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UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props (Viewed 1387 times)
-insertnamehere- 


Location: CO
Gender: Male


"...We're taking photos" ... "PHOTAHOES?!?!?! ?!"

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Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
< on 10/11/2011 9:35 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Alright, as many of you have probably encountered in your explores across the interwebs, there is a site that offers 250 free business cards to any unsuspecting passerby. I was skeptical at first, but my friend tried it out and received his free business cards with minimal hassle.

This got me thinking: These business cards would be great for sticky situations I occasionally find myself in. As coined by Ninj, a "Credibility Prop" is a device, uniform, piece of equipment or other appurtenance used solely to reduce suspicion if one is encountered in a normally restricted area.

With business cards that legitimize my photography "profession" and reason for being in what ever place I may not be allowed, I think this could turn a few future situations in my favor.


Before I claim my offer of free business cards though, I had a few questions for you all:



1) Do any you carry business cards around when you explore?

2) Have you ever been in a situation where they turned relations to your favor?

3) Do you suggest putting true personal information on the card, just your true name, or a complete mash-up of false information?

4) Do you have any other successful "Credibility Props" or stories?


Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Added question #4

[last edit 10/11/2011 9:37 PM by -insertnamehere- - edited 1 times]

jeepdave 


Location: Anderson, SC
Gender: Male


It's also a gun.

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 1 on 10/11/2011 10:07 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
If ya gonna hand a cop a card, it better be 100% right. He is gonna check.

Ezekiel 25:17
Crypton 


Gender: Male




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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 2 on 10/11/2011 10:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Ninj describes this quite well in the book, therefore,

or a complete mash-up of false information?

is totally a bad idea. I think a photographer business card will work. Maybe even as an interior designer. Architect may not work if they ask you for your place of work.. and well, you probably are not one.

lxk_ 


Location: AU


go in drains

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 3 on 10/11/2011 11:12 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
the best credibility prop is confidence, you shouldn't need to fumble for your business card to prove anything. If anything I can see it working negatively in your favor

team haymaker 


Location: Burlington, Ontario
Gender: Male




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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 4 on 10/12/2011 12:06 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I have business cards regarding my Automotive photography.
All my information is on it and Its always on me. I havent had to give it to a cop yet but i would to show i was strictly a photographer and not a tagger (if I felt it would help)

Astro 

Usually naked


Location: The Delta Quadrant
Gender: Male


Resistance is Futile

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 5 on 10/12/2011 12:27 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
This sounds like a cop would question it way too deep.

Though since I work in construction I have gotten away with going on some places with a hard hat and an orange penny vest.

[02:33:56] <Valkyre> Astro your whole life is ruled by the sentence ' life is better without clothes on'
[22:16:00] <DSomms> it was normal until astro got here
Astro: Patron Saint of Drains
Steed 


Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male


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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 6 on 10/12/2011 12:27 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I think if I were to have a business card for this purpose, it wouldn't have my real name, but maybe an obvious nickname or crew name, and it wouldn't have a phone number, just an e-mail account that I don't use for anything else.

Trap 


Location: Dayton, Ohio
Gender: Male


Son, I am disappoint

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 7 on 10/12/2011 1:27 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Just get some that read:

[Your Name]
Man of Action.


Posted by Send4Help:
ITS EIGHT FUCKING THIRTY!!
Mchelem 


Location: DFW area
Gender: Female


Kharma is only a bitch if you are....don't be a bitch.

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 8 on 10/12/2011 1:33 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
My husband owns a plumbing company, but its his name on the business cards-wouldn't work for me, since I don't look like a plumber. (Maybe if I showed my ass crack, I could convince a cop?)
However, if I could get hubby interested in going into buildings with me, we could always use the "we're checking out the plumbing" story.

"You've never really learned to live unitl you've done something for someone for which they can never repay you." ~Ralph Hall~
-insertnamehere- 


Location: CO
Gender: Male


"...We're taking photos" ... "PHOTAHOES?!?!?! ?!"

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 9 on 10/12/2011 3:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Mchelem
we could always use the "we're checking out the plumbing" story.


Methinks that could get you labeled as a scrapper real quick...



Mickael 

Moderator


Location: Canada
Gender: Male




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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 10 on 10/12/2011 3:34 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Crypton
Architect may not work if they ask you for your place of work.. and well, you probably are not one.


Architectural photographer ?

Anyone can claim the title of photographer...


