Rio de Janeiro...shooting advice?

[Retrotech68]

Originally Posted by Atto

Among that, no big difference.
I spent my vacations last year in Rio, wonderful city with similar level of safety in comparison with another big cities around world.

Dallas, TX scares me by far much more than Rio!

I've never been to Dallas, TX, but I can tell you that I have seen neighbourhoods in some European towns that scared the hell out of me... A good example that comes to mind is Naples (and I loved visiting the place!)...
As for Buenos Aires, I didn't felt it to be a dangerous town, at least not in the random way Rio is. But of course, there are much more dangerous towns in Brazil (in English, the country's name is actually spelt with a "z"), like Belém do Pará...

[froyd]

My experience was good despite carrying a pretty conspicuous Nikon F4 with me almost all the time (incidentally that was the trip that literally broke the camel's back and pushed me to lighter RFs!).

However, my Brasilian relatives --from outside Rio -- all thought I was crazy and I would get robbed upon arrival.

Either I got lucky, or I played it smart enough

In any case, I second the advice of taking more than the T3. It's a great camera, but Rio is an amazing place where a more capable camera could come in handy.

[jmanivelle]

Hi, just catching up on this thread...
I leave here in Rio and never walked the streets with a camera on my neck. Keep it inside in a canvas bag & with black tape on the shiny labels. Touristic spots (Copacabana, Ipanema) attract thieves and most of them kids , so keep an eye on them and you'll spot them quickly.
Do take your X100 along , it's not as ostentatious as a 5D (and its EOS strap).
There are enough great places where it's safe to snap about, just don't dress up too much and you'll be fine.
It's more about attitude as commented in the previous answers.
And always carry some change with you
You can PM me if you wish !
Cheers
JM

[jaredangle]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but...

How's the light in Rio during their winter (June–July)? I'm thinking of going next year to document the favelas that will be undergoing changes in preparation for the 2016 Olympics.

I'd like to shoot a little bit of ISO 100 film there, but I'm not sure how late into the evening it'll last.

[David_Manning]

Jared, I guess I'll find out shortly...I'm leaving for Rio tomorrow.

I still have a day to obsess over it, but it looks like my X100 and my Contax T3 are my go-to cameras for the trip.

[CK Dexter Haven]

Originally Posted by jaredangle

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but...

How's the light in Rio during their winter (June–July)? I'm thinking of going next year to document the favelas that will be undergoing changes in preparation for the 2016 Olympics.

I'd like to shoot a little bit of ISO 100 film there, but I'm not sure how late into the evening it'll last.

I don't remember how late the light lasts - and i don't often visit during this time of the year.... But, re: visiting the favelas - i'd recommend you have a local arrange a personal tour by a resident. When i went, my Brazilian friend who is a driver took us to the foot of the favela where we hired two motorcycle guides to take us up. It's a bit hairy on the back of a little motorcycle, winding around the narrow streets with buses coming down at you.... But, it was pretty cool.

I was hoping/expecting to see the storied 'kids with AK-47s,' but found none at that time.... I shot with an M7 and Mamiya 6 at the time.

BTW: In the favelas, i'm told there is a particular 'honor code,' in that there is no real crime within those borders. If you're inside, you're supposed to be protected, as part of the community - or something like that.

Back to David -
I still recommend, if you have the luggage space, that you take another/additional camera. Yes, the stories may be daunting, but once you're there, you may feel more confident and might want something else. The thing is, you can use ANY camera down there. So long as you do it smartly.

And, if you visit Sugar Loaf and Corcovado and such, there are scads of tourists around, and no real threat. Just be careful on the mosaic walkway in Copa, and on the non-beachfront streets. Don't walk around with a camera on a strap around your neck or on your shoulder. Keep it in a cheap, worn bag/nylon backpack, and no one will think you have anything more than a sandwich or gym clothes in there. Buy the bag once you get there - just get whatever kind you see most often, and cushion it with a small hotel towel.

[David_Manning]

I'll let everyone know how it goes. I'm here in Rio now...just arrived this morning. Great shooting conditions..moderate sun (high thin overcast) and only about 78F (26C).

I just brought the X100. And an iPhone 4S

[David_Manning]

Oh...I thought I'd mention. I'm meeting two other photographers here to shoot with...an RFF'r and a Flickr contact.

If anyone else is in Rio and wants to shoot this week email me at david.manning@me.com

[Vics]

David, be sure to check out Ralph Gibson/s terrific book on Brazil. Have a good trip!

[jmanivelle]

RFF meeting in Rio de Janeiro...

A_RFF_meeting_onthebeach_Niteroi_Brazil_JUNE2012 by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/talegal/]careca
more to come...

[David_Manning]

Leaving for the U.S. tonight. What an interesting experience. Thanks to RFF'r jmanivelle and a second Flickr contact, had tour guides-translators-security-co-shooters-meal companions the whole time. I saw both sides of Rio. I'll post some shots Thursday night. I'm flying home to Texas all night tonight...time to get a nap.

BTW...the X100 excelled at all situations...landscapes, candids, and low-light in the favelas.

[umcelinho]

great to hear you've had a great time looking forward to seeing some of the trip photos!

[jmanivelle]

One more featuring David !


locked in by careca2013, on Flickr

[David_Manning]

You should have kicked me so I'd know to move.

Just to sort of "combine" threads here is the link to a few of my shots from this adventure:

My shots from Rio

[jmanivelle]

Nope, I like the photo ! A second later a woman barged in and then the shot was gone.

[louisbrown08]

Probably a bit late on this reply, but this guy was travelling around rio and taped his camera up in such a way to make it look completely undesirable, i plan on doing the same when travelling the world in about 6 months, but in my case it will be a nice bessa r2, quite enjoying the idea of it being all scuffed up and used looking.

http://content.photojojo.com/tips/th...lified-camera/

theres the link anyway.

[Viktor Sebastian]

I am in Rio right now. It seems a lot safer than I initially thought. And the city is absolutely stunning.

[jmanivelle]

Hi Viktor,
due to the Rio + 20 event, it's the safest week of the year here in Rio, a few cops at every street corner...
btw PM me if you have time to meet !
um abraço,
Jean-Marc

[Viktor Sebastian]

Gladly!

Perhaps a false sense of security

[David_Manning]

Don't do it Viktor! Jean-Marc will make you walk through scary places and make you hike down mountains...I know!