Have you ever been robbed of your cam while on the street?

[Steve5D]

I had a guy try to grab my camera and run. I pulled back on it and he came towards me. He didn't really rush at me, but he was definitely moving with purpose. I hit him as hard as I possibly could, and I have no doubt that he felt every last ounce of my 265 pounds as my forearm connected with his chin...

 

[Pukka312]

I just had someone threaten to break my camera last week when I snuck a shot of the local street vendor that sells random items to those stuck in traffic. I was riding in a bajaj and he happened to look at me the second I snapped the pic. He then circled my vehicle twice and told my brother in law he would break my camera. Apparently a rational request to delete the image wasn't a thought here... Though I guess my initial response was just as bad because I told my brother in law I'd break his arm if he touched my camera

The worst part is the pic didn't even end up being that good. Shooting by stealth is not my strength. And I generally try to keep my camera concealed when in public here because theft is quite common. I even carry around my bag of equipment while shooting events. My back ends up killing me by the end of the night, but my gear is safe.

 

[Ilovemycam]

I just had someone threaten to break my camera last week when I snuck a shot of the local street vendor that sells random items to those stuck in traffic. I was riding in a bajaj and he happened to look at me the second I snapped the pic. He then circled my vehicle twice and told my brother in law he would break my camera. Apparently a rational request to delete the image wasn't a thought here... Though I guess my initial response was just as bad because I told my brother in law I'd break his arm if he touched my camera

The worst part is the pic didn't even end up being that good. Shooting by stealth is not my strength. And I generally try to keep my camera concealed when in public here because theft is quite common. I even carry around my bag of equipment while shooting events. My back ends up killing me by the end of the night, but my gear is safe.

That is too bad. I thought the ladies had an easier time of it with street shots as they seemed less threatening to subjects.

Get some pepper spray and a taser. Spray him, taser him and walk away. DEET also works good as a pepper spray substitute in a pinch. I was told the Russians used to have a tear gas spray that would eat the enamel off your teeth! That is what I'd like to use on anyone that threatens a street photog.

Joel Meyerowitz recounted in a 1981 Visons and Images interview how he saw Cartier-Bresson stun a drunk that grabbed for him. Bresson flung his cam in the face of the drunk and retrieved it with the strap. He stunned the drunk and Bresson vanished into the crowd.

Good luck, keep on street shooting and don't let this Ahole stop you from your love.

 

[Pukka312]

I just had someone threaten to break my camera last week when I snuck a shot of the local street vendor that sells random items to those stuck in traffic. I was riding in a bajaj and he happened to look at me the second I snapped the pic. He then circled my vehicle twice and told my brother in law he would break my camera. Apparently a rational request to delete the image wasn't a thought here... Though I guess my initial response was just as bad because I told my brother in law I'd break his arm if he touched my camera

The worst part is the pic didn't even end up being that good. Shooting by stealth is not my strength. And I generally try to keep my camera concealed when in public here because theft is quite common. I even carry around my bag of equipment while shooting events. My back ends up killing me by the end of the night, but my gear is safe.

That is too bad. I thought the ladies had an easier time of it with street shots as they seemed less threatening to subjects.

Get some pepper spray and a taser. Spray him, taser him and walk away. DEET also works good as a pepper spray substitute in a pinch. I was told the Russians used to have a tear gas spray that would eat the enamel off your teeth! That is what I'd like to use on anyone that threatens a street photog.

Joel Meyerowitz recounted in a 1981 Visons and Images interview how he saw Cartier-Bresson stun a drunk that grabbed for him. Bresson flung his cam in the face of the drunk and retrieved it with the strap. He stunned the drunk and Bresson vanished into the crowd.

Good luck, keep on street shooting and don't let this Ahole stop you from your love.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really not a great street shooter, mostly because I'm too scared to stop and try to compose a great shot... hence why I try to shoot invisibly, which is nearly impossible here because everyone seems to spot the "white girl"... oh well, here's the shot that tempted him to break my camera in the first place. Totally not worth risking my camera's life but I couldn't help myself. The random stuff here that people try to sell to people driving to and from work makes me laugh. I really want to get a shot of the ones carrying giant coat racks on the side of the road-- because I can't tell you how many times I'm driving home from work thinking "dang it, I forgot to buy a coat rack today". Not really an impulse-buy type of product in my opinion.

 

[AaronLLockhart]

I've never had a problem. Of course, if someone tried to jack my camera, I'm not so sure it would be my problem in the first place. I also wear a sling strap, so it'd be pretty difficult anyway.

 

[o hey tyler]

Hey guys lets talk about guns okay? Seems like a good idea.

 

[bc_steve]

you guys are making me glad to be living in a small town in Canada. Not because I worry about all of you walking around armed, but because I can't imagine the need for it.

 

[amolitor]

Yeah, it's totally within the guidelines for the forum. Plus, this is a gun forum!

ETA: I've reported the thread and requested specific action. Moderation's above my pay grade, but I can ask anyways. At least some of you guys KNOW this is off limits, and yet you keep at it.

 

[tirediron]

All right... if anyone really has to wonder why this thread has been locked, please review the "Hot Button Topics" post. Let's NOT start this again, okay?Thanks!