hours then you are putting yourself in a precarious situation. Not to say that some evil jail-escapee might be lying in the woods, but that there is no one around in the park at that time to help you in case you get in trouble.


Being a photographer and carrying expensive equipment around, you have to be sensitive of your environment and be aware(not paranoid) of things that could happen, but these days that can go for cell phones also. Talking about cell phones makes sure you have on you before you decide to visit a national park. You might want to carry some Mace and/or some Brass knuckles, if it makes you feel more secure, but I never did....

[bertwert]

In addition to the toilet paper, a shovel is a must.

Roll a rock out a hole, roll it back in afterwards.
If you leave the shovel at home, you can carry another lens

[KatPal]

Fenix RC40 Flashlight - REI.com

3,500 lm, 710 m throw

Bwahaha, you are killin' me:-) I cannot pass up on a good comeback, as in, please entertain me!!

---------- Post added 01-20-16 at 10:57 AM ----------

No you don't apply this theory the same way. But even if you had - your risk and the risk of a typical average woman is quite different. This isn't about being paranoid. It's about being smart. If you take the risk, you take reasonable precautions. Your situation is not at the same risk levels. Your response is similar to the person paralyzed by fear - you have just gone the opposite way - the risk is small therefore it doesn't exist. Fine - stop wearing seatbelts, stop worrying about smoking, stop worrying about blood pressure, etc. At some point all of these risks can be considered small enough to be insignificant... unless you do the opportunity cost and determine that the effort to reduce risk is reasonable. At some point the effort to reduce risk is unreasonable - everyone makes different decisions around that but as long as the decision is rational it makes sense. Saying if you don't worry it won't happen - that's just wrong and insulting to those who do need to worry at least a little to make sure they are not going to regret not worrying later.

I think I would prefer a world were we are all androgynous, so that way we all have same chances of fighting each other. Also, my husband could have our children instead of me one day!

---------- Post added 01-20-16 at 11:04 AM ----------

In urban areas, I try to look as plain, bordering on grubby, as I can. I carry a small kit (purse-like shoulder bag with camera and a few primes and my small travel tripod). So far it has kept me out of trouble wandering through the cities I visit. I think pepper spray is probably a good measure for you although I figure my tripod and even my camera might be used for defense if it came to it. I also try to carry myself in a way that says I belong there. I've had homeless guys hang out and tell their life stories to me while I shoot but never felt like they were a threat. Giving those guys a few dollars doesn't hurt either, especially if you might come back sometime.

In wilderness I feel much more at home and have never had a run-in with hostile wildlife or people. I just try to be aware, identify my likely risks beforehand, and be prepared for the things you know you will encounter like the risk of falling, avalanche, or exposure. Something like a Spot Navigator is a good idea if you go solo. I should probably get one but I haven't done it yet. Don't count on cell service, there often isn't any in truly remote areas.
My wife sometimes comes along, but usually doesn't. She's not that interested in photos when it's -20 and it can add stress for us both.
I also sometimes bring a friend or another photographer but the majority of my shoots happen solo and I like it that way.

I think for your urban outings, a camera club or some kind of group is probably a good idea, at least until you get more accustomed to doing this kind of thing.
If you ever want to catch a sunrise around Gunnison County (scenic Colorado) I'd let you come along with me if you like. I'm pretty harmless.

Yes, I am planning a trip to Colorado hopefully in Spring(wanted to go in October but got dissuaded by weather predictions, ended up going to frozen Utah in December, hahaha).
I am torn- basically I spend hours on end forgetting about time and world, when I am alone spying on birds, and when I did take a person who is not into photography or birds/animals, they would get impatient in about 20 mins. So I need something of a photographic or naturalist soulmate, who understands that:
1. time is not real, home will still be there in 5 hours
2. we don't have to talk too much.

