Safety considerations with extensive travel/street photography using gear that looks expensive and stands out?

[Sean]

Hi,

Just curious about our member's experiences shooting around Europe. Is having a 'flashy' looking camera asking to get mugged or the gear pinched, or do you feel unconcerned about it?

It might be better to have the gear slightly concealed under a jacket, pull out, shoot, conceal. I have no idea what to expect or if this is a concern whatsoever.

The pessimist in me wonders if opportunists floating around scoping out tourists would see me and say 'oh yeah, we got one'.

This would be my daily driver and I doubt much tripod use at all.

 

[Prest_400]

Are you planning on a long trip to Europe? Mere hospitality, should you make a stop at a nearby city, of course could show you around!

The large cities have the usual opportunistic crime based off tourism, I was a lot around Barcelona and then I had no issues. My preferred mode of carrying is with a strap around the wrist or with a strap across the body, as on the neck I had cameras bouncing around. Nowadays my EDC is a RX100 which is very compact and concealable.
It's plenty often you see tourists with similar gear around, I would be more concerned in the case of medium format. When I have had the Fuji 6x9 (aka really large) it was mostly using a backpack as I did not shoot street with it. In that case there is a point of vulnerability taking the camera in/out of the bag.
However, it is more of a personal preference to keep a low profile and as long as you are aware of your surroundings it should be ok.

I have the same question but for some locations in Asia or Latin america.

 

[Sean]

Thanks for the info, it sounds reasonable. We might be in the region as digital nomads/house sitters for quite a while. Closer to the time I would love to organise some group street photo outings!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have traveled to Europe many times, the last time was in September and October this year and never had a problem. Anywhere one should use Situational Awareness and pay attention to the surroundings. The one time I unknowingly put us in danger was in Barcelona when instead of sticking to the main streets as advised in books and at the hotel, we decided to take a short cut from the hotel to Las Ramblas. I had my camera around my neck. As we were walking, we notice that we were attracting a lot of local attention from the street and windows. Fortunately soon another tourist couple appeared behind us and was following us. The further we walked the more attention the four of us were getting. Just before we got to Las Ramblas several police cars came in with lights and sirens. A number of officer got out and escorted us the rest of the way. Then the police told us that the locals were concerned about us and who else they saw were closely watching us, so they called the police. The police told us that were in danger and never to cut through local streets in the area. The police said that since there were two couples near each other, it probably keep us safe enough to not get approached. Know the city and area that you are visiting and listen to the local's safety advice anywhere in the world.

 

[GregY]

I've travelled many times in Europe (Norway, France,Italy,Austria, Switzerland, UK)...with a number of different cameras (Fuji 6x8, Mamiya 6MF, Pentax 645, Rolleiflex, and Leica M4,M6,MP,CL)......never had any issues. Typically i don't travel weighted down with multiple bodies and a full kit of lenses. I always try to be discreet and blend in.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Wear one of these.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81dhkY1t4rL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

 

[Paul Howell]

For night street photography I recommend a 70s vintage fixed lens rangefinder, Canon 1.7 QL, Yashica made a fixed lens body with a 35mm 1.4, or AF SLR my last dedicated camera was a Pentax Z30 with K mount 50mm 1.4. Easy to keep under a coat carry a small bag, for film and a few filters. When traveling I use a old Puma Gym bag with a foam cutout in bottom for a body lens, flash, topped with a sweat shrit. As I worked in Africa in the 70s and 80s I had a luggage repair shop sew a steel cable in the strap so as hard to cut with a box cutter and the bag grabbed.

 

[ic-racer]

Who is stealing film cameras?

 

[Pieter12]

Thieves don’t examine the goods until they’re taken. A camera is a camera as far as they’re concerned. Unless maybe it’s a Leica.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

I'm from Europe, visited quite some cities and never had problems when carrying around a camera. The only place I felt unsafe was Marseille - but thats a well known criminal place.

 

[Daniela]

I've never felt unsafe walking by myself with my little cameras in touristic areas in Paris. I see plenty of guys with humongous cameras or Leicas around their necks walking seemingly without a care in the world. Your camera doesn't look that different from the ones I see in terms of size. While I don't know the statistics for camera thefts, I know for sure you wouldn't particularly stand out. In terms of concealing the camera under a jacket, I think you might attract more attention, and from police too. I say this because on rainy days I cover my camera with my scarf and I've gotten weird looks from them. There's increased security around the city (be prepared to see soldiers walking around, rifles (or whatever those are) in hand )
As with any big city, you have to remain aware and know where not to go.

In Italy, the only place where I didn't feel safe showing I had a camera was in the area around the main train station in Rome.

 

[koraks]

In Italy, the only place where I didn't feel safe showing I had a camera was in the area around the main train station in Rome.

Last time we were in Rome (3 years ago or so?) our apartment wasn't too far from Termini - and on the 'wrong' side of it, too. We walked past the station at least twice a day, and roamed the neighborhood extensively, also at night. I'm always carrying a Canon SLR which probably looks like a dSLR to most people. No problems whatsoever. Of course, if you feel unsafe somewhere, up and leave.

