Re: [Leica] Re: Europe: Street/museum photography

[dmorton@journalist.co.uk (David Morton)]

Bill Erfurth wrote:

> Hello Roger,
>
> Sit down and get ready for European Photography lecutre #101.

Hmmmm, that's a brave start considering there are European residents
who contribute here.
 
> First of all, my remarks are directed to the countries of Germany,
UK,
> and Belgium.  France has some problems. There is more than you
could
> ever hope to shoot in Germany, UK, and Belgium, so forget about
France.
>
> The people who take about equipment being stolen in these guide
books
> are as full of crap as a Christmas goose.  I would be willing to
bet
> that I spend a lot more time there every year than they do.

I'd respectfully suggest that you spend a good deal *less* time
photographing in Europe than some on this list, me included.
 
> Generally, I walk around with an M6 on one shoulder and an R7 on
the
> other.  I wear a photo jacket or vest and do not carry a bag.
>
> I have NEVER been any European city where I have feared the safety
of
> my equipment or for my body...and I have been in some very marginal
> areas of London.

Well obviously I don't know where you've been, but this is really
misleading. While you're pretty safe in most of London, there are
places here that *I* would think twice about going alone and with a
lot of expensive equipment on display. That's why I still own a
Canonette and an F2, they're tools I can afford to give away without
too many qualms (and a motor driven F2 is the nearest thing to a
weapon one can carry in the UK now).

Indeed I could take you to places not far off the beaten track in
London where one could almost guarantee to be on the receiving end of
unwelcome attention if one started taking pictures.

I'm not saying that these are places the average tourist would go,
but some might be tempted to venture there in search of pictures, and
such activities should not be undertaken with the assumption of
immunity that you imply.

> Unfortunately, I can not say the same about some
> areas of the US...where I live.
>
> Now, if you walk down the street with two makeras around your NECK
and
> a big bag over your shoulder, you are probably asking for trouble
> where ever you are.  Carry your cameras over your shoulder, and try
to
> blend in with the local populas and you will not have a problem.
In
> other words...try your best not to be an ugly American.  Yes, leave
> your baseball cap at home.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I don't intend this to be
xenophobic, but coming from a different country (and culture) you're
just *not* going to blend in, *especially* wearing a photo vest!

*My* accent (pretty standard RP english) can mark me out as an
outsider in some parts of London, and I've lived here for over 20
years. While it might seem absurd to you, a US accent marks the
person out - to many unsavory types - as a *wealthy* outsider.

> End of lecture #101.
>
> Regards,
> Bill

I'm not saying that London is a dangerous place, just that it can be,
and if you're going to wander about the rougher parts you need to
take care.

David Morton
dmorton@journalist.co.uk
David.Morton@openconsulting.co.uk
(+44) 171 917 6272