Europe safe for photographers?

LJ Wobker · Jan 21, 2003

Where are you going? How street-smart are you already? In general europe is safer than comparable places in the US, but that assumes a lot. If you live in a small-town in the USA with a very low crime rate, your "view" on crime is probably very different than someone who lives in the middle of a very large city. Europe is the same way, there are places in central London that I wouldn't want to flash a lot of valuables, but 99.9% of the places I've ever been in Europe are very safe. As many others have posted, you'll need to use some common sense to avoid being an obvious target, but other than that you should be just fine.

--lj

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lj Wobker CanonD60 Sigma28-70/2.8
Sigma70-200/2.8 w/ Sigma TC 2x and 1.4x

Andrus Suitsu · Jan 21, 2003

glowluzid said:
There's a rash of Anti-Americanism in much of Europe these days.
Seems a fairly intolerant continent of late.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Yes there is, but it doesn't lead to a witch hunt. We are still ordinary people here.

It is actually quite amazing that the majority of americans seem to think (there was actually a survey about it) that everybody else in the world would want to live like the americans. Actually nothing could be farther from the truth. I want to live in my own non-american politically incorrect way and I like it that way.

glowluzid · Jan 21, 2003

Andrus Suitsu said:
Yes there is, but it doesn't lead to a witch hunt. We are still
ordinary people here.

I know, I was making a joke.

Andrus Suitsu said:
...the majority of americans seem to
think (there was actually a survey about it) that everybody else in
the world would want to live like the americans.

Could you explain what it means to "live like the americans?"

We have such a diverse society, I'm having troubling understanding how to come up with a specific manner of living here.
.
.
.

Oh WAIT! It just dawned on me. Not specific. You mean, live like Americans in general. You mean, live under FREEDOM!

Yeah, it is hard to understand why others wouldn't want that. Oh well, please excuse our naiveness.

ummagumma · Jan 21, 2003

Oh please….what a provincial remark.

glowluzid said:
Oh WAIT! It just dawned on me. Not specific. You mean, live like
Americans in general. You mean, live under FREEDOM!

Yeah, it is hard to understand why others wouldn't want that. Oh
well, please excuse our naiveness.

glowluzid · Jan 21, 2003

ummagumma said:
Oh please….what a provincial remark.

Didn't realize I was in High Brow country.

Neil Turner · Jan 21, 2003

David Lawson said:
Yesterdays Sunday Times reported "People in England are more than
twice as likely to b mugged as their American counterparts,
according to an official study.Research by the US Department of
justice shows...". Goes on to say 2.3 times more prevalent in
England than America. So my advice is, as others, be aware, their
are a lot of people here with expensive habits to support. david

But did it mention that the vast majority of muggings are for mobile phones? I carry very expensive and obvious gear around in London every day and I have done for 17 years. I have never been mugged. Like most parts of the world you should always protect yourself and your kit, be sensible and don't take chances.

Neil.
--
http://www.dg28.com

mark kay · Jan 21, 2003

When i was in Lisbon a number of years ago, I had a point and shoot and on a tour, I was warned by the tour speaker when i pulled out my camera to be careful even during the tour. I guess they run by quickly. Mark

Graham Snook said:
Let’s be realistic, if you walk round with a camera in full display
you’ll get noticed, same goes for a snazzy new camera bag, get a
tatty bag, a few jumpers for protection of your equipment and
you’ll be fine. Get a long jacket and a long camera strap, put the
strap over your shoulder, on your right side, all you do is hold
the camera, raise it up, take the pic and let it fall down buy your
side.

Alternatively walk along with a casual, but meaningful attitude,
don’t doodle around, work with a purpose. If you see a shot and
need to change lenses, put your back to a wall, better still a
doorway and change your lens. Don’t stand in the middle of the
pavement rummaging through your bag.

I’ve been round may European cities, I live in London, as long as
you take sensible precautions and remember that to some you camera
is like big wad of money and if you think of it that way you’ll be
fine.

On a final note, I’ve walked around Lisbon, capital of Portugal
with all my cameras, 67 and 35mm in a Domke camera bag, with padded
shoulder, a few strange looks but no problems at all. I didn't go
into any quiet areas and didn my research before, places to avoid
etc. At the end of the day if you feel nervous get in a licensed
cab and get out of the area.

Markus Leodolter · Jan 21, 2003

glowluzid said:
Andrus Suitsu said:

Yes there is, but it doesn't lead to a witch hunt. We are still
ordinary people here.

Click to expand...

I know, I was making a joke.

glowluzid said:

...the majority of americans seem to
think (there was actually a survey about it) that everybody else in
the world would want to live like the americans.

Click to expand...

Could you explain what it means to "live like the americans?"

We have such a diverse society, I'm having troubling understanding
how to come up with a specific manner of living here.
.
.
.
Oh WAIT! It just dawned on me. Not specific. You mean, live like
Americans in general. You mean, live under FREEDOM!

Yeah, it is hard to understand why others wouldn't want that. Oh
well, please excuse our naiveness.

we europeans would love to live in freedom - but the the american army is already here! (the russians have left years ago!)

About which freedom are we speaking? the freedom of the CIA, the FBI and anybody else to do anything they want? The freedom of beeing killed by terrorism just because a president who wants to show his daddy that he can do where his father failed?

In europe there is much more freedom than anywhere else!

.... BTW I´ve never been mugged somewhere between Tel Aviv and Glasgow! Just once a thieve has stolen my purse in paris at the subway station , but he has left a backpack with a Kodak DCS 520, a Canon 400/2.8, a 70-200/2.8 and much more!

In every big town you have to pay attention of your camera - in europe, but I´m sure also in America!

Juli Valley · Jan 21, 2003

Why do you feel American army troops a threat?

Markus Leodolter · Jan 21, 2003

Juli Valley said:
Why do you feel American army troops a threat?

Because there is no reason anymore for american soliers to stay here!

John Davis · Jan 22, 2003

leofoto said:
Juli Valley said:

Why do you feel American army troops a threat?

Click to expand...

Because there is no reason anymore for american soliers to stay here!

Europeans, once again forget history... we should leave NATO and let them defend themselves and from themselves. But, I know better... that's not what the EU wants. They want american GIs guarantee their defense, but... under european command. That, however will not happen in a million years, not if we do the fighting.

The bottom line is that people around the world have an incredible envy of these USA. They know, from the bottom of their hearts, that this country was formed by the best of them, fleeing from the worst of them. True!

John

Juuso · Jan 22, 2003

!

John Davis said:
this country was formed by the best of them, fleeing from the worst
of them. True!

Actually my humble opinion is , it was vice versa!

Juuso

John Davis said:
John

--
http://www.pbase.com/juuso
Nikon D100+ stuff

David Pichevin · Jan 22, 2003

John Davis said:
leofoto said:

Juli Valley said:

Why do you feel American army troops a threat?

Click to expand...

Because there is no reason anymore for american soliers to stay here!

Click to expand...

Europeans, once again forget history... we should leave NATO and
let them defend themselves and from themselves. But, I know
better... that's not what the EU wants. They want american GIs
guarantee their defense, but... under european command. That,
however will not happen in a million years, not if we do the
fighting.

You know so much about what is happening in the world, it's funny

John Davis said:
The bottom line is that people around the world have an incredible
envy of these USA. They know, from the bottom of their hearts, that
this country was formed by the best of them, fleeing from the worst
of them. True!

Really, thanks for the best joke of the day.

--
Canon D30
My photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/davidp

Markus Leodolter · Jan 22, 2003

David Pichevin said:
John Davis said:

leofoto said:

Juli Valley said:

Why do you feel American army troops a threat?

Click to expand...

Because there is no reason anymore for american soliers to stay here!

Click to expand...

Europeans, once again forget history... we should leave NATO and
let them defend themselves and from themselves. But, I know
better... that's not what the EU wants. They want american GIs
guarantee their defense, but... under european command. That,
however will not happen in a million years, not if we do the
fighting.

Click to expand...

David Pichevin said:
You know so much about what is happening in the world, it's funny

How should american GI´s guarantee our security if the can´t gouarantee the security of America?

The World Trade Center was locatet in New York (is in america, isn´t it?), not in Paris, London, Vienna, Berlin or somewhere else! They wantet to destroy the pentagon (also in US)!

David Pichevin said:
David Pichevin said:

The bottom line is that people around the world have an incredible
envy of these USA. They know, from the bottom of their hearts, that
this country was formed by the best of them, fleeing from the worst
of them. True!

Click to expand...

Really, thanks for the best joke of the day.

--
Canon D30
My photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/davidp

Andrus Suitsu · Jan 22, 2003

glowluzid said:
Could you explain what it means to "live like the americans?"

I don't really know, since I don't live there, but the ones who did the survey had some idea I guess. I was just referring to that.

glowluzid said:
We have such a diverse society, I'm having troubling understanding
how to come up with a specific manner of living here.

