anyone ever been to Brazil?

[stickonatree]

so at the end of august, i'm going down to salvador, brazil with 10-15 other university mates for 3 weeks, via a sort of study abroad kind of program. i'm really into photography, and want to bring my dSLR; however in the country guide we were provided, it says that we should not be carrying large cameras, and keep small cameras hidden in pockets when not needed. everyone knows of the a high crime rate there, so i won't be dressy flashy or anything, the only "flash" being my camera bag + nikon d80. anyone ever bring a dSLR/large camera down to salvador or similar places, or have experiences to relay specifically dealing with crime? any tips would also be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[thinman]

I've been to Brazil twice, including visits to Rio, Niteroi (across the bay from Rio), Campinas, and Recife. I never felt unsafe, but I stayed in tourist areas and/or I was accompanied by a local host. I took the precaution of wearing a cheap plastic watch and didn't take a camera (not because of safety concerns, but because I'm not much of a photographer). I did, in fact, stick out as an American, though, because someone yelled to me one day when I went for a run on the beach. I know this isn't much help, but I think you'll be safe if you exercise reasonable caution.

Instead of a camera bag, I sometimes use a softsided Coleman cooler. It's padded, holds a SLR with small lens, and no one suspects it contains a camera until I open it.

 

[redcaimen]

I have never been to Salvador (only Rio and Florianopolis) but I do hear Salvador has a crime problem at least comparable to Rio's. - Florianopolis, on the other hand, is virtually crime free. If you are going to be with a local and you will be in a group I wouldn't sweat it. If you are going to wander around alone with a camera you run a risk.

Follow the advice you are given about not leaving valuables alone and dont carry anything valuable you really dont need to carry at the time. Most of the violent crime takes place in the Favelas but getting robbed in the tourist areas is relatively common - snatch and grabs even more so. Avoid groups of street kids. Cross the street if you have to.

I have passed by people who didnt know I speak halting Portuguese who started to discuss the fact that I was carrying a camera (a sony digital) and I dont think they were photography fans.

If you are alert to the possibility of getting ripped off then you make it far less likely.