I know some here have done threads of neighborhoods in not-so-great shape, but what extra precautions do you take? Do you go with someone else? Is it better to travel by car? What if you're just not very familiar with the neighborhood? Etc, etc.

I don't take any special precautions.  Typically, in America, "iffy" neighborhoods are black and Hispanic and I'm black so generally I get a pass, with caution.  All you have to do is don't make eye-contact (act like your doing something for a planning class or magazine) and don't look nervous.  Look confident.  Make sure you don't give the appearance of nervousness. 

 

And if they ask you "what are you taking pictures of?," just say "I'm taking photos of this neighborhood for a planning class I'm taking at _______."

I echo CDMs feelings.  I just tell them I'm taking picture for personal enjoyment. 

 

Here in NYC most people are nonchalant, about seeing someone with a camera, as its normal to see people out taking pictures in any neighborhood.  We had our first snow early this morning and there are about 5 or 10 people out on the park taking pictures.

 

Just be courteous of people's personal space.  If someone is approaching while you are taking a shot of something let them pass or ask them to wait until you've got your shot.

I'll agree with all of the above. There are some neighborhoods, of course, that go beyond iffy to clearly no-no. In an unfamiliar city it helps a lot to tour with somebody local who knows where to go.

 

Forum meets add a comfort factor sometimes. A group of ten or a dozen people can sometimes explore places where an old white guy like me, with a conspicuous camera, might feel uneasy going solo.

 

 

 

    I got surrounded by about 4 "iffy" people once. I told them I was taking photos for a project, meaning a architectual photo project. I think they interpreted "project" as some kind of development project. This was perhaps the only time I really felt like I was in trouble. I said "Goodbye" and got out of there.

 

 

ditto those tips.

 

time of day is another good tip. go to your iffy neighbood early in the morning. the morning light is better than around noon anyway.

 

if you are still semi/sorta worried maybe take a smaller pocket camera instead.

 

i'm rarely approached, but i have said i am taking pics for an online photo project or blog.

 

 

 

Agreed with everything above, and my thoughts:

 

Look confident and professional like you are on some sort of task (people will be less likely to harass you if they think you are "with" someone/organization), but don't lie and say you're with the city or anything like that.  For every "iffy" person that might approach you there is a connected neighborhood caretaker who has the councilperson/CDC/Police District on speed dial and misrepresenting yourself can get you in trouble.  Either way, if someone approaches you, they are probably trying to defend something, either their neighborhood from outsiders, or their criminal enterprise from the law(surprise- drug boys don't like to be photographed!)

 

The student line works, but if you don't want to lie, just say you are working on a photo project.  If you think someone is trying to "find an angle" on you, tell them as little as possible.  Of course, if you are a good judge of who you're talking to, and you realize you're talking to one of the afformentioned caretakers, you should be more open.  In my experience some of these people have very defensive personalities, but also they can be a great source of insight into what you're seeing.

 

Avoid taking photos of individual properties- that sets alot of people off (as I said, people who come up to you are usually defending something and now you're coming right at their home).  This is especially true if you're white and it's a black neighborhood.  There is a line of thought that I heard often while working in black communities that when the white man comes, black folk lose their property.  Just know that mistrust is there, and with some justification.  This does hold true to some degree in poor white neighborhoods too.  Also, if there is illegal activity going on there, they will be very cross with you for creating documentation of that.

 

I'd keep a car close at hand, but if you take photos from the car it can actually look very suspicious, or like you are nervous for some reason (also suspicious).  If anyone is making you too nervous, you shouldn't be sticking around, of course.

 

If you're not familiar with the neighborhood, stay on main streets.  Take a small map, and fold it so you can access it easily with the area of interest visible without any unfolding.  Better yet, study it ahead of time.

 

Just my thoughts.

Thanks for all of the insightful responses so far. I normally like to go by bike because it's much less time consuming and I don't have to find a spot park, repeat ad naseum, wasting gas, but of course in this case I'd rather drive.

I wouldn't be all up on someone's lot taking pics and I wouldn't take a pic including someone who's close by facing the camera but other than that, I've just adopted an 'I don't give a sh!t' attitude. At first I was extremely careful of what I took pics of but I missed out on a lot of good pictures because of that. I think the best thing you can do is be friendly and confident at the same time. You'll look like you have good intentions.

I roll around in my "ghettomobile."

 

Like my spinners?

 

I wear "bling."

 

...

 

In all seriousness, you shouldn't need to do much. I've been in some of the worst areas in the United States, and the only places that give me the creeps are parts of North St. Louis, the endless ghettos of Detroit and Camden, New Jersey. I am often out in it, photographing abandonments, so I've seen and heard it all.

I don't know what it is, but taking pictures of suburbia always make me feel more nervous than in the hood.

I would agree with pretty much what everyone else is saying:

 

* Photograph in the morning if possible

* Don't linger in front of any one property, especially with a camera pointed at it

* Don't photograph people

* Don't roll by in a car, and then come back in a few minutes trying to get a better shot

* If someone threatens you or stares you down, leave (When a guy in South Cumminsville said "I'll motherfucking kill you, you white motherfucker", I got out of there quickly.)

* If someone asks, be truthful about why you're there

 

I do agree with Hayward about photographing suburbia.  It makes me feel weird, and you know folks in most of those places (especially newer cookie-cutter subdivisions) are NOT used to seeing people with cameras around.  I always expect to have the cops called on me.

 

I don't know about other cities, but I think the residents of Detroit's neighborhoods have gotten used to all the photography.  The realize why people are there, capturing what is left of the neighborhood that has fallen apart around them.  Photographers even get ignored coming face to face with scrappers committing a crime (who also have guns) in vacant buildings.  Everyone has their own agenda I guess.

 

Typically, I don't like pointing my camera out of a car window.  It shows you are an outsider and don't have the guts to walk around the neighborhood when you are attempting to show that you actually "care" about it.  A lot of locals take that as a huge slap in the face.  Not to say that its any safer though.  Usually I ride my bike around to get photos of these areas.  It somewhat more difficult to get jacked on a bike.

i am almost always on foot so that changes the equation dramatically. no quick escape clause for me.

 

regardless, i like all these tips. be confident, be considerate, have an explanation, know your nabe mapwise, keep it moving and be careful too.