DSLR owners - Has this happened to anyone else?

[ducklite]

this I respectfully disagree with, if someone had the time and money, they could win, selective enforcement, especially based on such loose , and inaccurate definition of professional equipment, would not be justifiable..

But it's not based on the term "professional equipment." It's based on the term "detachable lenses." That's the difference. They don't care if you're a pro or Johnny off the street with daddy's gear, if the lens detaches, you're not bringing it in without a photo credential. I don't see why this is a problem. If you have a reason to NEED to bring in a DSLR, you'll surely be granted permission if you ask the right person and abide by the terms governing the permission.

On top of it, it's not really the venue's policy, it's the artist's policy, and the venue will claim they are simply upholding their contract with the artist/promoter.

The artist has every right to determine who will or won't photograph them, with what type of gear, and under what terms. For pro's Cher is a sound board shoot. You better have a long lens and at least a monopod, because you're going to be 300 feet away. Gwar is a photopit shoot, you better be prepared to be drenched in fake blood and ick. In either case if you don't like the terms, don't shoot the show. Both acts will allow P&S's in the venue as long as the venue permits cameras--again HoB has a strict no camera policy with pre-approved media credentials as their only exception. But don't try to sue over not being allowed to bring in your camera without credentials, because you're not going to win.

Anne

 

[Master Mason]

I honestly don't care if I can take a picture of a rock concert or not... but if your trying to tell me I can't take a picture of one of my kids, then we're going to have a problem.

 

[UKDEB]

I honestly don't care if I can take a picture of a rock concert or not... but if your trying to tell me I can't take a picture of one of my kids, then we're going to have a problem.

Good call.

 

[UKDEB]

The Carousel of Progress thing (total ban on photos/video) is a real mystery, though.

What's this about? Is it something new? I've never been aware of a ban and have often taken pictures (without flash) inside this attraction.

 

[ducklite]

I honestly don't care if I can take a picture of a rock concert or not... but if your trying to tell me I can't take a picture of one of my kids, then we're going to have a problem.

If the professional photographer or team has a contract with the venue that allows no camera's or only cameras with nondetachable lenses, and the venue is enforcing that contract, then I don't see where you've got a leg to stand on.

That said, other than team photo shoots, I think that it's utterly ridiculous to not allow parents to photograph their kids sporting events. During professional team photoshoots, I can certainly understand why parents wouldn't be allowed to bring cameras and take photo's, and agree with that policy.

Anne

 

[DVC Jen]

I honestly don't care if I can take a picture of a rock concert or not... but if your trying to tell me I can't take a picture of one of my kids, then we're going to have a problem.

I totally agree. I do understand and would never use a professionals backdrop or anything else belonging to the professional. However if I wanted to "pose" my daughter next to a wall or any other type of background that is my right and I pity the fool who tells me I can't do it. (said tongue in cheek of course)

 

[Groucho]

What's this about? Is it something new? I've never been aware of a ban and have often taken pictures (without flash) inside this attraction.

Last time (about a month ago), the CM said no photos (flash or not) and no video. Others reported the same thing. It probably depends on the host CM, though, but that was, I think, the only attraction we went to that said no photography of any kind, other than the Finding Nemo musical.

 

[wannabatwdw]

Be careful taking pictures of railroad tracks. When I got my Nikon D70 for Mother's Day, I thought an old train depot near my house would make a great backdrop for portraits. I was taking pictures of my daughter and her boyfriend with the tracks in the background when a railroad policeman pulled up with his lights on. He told me I was in violation of Homeland Security and took my name and license number, along with my daughters and her boyfriends and told me that we were now all on a terrorist watch list and he could throw me in jail if he wanted to, but I was lucky that all he was giving me was a warning. The worst thing is my husband is a railroad engineer for another railway, and he had never told me anything about this (of course I had not told him that I was going either )

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Be careful taking pictures of railroad tracks. When I got my Nikon D70 for Mother's Day, I thought an old train depot near my house would make a great backdrop for portraits. I was taking pictures of my daughter and her boyfriend with the tracks in the background when a railroad policeman pulled up with his lights on. He told me I was in violation of Homeland Security and took my name and license number, along with my daughters and her boyfriends and told me that we were now all on a terrorist watch list and he could throw me in jail if he wanted to, but I was lucky that all he was giving me was a warning. The worst thing is my husband is a railroad engineer for another railway, and he had never told me anything about this (of course I had not told him that I was going either )

Yes, they are being very strict with taking photos of railroad areas. I've read about people getting in trouble for that.

 

[boBQuincy]

Be careful taking pictures of railroad tracks. When I got my Nikon D70 for Mother's Day, I thought an old train depot near my house would make a great backdrop for portraits. I was taking pictures of my daughter and her boyfriend with the tracks in the background when a railroad policeman pulled up with his lights on. He told me I was in violation of Homeland Security and took my name and license number, along with my daughters and her boyfriends and told me that we were now all on a terrorist watch list and he could throw me in jail if he wanted to, but I was lucky that all he was giving me was a warning.

This issue has come up a number of times and there is no such law. Not that the lack of a law will stop some people from trying to enforce it anyway...
A quick search on "homeland security railroad photography" will show many instances of overzealous "law" enforcement. Our right to take pictures is being eroded.

http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200603/msg00048.html

 

[wannabatwdw]

My husband said that he felt like the railroad policeman was over reacting and just wanted to look tough. He was pretty rude, kept telling us he could throw us in jail at any time. I was so shocked and felt so stupid (I know how dangerous it is to be around the tracks), that I just stood there. I am not a law breaker and usually try to be polite no matter what. I could not believe that my husband worked for the railroad and I had never heard anything about this before. After he left and I got back in my car, I told my daughter that I should have told him that if I took the picture right your stupid tracks should be out of focus.