---------- Post added 01-20-16 at 11:05 AM ----------

Too funny, my wife who finds me to be a complete nerd, which I secretly am, actually has come to enjoy my photo outings. I just have to make it fun for her, and she now calls it "Photo Safari" which is kind of cool because without me even bringing it up she will now even plans for the upcoming weekend to go on a Photo Safari. The challenge, which she likes, is just finding some place that SHE will find interesting to explore (and if she can bring the dog that helps). Then, find an out of the way place to have a cocktail and some food and explore the local culture - Photo Safari rocks and my wife likes it because she feels involved and can pick the location and subject, and she also has dubbed herself Location Manager and Chief Photo Assistant (i.e. she gets to carry my bag with water bottle)...after safari cocktails help too.

Aren't we all just a large children? It always makes me sooooo happy to read about enthusiasm of grown ups.

---------- Post added 01-20-16 at 11:13 AM ----------

Some good advice here.

To me, most sensationlised attacks, such as Shark, Crocodile, Bear or Snake Bite get a lot of attention, whilst most people just end up lost, dehydrated, injured or suffer from exposure etc leading to more common serious consequences. Most of these things are brought about by a human condition..... called ignorance.

Like most things, urban or country, consider the enviroment your going into, prepare accordingly, have some form of communications with you (if possible), consider how you'd self rescue, be appropiately attired etc. In the end, we are all going to die sometime, it's very natural.....take stock of any irrational fears and work through them to ensure you've lived.

And remember, sunsets were created especially for those of us that aren't morning people.

Yes, you may be right about sunsets:-) It is funny-I am not really scared of death, as my daily philosophy is you never know how much time we have left or how and when we die(that's why I am irate when my boss informs me on friday night me we have to work the weekend)
My ideal scenario to go out of this world wood be on a mountain meadow or in a forest, while cottontails lick my face.
Either way, I am hell bent on exploring and escaping regular daily routine(which is a necessary evil to earn the money I use for my outings and photography).
That is why I am trying to find a way to be less scared of those magical off-times outdoors. If I get over this fear and my lack of discipline in the morning, my ideal scenario would be go out shooting early morning even before going to office(we have few natural areas close by), and be able to manage some outings before breakfast on weekends, that way I would not have to encroach on our "together" weekend plans every time or get resentful that I did not get my time outdoors.

---------- Post added 01-20-16 at 11:14 AM ----------

In addition to the toilet paper, a shovel is a must.

Bwahaha-now, you are just growing the pile of things that I need!!!

---------- Post added 01-20-16 at 11:16 AM ----------

Roll a rock out a hole, roll it back in afterwards.
If you leave the shovel at home, you can carry another lens

I am totally picturing this scenario of a gleeful squee when I find a suitable rock! Very practical.

[mikeSF]

to the OP, I shoot almost exclusively morning and evening twilight and in my experience there are far fewer baddies awake at 4am. I'll take pre-dawn over evening in the city any day.

As much as i appreciate the inherent safety of shooting in groups, one of my favorite aspects about photography is the alone factor, so I much prefer to be out there by myself, experiencing the world. With the recent uptick in photographer targeted violence and robbery, I am less thrilled about it naturally, and am constantly aware of anyone who approaches me. The pack of coyotes does not concern me near as much as a couple of suspicious looking humans headed my way, lol.

[BrianR]

Too funny, my wife who finds me to be a complete nerd, which I secretly am, actually has come to enjoy my photo outings. I just have to make it fun for her, and she now calls it "Photo Safari" which is kind of cool because without me even bringing it up she will now even plans for the upcoming weekend to go on a Photo Safari. The challenge, which she likes, is just finding some place that SHE will find interesting to explore (and if she can bring the dog that helps). Then, find an out of the way place to have a cocktail and some food and explore the local culture - Photo Safari rocks and my wife likes it because she feels involved and can pick the location and subject, and she also has dubbed herself Location Manager and Chief Photo Assistant (i.e. she gets to carry my bag with water bottle)...after safari cocktails help too.