Must be true.

glowluzid said:
Oh WAIT! It just dawned on me. Not specific. You mean, live like
Americans in general. You mean, live under FREEDOM!

Actually, I am not sure that you are free. You have apparently much more censorship than in Europe, you cannot be nice to women (=sexual harrassment), you cannot employ who you want or need (must employ according numbers of black, latinos, gays, etc), lots of other things.

I am critical towards the system, not the nation. I am not sure that you like it that way either.

H. Meijer · Jan 22, 2003

Is it safe to walk around in Alaska with all those bears living there?
And no, not even in Amsterdam is heroin for free as far as i know.

But Alaska is still on my wish list to visit. Only problem is i will need at least 3 weeks to see a very little of it. And i don't worry about getting mugged out there, since i survived a job in Rio de Janeiro doing shoots in the worst spots of that town.

Cheers,
Harry

zidar said:
probably a bigger problem than getting your camera gear ripped off...

zidar
Alaska
--
It's not about stuff.
http://www.pbase.com/zidar

H. Meijer · Jan 22, 2003

leofoto said:
David Pichevin said:

John Davis said:

leofoto said:

Juli Valley said:

Why do you feel American army troops a threat?

Click to expand...

Because there is no reason anymore for american soliers to stay here!

Click to expand...

Europeans, once again forget history... we should leave NATO and
let them defend themselves and from themselves. But, I know
better... that's not what the EU wants. They want american GIs
guarantee their defense, but... under european command. That,
however will not happen in a million years, not if we do the
fighting.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Markus Leodolter said:

You know so much about what is happening in the world, it's funny

Click to expand...

How should american GI´s guarantee our security if the can´t
gouarantee the security of America?
The World Trade Center was locatet in New York (is in america,
isn´t it?), not in Paris, London, Vienna, Berlin or somewhere else!
They wantet to destroy the pentagon (also in US)!

Markus Leodolter said:

Markus Leodolter said:

The bottom line is that people around the world have an incredible
envy of these USA. They know, from the bottom of their hearts, that
this country was formed by the best of them, fleeing from the worst
of them. True!

Click to expand...

Really, thanks for the best joke of the day.

--
Canon D30
My photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/davidp

Click to expand...

Dazed and Confused · Jan 22, 2003

Basically nowhere is perfect. It's silly to think anywhere is. As a person who has spent lots of time in both Europe and the USA and having friends and family in all but two continents (Asia and Antarctica.... but a friend of mine is moving to the latter next year!), I know there are pros and cons to anywhere.

America is very free compared to, say, China, but not as completely free as a lot of people like to think they are. (I know many Americans who would admit this) (Freedom of Speech - but not if you want to join the Communist party, or burn a flag. 'We don't want that kind of freedom.')

But someone said that in the USA being 'friendly' to women is sexual harrasment. It depends how 'friendly' you get. Maybe they've taken it little too far, but in Europe I've seen some pretty outrageous and demeening stuff said and done to friends of mine. In Italy, an English friend of mine had to wear a wedding ring (she isn't married) to make the men back off. (Even then, "Hey, your husband's miles away in England - he wouldn't mind." Wink-wink.) I don't think that's friendly. They may be too far the other way. It's all about balance.

So basically if everyone can except the flaws in their own society, and forgive those of others, we can all just get along and help build a better world.

It's all about the people. They're my friends, wherever they are. It doesn't matter what laws they live under. They're still nice, good people like you and me.

So just chill out. And talk about cameras.

David Birkin · Jan 22, 2003

....it looks just like a normal rucsac. has a camera section in the bottom and a normal section in the top.
with a waterproof cover it looks even less like a camera bag.

Julian P Mussi said:
You have a better chance of being mugged in the US. We have 10,000
gun murders a year vs 40-60 in france and england. Just dont go
asking to have your stuff stolen. Keep it near you, don't let it
out of your site. Most thieves go for the easiest jobs, so if they
see a camera bag sitting on a cahir next to you they will go that
route vs attacking you. Also I would keep a keener eye on your
wallet rather than the camera bag. There are some very adept
pick-pockets over there. Also it helps not to stand out as an
american, dont wear the Bruce Springstein shirt and American Flag
hat. Over all though Europe is much safer than the US. Just play it
smart, and dont set your self up to be robbed and you'll have a
great time.

Julian

--
Photosig
http://www2.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=52751

William C · Jan 22, 2003

If I get mugged in Lisbon when I visit there this coming May I will post
a message about they event. Frankly I not about the change the
way I photography.

Bill

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