Advice from "serious" photographers, please!
 

Here's our situation: my husband will be carrying a medium format large heavy camera with a tripod in a DOMKE fanny/backpack. He plans on shooting dusk and dawn shots at the prime locations in addition to whatever else inspires him. We are hoping he captures some "poster" quality images. My concern is the fact that not only will he "stick out like a sore thumb" but, with such equipment, be very vulnerable. I have read many great posts advising caution regarding theft etc. We are unsure as to what to do to safeguard his equipment and enjoy our vacation and his shooting. Please share your experience and advice. We leave in two weeks, Rome and Florence are our main concerns, though we'll be in many other areas-we're visiting for 1 month. THANKS!!!

Not much of a photographer, but used to travel with "serious" photographers. Basically this kind of equipment, despite being tempting to a thief (far more tempting than a plain bag) is also, in a sense, self-protecting. It does not attact pickpockets, who prefer to steal cash and avoid people with valuables that can't be just spent in the first supermarket (such as a camera). This equipment attracts more professional and skilled thieves. Yet, being so heavy and encumbering, it kinda protects itself because you are always aware of it as you carry it around. CArring around this kind of equipment will make you at risk only as you sit and relax, for instance in an open-air cafè or on the steps of a churck. In these cases, just make sure that no tief will be able to get at the camera bag or at the tripod without squeezing themselves between your legs, or leave the equipment in YOUR plain sight. Do not place it on a nearby chair, place it between your legs and put one foot throught he strap of the bag. Place the tripod on the table or lean it against the chair and drape an arm across it. Just do not let your equipment out of sight or touch. Also, while pickpockets tend to work in the large crownds, these kind of thieves usually work in any ebnvironment, so do not let yourself relax too much not even in a small village. I live in Milano and I have never been robbed in the center of Milano, the one and only time I have lost anything to a thief I was in a small Tuscan village and I had left my handbag out os my sight for but a couple of minuites. When I recovered it, I had lost my brand new cell phone. My guilt, I had felt too assured and left the unguarded bag in an easy to spot place. And it was a small Tuscan village!

Thanks, Alice. We were thinking that in the small Tuscany villages, in Cinque Terre and at the Amalfi Coast, we would not be considered an attractive target. Your advice will be headed.

I'd have to agree with Alice Twain. Big camera equipment is not what your common street thief is after, but you still don't want to give them a chance to get it.<BR><BR>I generally carry 2 or 3 camera bodies and an assortment of other goodies. I'm so obvious to everyone that any sudden attention directed towards me would be seen by many.<BR><BR>I also know several photographers who carry medium format gear and have never had a problem.<BR><BR>Have a great trip. I visit the Cinque Terre area in about 10 months.<BR><BR>Lots of travel photos on my site here:<BR>http://www.jimtardio.com

Jim_Tardio:<BR><BR>Yes, medium stuff is more attractive than very professional stuff, for the simple reason that meduim stuff can still be sold for a good amount of money, butit is far easier to find someone to buy it. A thief who has stolen some very professional stuff might be in trouble when trying to sell it.

Jim, you have an awesome website and FANTASTIC pictures! Thanks so much for sharing!

From one who knows, three simple words...<BR><BR>INSURANCE<BR>INSURANCE<BR>INSURANC E.

You may have to worry more about proving your &quot;serious&quot; photographer is not, in fact, a &quot;professional&quot; photographer who may be charged a fee or required to get a permit. Some local police see &quot;tripod&quot; and think &quot;professional.&quot;

We've done this all over the world, Akin, so besides all the good advice above, let me add that you can be of great assistance by remaining aware of what's going on around you. If your husband gets as involved as mine when photographing, he is concentrated on the shot and is not so aware of the camera bag open near his feet. You can &quot;watch his back&quot;.

A fee or permit, sounds a little complicated. First I've heard about that. Even here in California he attracts attention when he is with that camera and yes, he does get so into his shooting that he is unaware of his surroundings so I will have to keep guard. I, too, will have a camera (Cannon 35mm) but will not shoot while he is. Thanks for all your inputs.

Jim -<BR><BR>Your pictures are truly great - I am Czech (first generation Canadian) and Prague is my favourite city - your pictures bring back many memories of my visits there. Now that I've seen your site I'm inspired to pack my camera and tripod (I have a question - do you travel with a smaller, lightweight tripod?) and take lots of photos on our upcoming September honeymoon to Italy. Thanks!<BR>

Glad you enjoyed the pictures, Hana &amp; Akin.<BR><BR>I do carry a Bogen table top tripod as part of my regular kit.<BR><BR>About having permits....I've had more trouble with that in the states than abroad, especially after 9/11. I was taking pictures of the Goodyear Blimp recently as it was coming in for a landing, and I almost got arrested. They told me I needed written permission, which I have now applied for.