Break It In!
© Jerry Whaley

What's wrong with this picture? You've just been lucky enough to be going on a photo safari to some exotic locale half-way around the world. You want to be well equipped, so now you have a new Galen Rowell fanny pack, Art Wolfe photo backpack, new safari clothes (khaki of course) and maybe a new camera as well. Oh, and don't forget the hat. Lookin' good and ready to go.

Well, in the eyes of people in many parts of the world, you are advertising yourself as a "rich gringo"
In the eyes of aggressive opportunists in these areas, you become a prime target. This is not to say it is at all possible to just blend in with the native population without the new equipment, but it is not in your best interest to wave flags and draw attention to yourself and your assets.

New equipment can also turn into an expensive mess. Never, I repeat -- never, take new equipment on an important, once-in-a-lifetime trip unless you've taken the time to become familiar with it. In the
case of a new camera, shoot some film with it, evaluate the results and learn to use it before you leave home. New equipment that you don't know how to use is more trouble than it's worth. To be comfortable and safe, take equipment and clothing that has been "broken in."

No one wants to be a victim of crime. The best policy is not to take un necessary risks and to be aware of your surroundings at all times. When 1 lost all the mm I had bought for a trip to the western states because I thought it would be OK to leave it in a cooler on top of the cab of my pickup truck as I was sleeping inside, I was obviously not aware of my surroundings. Had I not been so weary from the road, the bars on the windows of the campground office might have provided a clue. Point is -- why make yourself a target? Common sense should apply to all activities when traveling either in the United States or outside the country.

You cannot always be totally alert and aware -- we all get weary This is one reason I now use a fanny pack for my camera equipment when traveling. The fanny pack keeps my equipment at my side at all times and I don't have to worry about an unattended camera bag taking off. Yes, it happens all the time. While on a group trip to Argentina, a fellow traveler who was standing a few feet away from me in the lobby of a very nice hotel in Buenos Aires (with a large number of people who were part of our group all around) had his video camera stolen. With that many eyes and ears around, it is hard to understand how the thief could be so slick as to not be seen walking off with the camera bag. The victim had set the camera bag down and turned his eyes away for just a couple of seconds. That's all the time it takes for any of us to be separated from our camera equipment

At times, I have found myself uncomfortable being the object of intense attention as I throw caution to the wind by wondering about a strange environment, alone with a camera around my neck. This is not to say I won't be doing the same thing again, hopefully soon. However, I will be aware of the situation and alert to what is going on around me. Just as a comfortable pair of shoes make walking more pleasurable, camera equipment that you know well will let you be more creative, productive and less of a target for "unwanted" attention. It's true, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A little common sense and a reasonable amount of caution will help you have what every traveler wants wherever they may be -- a happy, safe trip.

 

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