The dgrin/pj press pass kit

rutt

Are you a cowardly lion who needs a medal to be courageous, a press pass to feel confident taking pictures in public? Well, here's a diploma, testimonial, and medal to help your confidence: the Dgrin/PJ press pass kit. A few minutes in Photoshop and a trip to Kinkos, Staples, or the like and you should be good to go, an official member of the media with a universal press pass.

One note of caution, right now the phone number is fabricated. It would be great to use one that actually would ring somewhere where someone would back you up. This part is up to you.

Example front/back:

Mod edit: images removed

The kit is no longer here.

I owe a huge debt of inspiration to Chris A. Campbell who designed and popularized a Flickr(TM) press pass template. I have tried to use non of his graphic ideas (and my version suffers compares to his because of this.) But I did use his basic dimensions which should make it easier to get produced &etc.

Rhuarc

Wow, thanks! I'm printing one out now! r rather, I would be printing one out if I had the font that was used! Any chance you could post up the font that was used, or at least where you got it so that I can go download it?

Thanks!

rutt

Rhuarc wrote:

Wow, thanks! I'm printing one out now! r rather, I would be printing one out if I had the font that was used! Any chance you could post up the font that was used, or at least where you got it so that I can go download it?

Thanks!

Avant Garde: http://www.fontyukle.com/en/1,Avant+Garde

I used CE Demi.

I wanted to make this easy. I've always loved this font and forgot that I'd had to add it. Maybe I'll respin with Myriad Pro, which is apparently a similar but more common font.

Rhuarc

Thanks rutt! U had actually gone and found that exact font from the same site when I saw that you responded.

Thanks again!!

craig_d

This is cute, but if you have not already done so, you really ought to check with Andy or someone else in authority at SmugMug before using dgrin's name for something like this. Or just make up your own agency name.

rutt

I'm sure they'll let me know. They have never been shy in the past. As far as I know, I haven't used their brand or trademark (as I would if I used "Smugmug".) I was thinking of using "The New York Times", but thought better of that.

sara505

rutt wrote:

I'm sure they'll let me know. They have never been shy in the past. As far as I know, I haven't used their brand or trademark (as I would if I used "Smugmug".) I was thinking of using "The New York Times", but thought better of that.

OMG - Love this!

Richard

Stay tuned, folks. I´m not sure this is OK.

rutt

I'll happily withdraw or change if asked to.

Hmm...

lizzard_nyc

rutt wrote:

I'll happily withdraw or change if asked to.

Hmm...

Rutt,
Dont' get in trouble on my account--but well you made my day.
If only because it got me to stop whinning .

rutt

I have no intention of getting into trouble. As I said...

But maybe we do need a media outlet of our own, and not just for the press passes.

lizzard_nyc

rutt wrote:

I have no intention of getting into trouble. As I said...

But maybe we do need a media outlet of our own, and not just for the press passes.

I wholeheartedly agree. Yes yes!

bfjr

It's a cool idea and you did a great job on it.

But sorry Buddy it flies in the face of truly accredited Photogs who are trying to make a living.

It will also get you in far more serious dodo then trying to shoot without this. Especially at any Major Events. I guarantee you that if you show up at a venue wearing this and your not stopped at the gate, some PJ will blow the whistle on ya but quick (it's very competitive).

I've been on both sides of this fence and do speak from experience.

Let me just add that in todays heighten atomosphere, false credentials are gonna be bad news.

rutt

The Flickr people have quite a bit of experience with similar badges. Google and read for their experiences.

But, really, I didn't have in mind that one would use this thing deceptively in any way, just as a courage builder and a way to explain oneself. It really is true that you are taking pictures for dgrin/pj, isn't it?

Real events require you to register with the people who are putting on the event. I know for example, what it takes to get into a Boston Ballet Dress Rehearsal, and one of these won't do the job. Even a New York Times press card wouldn't help. And even if it did by accident, you'd get sued for using unauthorized pictures. I also know the same was true at an appearance of the Dalai Lama in Boston a few years back.

But if you are just doing what you are allowed to do anyway, shooting in a public place, one of these might help you feel more "entitled." And it will help answer the question, "what are you doing?" or "who are you shooting for?" You're taking pictures for dgrin which is a website with a Street and PJ section. Replace the phone number with your own number, delete the word "staff" and I would say it's 100% legit.

bfjr

rutt wrote:

The Flickr people have quite a bit of experience with similar badges. Google and read for their experiences.

But, really, I didn't have in mind that one would use this thing deceptively in any way, just as a courage builder and a way to explain oneself. It really is true that you are taking pictures for dgrin/pj, isn't it?

Real events require you to register with the people who are putting on the event. I know for example, what it takes to get into a Boston Ballet Dress Rehearsal, and one of these won't do the job. And even if it did by accident, you'd get sued for using unauthorized pictures. I also know the same was true at an appearance of the Dalai Lama in Boston a few years back.

But if you are just doing what you are allowed to do anyway, shooting in a public place, one of these might help you feel more "entitled." And it will help answer the question, "what are you doing?" or "who are you shooting for?" You're taking pictures for dgrin which is a website with a Street and PJ section. Replace the phone number with your own number, delete the word "staff" and I would say it's 100% legit.

True enough if you could guarantee each individual would adhere to the above.
I could picture the scenario where someone having used it as above would start to feel a tad braver
and decide, hey maybe I'll get in here and then bang!!
Best outcome you and your gear are escorted out.
Worst outcome well ?????

rutt

Yeah, use at your own risk. Even being a Wall Street Journal won't keep you from getting killed. Private property is private property and even The owner can exclude who they like. A press pass might sometimes convive them tk let you in whe they wouldn't otherwise. A NYT pass would often work better at this. But there is no magic agency policing this.

bdcolen

bfjr wrote:

It's a cool idea and you did a great job on it.

