OK, I admit it. I took a week off! With upcoming holidays, a busy year, I figured I would skip a week. No excuses! Now, I'm b-a-a-ack!
Sandy, a friend and one of our alumnae, asked an interesting question, "I see a lot of photographs taken in wilderness places or woods. I have found that I never feel safe alone in these places. There are a huge number of protected forest preserves here, but unless I can drive through, I don't go. It simple isn't safe. Once, I was even followed in my car."
This concern also applies to men photographing alone, as Sandy noted in some comments made in a recent seminar she attended.
Boy, as a woman who spent many years traveling alone in different parts of the world, this certainly struck a chord. My mother long ago learned to stop asking where I had gone, as it made her too nervous to hear the answers! I have been in the outdoors all my life. I have camped in the wilderness, as well as led trips north of the Arctic Circle down National Wild and Scenic Rivers. You can't get much wilder than that! I have also photographed in iffy areas of cities, traveled across continents alone. These are all things that can make mothers of experienced adult "children" nervous.
So, for those of us who love photographing outdoors, whether in the wilderness or the city, there are techniques one can use to keep you safer. You will note I said, "...safer," as there are no guarantees in life. That said, I am not going to let paranoia keep me from photographing in all the spots I love.
The easiest thing, of course, is to take someone along with you, a fellow photographer who understands your need to take what is to others an eternity photographing this or that.
That isn't always possible, as was the case in Alaska some years ago. The other photographer on the assignment was off shooting a wilderness cabin while I was gathering background scenics of the area. So, what does one do?
First, I trust my gut instincts. Don't laugh. You have to use your experience in life and feel what it tells you in certain situations. Haven't you ever felt that someone was looking at you at a party and turned around to find there was? That same feeling applies to the outdoors. If you get that feeling, pay attention to it. It may be a bear or a wolf, or it may be a person across a city street with ill intent.
If the woods in which you are photographing suddenly go quiet or get noisy, there is usually a reason. Jays, for example, are known for sounding warnings when there is approaching danger. Birds may suddenly stop singing, another possible warning sign. Be aware.
In the photograph above, I was very aware. There was bear scat up the wazoo, and the area was covered in juicy berries. I heard noises nearby, and since I knew there weren't people around, that left one alternative, and he or she was undoubtedly a lot larger than I! I started talking BIG.
"Hello, bears. I am LOTS of us," I announced, feelling that I was a character in a Winnie the Pooh (the original one, please) story. I repeated the sentence with variations while I changed my voice to give the impression I was several people.
"We are VERY big, but we'll be gone soon." It makes no difference what you say. Who besides you is going to know you sound like an idiot? Personally, I would rather sound like an idiot and be safe than have some bear bumble into my area because I was too quiet. And remember, it is really his area, not mine!
On one of my expeditions in Alaska, we were portaging our canoes around some rapids. My clients were practically tiptoeing, ludicrous in itself, as the idea of grown men tiptoeing while carrying heavy packs and a canoe is somewhat absurd. But, they were going as quietly as they could. I think they thought they would slip by the bears without their knowing. Yeah, right. And the bears don't have better hearing and senses than us mere mortals?
"Hey, guys! Remember what I said about making noise. We don't want to surprise the bears. Let them know we are here and there are LOTS of us. Sound BIG! Sound HUGE!" The guys took the hint and started a banter that got us all laughing. That in itself was good. No bear was going to be surprised by us; that's for sure.
I have always carried some mode of communication. In pre-cell-phone days, I had my CB in my car. Still do. It has helped me in numerous circumstances, from finding the next decent gas station, to hearing where the great mom-and-pop restaurant was where I could eat in peace. I even had an alternator go out on me returning from one long trip, and the CB got me help from a couple of truck drivers with a reputable company who were traveling in tandem and were a life-saver. I still have that original CB, although the mic and antenna are many times replaced.
Now, most of us have cell phones, but they don't do much good if the battery is about to run out or if it's in the car when you are outside. I have a car adapter so I can keep the phone charged. I don't know about your cell phone, but it seems that mine can go from three bars to no bars in what feels like a nanosecond. When I go out, I make sure I start out at full charge. I suppose I could also get an extra battery, but I keep trying to lighten my load, not add to it.
Sandy brought up and dismissed the idea of carrying a gun. As she wrote, "There have been incidents out West as well in national and state parks. Norm, a 'cowboy shooter', suggested I take a small gun, but he taught me that if you draw a gun you have to use it or the other person will take it away from you if you hesitate. That is not an option for me. I'm a good shot, but I am not willing to do that."
Norm is right, and I side with Sandy on that issue. My alternative was to carry pepper spray, also known as OC spray (from "Oleoresin Capsicum"), OC gas, and capsicum spray. Since different locations have different laws regarding pepper spray, it is best to check with the overseeing law-enforcement agency in the area you are planning to photograph or travel. And remember, it doesn't do you any good if it is inaccessible! And remember, too, that if you aren't careful, it can be used against you!
Another good tool is a simple whistle. A good, loud, whistle. The bear or wolf will undoubtedly turn tail, and in the case of a person who intends harm, he/she does not want an audience! Your voice is another tool, whether in the city, suburbs, or wilderness.
When you walk, walk with confidence. Neither animal nor human wants to contend with a fighter. There are easier pickings. So walk briskly with a long stride, swinging your arms. Men, put your wallets in a front pocket. Women, hug your purse under your armpit. Put the strap over your head and across the opposite shoulder.
And when you go out photographing alone, don't look like Joe Photographer. You know what I mean, the guy with at least two camera bodies slung over the vest with tons of pockets bulging with expensive lenses and other equipment. Travel light. Take a couple of zoom lenses rather than the full complement of primes. Get a plain black camera strap or take a permanent marking pen and black out the conspicuous brand name in on the strap.
When I am going to be in the city or populated areas, I carry my pared-down equipment in a simple, non-photographic backpack. I still have my old teal-colored, L.L. Bean backpack from the early 80's. The rattier, the better, as long as the straps are strong and secure. There are square pads you can get to protect your camera and lenses. Instead of using a full-blown tripod, use one of those little ones that you can carry in your pocket. They are about six inches long, not including the ball head.
If you are going to photograph near home, check with your local police or park ranger. They may know of things about which you are unaware. If they know you are going out to a certain remote area of the local park, they may cruise by more often. When I am in a new area in a town or city, I find a local policeman and ask, "Where should a woman photographer not travel alone?" It's straight-forward and is guaranteed to get a good response. Men can ask similar questions.
Some years ago, I was in The Big Easy for a photo meeting. Two of us found and were entranced by Piazza d'Italia. It was in a dubious part of the city, so we were discussing if it would be safe to return at night when the lights came on.
Fortuitously, a detective on his beat stopped by and got to chatting with us. When he heard what we had in mind, he said that it would not be at all safe, but that if we really wanted photos at night, he would return with us to make sure we were OK. We took him up on that offer, agreed on a time, and this is one of the shots I got!
A friend of ours was photographing in post-Katrina New Orleans in a tough section of town. He was gathering photographs for an exhibition on the X's that were painted on the abandoned buildings. These X's let officials know that the buildings had been checked and indicated the often-sad results of those inspections.
He was alone and felt nervous with a fancy camera and tripod. Arnie, who started out shooting for LIFE and Time during the Days of Rage and civil rights, said that it is always a good idea to bring people into your fold, to help them make the project theirs, too.
As Arnie told our friend, "Tell them that you are putting together an exhibition to let people know up north what you have gone through, how bad things are, so they can rally and bring down more help. With today's cameras, you can show them what you have been doing. Photograph them and ask them where you can e-mail them a copy; then do so..."
By doing this, you are showing that you aren't profiting by their misfortune, rather trying to bring additional and much-needed help to a very bad situation. You are being their friend.
Years ago, I was photographing alone in New York and ended up in Washington Square. This square had quite a reputation and was then probably not the best place for me to be photographing alone. Several people asked me what I was doing, and I told them I was recording the parks of New York for a project I was doing to celebrate the different areas of the city.
"Hey, mon, that be cool! I make sure no one bother you." He was tall and strong and could have easily beaten me to a pulp, or at the very least, absconded with my camera. I think I was safe, because I spoke with confidence and strength. I didn't show fear and was very matter of fact about what I was doing. Remember, don't act like a potential victim.
Another case was on that same trip. In the evening, I met up with Tertia, a childhood friend. We headed down to SoHo for drinks and dinner and lost track of time. Finally, we noticed that it was 1 a.m., and there weren't going to be any taxis around. The trip back to her apartment on the Upper East Side was on a graffiti-encrusted subway train that went through what were then some pretty tough sections of the city.
"Do you feel we are being observed, "Tertia muttered in a low voice.
I responded in kind, "We are, so we're going to bit by bit pick up our pace and walk with even more confidence. Think tall and think confident. And stick to the edge of the street. We don't want to walk close to the alleys and doorways." We both tended to walk briskly, anyway, so this wasn't difficult.
I guided our conversation to inconsequential topics, and we spoke in calm, strong voices, our purses firmly tucked into our armpits.
When we got down into the subway, we positioned ourselves by a pillar, facing each other so we could see behind and around each other. We were covered 360 degrees! I must say, that we were glad when we were back in her neighborhood!
If you are in a car and find you are being followed, there are a couple of options. First, call 911 and find out where the nearest police station is, then head toward it and let them know you are coming. That way, you don't lead someone to where you are living or staying, and the stalker will decide that this is an undesirable situation.
I once had an 18-wheeler play games on the highway, slowing down when I slowed down, speeding up when I did. I couldn't shake him, and he was right on my tail. Finally, as an exit came up, I formed my plan. First, I briskly accelerated, knowing he would, too. Then at the last minute, I veered off onto the exit. The big rig wasn't as nimble as my little VW and couldn't follow, and I headed for the nearest police station to report the incident.
The other very useful tool is your ability to read people. This is part of those gut instincts. Keep those antennae up. Watch the way people walk, act, look around them, dress, etc. When in doubt, remove yourself from the situation.
And finally, when you are photographing, always be aware. This is not the time to be the absent-minded professor! Yes, you want to compose that perfect photograph, but come up for air. Keep your ears open, too.
Some people take self-defense courses. I never have. I'm not saying that is good, but I am strong, and I am athletic. I figure that common sense, a clear head, an alert attitude, and the commitment to not be a victim are all assets.
That said, being aware can also allow you to experience things that you otherwise might miss, allow you to take chances you might otherwise have avoided. Some of you have read about my trek across Australia, including my wonderful invitation to go sailing along the Great Barrier Reef with people I had just met. I won't repeat the story here, but one evening, while we were enjoying some very fine wine on the deck of a gorgeous pearling lugger, I was treated to this scene in the harbor of beautiful sailboats lit up by the late-afternoon sun. Had I not followed my gut instincts and read my new-found friends, I might have gone back to the states and missed a wonderful week with people who became good friends.
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