Wearing a photo vest (?)

[Michael Markey]

Very fetching 🙂
Come to think of it I do have something like that myself.
Indeed Stewart has got the evidence somewhere....never needed it for grenades though.
I would imagine they are on the heavy side.

 

[Jamie123]

Exactly. How many professionals have a deep problem with vests? And how many wabbabees who'd like to wear one but don't have the cojones and therefore transfer their insecurity to those who do wear them?

Sure they can look dorky. So can anything, if a dork is wearing it.

Cheers,

R.

Believe me, there is no one in this world who can pull off wearing a photo vest and not look dorky.

I don't think many professionals have a "deep problem" with wearing photo vests but I'm sure there are a lot of pros who would simply never consider wearing one. Being a photographer doesn't necessarily dictate one's style in clothing. Sure, practicality has it's place in clothing but it's not everything.

 

[Sparrow]

Very fetching 🙂
Come to think of it I do have something like that myself.
Indeed Stewart has got the evidence somewhere....never needed it for grenades though.
I would imagine they are on the heavy side.

I rest my case .... 😀

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I've worn jackets and sports jackets and sweaters and other things when I'm out photographing, but never a photographer's vest. It's me: I don't dig vests of any type. The jacket (as in half of a suit, with lapels and suitable for tie-wearing... I have a nice blue one) is a different story and I like it a lot.

However, since I go out more often during the summer months, a bag does the trick.

For some reason, the photographer's vests out for sale make me think of fishing gear... and that's about it. But if people like them (and these things are surely liked or there wouldn't be as many in the market out there), heck, go and enjoy them.

I also have worn V-neck sweaters... 🙂 To work. And wearing a tie. If that doesn't spell out "Nerd"... then I don't care. 🙂

 

[Doug]

I have a variety of vests, some more stylish (or "less nerdy"?) than others, more pockets or fewer. It's my normal attire whether photographing or not. I don't carry bulky or heavy things in the pockets, just cell phone, keys, hearing aids, kleenex. When out shooting I sling my camera over a shoulder, and maybe put a couple rolls of film or SD cards in the pockets, possibly a light meter on occasion. The one I've been wearing recently is a dark blue "Ranger Vest" with 6 pockets, from a military surplus outlet. I like an interior pocket for checkbook and notepad. At this point I'm not sure if I care whether I look nerdy/dorky or not. But I'm friendly. 🙂

 

[Chuck Albertson]

One advantage of a vest is when flying - it's a great place to stash equipment when airlines are especially tight on carry-on weights

Exactly. I use mine as a second carry-on, and it takes up a lot less space in the overhead bin than a granny bag.

 

[igi]

I prefer casual clothes, clean shave and a hair to die for!😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

Exactly. I use mine as a second carry-on, and it takes up a lot less space in the overhead bin than a granny bag.

Dear Chuck,

Well, yes. But how many people who object to photo vests on fashion grounds are concerned with practicality? Or possibly even with taking pictures? They're not just useful on aircraft, either. I've worn my Billingham vest when motorcycle touring in India; when when walking in the Pyrenees; when working for the Tibetan Government in Exile; and when covering photokina for Shutterbug. For me, it's a useful tool (sometimes) for taking pictures, because, with the right vest and the right kit, you don't even notice you're carrying it. But what do I know? I'm there to take pictures, not as an amateur fashion plate.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Gerry M]

Maybe, with age, convenience/comfort over style/appearance wins out. And then again, maybe I just don't give a c**p what others think. The advantage of maturity (geezerhood?)? Vests do serve a purpose, but obviously, not for all. Whatever floats your boat. There, I've just unloaded. 🙂

 

[RanceEric]

Maybe, with age, convenience/comfort over style/appearance wins out. And then again, maybe I just don't give a c**p what others think. The advantage of maturity (geezerhood?)? Vests do serve a purpose, but obviously, not for all. Whatever floats your boat. There, I've just unloaded. 🙂

New favorite word: "Geezerhood"

 

[_larky]

"Believe me, there is no one in this world who can pull off wearing a photo vest and not look dorky."

I gotta give this a +1. I think it may be a generational thing though, I've only ever seen them worn by people I'd not want around children. But I feel that way about long raincoats on men too. And trainers worn with suits.

I think it depends on how you carry yourself. If you wear it like it's not there, and you feel fine with it, then it's good for you. However, if I see one I shudder and run for cover, expecting bullets and Kate Adie to appear.

 

[Jamie123]

"Believe me, there is no one in this world who can pull off wearing a photo vest and not look dorky."

I gotta give this a +1. I think it may be a generational thing though, I've only ever seen them worn by people I'd not want around children.

Ha, exactly! I can't help but be remembered of John Goodman in The Big Lebowski whenever I see someone wear such a vest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dky_V_3izXI

 

[rover]

Unless we are talking about Speedos I think we need to leave fashion and dorkiness out of this discussion.

Thank you

 

[rover]

I don't want the fashion barrier broken for fear of the abuse poor young Kate may take after she steps out of the buggy Friday.

 

[furcafe]

The 1 time I met Koudelka, I think he had his camera gear in a vest underneath his jacket.

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…

 

[Bob]

Al Kaplan Wore A Photo Vest

Al Kaplan Wore A Photo Vest

Didn't Al Kaplan wear a photo vest (?).

I believe he did (?), and he never cared what anybody else thought 😉
It worked for him.

http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00V/00VNXp-205187584.jpg

 

[dave lackey]

Didn't Al Kaplan wear a photo vest (?).

I believe he did (?), and he never cared what anybody else thought 😉
It worked for him.

http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00V/00VNXp-205187584.jpg

That is a fly-fishing vest... doesn't count for dorkiness.🙂

 

[dave lackey]

Maybe if I could find a vest that looked like a Hawaiian shirt... or a Hawaiian shirt that looked like a vest...

But then I would have to wear shorts with dark knee socks and sandals with a certain kind of hat.😛

Shooting sports on the sidelines with a vest is actually THE best way to wear a vest. Not a bad idea shooting motorsports, etc. But, I draw the line on a hot vest or other clothing on a hot day in Dixie... But not so low as the Speedo thang!🙄

 

[Keith]

Vest and budgie smugglers sounds ok to me!

 

[MC JC86]

Didn't Al Kaplan wear a photo vest (?).

I believe he did (?), and he never cared what anybody else thought 😉
It worked for him.

http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00V/00VNXp-205187584.jpg

Looks like a fishing shirt with vented shoulders.

A little piece of me dies every time I see a <deleted> Canon DSLR user in a <deleted> Domke vest chimping with every shot despite the fact that they've got $10,000 on their tripod and should probably be able to take a picture without verifying it's existence on the LCD.

Of course they probably feel the same way when they see some kid in skinny jeans with a Leica or Rolleiflex. 😀

If Al did it though..... 😉