As someone who has spent an extensive amount of time in Colombia, I can speak with authority on how safe the country is in general and for photographers. With that, I’m using this article to answer a question I’m commonly asked: Is Colombia dangerous for street photography?

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So, is Colombia Dangerous for Street photogrpahy?

When I first arrived in Colombia, my mind was full of all the warnings and horror stories from those who had visited the South American nation. “They’ll rob you at gunpoint” and “you’re camera will be gone in no time” were just some of the scaremongering warnings I received.

Paranoid and concerned, I found myself leaving my camera at home and not practicing street photography at all. I then realized, if my camera is on the shelf collecting dust and I am not using it, then it’s as good as stolen anyway.

This realization made me think to myself “maybe I should learn from experience and see if, in actual fact, I can use my camera for street photography in Colombia.

Answering is Colombia Dangerous for Street Photography?

During a visit in 2022, I decided it was time to let go and use my camera like I would in London – every single day because I love it and it helps me manage my mental health.

Of course I did not go in blind, I did my research. Like every country, Colombia has its nice areas and its no go zones.

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In larger cities such as Medellin and Bogota, I tend to avoid the central areas. These tend to be very built up areas and it’s much easier for someone to rob you and blend into the crowd. Plus, central areas often house more tourists and it’s a goldmine for potential thieves.

More local areas like Envigado, just south of Medellin have a more relaxed pace to life. Mainly families live in these areas and people have ordinary lives and don’t overly concern themselves with those who are not originally from the area. That’s not to say they’re rude, they’re in fact very welcoming, they're just not going to look at you like you’re an alien they have never seen before.

With that, it’s much easier to blend in, make photographs and go about your day. There’s no need to worry about having your photography gear stolen, at least not anymore than you would anywhere else in the world.

I also remain streetwise, a skill I have developed throughout five years of traveling the world. For example, a young man asked me “How much is your camera worth?” He did not introduce himself, nor was there any prior dialogue, just straight into wanting to know how much my camera would cost.

Now, he could have easily been a curious soul, or perhaps he was trying to identify if the price would be worth the effort of stealing my camera. I have the Fujifilm XT2 which you could pick up with accessories for $899.99 on Amazon. The camera is around seven years old, but I told him it was 30 years old and not worth a penny! I don’t like to lie, but the whole point was to deter any potential issues, while remaining polite and friendly.

Colombia is also home to some beautiful small towns, Pueblos as they call them here. Jardin, Salento, Guatapé to name a few are very traditional towns and some of the best places for street photography in Colombia. While they do see more tourists, the local people are very traditional and there’s seldom any trouble in these beautiful – and magic – pueblos.

Final Thought

In the almost two years I have been taking photographs freely in Colombia, I’ve never had a problem. That’s not to say problems don’t exist, it’s just not as guaranteed as people first warned me, and there’s no reason to never practice street photography in Colombia.

I’ll ask the question again: Is Colombia dangerous for street photography? My final answer is no. Of course be mindful and adopt the ninja-like manner that’s synonymous with street photography. Do your research, and try to avoid poverty-stricken areas – it’s not cool to say “we went here and it’s so dangerous” – and be mindful of how you interact with others.

Simply put; Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries I have had the privilege of visiting. I encourage you to visit this amazing country that is the home of some of the most warm, most beautiful people you will ever encounter. Enjoy shooting street photography in Colombia, it’s diverse and has a lot to offer, and you’ll no doubt return home with photographs you will cherish forever.

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