Special clothes that you shoot in

[alex_anonymous]

<p>I'm just curious to know if anyone else wears certain things for when they're getting ready to go shoot. Personally speaking, I'm female and when I'm decide to get on my bike and ride around in more urban areas, I don't wear anything flashy for fear of being mugged. I know it sounds crazy, but I try to look as average as someone can while riding a bike with a camera, and I also try to shoot fast and leave the area! I wear a black beanie, no bright colors, few patterns as possible, etc <br>

So I'm just wondering, do any of you wear specific clothing for certain shoots?</p>

 

[craig_shearman1]

<p>For weddings, a tux unless the groom and groomsmen aren't wearing tuxes, then a business suit. For most other events -- conferences, trade shows, business meetings, news events, non-formal social events etc. -- a business suit. For sports, jeans or shorts depending on the weather. For nature/landscape jeans/shorts/rain gear if necessary. <br /><br />IMHO, what I don't like are anything that says attitude -- dressing in all-black to look artsy (unless there's a reason like your'e shooting in an orchestra pit on in a theater where you want to become invisible during a performance like the stagehands) or collarless shirts or black shirts with a suit). Also anything that looks like a uniform -- khaki pants and a polo shirt with your studio logo on it. <br /><br />Out running around on your own anything goes. But for an event you're been hired to shoot, you should look like you belong there and blend in, not like somebody who crashed the party. And even though you're hired to be there, not like "the help."</p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>I do not live in a high-crime area, so when I go out to make photos, I go as I am. Obviously for long hikes, I dress for long hikes. But the fact that I wear a camera doesn't change a single thing for me (for the few wedding work I did non professionally, I dressed as I would have dressed as a guest).<br>

<br /> Without knowing the urban areas where you shoot, it's hard to say anything remotely useful. What kind of photos do you take, and is it the fear of being mugged that avoids you from being relaxed and approachable in the area where you work? Or are other factors in play as well? Just asking, because in my view, photos tend to get a lot better when you feel at ease and feel OK with exploring the area/potential photos calmly, relaxed and in a way where you are open to that surrounding (chitchat with people, getting a familiar feel). "Snatching" photos in zones where you're not feeling comfortable, in my own experience, leaves me with photos that are distant, disconnected and not as engaging. But I know an open and easy-going approach simply isn't doable in every city, village or area, unfortunately.</p>

[drjoder]

<p>This may sound a bit odd, but I carry gardener's kneepads in my vehicle. I'll use them when out doing nature and landscape stuff since I am often on my knees a lot with the tripod. For street photography, I just look like another tourist.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>I wear a hobo beard, aging hippie ponytail, slouch hat, Montrail or Herman Survivor boots and the chain mail pantyhose of virtue. I fit in everywhere. Almost everywhere. Sometimes when I go to the opera or ballet I wear slacks and a shirt.</p>

[User_6502147]

<p>Alex, that sounds too stressful for enjoyable photography, IMO. Most of my images (nature related) have been taken within few blocks from the house and peeps in the neighborhood know me.....I stop and talk with neighbors, about their dog, interesting flowers (display), new house that's being build next door, etc etc. Overall it's a friendly (and mixed) neighborhood. If I wore anything other than my average attire....they would think that something is up :>).</p>

<p>Les</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>The right head gear is important<br>

For example while visiting Civil War sites in the East, I wear my kepi (left)<br>

and in the Southwest, a straw cowboy hat is required (right).</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>Seriously, unless you want to stand out and attract attention (come let me take your picture!), dress as those around you are dressed.</p>

<p>I did get some "bad hat" comments in Southern states with the Union kepi.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>.</p><div></div>

[geoffs1]

<p>About the only piece of clothing I wear that is specific to photography is a wide-brimmed hat with a flexible brim so I can shoot vertically.</p>

[Palouse]

<p>Knee pads have been part of my kit for years--and getting more important as I age. For the few receptions, engagements, social things I shoot--a loose canvas sports coat with large pockets. Otherwise, I go as I am. Hats-- boney type hat is my preferred style, but I'm not too picky. Straw hat blows away and is not up to the beating I dish out. With an unkempt grey beard and wild hair, and a beer gut, what I wear won't hide me :)</p>

[bebu_lamar]

<p>Photographers are hated these days so may be a bullet proof vest?</p>

[geoffs1]

<p>I forgot two crucial pieces of photographic clothing I use:</p>

<ol>

<li>A fluorescent orange shirt so pilots can see me clearly.</li>

<li>A safety harness so I won't fall out an open airplane door.</li>

</ol>

<p><a href="http://moving-target-photos.com/2013WingsOverWaukesha/slides/IMG_0868_screen.html"><img src="http://moving-target-photos.com/misc/IMG_0868_700w.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /></a></p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>I avoid colors. Makes my stray reflections less trouble in post, and light that bounces off of me doesn't color the scene.</p>

[mike dixon]

I wear whatever I would usually wear for the weather/event/environment. I'm a six-foot-tall redhead living in Asia--it's not really possible for me to be inconspicuous.

