Quote Originally Posted by davideglasgow


I'm about to embark on a two-day business trip in Chicago. I desperately want to take my Rebel XS and assorted lenses, but this will be the first time I've taken it to a big city to shoot.I guess common sense applies, but has anyone had any problems with others being "interested" in your things?I might catch a White Sox game, which isn't in the greatest part of town, but would offer some great shots. Any advice appreciated.
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If your in downtown Chicago you shouldn't be worried. Every city has it bad parts and seems to be in the outskirts of every city I've been in. "Downtown" of most major cities are well lit, clean, and lots of people (Philidelphia and Detroit excluded). If your on assignment at an event, you are always in company. Now, if you were to go exploring on your own, you should have a pretty good indication from your surroundings if it's a questionable place. If you have any of the pro bodies, don't be afraid to use it as a weapon if need be. For that matter, use anything as a weapon if you have to. I personally smacked a guy in the head with my 1N while shooting the Detroit Grand Prix. I made the STUPID mistake of packing up all my gear as fast as I could and took a back street so I could cut across to a better vantage point. I didn't bag anything and had three kits around my neck and two bags. I should have just put a big "FREE MONEY" sign on my back. I was approached by two guys only 50ft from a couple cops who didn't see anything until they heard the ruccus. They grabbed, I swung, got one guy in the ear with my 300 2.8, and got the other guy with the bottom of my 1N. The second guy went right to the ground, the guys took off running with the cops in persuit, and I headed strait for my next location. In retrospect, I should have kept the shutters going the whole time. It would have made a great journalistic entry. So be aware of your surroundings. Know your abilities cause you probably won't be able to talk yourself out of being mugged. If your a wimp, take someone with you. If your adventurous, you have tools to protect you. But if your smart AND any of the above, USE YOUR BRAIN. BTW, I've shot in virtually every major city in North America and Detroit was the ONLY place I had any problem. And for #%$ sake, don't freakin worry about getting mugged everywhere you go or you will NEVER be able to relax and concentrate on why your there in the first place.