Taking pictures of myself.

Well, I think we need to warn you about what happened to Clark Griswald when he did that in European Vacation!

(a French guy took off with his camera)

In addition to asking someone, check out the Gorilla Pod, cheap, small, packable, and with a delay timer, presto, you've got a clear (camera not moving) pic of yourself.

Gorilla Pod

Jesse
Usually while traveling, we run into many American and Canadian travelers. Use judgement and see if you can ask a fellow traveler to take a snapshot.

I think families are a safe bet. Ask the mom or dad, which ever one is holding the camera. (Provided the kids aren't screaming and they don't look too stressed out.) :)

Some people will help. If you see someone else with a camera taking pictures, offer to take a photo of them at the sight, then you can ask them to take one of you!

Also, I agree with Kent, the Gorilla pod is the best way to go. I just took a photo of my husband and myself in Italy, I placed the camera on a sign post, did the delay timer and got a great photo.

I always do what Ellen suggested. Find someone else taking pictures (usually a couple) and offer to take their picture together. They will most likely return the favor.

I always just ask someone,, its easy to figure out who looks safe,, another tourist,, preferably with camera in their own hands,, a family,, a young couple,, etc.. I have never had anyone say no..

I have to say,, if you nod and gesture well, then any group of Japanese tourists are great,, they always seem to know the camera, and they totally seem to get that everyone wants lots of photos!

Carroll, you have the same idea as me! Whenever I see a family with children, for some reason, I feel like they're trustworthy. Young couples aren't always trustworthy. Remember the really young couple that traveled the world, and come to find out, they had been stealing credit cards/credit lines? They were living the high life. But now they're sitting in jail cells!

Or do what I saw one young person do all afternoon on a half day tour at a palace: at arm's length, turned the camera around and pointed it at himself.

I tried Chris's method. It works for some things (like some hilarious facial expressions I wasn't even aware I made). The advice of everyone else is good. It should be pretty easy to find other tourists--they're the ones wandering around with cameras, maps, and guidebooks, and they will probably be all too happy to help you. Also consider asking the Italians in the bars, restaurants, and hotels you visit. If they aren't busy and you ask nicely, I'm sure most of them will be more than happy to help.

You'll have no problem finding someone to take your picture. There are plenty of other travelers to help you out. I had no problems singling out people to take my picture and seemed glad to do so.

Jesse, I shoujld also tell you that I frequently am asked by people to take their picture when I am traveling, and I'm always happy to do it. I don't know why, but I really enjoy it. I think I feel flattered by it, though again, I'm not sure why.

I bring a tiny tripod for my pocket sized camera. It's mostly for low light pictures but can be used with a shutter delay to get in the picture.

My smart alec side would say the best picture takers are the guys who ask you if you lost your ring, but they're most likely to take the pictures already stored in your camera.

Most locals are perfectly honest or you can ask a fellow tourist.

Jesse,

I believe you can actually buy a telescopic pole that screws into the bottom of your camera where the tripod mount is. All you then do is set the self timer on your camera and extend the pole out. Future shop or Best Buy may have it or try a Henry's or Blacks camera store in Montreal.
Pete

"Well, I think we need to warn you about what happened to Clark Griswald when he did that in European Vacation!"

Ah, but Kent, you forgot the method he used later in the film- holding the camera at arm's length in front of himself.

I always offer to take another group's picture and they return the favor. In China I even offered through sign language at the Great Wall. They happily handed over their camera and then insisted on taking one for me with my camera, and one with theirs.

Eddie Bauer.com sells the camera extender that Pete referred to for about $20. While my husband and I usually happily trade picture taking duties with strangers, we hike in the mountains and are often far from civilization. It takes a little practice to figure out exactly where to aim the camera and to get the right angle, but it's a fun, easy to pack, handy little gadget.

I agree with others and usually opt for a "safe looking" family or other couples/groups taking photos at the site and offer to return the favor. I also feel comfortable asking elderly travelers b/c I figure if they try to run with my camera I could probably catch them!
I have traveled alone for years and had many, many people take my pic for me and never had an issue so I don't think you have anything to worry about Jesse

Hi Jesse! I went to Italy for two weeks by myself last year as an end of college present, and I have a little system..

First off - I only give my camera to people I can out run (which is often times older travelers). At times I had to be persistent, because people would see me taking photos of myself and be pretty adamant that they help out. (Another safe bet is when someone asks YOU to take their picture, afterwards, switch and have them take yours). I signed up for a few tours on my trip (Collossem in Rome, Vatican, a gondola tour in Venice..) and felt very safe asking the other tour members to take my photo. Another tip, if we were in a confined area (on a boat, on top of the Duomo, ect), I would have people take my photo. As long as you are willing to give chase, I’m pretty sure you could get your camera back in those situations.

Before you go on your trip, practice taking photos of yourself (so you can get good)! If you can afford it, get a camera with a wide-angle lense. (I have the Canon SD800). The wide angle lens make you look a bit farther away and does a great job of getting more of the background in. I took pictures of myself in front of everything famous. And I got stared and laughed at a lot.. but not in a mean way. More of a, “What is this girl doing?” kind of way. Just be confident, you’ll be fine.

I actually really liked how my photos turned out. My friends laughs and says it’s the same picture of me 500 times with a different background. But whatever =)

Have a great time!

I agree with pete and terry. my husband and I wanted a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower and used one of the telescoping camera devices (we got ours at Magellans online) and it worked perfectly. I would never give my digital camera to anyone to take a picture for me again!

People have always been glad to take a picture for me. We usually take one for each other. Just one note -- I look for someone with a fancy camera -- an SLR. They usually know better how to compose a picture.

Here is some videos:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4278396.html

I dont get the immediate leap to some piece of technology--and yet one more thing to carry--or lose.

In a squillion places around the world, I've been asked and offered to take pictures of somebody else--and had the same in return. Never been an issue

Jesse...dont sweat the small stuff.

Besides --its a great way to meet chicks!