How to carry a camera safely in crowded markets
Busy markets are some of the best places to photograph, and some of the easiest places to lose a camera. A few habits keep it with you without making you anxious.
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Carry a bag that doesn't say "camera"
A big, branded camera bag tells everyone what's inside. A crossbody or tote that looks like an everyday handbag doesn't. If you already own a bag you like, a padded insert turns it into a camera bag nobody will notice.
Wear it in front
In crowds, swing a crossbody round to the front, where your hand can rest on it. Keep the closure facing your body. Backpacks are the hardest to watch; if you carry one, wear it on your front in the busiest places.
Keep the camera attached to you
- Strap across your body, not on one shoulder. A camera on one shoulder is easy to lift.
- Wrist strap while shooting. It stops drops as well as grabs.
- Camera away between shots in the busiest spots, rather than hanging loose.
See quick-release camera straps ↗
At cafés and on transport
- Keep your bag on your lap, or loop the strap around your leg or the chair leg. Never hang it on the back of your chair.
- Don't leave the camera on the table, especially near the street.
- On trains and buses, keep the bag with you rather than on the rack overhead.
Make the camera less tempting
- A plain black strap draws less attention than one with a big brand name.
- Some photographers cover logos with black tape. It won't fool anyone up close, but it makes the camera less eye-catching from a distance.
- Carry a smaller camera on days you expect big crowds.
Protect the photos as well as the camera
A camera can be replaced; a trip's photos can't. Swap memory cards every few days, keep used cards somewhere separate from the camera, and back up each evening to a phone, laptop or small SSD.
Trust your instincts
If a place feels wrong, put the camera away and move on. If someone demands your camera, let it go; your safety matters more than any gear. Check your travel insurance covers camera gear before you leave.