Also, an aluminum clipboard and a hardhat might do wonders. You might also throw in a fluorescent vest.

Also, you are justified to have the said items. The hardhat is for protections from falling debris and the clipboard is to take field notes. As for the fluorescent vest, if there is construction nearby, it's just to make sure that you don't get hit by a truck.


As for a prop, my Canon camera and the big white lens attached to it is usually more than enough.
[last edit 10/12/2011 3:38 PM by Mickael - edited 2 times]

Need forum-related help / Besoin d'aide reliée au forum ? Contact a moderator
Steed 


Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male


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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 11 on 10/12/2011 3:57 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Where I live, a clipboard would likely peg you as someone from the government checking up on who's obediently moved out and who is going to be a problem that will require gangsters and/or anti-terrorist cops to fix.

Mchelem 


Location: DFW area
Gender: Female


Kharma is only a bitch if you are....don't be a bitch.

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 12 on 10/12/2011 4:29 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by -insertnamehere-


Methinks that could get you labeled as a scrapper real quick...




Yeah, I didn't think about the wording....

"You've never really learned to live unitl you've done something for someone for which they can never repay you." ~Ralph Hall~
Astro 

Usually naked


Location: The Delta Quadrant
Gender: Male


Resistance is Futile

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 13 on 10/12/2011 8:15 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Trap
Just get some that read:

[Your Name]
Man of Action.



YESS!!! THIS!
+1

[02:33:56] <Valkyre> Astro your whole life is ruled by the sentence ' life is better without clothes on'
[22:16:00] <DSomms> it was normal until astro got here
Astro: Patron Saint of Drains
GearheadExplorer85 


Gender: Male




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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 14 on 10/13/2011 2:36 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
Being honest is the best approach, business cards included. A good backup would be a laptop hidden in the back of your car with your pictures saved on it.

You're not in a brothel lineup. You're in a two way business discussion.
Trap 


Location: Dayton, Ohio
Gender: Male


Son, I am disappoint

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 15 on 10/13/2011 6:46 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by crockett85
a laptop hidden in the back of your car with your pictures saved on it.


Sure, so you can incriminate yourself to the officer! "See, officer, I do this REGULARLY! This isn't some one-off jaunt into an abandonment because I thought it was photogenic and I'm a scatter-brained artist! This is a chronic problem of mine and here's the evidence to prove it!"



Posted by Send4Help:
ITS EIGHT FUCKING THIRTY!!
GearheadExplorer85 


Gender: Male




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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 16 on 10/13/2011 11:25 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
Posted by Trap


Sure, so you can incriminate yourself to the officer! "See, officer, I do this REGULARLY! This isn't some one-off jaunt into an abandonment because I thought it was photogenic and I'm a scatter-brained artist! This is a chronic problem of mine and here's the evidence to prove it!"




on second thought, bringing a laptop isn't the brightest idea lmao


[last edit 10/13/2011 9:49 PM by GearheadExplorer85 - edited 1 times]

You're not in a brothel lineup. You're in a two way business discussion.
Keaven 


Location: 15 miles from the Grassy Knoll
Gender: Male




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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 17 on 10/18/2011 1:07 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
We have at least one person on UER who is a "stringer" photographer for, and carries a press pass from, a major newspaper.

A serious amateur photographer might benefit from business cards with the url of his website or Flickr page. But, just having a nice camera (and no burglary tools) make it obvious that you are a photographer, not a scrapper.

I've been told "No, you can't camp here" and "Yes, you can fish all night". Having a rod and reel, tackle box and fishing license can make a difference at a semi-rural location near a creek, river or lake.


hatsumi 






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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 18 on 10/18/2011 11:47 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 

i have had most success simply by wearing my camera around my neck...has a great disarming affect on people.

otherwise, as mentioned, confidence. you 'are' meant to be there, if you act it, people will not even notice you.
( assuming you are talking about active sites).

drainasaurus maximus
MrSivalls 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.




I'll be a-surfin' in yer blood on Saturday night

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Re: Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props
<Reply # 19 on 10/19/2011 12:24 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Yeah, it's called a driver's license, very credible.
Cops don't give a rat's ass about business cards, but they do if you try to give them false info. Lying has a bad effect on most folks in general.

If you look pro, you are pro.

Your security measures were inadequate.
How unfortunate for you.
UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Business Cards and Assorted Credibility Props (Viewed 1387 times)
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