Knock on wood, but so far, I've never run into any problems in Europe. Some places are nicer to visit than others, but overall, it's pretty safe.

The only time I felt somewhat queasy was once in downtown Fez, Morocco (so not Europe), at night, when all the addicts had come out to roam the alleyways and you had to basically shuffle past a lot of inebriated guys who were evidently in need of some quick cash.

 

[Steve@f8]

Use a Holga and tape it up. Would anyone mug you for your camera. Only those who knows how good they are, I suppose.

 

[rcphoto]

Just be smart and be aware of what is around you. Most people that want your stuff have no idea of an expensive camera from and cheap one. They just see “camera”.

 

[Daniela]

Last time we were in Rome (3 years ago or so?) our apartment wasn't too far from Termini - and on the 'wrong' side of it, too. We walked past the station at least twice a day, and roamed the neighborhood extensively, also at night. I'm always carrying a Canon SLR which probably looks like a dSLR to most people. No problems whatsoever. Of course, if you feel unsafe somewhere, up and leave.

Yes, you have to follow your gut. We can also take hints from what other people in the same place are doing. I would have probably taken my camera out if I had seen you carrying yours...and I would have probably gotten mugged! I'm sure!

 

[jeffreyg]

My wife and I have traveled in Europe many times, Fortunately she speaks four languages which helps. If we are checking luggage and I will be driving, I take two medium format cameras each with a different focal length lens, a light meter, film, a couple of filters and a point and shoot digital camera in a camera backpack plus a tripod all as carry-on.. In the checked luggage I put an empty daypack. If we will be walking around I usually put one of the cameras plus the other lens and film in the daypack which is not obvious. We also keep our money and passports in money belts under clothes and don't dress fancy. I have some jean-like pants that have a pocket that zips closed the opposite way down to close and up to open (Columbia brand) and keep some money in it plus a credit card which helps if there are pickpockets. If we are taking only carryon I stick with a dslr and the point and shoot. So far no problems.

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[summicron1]

Stick with small and non-obtrusive -- I use a film Leica CL with just a cupla lenses and carry it in a very cheap bag -- Swiss army gas mask bag or cheap shoulder bag with a cupla pockets, nothing showy that screams RICH THING TO STEAL.
So far no problems. If you can't get the images you want with a Leica CL --- or similar small rangefinder -- Olympus XA anyone -- you need to reexamine your shooting needs.

 

[Pieter12]

If you are in a crowded, tourist area and don't look like a local, you are an opportunity for a thief. They will take anything that can be easily grabbed or pick-pocketed, some work in teams, one to distract you, the other to make off with your stuff. But paranoia can be paralyzing and will make for a terrible trip, just a little is helpful.

On the opposite side of the coin, I often will purposely dress like a tourist (even locally) so I can carry my camera openly and take photos without anyone bothering to notice or objecting.

 

[Rayt]

The tourist trail is going to have the most danger. I tend to avoid those. How many photos of the most photographed places on earth do I need to take? Around Europe outside the usual places will be safe. I travelled for work and always tag on a few days for photography and never did I feel unsafe in either Mexico City, Manila, Kolkata, anywhere in Europe even at night walking randomly looking for subject matter. Important thing is to leave everything in the hotel and have a photocopy of your passport on you if the cops want to check your papers. Take enough local currency and some USD with you. And never go into a bar in any country without the company of a local friend. If you need a drink then do it in the hotel.

 

[cliveh]

I live in Europe and have travelled several times to different European destinations, always with a leica round my neck. I don't know if Sirius Glass is trying to wind you up, but I would say it is quite safe. The main thing is to be aware of is your immediate surroundings and if you are a photographer you are anyway.

​

 

[Sirius Glass]

When I worked in Italy, I was advise to hold on to your baggage and suitcases and if someone offers to help you carry it, tell them no. This advise is good for any country including ones own.

 

[Sean]

A nice range of advice, thanks all! I'm looking forward to getting further advice on the region closer to the leap, and would no doubt love to meet up for some group outings.

 

[IMoL]

I've never had any issues in any European city, in many years of travelling around our continent. I do not like to carry cameras around my neck, I use a wrist strap and wear a bag cross-body style; the camera is in the bag when I am not actively shooting.

 

[guangong]

When I worked in Italy, I was advise to hold on to your baggage and suitcases and if someone offers to help you carry it, tell them no. This advise is good for any country including ones own.

I had an friend who, while standing at train station with all of his Hasselblad equipment in an aluminum Halliburton case between his legs, had all snatched and disappear.

 

[radialMelt]

In Barcelona last year, on two different occasions, I was warned by locals to put my camera away or leave the neighbourhood. Shooting a silver Leica MP on one occasion, and a Q2M on the other. Luckily nothing transpired in the way of altercations.

The non-incident with the MP did freak me out a little as I knew it was a bad neighbourhood, and there was a couple nefarious-looking individuals giving me very aggressive stares. That's when the local came by to warn me. I put the camera in the bag and left. This was in the middle of the afternoon in broad daylight, with plenty other tourists around.

As with all things, a little situational awareness goes a long way!