Brian, I'm a little guy, so getting close used to be a little problem for me too - now, I've got it sussed - have your usual camera in your hand, carry a camera bag over your shoulder (even if it's empty - people assume it's full - fools!) and have an slr around your neck too - suddenly, when you ask people to let you through they stop seeing the person, see all this stuff and assume your pretty damn serious.....and let you through. I've had people clear prime spots for me in this way (albeit at small events). oh, and the bigger the lens on the SLR the better. Joe public seems to think size matters. (",)