[CoryAmmerman]

<p>When walking about downtown, I like to wear cargo shorts or pants. The big pockets are good for carrying a couple of primes and a filter or two. I've gotten out of the habit of carrying a lot of gear with me anymore. When I'm on my bike I usually restrict myself to a single lens, either a prime or a normal zoom.</p>

[cyanatic]

<p>Love the kepi, JDM. But crossed rifles did not become the infantry insignia until after the Civil War. Gold chasseur horn on blue field was CW era infantry insignia. And that was worn on officer kepis, not enlisted kepis. Okay, I'm done being an anal retentive reenactor now.</p>

<p>Shooting in Chicago I try to be as nondescript as possible. Maybe a Blackhawks hoodie or a Bears cap. I try to fit in, not stand out. Much like Alex said. </p>

[JDMvW]

<p>For the topic, see, this illustrates the importance of getting your head gear right or you will stir up the locals. ;)</p>

<p><br /> NTIM, and OT,</p>

<blockquote>

<p>But crossed rifles did not become the infantry insignia until after the Civil War. Gold chasseur horn on blue field was CW era infantry insignia.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You know that, and I know that, but this kepi was as I got it at the "Manassas" battlefield.<br /> Since then I have got a reasonably authentic kepi at a Civil War re-enactment, and I have also got the gold (brass, that is) horn, though I haven't stuck it on yet. I actually have pictures, by the way, showing what seem to be private soldiers wearing the horn emblem. Besides I surely would have been an offizier* like my kinsman who was a Prussian observer with the Army of the Potomac. :)</p>

<p>_________<br /> *'I fights mit Siegel'</p><div></div>

[jim_j2]

I try to look as much like a tree as

possible. . .

Of course I'm shooting wildlife & nature.

 

Otherwise, I want to dress like those around me.

[Gup]

<p>When shooting a wedding, casual for the rehearsal, arriving by motorcycle as often as not, and a nice suit for the ceremony. <br>

When shooting nature and landscape, I wear green and grey with a wide brimmed canvas hat (a Tilley) and travel by green canoe. I tend to choose garments with lots of big pockets for filters and caps and cards and batteries, etc. that is rain resistant (fleece, waxed cotton). I like to be invisible. The hat performs double duty as a sun shade when needed.</p>

[RaymondC]

<p>I mainly just do city and landscape photography so they are both places where tourists go so just normal clothes. I tend to wear North Face convertible pants / shorts, a merino wool long sleeve top collarless like a t shirt but a thicker blend with a puff jacket or a ski jacket with inner fleece or I could equally just wear jeans and normal shoes may even be leather shoes as I walk along the waterfront. I tend to wear a backpack with tripod but in the cities I tend to go light with equipment with just a shoulder bag like a Lowepro Photo Runner which generally fit only one body with lens and another lens or a small prime and a flash head or (3rd) lens; and a Gitzo traveler tripod. I also tend to prefer primes, sold a 80-200 2.8 but haven't replaced that yet not sure if I would get a zoom may just get a 180mm 2.8.</p>

<p>I covered a friend's wedding over here for friends after a wedding they had the week before. So not that impt. I just wore a business suit with a open neck shirt. I just took a body with a mid zoom lens and a flash had a lens in a bag in the back room thou for the end stuff about it.</p>

<p> </p>

[pjmeade]

<p>I've always found the best way is to fit in with dress expectations for the venue, so for many polo tournaments, I'll wear jeans or shorts and a (ahem) polo shirt. For somewhere like RMA Sandhurst, it has to be blazer and tie (for one event, two magazine photogs turned up in jeans and T-shirts and a very senior officer told be he'd liked to have them thrown out).<br>

At one time, many photographers were being stopped by the police under anti terrorism laws and questioned. I took to wearing something relating to the MCC (a very prestigious London cricket club). Even now, if I'm wandering around London with a camera, I'll wear something like that.</p>

[Ian Taylor]

<p>I work as a kids photographer mainly in countries near the equator, so shorts, t-shirt and sandals for me.</p>

[Two23]

<p>I tend to dress warmly.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[richard_]

<p>causal wear with alot of pockets (for gear).</p>

[cyanatic]

<blockquote>

 

<p>For the topic, see, this illustrates the importance of getting your head gear right or you will stir up the locals. ;)<br>

<br />NTIM, and OT,</p>

<blockquote>

<p>But crossed rifles did not become the infantry insignia until after the Civil War. Gold chasseur horn on blue field was CW era infantry insignia.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You know that, and I know that, but this kepi was as I got it at the "Manassas" battlefield.<br />Since then I have got a reasonably authentic kepi at a Civil War re-enactment, and I have also got the gold (brass, that is) horn, though I haven't stuck it on yet. I actually have pictures, by the way, showing what seem to be private soldiers wearing the horn emblem. Besides I surely would have been an offizier* like my kinsman who was a Prussian observer with the Army of the Potomac. :)<br>

_________<br />*'I fights mit Siegel'</p>

 

</blockquote>

 

<p>Lol! +1 for "I fights mit Sigel" I'm particularly interested in the 82nd Illinois Volunteers who were part of the much maligned (and unfairly so, I maintain) XI Corps. Franz Sigel was the XI Corps commander until it was turned over to Oliver O Howard. I think it was Francis Barlow who referred to the Germans in the XI as those "damned dutchman". They were good fighters, just poorly led (like much of the AoP until Gettysburg). Very cool that you can trace back one of your ancestors to a Prussian observer in the Civil War. <br>

Sorry for the digression...carry on!<br>

</p>