Oi Jako.
The question that you ask depends on many variables. Will you be taking pics during the day or night? Which neighborhood or area are you thinking about photographing? Do you speak Portuguese? Mood of transportation? Are you going alone? Also, your color and build can be factors, in trouble finding you.
 I can only talk about my experiences in Salvador, and what I observe when I'm there. Obviously taking pics during the day is safer. Trouble areas during the night: lower city near the elevator and going along the coast with  your left side to the ocean; upper city from Pelo to San Antonio; Areas in Campo Grande; Barra from the farol to Porto da Barra along avenida sete. I think these are the worst for trouble, but you could find it anywhere, if someone sees you with something they want. ...and don't even think about the favelas. I've been in the favelas on a few occasions, but I would never recommend it unless someone who LIVES there takes you in. What I suggest is finding someone who speaks Portuguese and knows the city. There are some honest taxi drivers that can take you or tell you where to go. Also I have some contacts in Salvador that are honest and I can vouch for them. One is a woman Named Ana, who rent apts for tourist, and the other is Domingos, who runs a cambio and travel agency in Pelo.
----Not to be missed:the bale, Morro de Sao Paulo, Praia do Forte, Mercado Modelo across the street from the elevator in the lower city(remember to go below the modelo to see an area where they kept the slaves.), Igreja Bonfim, Casa Olodum(they play some Sundays in pelo, but I don't know if the still perform on Sundays.) I know you can't see everything, because you only have two days, but get in as much as you can.

Also there was a reply about fooling them into thinking you're brazilian. Trust me they can tell if you're brazilian or not! ...Of course when you open your mouth. I don't care how well you speak portuguese. Another way is the way you walk. The type of shoes you wear. ...and etc.

I now this was a long post, but I can talk for hours about Salvador. I love the city, with the good and bad.
I hoped this helped; if you need info or contacts, let me know.
Axe.

Jako, you are my hero! 'When I grow up, I want to be just like you'. I want to (sorry) retire somewhere in Brasil. Far enough away from the city in/by some village, and yet close enough to go to the city when I want.

As far as taking pictures in Pelo, I think a man of your stature can handle himself anywhere, favela or otherwise. I'm sure you can find a couple of guy friends or a couple of pro guides to go with you and watch each others back as you sight see and take pictures. Did you practice French foot fighting as a kid/young man? And like me, you have that beautiful Brasilian tan, so I think you will not look out of place.

It's funny, I had about the same experience on the beach in Itapoa. I was snorkeling the calm pools there (extremely relaxing) and as I was coming back to the beach, a little girl was just fascinated with my gear. So I looked at her Mom and she was alright with it, and I put the mask on her, tightened it up and she immediately wet under water, showing no fear. After making adjustments and adding the snorkel and telling her how to use the gear she was bobbing up and down for about twenty minutes until her Mother decided it was time 'to leave that poor man alone' and called her up to where she was at. They did not speak English and my Portuguese, at the time (and now), sucks, but we still were able to communicate just fine.

I feel the exact same way you feel about this site. And the owner of this site, rumor has it, he ain't half bad either. And I thought I was long winded.