safety

Getting Mugged in Colombia as a Travel Photographer

As a travel photographer, I'm often asked if I've ever been robbed or had any negative experiences in far-flung corners of the world, Previously I didn't have much to talk about, but after a recent trip to Colombia, that changed…

Drunk Droning is Now Illegal in Japan

If you're planning to do any drone photography in Japan, make sure you stay away from alcohol. The country has just outlawed drunk droning, making it an offense that's punishable by up to a year in prison.

This is What a Drone Strike Would Do to an Airplane

As drones continue to explode in popularity, there have been more and more stories of operators flying way too close to airplanes. Now new research is revealing just how much damage a direct drone strike would do to an airplane's wing.

This Drone Hovered Dangerously Close to an Airliner Takeoff

A new drone video has emerged that has people shaking their heads. The 2-minute clip shows a drone hovering a short distance away from an airport runway while an Airbus A380, the largest commercial airliner with seating for up to 525 people, takes off and whizzes right past the drone.

Drone Pilot Dive Bombs Passenger Jet

A drone pilot has sparked outrage and condemnation by posting a video showing his camera drone "dive bombing" a passenger jet landing at a US airport. The drone came dangerously close to the aircraft during the stunt, which can be seen in the clip above.

Surprise! Holding a Camera to Your Face is Not Good in a Car Crash

Who would've guessed it? Holding a camera up to your face during a car crash can be quite hazardous to your health. New research by the University of Southern California and the International Cinematographer Guild has shed new light on the dangers posed by cameras in "free driving" situations.

Camera Battery Explodes at Airport, Sparking Panic

Orlando International Airport received a scare yesterday when some travelers heard what appeared to be a loud gunshot. After the commotion had settled down, it turns out that one person's lithium ion camera battery had exploded.

Drone Hits Passenger Plane in Canada

A drone struck a passenger plane in the skies over Jean Lesage International Airport in Québec City, the first time there has been a collision between a drone and a plane in Canada, the country's Minister of Transport says. The drone owner was flying illegally in a no-fly zone.

Consumer Drones Unlikely to Inflict Horrible Head Injuries, Study Finds

Researchers at Virginia Tech have been studying the injury risks posed by consumer drones by flying them into dummies' faces, and they've now come to a conclusion. The study found that the risk of a catastrophic head injury was less than 5 percent in an impact with a drone weighing 2.6 lbs (such as the popular DJI Phantom).

This is How Shooting the Sun Can Melt Your Camera

Planning to photograph the upcoming solar eclipse? You'd better make sure you have the right solar filter to protect your camera. Here's a 2-minute video that shows how shooting the sun without protection can completely melt your DSLR's guts.

Camera Drone Safety Tips from an Airplane Pilot

I hold a private pilot certificate, as well as a remote pilot certificate; I am also a photographer. I just wanted to share with you some advice from a budding pilot who comes from the much larger world of flying that is general aviation.

5 Tips for Music Photographers to Stay Safe at Festivals

Strapping thousands of dollars of camera gear to your body and navigating large crowds of intoxicated fans can present unique risks to professional music photographers. Never is that risk greater than at music festivals.

Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started with Magic Lantern (Safely)

Getting started with Magic Lantern can be a bit daunting for a beginner. That's why computer science student and filmmaker Jake Coppinger put together this easy-to-follow step-by-step video guide that shows you how to (safely) install and use the powerful software add-on.

Drone Falls Out of the Sky… and Onto a Woman’s Head

A woman at a public event in Beloeil, Quebec, was injured earlier this month when a DJI Phantom 3 camera drone dropped out of the sky and smashed directly into her head. The incident was caught on camera by another drone in the sky and can be seen in the 8 second video above.

Protest Photography Tips: How to Capture the Action and Stay Safe

I have always been interested in protest and civil disobedience. What first caught my eye was an episode of Whale Wars on Discovery Channel some years ago where activists were going to Antarctica and using direct action techniques to intervene in illegal whaling. Several series on, and last year I decided to go and photograph a protest against Japan’s hunting of whales and dolphins.

Photog Kicked Off Plane for Trying to Be a Responsible Drone Owner

Colin Smith of photoshopCAFE recently got kicked off his Southwest Airlines flight. And according to Smith, it wasn't because he was carrying something dangerous or causing a scene or taking pictures when he wasn't allowed—no, he was kicked off for being a responsible drone owner.

Surveillance Video Shows Dangerous Photo Incidents on Train Tracks

Network Rail published a warning this week about the dangers of taking photos on railroad tracks. The company, which operates most of the rail network in England, Scotland, and Wales, also released a surveillance video that shows multiple dangerous photo incidents at a rail crossing that happened on in one day.