Avoiding Assault (Or Lowering the Odds)

[skieur]

Forget about a gun. Get a dog. There much more fun and some breeds are very easy to train.

skieur

 

[480sparky]

Seriously?


A dog?


Maybe while jogging, yes. But during a photo shoot?

I've got enough to worry about just working my gear and paying attention to my subject. A dog will just complicate matters.


"Let's see..... RAW+Jpeg Normal. ISO 100. F/8. Shutter to 1/125. Camera level. Zoom to 105mm. Fill flash to.............. Fido, get back here!......... Fill flash to 1/4th. Oh, sun just went behind the clou........... Dammit, Fido.......why did you have to poop right there?"

 

[e.rose]

Here we go. :er:

 

[Trever1t]

I'm all for CCW and self defense but honestly your best defense is to NOT travel alone or stay in a very public place. Learning self defense takes time and is great advice., join a class. In the mean time take a friend (big one) with you.

 

[e.rose]

I'm all for CCW and self defense but honestly your best defense is to NOT travel alone or stay in a very public place. Learning self defense takes time and is great advice., join a class. In the mean time take a friend (big one) with you.

I totally agree with you, but sometimes you just can't do that.

Like today, for example... I'm going to scout out the location, but I'm not familiar with the area and I don't know how sketchy it is. I *could* just grab the Rugar and go myself, but my husband isn't doing anything today so I'm dragging his ass out of the house against his will to come with me.

But there are other times when he's just not around, or can't be at a shoot with me, either because he's playing a show already or whatever other reason there may be... *that's* when I'll take the Rugar. I've only had to do that twice so far.

 

[skieur]

Seriously?


A dog?


Maybe while jogging, yes. But during a photo shoot?

I've got enough to worry about just working my gear and paying attention to my subject. A dog will just complicate matters.


"Let's see..... RAW+Jpeg Normal. ISO 100. F/8. Shutter to 1/125. Camera level. Zoom to 105mm. Fill flash to.............. Fido, get back here!......... Fill flash to 1/4th. Oh, sun just went behind the clou........... Dammit, Fido.......why did you have to poop right there?"

My dog just follows me around off the leash, or if she is on the leash and I drop it, she just sits or lies down near me. She also knows when and where to poop. One woman told her dog to line up 3 unsavoury characters that were following her against the wall of a nearby building. The dog did exactly that and kept them there.
They begged her to call the dog off. She said only if they went in the opposite direction quickly.

Pick the right breed and having a dog with you is absolutely no problem whatsoever.

skieur

 

[480sparky]

I'll take a Smith & Wesson breed then.

 

[Trever1t]

A firearm is great if you have the skill and balls to use it .......otherwise use caution and stay aware of your surroundings.

 

[molested_cow]

Pepper spray sounds good.

Gun - Can't carry it on to the plane if you are traveling far to cover events.
Knife - If you don't know how to use it properly, it will end up hurting yourself.
Martial arts/ self-defense - Sure it's good, but it takes time to learn and be good at it.

I'd say it will be hard to use gun or knife because both requires you to be free of burdens to use it, meaning you cannot be carrying your gears otherwise you will just be hampered. It will be good to learn self-defense techniques no matter what, but always be prepared to come across someone who is too strong or quick or armed.

Pepper spray is effective if you have it ready. It's easy to use, doesn't require precision application like knife, gun or tazor and is pretty maintenance free. Just make sure you point the nozzle at the right direction. The spray also doesn't cause permanent damage. If you injure a person with a gun or knife out of self defense, it's still possible that you can do to prison for it. All you need is to stop your attackers, no need to cause injury.

Sorry to hear that, hope it will make you stronger.

 

[imagemaker46]

It may sound simple and finding yourself in dangerous situations sometimes just happens, being aware of what is going on, watching to see if it is likely to escalate and use your gut feelings, walk away before things really get out of hand. All the other suggestions as "special" as they are will get you dead very quick, deciding to add a gun to your camera bag makes common sense go out the window. You can't have a dog following you around, too distracting. If you are really concerned that it will happen again, travel with a friend you trust to watch your back, and be smart.

 

[K8-90]

On the strobist website (Strobist) ...
It's unfortunate that you are a young female, because as you pointed out, that is who most cowardly attackers are going to target.

Teheee! I get what you mean, but I find that amusing

 

[Stutterfly]

It may sound simple and finding yourself in dangerous situations sometimes just happens, being aware of what is going on, watching to see if it is likely to escalate and use your gut feelings, walk away before things really get out of hand. All the other suggestions as "special" as they are will get you dead very quick, deciding to add a gun to your camera bag makes common sense go out the window. You can't have a dog following you around, too distracting. If you are really concerned that it will happen again, travel with a friend you trust to watch your back, and be smart.

Yes that. Not that a firearm is an option here...but being aware of your surroundings, weighing up all risks and taking a nice big friend along with you might be the best options. I'm 24, female and not exactly buff. The times and places I have deemed as 'risky' when carrying my gear, I've always had my partner with me (he is big + tall) and that seems to suffice.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

A few options you have are to carry a tazer and/or pepper spray. Take a womens self defense course also. If budget allows you can hire a bodyguard. Do things to minimize the risk. Be sure you have your car keys out and ready before you get to your car so your not standing there fumbling around. Keys also make great makeshift weapons if you stab an attacker in the eye with one!

 

[skieur]

A firearm is great if you have the skill and balls to use it .......otherwise use caution and stay aware of your surroundings.

Yup, a firearm is great. You don't use it in a difficult situation and you end up dead. You do use and you end up in prison. Great options!:lmao:

 

[480sparky]

Yup, a firearm is great. You don't use it in a difficult situation and you end up dead. You do use and you end up in prison. Great options!:lmao:

I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.