Safety While Shooting

I am sure that most of you saw this post today about a photographer shot 9 times by three men. postI saw that post thinking there would be more discussion and information on safety while shooting and i wasn't really satisfied with the conversations so i thought i would start a post of its own to talk about safety. This post wont be talking about firearms as I feel there are more important things to talk about. i hope that you all personally share some tips that you have or things you have noticed that you feel would be helpful for other photographers.I'm not very good with words when it comes to writing but i think my points are simple and easy to digest.The Risks and How to Manage Them :Valuable itemsI think its important for us as photographers to understand that our hobby/job puts us in a position that draws unwanted attention to us. Being in possession of valuable items is something that is going to draw attention to even you regardless of where you are.Even someone who doesn't know any names of any camera companies could spot your 70-200f2.8 and know that the camera is valuable. Your large backpack that you pulled your camera out of most certainly will indicate to potential thieves that you have even more than you currently have in your hand.The best way to reduce the risk associated with possessing cameras is by reducing the appearance of you camera and making yourself look less desirable.Lack of Situational AwarenessWhen you are looking through the viewfinder or staring at the monitor it is very easy to get completely absorbed for long periods of time into what you are doing. It is important to work on maintaining your awareness of your surroundings.It is very easy to spot when someone is not paying attention to their surroundings and this is something that many thieves and assailants look for when picking a target. Maintaining a level of awareness makes you a less vulnerable target.In addition to making you less likely to fall victim to someone else it also helps keep you safe from yourself. Where I usually find myself taking pictures there are usually tripping hazards or other things that i would be better off avoiding.AVOID TUNNEL VISION. This will help you stay safe and maybe help you find a better composition. I use a both eyes open technique when not actively taking a picture. By keeping my non shooting eye open for much of my time I am able to increase my peripheral vision and up my general awareness.People who are aware are less likely to be targeted and more capable of reacting to a situation where they are targeted.LocationDoing what we do leads to us eventually being in places or scenarios that are less than ideal. Whether you are in an impoverished neighborhood, a rural countryside, or out somewhere at night you will find yourself somewhere less than ideal when it comes to safety.In RURAL areas like forests and on hikes i try to make sure i have packed for the proper weather, have a first aid kit, bear spray, sunscreen and bug spray, and that I stay hydrated/fed. The threats of rural areas can usually be mitigated by proper first aid and water supply. For those of you in bear country, I recommend that you have proper bear spray as it is more reliable at stopping bears than guns on average.In urban environments its important to pay attention to the two legged threats. I have had some very close calls with people living on the streets in California and have learned that its usually best to not engage with someone who tries to grab your attention or latch on to you. Every time that I have acknowledged or engaged with someone who tried hard to demand my attention it has been a much more dangerous situation than the times when I ignore and don't allow them to latch on to me. I understand that the way I am talking about some members of the homeless community is most likely not politically correct. These is just how I have learned to shorten and avoid the unwanted interaction.Night Timecarry a flashlight for the night is dark and full of terrors.Seriously the size of some very capable flashlights are so easy to carry you wont know it is there. personally i carry a small OLight that is super cheap, very bright, and is rechargeable much like an apple watch.having a flashlight will give you more information of your surroundings and make you appear as less of a target to potential threats.Your phone doesn't count as a main light source in my book. They are most likely to die at the same hours that you need a flashlight. Phone lights aren't very bright and don't cast light as far. Having a light is a great tool and you will find yourself using it much more often the longer you carry one.Link to flashlightMiscellaneous Discussion:many non lethal forms of self defense like pepper spray, tasers, and flashlights can be useful tools for keeping yourself safe. I recommend that everyone have some form of defensive tool that is non lethal regardless of if you choose to carry a gun or a knife. Having more tools allows you to solve more problems. Only carry something that you are willing to practice with and mentally prepared to use.i almost always have some sort of booboo kit in my car. band aids, first aid cream, and some basic medicine can make a day much more enjoyable. i also typically have with me a basic "trauma kit" but that is more of a topic of its own that I'm not qualified to teach.A book that I recommend that everyone read is The Gift of Fear. Excellent book that discusses all aspects of spotting dangerous signs and threat signals. The techniques in the book have helped me feel more secure and confident in my daily life since i feel more in control of my surroundings. Link to bookI hope some of this helps you, take care via /r/photography https://ift.tt/30WOnNK