 

[Groucho]

If you have the kids with you, it gets a little messier. If I were alone, I'd probably tend to take a picture of the guy giving me a hard time and ask him where it says in writing that I can't take a picture. It sure sounds like total BS.

 

[MICKEY88]

This issue has come up a number of times and there is no such law. Not that the lack of a law will stop some people from trying to enforce it anyway...
A quick search on "homeland security railroad photography" will show many instances of overzealous "law" enforcement. Our right to take pictures is being eroded.

http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200603/msg00048.html

I agree, to the best of my knowledge taking pics is perfectly legal, however, you could be arrested for trespassing if you are on railroad property...

 

[MICKEY88]

But it's not based on the term "professional equipment." It's based on the term "detachable lenses." That's the difference. They don't care if you're a pro or Johnny off the street with daddy's gear, if the lens detaches, you're not bringing it in without a photo credential. I don't see why this is a problem. If you have a reason to NEED to bring in a DSLR, you'll surely be granted permission if you ask the right person and abide by the terms governing the permission.

On top of it, it's not really the venue's policy, it's the artist's policy, and the venue will claim they are simply upholding their contract with the artist/promoter.

The artist has every right to determine who will or won't photograph them, with what type of gear, and under what terms. For pro's Cher is a sound board shoot. You better have a long lens and at least a monopod, because you're going to be 300 feet away. Gwar is a photopit shoot, you better be prepared to be drenched in fake blood and ick. In either case if you don't like the terms, don't shoot the show. Both acts will allow P&S's in the venue as long as the venue permits cameras--again HoB has a strict no camera policy with pre-approved media credentials as their only exception. But don't try to sue over not being allowed to bring in your camera without credentials, because you're not going to win.

Anne

this went far afield, my original comments were based on highschool, or kids sporting events, not on major concert venues...

as for small venues with bands, if it's just a club, that lets anyone walk in, no ticket sales involved, or it's not a private show, then the band doesn't have the control they think they do... I fought this one about 20 years ago, because a band leader didn't like the attention his female singers were giving me because they wanted copies of pictures, he tried to have me and my slr tossed, but because they had allowed cameras any other time....they could not single me out because I had an slr

 

[ducklite]

this went far afield, my original comments were based on highschool, or kids sporting events, not on major concert venues...

as for small venues with bands, if it's just a club, that lets anyone walk in, no ticket sales involved, or it's not a private show, then the band doesn't have the control they think they do... I fought this one about 20 years ago, because a band leader didn't like the attention his female singers were giving me because they wanted copies of pictures, he tried to have me and my slr tossed, but because they had allowed cameras any other time....they could not single me out because I had an slr

Nothing for nothing, things have changed drastically in the last twenty years. Now even a lot of the little small places who don't even stage national acts don't allow DSLR's without prior permission.

That's why I ALWAYS obtain permission in advance, regardless of who I'm going to shoot. If I don't have things lined up in advance, I leave the gear at home.

Anne

 

[fitzperry]

If you have the kids with you, it gets a little messier. If I were alone, I'd probably tend to take a picture of the guy giving me a hard time and ask him where it says in writing that I can't take a picture. It sure sounds like total BS.

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Anyone who tells me he can "throw me in jail at any time" is in for an earful, starting with "I'll need your name and the exact citation of the law you claim I am breaking."

 

[Steve's Girl]

Different situation, but a few years ago I was driving on the freeway through the city of Chicago late at night and was pulled over for speeding by a Chicago police officer. He told me that since I was from out of state I would have to post a cash bond on the spot or he would have to take me to jail. I politely told him his only option was going to be to take me to jail since I did not have the cash he was demanding. He told me to have a nice evening and left. I should have taken his picture and gotten his name!

 

[jann1033]

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Anyone who tells me he can "throw me in jail at any time" is in for an earful, starting with "I'll need your name and the exact citation of the law you claim I am breaking."

i could check this out for you...BIL is chief of police of a local town with a really cute little old train depot i'd love to take some photos of...on second thought he's not real popular so maybe it would be a "for sure" night in jail

 

[BeautyLLM]

This is an interesting thread...

I went to see the Rockettes Show at Radio City Music Hall in December. The rules on their website read:

"For the Christmas Spectacular and other family events, 35mm and digital cameras will be permitted into the Music Hall, however, you must refrain from taking pictures during the performance. Taking photos during events is distracting not only to the performers, but your fellow patrons as well. Video cameras/recorders are strictly prohibited. This policy will be strictly enforced"

I brought my Canon 20D with 24-105L to take pictures of decorations around the city. When I got to RCMH, they were searching bags, and when they saw my camera, they said I was not allowed to bring it in as it was a "professional camera". My choice was to either check the camera or not be admitted to the show. I was SO angry. Of course, people took pictures during the show which just made me angrier.

I am FAR from a professional, and I shouldn't be singled out because I happen to be able to afford a dSLR. I am just someone who enjoys taking pictures and is determined to learn how to use a dSLR. The camera doesn't make you a pro. A real pro can take a fabulous shot with a cardboard box with a couple of holes punched through it.

I agree with the poster who said the photographer had no business prohibiting others from taking pictures. We are entitled to take pictures of our children any time we want...

 

[dcg0317]

I printed this out and have it in my camera bag, I haven't been stoped yet but it's good to read this and know our rights.
http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf