Photography Safety

How often do we think about safety when we’re out taking photographs with our camera? Does the thought even cross your mind? In most cases, safety never even enters our mind until it’s too late.

Safety while out taking photos should be on every photographer’s mind before they even step out the door. Many things can happen when you’re out photographing, take it from somebody who knows first hand. In the winter of 2007, I was in the woods close to my apartment photographing wildlife. I saw a squirrel’s tail flickering behind a tree, so I decided to try and sneak around without spooking the squirrel. I was watching the squirrel’s tail instead of watching where I was stepping and I slipped on ice. I ended up breaking my right arm right under my shoulder. I slipped three times before I was able to make it back to my apartment. Why did this happen? Very easily because instead of watching where I was stepping, I was watching a squirrel’s tail. I was careless and I paid the price for my carelessness. This is why most accidents happen when taking photographs; instead of paying attention to what’s going on around us, we’re concentrating on getting that photo.

Getting carried away with your photography can be dangerous. You should always pay attention to what is going on around you and what you are doing. I know it’s very easy to see something you think will make a good photograph and your mind goes blank except for getting that photograph. If you’re lucky, nothing
will happen or you may just end up with a broken camera, if you not so lucky you could end up losing your camera or your life. Do you cross a busy highway right at that spot or do you wait and walk to a street crossing to cross the street? Do you watch the traffic around you, both pedestrian and vehicular traffic? Here in Moscow, street maintenance vehicles often pass close by or on sidewalks. You could be standing on a sidewalk trying to get a shot of an old church and not notice that a street cleaning truck is passing by, you and your couple of thousand dollar camera could end up being soaked and I do mean soaked. The spray of water and chemical are strong and not only knock you down, but destroy your camera for good.

What about watching where you’re stepping, you’re looking through your camera’s viewfinder stepping forward, backwards or sideways instead of watching where you’re stepping. You could end up for a nasty surprise if you step into a hole, gully, ditch, stairs or open manhole. You have to pay attention to what you are doing, leave the risks taking to the combat photographers. No photo is worth breaking your neck over is it?

What about the people around you, do you pay attention to them? You should, especially if you’re out late at night and there are few people on the street. Most photography gear is not exactly cheap, some cameras and lenses costs a few thousand dollars. You could very well become the target for robbery. Here in Moscow there is a scam that alcoholics like to use, they look for tourists and offer to take their photo standing in front of a landmark with the tourist’s camera. Sometimes the will take the camera and run, often they will demand payment for taking the photo before they return your camera. In the UK another common scam is locals dressing as policemen, telling tourists that photography is prohibited and they must hand over their gear to avoid prosecution. Tourists who don’t know any better hand over their gear to these scam artists, never to see their camera again. Always pay attention to the people around you, know about where you are going and stay out of the bad sections of town.

Nothing symbolizes tourist more than somebody with a camera around their neck. To many people tourist means money and criminals look for tourists because they are easy targets with a lot of money. Know when to put and keep your camera in its bag. How do you carry your camera bag? Do you carry it in a way that somebody can open it and remover your camera without you even knowing it? Professional pickpockets know how to open a camera bag without you ever being aware of it until you get ready to use your camera and find it is gone. Again, they look for easy targets. Some bags carried on your back or shoulder can be easy to open by crooks. Should bags can be snatched and the crook runs away or passes it to a passing motorcycle. Always carry your camera bag where you can be aware if anybody tries to open it, carry a shoulder bag around your neck or fasten also to your belt so it can not be snatched and taken.

You can even be a target on a crowded street. Notice who is following you and what they do. Do they stop when you stop, are they watching you, do they look as if they are up to no good or might want to cause trouble? If you see a group of young men, maybe three or four who seem to be watching you closely I usually just pull out my cell phone and pretend I’m making a call, while looking directly at each of them, they will leave and not give me any trouble. You should always carry a cell phone with you while you’re out taking photos. You never know when you might need help.

When you’re out in nature away from the madding crowds, you have to always be aware of what is going on and who is around; and by who, I’m talking about wildlife. Wildlife is not always the nice cute creatures you see on TV, they often can be dangerous and lethal to you. Many snakes in North America are poisonous and will bite if you step on them. Bees will attack if you venture too close to their hive. Mammals such as wolves, mountain lions, bears and wild boars can and do attack if provoked. Many plants are poisonous and I’m not talking about eating them, they only have to brush up against your skin. This is especially important if you have any allergies. Always know what you need to know about any area you are considering venturing into for photography.

Photography is a fun and interesting hobby for many and for some photography is even a profession, but it can be dangerous if you’re not careful just like anything else. We all take risks; that’s a part of human nature, but there is a big difference between taking risks and acting stupid. Do not let yourself get carried away with taking photos that you put yourself at serious risk. I have been involved in photography for many years and have taken my share of risks, but I have also made the mistake of acting stupid to and I ended up with a broken arm. Living in one of the top tourists areas in the world, I see many photographers almost everyday. I see the risks that many take along with the carelessness of many.

Photography is an enjoyable hobby, but always use common sense and follow my number one rule of photography, maybe I should say the number one rule of life: ‘Always be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.’ If you do, you’ll avoid a lot of the troubles life sometimes throws at you.