Haydon

I often find photography a social engagement and depending the venue, it can turn out as a plus or a minus. Some of my best pictures have been done on a singular basis or in company but in reality, when we're behind the camera, making adjustments, composing and being in the moment, aren't we all essentially alone :)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would never throw caution to the wind. I generally shoot alone, or my son might come with me, but generally, I'm solo.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I shoot 95% of the time alone. Don't really think about it.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I shoot alone most times and I use one standard; if I am not comfortable going someplace because of safety concerns, I don't go there with a camera.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

My wife does not enjoy traveling as much as I do, so she doesn't mind if I go on photography trips. I have traveled to safe spots like Costa Rica by myself, have been to the Amazon by myself, but am also considering a photo safari in Africa as well. I would not go to inner-city spots or poor third-world urban areas alone, however. In the US I sometimes carry a concealed weapon, but still would not go out of my way to invite trouble.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Women like the Bad Boys!!!
Many see it as a project to "fix" the Bad Boy...
...and some just like to run with the Bad Boys!!!😎😎😎😎

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

This is nonsense. I am a lifelong New Yorker - and I have gone to pretty much every neighborhood, with expensive camera gear, alone, and shot images. I have 50 yrs worth of shooting without incident that says you are unnecessarily spreading fear. On the other hand, I have had my campsite raided and car broken into in areas considered "safe" - white, suburban/rural etc.

What is unique to "certain areas NYC, Chicago, Baltimore" and "most large cities" that is not present in other areas?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Absolutely alone, Unless your hooked up with someone sharing the same interest in photography.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

95% of the time I shoot alone unless another photo enthusiast wants to join me. I do also always carry a concealed handgun(legally) because I'm frequently in isolated places with expensive gear.

jefren Loc: Montgomery, Alabama

I feel vulnerable looking through the viewfinder in a busy city. I have a small cable tie through the lug of my camera where the camera strap attaches, and I run a strap through that and my belt loop. I tether my wallet to another belt loop. These minor inconveniences allow me to focus more on photography and enjoy myself.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

I am a member of a Meet-Up group, where we meet at a site, set a time to meet after shooting, then after the greetings are over we are released to shoot on our own for several hours. Some go off in pairs or 3's, but I prefer to shoot solo.

I get lost in my shots and angles, and I often forget to even drink water while I'm out there, and I have a frozen waterbottle in a pocket on my backpack.

I also have a photography friend that I often pick up for photoshoots, but she has some severe limitations on just how far she can walk. Often, I turn around around to find she has stopped quite a ways behind me. We have such different shooting styles. She admires my creativity, but I haven't seen much of her work. She's more into astrophotography, and keeps trying to find sites without a lot of light polution. I prefer shooting during the day for the most part, but I would love to find a good location to do night shots of traffic and light painting.

With the heat this summer, I haven't gone out to shoot as much as I would like to. I just don't deal well when the temps climb up much over about 85. My preference would be to travel to a shoot with a friend, but then separate to do our own thing with our equipment.

I will not travel into most cities to shoot at night for a photoshoot, first because of parking problems, then because as a woman, I don't like the idea of walking around with my equipment in unfamiliar areas and risking possible muggings.

Although Boston is one of the safer large cities, it still has its problem areas. As a kid, my mother dragged us all all round the downtown area shopping during the day, and I attended the Boston Ballet with friends at night. But times have changed the make up of the city, and hard times have economically changed the residents over the years. Like any large city, Boston has its share of drug dealings and gang violence. You just need to stick to the better lighted and more populated areas for safety.

At one time, I taught a night class, and had to walk back through the Boston Public Garden hauling a loaded hand truck to the underground garage. I stuck to the center of the sidewalks, and didn't stop moving until I had gotten all of my stuff loaded into my vehicle. That was over 10 years ago. Would I do that today? I'm not in as good a physical shape as I was back then, so I most likely wouldn't, but it's not due to safety issues, simply because of my physical shape, or lack thereof. Yes, I kept my eyes open, and my ears trained on the sounds around me, at least the ones that I could hear over the racket that the hand truck was making.

Each person needs to choose their level of comfort while alone or in a group.

Thank you to the poster for the information about the SPOT device. I'm actually going to forward that info to my cousin who is a professional photographer, and is quite often out shooting alone in the wilderness here in the US, but she also travels quite bit internationally. If I start spending more time shooting alone, I might look into one for myself as well.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I shoot my camera about 60% alone. The other 40% the wife is along with her camera. She has a D70s and I have a D7100 and a D610. We often share the D610 and I have several lenses, filters, tripods etc. Everything is insured so if something happens, it happens. Generally, I shoot real estate (which is paid for by clients and I usually have the owners leave or at least stay out of the way ( and no, I don't want their advice on what or how to shoot a room or yard). My other photography is landscapes, sunrises/sunsets, the grand kids, and nature photography all of which are either with or without the wife. I don't really worry about riff raff, I just concentrate on shooting. I have a cell phone and can usually get help if I need it. Also, I rarely go places that might put me in harm's way. I occasionally go to Tampa, Ybor City (an area of Tampa known for "old city" charm and old buildings), Orlando (City parks and of course Disney, Universal, and Sea World and of coarse the old part of Orlando). I shoot in the Everglades, Miami, NASA, St Augustine, Key West and all of the Keys and pretty much anywhere in Florida, Georgia and surrounding states. I have yet to have issues with anyone wanting to steal my equipment or rob me. However, If I am not sure of the neighborhood or environment, I never go alone. Maybe I've been lucky but even when shooting over seas (everywhere from the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada to Japan, Philippines and Asia to Europe and have yet to have any issues. We did lose one point and shoot in London, but it was because the wife left it laying on the seat in a bus while we were traveling. It was NOT because of anything illegal by a mugger or robber. Having said all of this, yes we pay attention to what is going on around us and we tend to stay out of areas that are known for crime. We do carry a lot of equipment and we pay attention to (other than the missing point and shoot) where we set it and never leave it unattended. I wear a Domke vest with lenses, filters, spare cards and batteries, etc. in the pockets and camera straps firmly around the neck/shoulder. Sure there are people that will take advantage of the unwary, etc. but generally, they don't want to create an environment that might get them caught so they tend to look for an easier target.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

OK, here it is; I am 80; I have been a photog all my life- 99% on my own, mainly because being a nature man, although i worked for magazines, and in the military, mostly I think a photographer is a very solitary occupation. It is not an easily transferable thing- I have two daughters, both of whom are photographers. They too recognise the fact that to do their work is necessarily a singular occupation.Both are widely travelled from Vitnam to laos, china and Russia. Both have had hair raising escapades, but would not alter their work principles- it is a matter of risk assessment.

billpan45

I appreciate your bringing this up, since I feel quite nervous walking around alone with camera gear. It all comes down to personality/security. I envy the secure people who can travel anywhere and approach strangers because they have a sense of
confidence and usually have an outgoing personality. I do enjoy groups because of the safety in numbers, but even with groups it is more fun to break away somewhat and get involved in concentrating on making photos.