Stealthy LARP photography - The Camera
In the cinema, no one likes the guy that pulls out their phone whilst the movie is playing.
Similarly, a LARP photographer, through their own behaviour, as well as the behaviour of their camera, can cause a level of disruption to any LARP scene.
A minimal level of presence is necessary in order for the photo to be taken but hopefully this can be done without altering the behaviour of the subjects of the photo. In this way, LARP photography could be said to be like nature photography.
I will typically make adjustments to my camera in order to make it less instrusive at a LARP.. Here are steps that I take to make my camera "Stealthy."
Cover up camera branding
Cameras haven't changed much in shape and ergonomics but the brands of today are not the brands that have existing throughout photography's history. By covering up the branding of the camera, usually with black electrical tape I can make the camera a slightly more plausible item in a historic setting.
One other behaviour I have noticed is that, if a fellow photographer recognizes your camera brand they may try initiating a conversation about photography gear. There are endless debates around which camera / lens combination is best and endless opinions. When I am carrying my camera its to use it and I dont particular want to stop shooting and have a gear related debate. When at a LARP, provoking a discussion on photography could be a distraction.
An extension of this is swapping a the camera strap that comes with it for a generic, non-branded one.
Turn-off autofocus beep
Most camera beep when the achieve focus. Useful, but also annoying. The beep is generally louder generally louder than the shutter action of the camera. Fortunately, many camera have multiple ways of indicating focus, the beep is just one and it can be switched off.
Use a "Quieter" Shutter
Some cameras allow quieter operation of the shutter button, with a small trade-off in speed of operation. Unless I need the speed, I genereally prefer a quieter shutter.
Turn-off Live viewfinder
Most camera have a rear-facing screen that can be used as a viewfinder to compose your photo, similar to a cellphone. These screen can generate a fair bit of light pollution and are a dead giveaway that your camera is of contemporary, rather than historic design.
I much prefer to use an eye-cup viewfinder, either optical or electronic and leave the back screen switched off as much as the camera model allows.