Wearing a photo vest (?)

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hlockwood

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Years ago I bought a Domke photo vest. But when I wore it, I felt like a fraud, imitating a pro photographer, even though it was very practical. It's been hanging in the closet unused ever since.

More recently, I bought a vest (Outback) advertised as a "travel" vest, lots of handy pockets but looking less like a photo vest. I feel comfortable wearing it with or without toting a camera.

I've noticed, however, when on a "street" photo walkabout wearing the vest, that subjects seem to be more accepting of this activity as legitimate. "This guy is a serious photographer, not some old pervert." (The "old" part, alas, is still true.)

Just the other day, I spotted a very pretty girl putting flyers on the windshields of parked cars. She smiled when she saw me shooting her, and then posed, with a big smile, for another shot. On the same walkabout, I noticed similar reactions from others. How nice not be be regarded with suspicion! (I'll post a pic when I finish the roll.)

So, I've concluded that if you look like a "real" photographer, folks might be more accommodating to street-style shooting. And, for me, anything that makes street photography easier is most welcome.

Comments?

Harry
 
You didn't mention what camera you were using ... I've crossed 'Holga' off the list of possibilities! :D
 
Keith said:
You didn't mention what camera you were using ... I've crossed 'Holga' off the list of possibilities! :D
Click to expand...

Haha I'm also curious what camera you were using..

The thought of buying on of those vest has crossed my mind.. but I'll just stick with my Domke bag for now :)
 
Wearing a vest for me is the antithesis of my street shots, I wear nothing that make me stand out, carry my camera on a wrist strap and hanging in my coat pocket or holding it shielded in my hand. I prefer, whenever possible, to take candid shots. Not being noticed helps. I use a backpack for stuff, here everybody wears a backpack, though usually one camera with one lens.
 
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Clothing is very important, and in fact even how you look overall. The more well-dressed you're in a sutble way, and the way you carry yourself all of that makes a difference. For older photographers I think a vest is far more fitting than a bag slung across the chest or a backpack, which is totally a inappropriate, in fact a backpack is suspicious even on the younge people, something about backpacks that makes people suspicious.

Buy a vest with a subtle color and less bubbly pockets, it does not even have to be a photography vest, there are many types.
 
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I wonder how much of this is psychological? If you feel you look the part, then perhaps your attitude towards those you're photographing changes and you start giving off different vibes?

John
 
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I could never get on with a vest. Once loaded up, they are uncomfortable to me. Much prefer a bag. For the PJ stuff, I wear a belt system that keeps the heavy stuff of my neck and shoulders.
 
I would have thought it might be the opposite. If I someone is just out shooting and I'm in the shot it's no big deal, but I start wondering where some photo might be published if it's a "pro" out shooting. Not that I care much where it's published, it just gets me thinking.

How this might play in another city is probably gonna be different, but if this is working for you, why not?
 
Try scottevest. I use there travel vest and love it for my M and lenses. The thing can even hold a water bottle!!
 
Loved vests when I used to shoot football games or news events. Was so nice not to be lugging around a bag. But today, I never use it. Not really sure why not.
 
There's a lot advantages and some people have made some good points about the best ways to pull of a photovest - but I personally wouldn't want to be seen alive in one. :D
 
I, too, have one hanging in the closet - I think it's an old, old Banana Republic one. I've tried to like it and never succeeded. A bag, small for rangefinder gear, much bigger for F3 Nikon stuff or Canon digital, seems to work best for me. I really like the idea of a vest and the weight distribution, but it's one of those things that seems to work better in theory than in practice.
 
Five or six years ago I was shooting nothing but landscapes and I always wore a photographers vest and could hardly function without one. I really like vests but I don't really like the way they look. I sometimes wear a jacket that has several large pockets and find that is a good compromise. Travel vests are an excellent choice as well although I have never worn one. I have found that wearing a vest people seem to accept you quite easily as a serious photographer. I think it depends on where you are shooting. In some places it may be like waving a red flag in front of an angry bull. Jim
 
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Not for me, thanks. They look horrible nerdy, adn to me they scream "wannabe."

Think for street shooting, better to be inconspicuous, rather than wear something that loudly announces "I am a professional photographer." I mean, did you ever hear of Cartier-Bresson wearing one? Or Robert Frank?
 
For street-photo I wear always a jacket, or a long shirt in summer - to hide my camera under.
I never used a photo vest, I find it ridiculous and too obvious, but sometimes I use a jacket with comfortable pockets for an extra lens and accessories when I don't want to carry a bag.
I think that in terms of street-photo the clothes are very important:
A subtle balance between discretion, neutrality, practicality and durability - look at Koudelka style…
 
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A wannabe is someone who's actually a wannabe, by wearing a vest you don't automatically become a wannabe if you're not a wannabe... Secondly, if you're conscious of the fact that you're a wannbe then you're not because most wannabes are unconscious of their wannabeness.

Insecurity is a debilitating affliction, don't fall for it... If you like wearing a vest and you think it makes you more acceptable to your subjects then do it, don't fall for the bullying of the so called 'pros' who make fun of amateurs using their 'accessories', in fact most pros are glorified amateurs with a better business sense.

If Bruce Gilden wears a vest, if Costa manos wears a vest and many other 'real' photographers, then you have every right to wear one too.
 
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