Keeping Safe With a Camera - Precautions in Photography GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Travel Tech 89 89 people found this article helpful
Keeping Safe With a Camera
Avoid injuries or damaged gear by following common-sense safety guidelines
By Kyle Schurman Kyle Schurman Freelance Contributor University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kyle Schurman is a writer who specializes in digital cameras. His writing has appeared in Steve's Darkroom, Gadget Review, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 30, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography Keep yourself and your gear safe on your next photoshoot by planning ahead to minimize risks to your safety. Personal Safety
Comstock Images / Getty Images Never jeopardize your well-being for a shot. Follow standard safety precautions: Practice situational awareness. Pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in high-risk areas such as isolated country and busy urban areas. Be aware of the people around you, and take stock of places you can go to stay safe if you feel uncomfortable. Listen to your instincts if you have a bad feeling about a setting. Use appropriate filters—and not the viewfinder—when you're shooting toward the sun. Your eyes are more sensitive to direct sunlight than you think. When you're shooting toward the big yellow orb, use the screen, and keep your face and eyes shaded. Use the strap, but be careful that it doesn't get snagged. A well-designed strap saves your camera from being dropped, but the strap could snag on a branch, pipe, or some other hazard when you're shooting in tight quarters. Keep it as tight as you can; it's a safety feature, not a fashion accessory. Don't use the camera when you're on the move. Shooting while you're walking increases your odds of stumbling over something or even running into a person or object. Shoot only when you're standing still. Use a tripod when possible. Not only will you get better shots, but a tripod forces you to set up your shot in a place you're less likely to hurt yourself. After all, if you rely on your tripod, you'll be less likely to hang from a tree branch to frame a scene. Subject Safety
Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images If someone or something is good enough to capture through the lens, that subject is good enough to keep safe in the context of your photo shoot: Don't allow or encourage people to do stupid stunts just for the shot. Fun action shots are interesting, but as a photographer, you're ethically obligated to ensure that your subjects don't put themselves at risk. Just say no to amateurs performing stunts and people putting themselves in harm's way. Help subjects stay aware of their surroundings. When people are photographed, they often give all their attention to the camera instead of obstacles like branches, cars, obstructions, etc. They also might not watch for their gear if they've set it aside for the shoot. Use a telephoto lens to give wildlife and cultural relics appropriate space. Practice a respectful, leave-no-trace approach to photography by keeping clear of wildlife and delicate natural and cultural features. Using a telephoto lens atop a tripod usually obtains better shots than getting up close to a wild animal, anyway. Vadven / Getty Images Gear Safety
Keep your equipment in tip-top shape with preventative maintenance and protection from environmental challenges: Don't stash your gear anywhere it could be damaged or stolen. Always keep your stuff with you, or within easy reach. Observe the camera's normal operating temperatures. Not only will operation in temperature extremes potentially damage delicate electronics and motors, but moving rapidly between temperature extremes also can introduce internal condensation within the body or the lenses that, at best, adversely affects image quality, and at worst, ruins the equipment. Don't move between very cold and very hot temperatures quickly; instead, give your equipment a chance to warm up or cool down gradually to avoid moisture issues. Smiley.toerist/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0 Watch for excessive heat. If your camera body or battery feels unusually warm, discontinue use and bring the faulty device to an authorized repair shop for diagnosis and repair.Follow manufacturer instructions regarding self-repairs. Some parts of cameras are user-serviceable, and some are not. Use an authorized repair center to avoid warranty problems and avoid further damage to your camera.Discard leaking batteries properly. If a battery leaks, take it to an authorized battery-disposal center. Don't continue to use it; you'll ruin your camera. Likewise, don't just throw it in the trash; it's considered toxic waste.Use the strap. Cameras ship with straps to protect them from being dropped. Always put the strap around your neck, just as religiously as if it were the seat belt in your car.Buy protective bags or cases: Minimize shock damage by storing your gear in bags or cases that not only keep out water but also prevent impact damage to your delicate gear. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Have Success With Crowd Photography How to Use Google Pixel Night Sight How to Photograph Running Water With a DSLR What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It How to Get Sand Out of Your Camera Lens Expert Tested: The 6 Best Tripods for DSLR Cameras in 2022 Snow Photography Tips: Improve Winter Photography How to Use Perspective in Photography The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2022 Digital Camera Glossary: What Is a Scene Mode? Expert Tested: The 5 Best Optical Zoom Cameras in 2022 The 8 Best Laptop Backpacks, Tested by Experts How to Clean a Camera Lens The 5 Best Cameras for Under $250 of 2022 How to Shoot Photos in Strong Wind DJI Mavic 3 Review: Elevating Aerial Imaging Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies