Post: #1

Hey everyone

I'm a photography-enthusiast and would like to travel to Brazil this summer: Rio, Ilha Grande, Belém and Manaus. Now I guess I'd leave my camera in my hotel and just use my phone whenever I'm in the city, but what about the rest of the trip? Like going to landmarks, visiting villages, waterfalls, touristy shit, islands, etc? I understand that robberies and pickpocketing are frequent all over Brazil. I wouldn't like my 2000 euro camera to be stolen. Or am I just exaggarating?

Post: #2

No one is going to up and rob you with a machete in Brazil. Actually I'd think it would be safer on your person than leaving it in your hotel to be honest - you'll stand out as a dumb tourist though dragging around which may or may not be to your advantage.

(01-07-2019 11:45 AM)mundele Wrote:  Hey everyone

I'm a photography-enthusiast and would like to travel to Brazil this summer: Rio, Ilha Grande, Belém and Manaus. Now I guess I'd leave my camera in my hotel and just use my phone whenever I'm in the city, but what about the rest of the trip? Like going to landmarks, visiting villages, waterfalls, touristy shit, islands, etc? I understand that robberies and pickpocketing are frequent all over Brazil. I wouldn't like my 2000 euro camera to be stolen. Or am I just exaggarating?

Post: #3

You're opening new threads with questions like this constantly. Why not put it in the Rio De Janeiro datasheet thread or in the BH thread?

If you have to ask this question: don't take your camera.

Longer answer: showing your camera (or appearing like you are wealthy / a foreigner) is a disadvantage and in some cases outright dangerous. Situational awareness builds over time and in case of a longer stay I'd build that first before you bring expensive shit along.

Having said that: in touristic places there will always people with camera's. That is no excuse to use them. Ask a few locals in a spot if you can use it over there. Ask also for other spots in the same area you intend to use it.

Post: #4

no you're not exaggerating.

you might lose your phone too.

Post: #5

Keep it in a backpack. Find out where you want to shoot, plan the shoot, what result you want to get, shutter speed, aperture, lens, iso, time of day, etc. Show up, take the shot, put it back in your bag.

All comes down to is planning and being situationally aware. Don't walk around with the camera out unless you are going to take a shot.

If you look online there are millions of photos of the cities you mentioned above from professional photographers who bring in gear more expensive than yours. Use your head and you'll be fine.

I am speaking from experience.

Post: #6

I'm actually having a similar dilemma about bringing my expensive lens to South America. All I really care about it getting great shots of nature, so my solution is to find groups (things like meetup.com). Less likely to get robbed and a good way to meet people. For urban environments I'm not sure though.

Post: #7

Make sure you dont have more than one coin in each pocket as well, if someone hears them clank together you are in trouble.

Post: #8

Sure, just bring a switchblade with you too
.

Post: #9

(01-07-2019 11:43 PM)travolta Wrote:  I'm actually having a similar dilemma about bringing my expensive lens to South America. All I really care about it getting great shots of nature, so my solution is to find groups (things like meetup.com). Less likely to get robbed and a good way to meet people. For urban environments I'm not sure though.

Buy camera insurance. My gear is insured up to 10k without any deductible for basically anything at the cost of $100/year. Even if someone did steal all my camera gear, the only real loss would be the photos.

I brought a Canon 24-70mm f2.4 L and a Canon 50mm f1.2 L and had no worries.

You bought this gear to capture moments you want to keep forever. If you don't bring the camera then you are not letting it do it's purpose. Why did you buy the camera in the first place?

Post: #10

Usually armed robbery in Latin America is like 500 / 100,000 which is under 1%. Thing is when a foreigner in a country does fall victim to a crime they go all over social media and YouTube about it.

One of my favorite examples is some Canadian guy who felled victim to an armed robbery in Tbilisi. Thing is Republic of Georgia's crime rate is comparable to countries like Korea and Japan. It turns out this guy booked a ground floor house and opened the door at 4 AM to a stranger (something I wouldn't even do in Japan). And at the end of the day this guy still got all his stuff back. But nevertheless the guy used his clout as some kind of Vice Journalist to pretty much defame the country as much as he could (and he even made Reddit and Facebook threads about it).

https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/qvzbk...i-got-home

Post: #11

(01-07-2019 11:43 PM)travolta Wrote:  I'm actually having a similar dilemma about bringing my expensive lens to South America. All I really care about it getting great shots of nature, so my solution is to find groups (things like meetup.com). Less likely to get robbed and a good way to meet people. For urban environments I'm not sure though.

That's a good tip!!!

Yes, I'm also more interested in nature, as I'll be going to the amazon region.

Post: #12

(01-08-2019 02:38 AM)BaatumMania Wrote:  Usually armed robbery in Latin America is like 500 / 100,000 which is under 1%. Thing is when a foreigner in a country does fall victim to a crime they go all over social media and YouTube about it.

Who do you think is getting robbed? People who don't take precautions. I'd guess in tourist areas, foreigners are overrepresented in robberies. Plus those stats vary depending on country, city, and neighbourhood, and they're not always reliable.

Post: #13

I just wanna make it clear that I'm not some unexperienced guy. I live in Congo, I have lived in Venezuela and I have been in real life threatening situations before. I have been held up by guys with machetes, I've had rebels wanting to kidnap me, I've had cops jumping in my car wanting to steal from me, etc, etc. But I know this environment and I know how to behave and act in this and I know exactly where and when I can use my camera. I just wonder what is the best strategy in Brazil.

Being experienced doesn't make me reckless, Brazil is unknown terrain. My camera costs money. I will ask around for an insurance.

Post: #14

(01-08-2019 06:14 AM)mundele Wrote:  I just wanna make it clear that I'm not some unexperienced guy. I live in Congo, I have lived in Venezuela and I have been in real life threatening situations before. I have been held up by guys with machetes, I've had rebels wanting to kidnap me, I've had cops jumping in my car wanting to steal from me, etc, etc. But I know this environment and I know how to behave and act in this and I know exactly where and when I can use my camera. I just wonder what is the best strategy in Brazil.

Being experienced doesn't make me reckless, Brazil is unknown terrain. My camera costs money. I will ask around for an insurance.

You'll be fine. Just avoid flashing your camera in urban settings. Make an effort to be in a group, or at least near a group, whenever you're out with the camera. If you must use your camera in an area that's potentially dangerous, be extra careful and do everything as quickly as possible. In nature or rural settings you don't have to worry that much unless the region is known to have criminals looking out for tourists. Ask around to find out. If necessary go with a group or a tour guide.

Tall blonde translucent gringo with fancy clothes, DSLR hanging out from his neck, standing out like a sore thumb in a shady area - don't be this guy.

Possibly foreign guy but dressed as a local, smart attitude, in a group, keeping his DSLR in a backpack and taking it out strategically - be this guy.

This applies to all high crime rate regions in South America.

Either way, be ready to lose your camera. It's unfortunate, but it can happen even if you take precautions. Insurance is a good idea if you can find something reasonably priced.