Be careful out there.

[MarkD]

"Be careful out there" isn't just good advice on Hill Street Blues. A big news story in NYC now is about a young woman killed while vacationing in Turkey. She was an amateur photographer and she was photographing some ruins when she was killed. This could have happened anywhere. In her case the ruins were in a poor part of town. They don't know the motive for the killing, but it should serve as a warning to all of us that carrying expensive photo gear can make us a target. So, be careful. Know what's going on around you, and know what areas to stay away from.

I've lived in NYC all of my life. I photographed most parts of the city, even when crime was high in the city, but there were places that I didn't go. I taught for 30 years in a high crime part of Brooklyn. My friends and I often walked around the neighborhood, but I never did it carrying a lot of photo gear.

No photograph is worth your life.

[WRon]

Yes, Mark, I read the tragic story in this morning's NY Times. The other thing that I think is significant was that she was alone, which in Turkey is usually not something one has to worry about. So, I suspect you're right: the camera gear probably attracted attention to her and then when the murderer(s) saw that she was alone, he, she, or they pounced. My daughter has lived for many years in Manhattan and, while she's not a 'fraidy cat, she always maintains a street or location awareness. She certainly doesn't walk around with any kind of expensive gear or clothes. So far, she's not had any trouble.

[MarkD]

Yes, Mark, I read the tragic story in this morning's NY Times. The other thing that I think is significant was that she was alone, which in Turkey is usually not something one has to worry about. So, I suspect you're right: the camera gear probably attracted attention to her and then when the murderer(s) saw that she was alone, he, she, or they pounced. My daughter has lived for many years in Manhattan and, while she's not a 'fraidy cat, she always maintains a street or location awareness. She certainly doesn't walk around with any kind of expensive gear or clothes. So far, she's not had any trouble.

NY is the safest big city in America, but one still has to careful. There's a new crime that they call "Apple Picking". Thieves snatch your smart phone or tablet and run. They call it Apple Picking because the thieves prefer Apple products because they're easier to sell. People are so absorbed in what they're doing on the smartphone or tablet that they're easy targets. Photographers also can be so wrapped up in getting the shot that we can become easy targets too.

[mrchile]

NY is the safest big city in America, but one still has to careful. There's a new crime that they call "Apple Picking". Thieves snatch your smart phone or tablet and run. They call it Apple Picking because the thieves prefer Apple products because they're easier to sell. People are so absorbed in what they're doing on the smartphone or tablet that they're easy targets. Photographers also can be so wrapped up in getting the shot that we can become easy targets too.

Kind of a stupid crime. All apple devices can be tracked with GPS. Not sure how it works, but it does. A teacher at my wife's school had her phone lifted and it was tracked to the student's,(who took it), house.

[MarkD]

Kind of a stupid crime. All apple devices can be tracked with GPS. Not sure how it works, but it does. A teacher at my wife's school had her phone lifted and it was tracked to the student's,(who took it), house.

I assume they have some way of disabling the GPS because this has become a real problem. I've heard it discussed on local news several times.

[Yarddog]

I saw that in the news a couple of days ago. Really sad that her children will grow up without a Mother. I have a Sister who is very adventurous. They travel all over the world. Used to go to South America and Mexico a lot. They finally decided Mexico was too dangerous and for the last few years have gone to Europe. They had problems in Mexico, Argentina, and France. Her husband had his wallet picked on the subway in Paris. Oddly enough the French cops recovered it and gave it to the American Embassy. Surprisingly the money was still in it.

[Brett_D]

Her husband had his wallet picked on the subway in Paris. Oddly enough the French cops recovered it and gave it to the American Embassy. Surprisingly the money was still in it.

That's what happens when you drop your wallet, not when you're pickpocketed

Danger lurks everywhere: big cities, small cities, rural areas, overseas, in your own back yard. Be smart, but that doesn't mean you should just stay home. A shower, after all, can be a killer: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/sc...isks.html?_r=0 (or at least so, says Jared Diamond)

[MarkD]

When traveling you should always be aware of what areas are relatively dangerous. Either avoid these areas or go with a group or with a guide who knows the area.