I'm lucky to have a nature loving girlfriend and whenever I pause on a hike to photographing something, she had probably already stopped to inspect the native plants.

So I'd like to make a toast to all the wives/husbands/partners who put up with our photo-excursions, and a double toast to those who've found a way to enjoy themselves!

I too get away to nature to be away from people,so it is a bit hard for me to just make new friends, but maybe if I find similar minded recluse we will just keep each other semi silent company:-)

For years, I've been trying to form a Reclusive Photographer Association. No one ever turns up to meetings.

[mattb123]

Remember, dig hole beforehand, not afterwards! 😀

And hope things aren't getting urgent and the ground isn't frozen!

[sherrvonne]

I put on blue jeans and a grey snap front shirt for men. Not feminine at all. No makeup, braided back hair. The camera pack and tripod. Most people walk a very big circle around so as not to disturb me. This works most of the time. I have a plastic that can encase the bag should it rain. The most dangerous thing we usually encounter are the snakes especially since copperheads tend to stay put thus increasing the chances of a passerby to step on them. At one park the Rangers know who I am and regularly look for 'strays'. Lol, if something happens we can call and they will come get us.

[TaoMaas]

to the OP, I shoot almost exclusively morning and evening twilight and in my experience there are far fewer baddies awake at 4am. I'll take pre-dawn over evening in the city any day.

That's an extremely good point! When I was shooting dawn in our downtown area, I used to tell people the same thing. Bad guys may stay up late, but they don't get up early.

I note that the OP is living in Northern New Jersey, and that some of the comments in response assume that the legal system and laws that obtain in the place of residence of those responding apply universally. Bear spray may be illegal in NJ, and where I live you don't need advance permission to photograph in cemetaries (unless the property is posted with signs prohibiting trespassing). I'm not an attorney in NJ, so I'm not really clear about the rules that apply there, but I know they require their citizens to be defenseless (strict weapons control laws). So my advice is, if you're going to stay in the People's Democratic Republic of New Jersey, avoid bad areas and times, because when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. And if you go to South Jersey (to use the local slang, and not intending to disparage the "real" Jersey), stay in your car and keep the windows rolled up.

---------- Post added 2016-01-21 at 08:17 AM ----------

...Aren't we all just a large children? It always makes me sooooo happy to read about enthusiasm of grown ups. ......

Sadly, no, we're not. Most people aren't "light", they're "heavy".

[Message was censored due to my having quoted a guy who has become associated in many people's minds with "religion". The guy I quoted himself often railed at the evils of religion and said that the religious people were, in effect, barking up the wrong tree. I'd thought he'd said something useful and apropos of the prior message I'd quoted; but according to the moderator, many people objected to my having done so. To those people, I apologize. I can sympathize with their sensitivity, seeing as how religion is inherently abusive, and I ought to be more aware of the things that poke people's buttons. People who are in victim mode are like people who are allergic to peanuts, and we ought to be careful to avoid provoking a shock to the system of either group.

By the way, I think the entire thread about "seasonal" theme pictures is objectionable on the same basis. That thread is just dripping with religion.

I also apologize to the patriotic citizens of New Jersey who have written to me indicating their own sensitivities to my satirical remarks about The Garden State. Though I'm still not sure why the people there are legally prohibited from having the means to defend themselves.]

[Blue]

That's an extremely good point! When I was shooting dawn in our downtown area, I used to tell people the same thing. Bad guys may stay up late, but they don't get up early.

I am aware of several robberies and muggings between 6 am and 8 am in the area near where I work including a college professor that got robbed on the sidewalk and a lady going through an atm drive through. An attempt was made on me while pumping gas at 3 pm on a Saturday.

[KatPal]

I did not mean to have anyone start heated discussions:-) I'll be fine- everyone gave some really nice tips!

[csa]

This is a very interesting thread that has brought up many good points. Don't let a few squabbles discourage you from continuing the discussion!

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

Could always get a nice wide angle lens and do some night shooting from a kayak like I do... lol.