do any of the ladies here have the same issues as i do which is finding places to take photos alone that is safe there are so many lovely places id like to go but cant go alone without hubby as its secluded and the thing is to get good bird pics or scenery pics taking hubby can be a problem as hes not into photography like i am and wont sit for ages to get that perfect shot so i miss out as you never know where a loony is hiding i went to our local rose garden last week and was deep in thought snapping away at the flowers when a truckie screamed a stream of foul words at me from his moving truck i actually looked around to see who was the umm loose woman he was yelling at and realized it was me i went home a little shocked and told my 24 yo son who said " um mum didn't you know that's where prostitutes meet their men" another instance i went to jacobs well just to sit and watch for any birds that might make a good pic and was stared at by work men having lunch and fishermen now come on im no siren im a 46 yo nanna lol but it just seems when a woman goes anywhere alone to take photos shes fair game is it just me or do other lady photographer have this issue ?

I don't worry about the catcalls and staring, the possibility of lurkers is disturbing though. That said, I usually have my monopod with me and I reckon it would make a dandy club!

Or I guarantee a swing with the camera bag (over 15kgs) would knock their knees from under 'em pretty quick.

Be careful, find out about areas you are going to, and keep your wits about you. Maybe we can have a meet up sometime. (Jacob's Well is in SEQ, isn't it?)

Just a note, I find your posts a bit hard to read with no caps and punctuation. Can you at least break them up a bit with some line spaces for my poor old eyes?

I'm still laughing.... sorry Vicki... but was thinking along the same lines as Odille... and for once it wasn't me putting up the awkward requests!

Re the risk factors of going it alone... no advice there.... you either take the risk or you don't... but I'd try to be aware of the dodgy areas where pros hang out.

Asking locals for a bit of local knowledge might be an idea... I'd be making a friendly call to the local cop shop. I'm sure they wouldn't mind filling you in on anywhere that might not be safe if you tell 'em of past encounters.

Love
Maz.

Erm, us blokes aren't that much better off I'm afraid. Thats why its much safer to work in a group.

Im not all that brave in a city night environment. Being from the bush and small seaside communities I never gave the safety of female photographers a thought,mainly because the ones I do see are in a group or with their partner. Im on the beach or along the river bank at 5.am by myself but I think the sight of a 6ft 6 male with a camera and tripod in the dark frightens the joggers and walkers more than me.
John

I have the same problem. Hubby isn't in to photography either, but he does come along for sunrise shoots sometimes. I frightened myself one morning when I went down to Burleigh by myself and almost fell over a homeless guy sleeping amongst the rocks. Luckily he turned out to be harmless and I managed to get some good shots, but I haven't been back since.

I tried going out with another female photographer from a nearby suburb a couple of times but she turned out to be a bit of a nutter herself and was a complete distraction so I'm back to going it alone. I actually prefer it that way as I can concentrate better. There are some places where I feel perfectly safe and some that I'm a bit nervous about. I usually check them out during the day and try to get a feeling for the place before I head out for sunrise/sunset.

It makes me so angry that we have to worry about such things. It's a sad world we live in.

Annabelle... it wasn't me... wouldn't catch me at the Gold Coast for ANY reason...

Speaks volumes for my arguement for living in the bush, huh girls?

Having said that, mind you, I do plan to go to Sydney on my own and photograph the harbour and The Rocks and don't feel any trepidation at all about that. Maybe it's the individual city, but I generally find that cities, as opposed to the suburbs, are very safe and have never worried about being out and about on my own before, having grown up in Sydney. I find that living in the heart of a city is similar to living in the bush... strangely enough - BUT WOULDN'T TOUCH THE 'BURBS WITH A BORROWED BARGE POLE!

I don't think I'd be worrying about the homeless, in any case... it's the druggies that would concern me. Not planning to carry suitcases of kit on the Sydney excursion anyway - that might attract undue attention in some quarters... like Bankstown, Cabramatta and around Parramatta... not terribly photogenic environs in any case.

Love
Maz.

PS Being old and ugly helps....

