I never thought much about this, as I always wanted cams I install to be highly visible (but out of reach)... the deterrent effect I guess.
But recently, I was looking to install another camera in back of our house (in addition to the usual locations). I decided to set up a steel pipe, mount the cam atop it. But, in a hurry, wanting to get something done that day to test out new cameras and system, I quickly attached a black camera to a pine tree in the yard. Connected using black Ubiquiti Tough cable, didn't think much of it. Got busy on other projects, installing other cameras around our large tract of property. Then one day, I'm going thru logged events for video recorded that day... turns out the tree cam was very active, and not for the usual reasons (normally it's critters from raccoons to bears setting off motion detection). Nope, this time it's a guy, trying intently to break into our house.. for 5 solid minutes. He's wearing a clever disguise, an bright yellow Hi-Vis OSHA t-shirt, so he sort of stood out like a sore thumb. His first act was to grab a very short stick, to try to knock out of alignment or break one of my cameras, about 10 ft (3m) up. He was totally unaware of other cameras, also in the FoV, all recording him in UHD. He managed to knock the one camera up, but ironically it had gone offline that morning,,, so he was wasting his time, looking stupid like he's playing hockey with a short stick trying to hit the camera. Several times, he walks right past the black tree cam, never even saw it. Never saw other cams either, but did spot one which overlooks our front porch. But, he forgot it was there and later walked right into view before realiziing he was on candid cam, again. Finally he gave up (lucky for him) and he scurried away empty handed, but soon to be famous.
Moral of story.. not always necessary to go to extremes to conceal a camera. Sometimes
people will miss them right in plain sight. Guess we're so acccustomed to them, folks just don't "see" them anymore. But, just in case: I now mount a fake cam or few out in plain view. It will draw attention, and often causes people to stop looking for other cameras in more remote areas. I no longer toss out old or dead cameras... I use them as decoys, since they are real, they look real... just no longer working... It's amazing how many people often never even notice the conspicuous real cams, let alone those better hidden or disguised. Such as the wannabe B&E artist who now has his mugshot all over our community, incl with local law enforcement...
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