But sorry Buddy it flies in the face of truly accredited Photogs who are trying to make a living.

It will also get you in far more serious dodo then trying to shoot without this. Especially at any Major Events. I guarantee you that if you show up at a venue wearing this and your not stopped at the gate, some PJ will blow the whistle on ya but quick (it's very competitive).

I've been on both sides of this fence and do speak from experience.

Let me just add that in todays heighten atomosphere, false credentials are gonna be bad news.

. ABSOLUTELY, 100 % CORRECT. The only things that will cut any ice are either legit police passes, or passes issued by the event opr venue in question. PERIOD.

bdcolen

rutt wrote:

The Flickr people have quite a bit of experience with similar badges. Google and read for their experiences.

But, really, I didn't have in mind that one would use this thing deceptively in any way, just as a courage builder and a way to explain oneself. It really is true that you are taking pictures for dgrin/pj, isn't it?

Real events require you to register with the people who are putting on the event. I know for example, what it takes to get into a Boston Ballet Dress Rehearsal, and one of these won't do the job. Even a New York Times press card wouldn't help. And even if it did by accident, you'd get sued for using unauthorized pictures. I also know the same was true at an appearance of the Dalai Lama in Boston a few years back.

But if you are just doing what you are allowed to do anyway, shooting in a public place, one of these might help you feel more "entitled." And it will help answer the question, "what are you doing?" or "who are you shooting for?" You're taking pictures for dgrin which is a website with a Street and PJ section. Replace the phone number with your own number, delete the word "staff" and I would say it's 100% legit.

Do NOT do this. Repeat - do NOT. A "courage builder" is a one way ticket to serious trouble. What people can do is have modernpostcard.com make up postcard's for them, with their best image on one side, and their name, website, email, etc. on the other. That will help when someone says 'who the hell are you?'

phillybikeboy

rutt wrote:

But if you are just doing what you are allowed to do anyway, shooting in a public place, one of these might help you feel more "entitled." And it will help answer the question, "what are you doing?" or "who are you shooting for?" You're taking pictures for dgrin which is a website with a Street and PJ section. Replace the phone number with your own number, delete the word "staff" and I would say it's 100% legit.

I don't know about that. You're not taking pictures "for" dgrin, you're taking pictures for you, that you post on dgrin. Huge difference, and not one to be taken lightly. Whenever I've worked for a news organization, it's been their name, reputation and financial liability at risk. If I did something actionable, they were on the hook for it. Likewise, if someone sought damages against me, or I wound up on the wrong side of law enforcement, my employer was standing behind me. I don't expect your relationship with dgrin is the same. Before I presented myself as taking pictures "for" anyone, I'd make sure I had their explicit permission to do so.

There are risks as well. Yes, if you're in an area with free, open access to the public, you have every right to be there, taking pictures. In that same situation, if a member of law enforcement sees your credentials, and doesn't recognize the agency, or issuing authority, there's a good chance you'll raise suspicion. For example, the MTA and SEPTA both allow photography in and on their trains, subways and buses. At the same time, they are suspicious of photography. It's not uncommon for transit cops to check out people shooting on trains and on platforms. If you say you're a rail fan or amateur shooter, you're going to get a pass--but if they see that press pass, and you're not a member of what they consider a legitimate news gathering organization, expect to spend a few hours trying to explain what you were really doing there.

Remember, in general, cops don't like the media. They don't like people who present themselves as something they aren't. That's two strikes....are you sure you want to go for a third?

Richard

After consultation with the powers that be, I have removed the images. Sorry, but we don´t want Dgrin´s name to be associated with something that is potentially misleading. I think a number of other people have also given persuasive arguments as to why it´s not really a good idea.

craig_d

Richard wrote:

After consultation with the powers that be, I have removed the images. Sorry, but we don´t want Dgrin´s name to be associated with something that is potentially misleading. I think a number of other people have also given persuasive arguments as to why it´s not really a good idea.

Thanks for following up on this.

lizzard_nyc

craig_d wrote:

Thanks for following up on this.

For what it's worth, I think it all started as a joke.
I don't consider myself a legitemate photographer, only a beginner amateur.

So please no worries that I would try and use the pass to get into any events which require a press pass, nor do I plan to compete with any legitimate photo journalists, or that I would pass myself off as a member of the Dgrin staff.

My comment about needing a press pass to "street shoot" was meant to illustrate my discomfort of street shooting, especially as a relative beginner.

Just to set your minds at ease.

rutt

bdcolen wrote:

legit police passes,

Ah, that makes sense. Really there are such things?

bfjr

lizzard_nyc wrote:

For what it's worth, I think it all started as a joke.
I don't consider myself a legitemate photographer, only a beginner amateur.

So please no worries that I would try and use the pass to get into any events which require a press pass, nor do I plan to compete with any legitimate photo journalists, or that I would pass myself off as a member of the Dgrin staff.

My comment about needing a press pass to "street shoot" was meant to illustrate my discomfort of street shooting, especially as a relative beginner.

Just to set your minds at ease.

Liz just to address some more of that bravery issues.

We who enjoy this genre all suffer some apprehension and honestly that's a good thing.
I could go into a long explanation but simply put fearless folks get taken out fairly quickly.

A Badge of any sort is as much an attention getter as it is a door opener.

B. D. suggestion was a good one. I personally carry little homemade bus. type cards and hand it to someone inquiring and then move on.

phillybikeboy

rutt wrote:

Ah, that makes sense. Really there are such things?

Yep, though here in Philadelphia they're more coveted for the press parking sticker that comes with it, which tends to keep the Parking Authority off your arse.

Back in the day, before the typical laminated photo ID, departments issued actual Press Badges.