I've never really felt worried about this, though I guess being somewhat overweight and no oil painting helps! I'm often down at the beach (anywhere round Kirra, Rainbow Bay, D'bah) before dawn and if I see people there I smile and say hello. Most smile back, although you do get the odd grunt and queer look.

If you look timid, I think people's 'killer side' kicks in (the majority will kick the underdog, sadly). Look confident, walk head up, and spit in their eye!

Im sure not dainty or small lol or vulnerable looking but i am getting older and cant run like i used to it is such a shame that we have to feel this way isn't it,
um Annabelle id be betting on you Ive seen your temper at work lmao and um the sleeping person wasn't tony was it u know he likes to nap in strange places .
I haven't had to many bad bad experiences but 2 questionable ones
I went to take some pics about 7 am at a public park lots of nice mist around came face to face with a big man walking across the bridge just felt something was not right as he was approaching me he started fumbling with his flies i tried not to look worried and smiled at his face lol he was actually dribbling i do not know why,
But at that moment another male jogger came and i headed for the car and have not been back , another early visit to another pond i looked up and saw a very scruffy man just sitting in behind a bush just looking at me i left so u can understand why i feel a bit nervous

As an aside to this discussion I think we agree there is enough madness out there already and its just a matter of avoiding the worst spots in your area. I won't shoot alone at night. When Marty, Bill and I were last out in town we were "accosted" by happy drunks, the type that might fall over at any moment but seem to be harmless. This sort of situation can easily get out of hand even in a group so best to be alert but not alarmed I suppose and consider the safety in numbers approach for the more dodgy or isolated areas that might have some sort of photographic merit.

Guys

It really burns me up that others think they have a right to bother/harass/hurt anyone. It is not just women but I know I would feel even worse about being out and about if I was a woman.

I have been bothered by folk, like Keith has, who may just be harmless but you cannot trust that someone full of turps is not going to explode, same with any passerby who takes an interest in your work - they could be eyeing off your gear.

As for being ogled or verbally bothered/whistled at/cat-called my daughters have reported this from quite an early age as coming from some types in particular such as builders etc. I guess it is their version of a pickup line

MAZ - afraid that I do not feel particularly safe in Sydney city. I have been accosted by thuggish idiots who think it might be fun to rev up a photographer who may just have some nice gear (and I am 6ft4!). I definitely don't want to go up against a group.

By the way MAZ if you are going to shoot in Sydney on a weekend I would be happy to join you if you don't mind the company.. My wife/artistic director may even come along..

Cheers all

Brent! You and the artistic director ARE ON!!

I'd love to have some company in Sydney! I love that city and spent several years walking the length and breadth of it as a business advisor (cars weren't practical), and there are MANY places I'd love to go back to and take pics!

Whilst I'm very confident of not coming to grief in the old home town, it'd be GREAT to have the advice of someone who REALLY knows their way around a camera alongside! (You could also keep me out of the shops at the Rocks.....).

It won't be for a while though... probably in September as I'd like to do the Blue Mountains in Spring again (another sales territory for me... know all the nooks and crannies.... he he he........).

On the other side of things, I guess I've gotten away with a lot (blue murder) in the past because I've always had the country girl friendly mentality in Sydney City (even at 16) and I suppose people have had either of two reactions... absolute shock at being spoken to by a total stranger, or glad of the opportunity to be recognised in the faceless sea. Always found a smile helps.

(wouldn't recommend it for little girls perhaps though.....).

I'll get in contact next time I'm coming down... have to save the pennies now - sold the family home so down to paying for accomodation... drats!

Love
Maz.

Maz, what a place for a forum shoot. Sndney or Blue Mountains.

John

This is the exact issue I have when I go out. Standing at 5'1", I'm small, vulnerable looking and look a hell of a lot younger than I actually am... So I've usually got a friend with me when I go out. Used to go walking and shoot wildlife 15min walk from my place but after a couple of weeks there was a sexual predator stalking the area so I soon stopped that. It's getting to the stage that if I want to go for a walk or run, I HAVE to take the cattle dog with me...

Ridiculous hey?