This insecurity guard came up and said "Cameras aren't allowed in the mall". I said "No, you're wrong. Cameras are allowed you just can't take pictures. You have around 4 stores here that sell cameras. Do you kick the customers out once they buy a camera?".
This confused the poor gal. She said "You should leave you camera in the car and we wouldn't have this problem". I said "I would but there's no security in the parking lot. It seems that all the security is here telling me not to do what I wasn't doing in the first place instead of watching the cars."
She gave up at that point and walked away saying "You better not take any pictures". :lol4
"Well... you can photograph here, but you can't photograph individual flowers like you're doing."
We have a winner.
Okay, slightly off topic, but...speaking of places where photography is not...um...allowed, appreciated, etc.
Smash-n-grab thefts are common with TV news crews. A lot of us have elaborate locking systems, cages, and so on in the news cruisers, and some stations have policies that say you can't leave your gear in the vehicle even with those systems. So you have to have your camera with you. Always. Like, all the time. No exceptions. So when you have to use the bathroom, well...you can imagine the looks and comments you get when you haul your Bigass Camera(tm) into a bathroom stall.
"Are you going to take pictures...HERE?"
"a scathing expose on commodes?"
"are you ALLOWED to have cameras in a bathroom?"
So...one day somone called security on me apparently. He got there as I was leaving and didn't know exactly what to ask me. He just stood there and said, "um...you with the media?" and I said "yeah...company policy that the camera stays with me". He looked relieved (no pun intended) that there were no more details to be shared.
I'm guessing you were at The Avenue. they have questioned me when I was just carrying my camera and not even shooting.
Malls usually won't let you shoot in them. Back in NYC I was sitting on a bench in the Roosevelt Field Mall.. I was waiting for Linda and I had my camera with me. This insecurity guard came up and said "Cameras aren't allowed in the mall". I said "No, you're wrong. Cameras are allowed you just can't take pictures. You have around 4 stores here that sell cameras. Do you kick the customers out once they buy a camera?".
This confused the poor gal. She said "You should leave you camera in the car and we wouldn't have this problem". I said "I would but there's no security in the parking lot. It seems that all the security is here telling me not to do what I wasn't doing in the first place instead of watching the cars."
She gave up at that point and walked away saying "You better not take any pictures". :lol4
I knew you must have p***ed them off up there! Love your story and I can vouch for you...it's probably true!
I shoot a lot of aviation subjects around the NYC airports, and you might as well have a sign saying "call 911" on you. I've been questioned numerous times by various police departments, both on and off airport. Usually they are just checking me out because they got a call, and when I explain the hobby, they let me be. Occasionally I've been asked to move, but that's rare. I still get some who pull the "since 9/11 that's illegal" routine, but after a few minutes, when they realize I know my rights, the conversation takes a friendlier track.
My favorite encounter was at JFK airport, when 3 Port Authority police cars, and their armored riot truck pulled up on a group of 5 of us.
Ah! I spy a group of Webelos Scouts...great way for kids to get up close to all sorts of otherwise off-limits gear/stuff.
Ah! I spy a group of Webelos Scouts...great way for kids to get up close to all sorts of otherwise off-limits gear/stuff.
Yes, that photo was taken at the "Kids Day" open house at La Guardia Airport. The Port Police bring out all their neat stuff, and a few airlines have aircraft on display that you can tour, sit in the cockpit, and they get a few locally-based war birds to fly in.
They hold it every year, in September, and fortunately, you don't need to bring a kid along to get in. It's one time you can be at the airport, taking pictures of airplanes, and not get funny looks!
I'm guessing you were at The Avenue. they have questioned me when I was just carrying my camera and not even shooting.
Malls usually won't let you shoot in them. Back in NYC I was sitting on a bench in the Roosevelt Field Mall.. I was waiting for Linda and I had my camera with me. This insecurity guard came up and said "Cameras aren't allowed in the mall". I said "No, you're wrong. Cameras are allowed you just can't take pictures. You have around 4 stores here that sell cameras. Do you kick the customers out once they buy a camera?".
This confused the poor gal. She said "You should leave you camera in the car and we wouldn't have this problem". I said "I would but there's no security in the parking lot. It seems that all the security is here telling me not to do what I wasn't doing in the first place instead of watching the cars."
She gave up at that point and walked away saying "You better not take any pictures". :lol4
You know, the urge to snap a shot of her would be nearly irresistible. Having a battle of wits with an unarmed person is not nice.
Only time I was harassed (and didn't deserve it) was when I was at the olympic stadium in Barcelona shooting pictures, along with some folks from work who had our Sony HDCam in tow. The stadium was under restorative construction and didn't want the location being published professionally while undergoing repairs. Understandable. I alone could have assured them that I was a hobbyist, but there was no way we could sell that line with the HD broadcast camera. They insisted that we surrender our cameras. I flatly refused. The then demanded our tapes and memory cards. I refused again. They made to grab our gear. I told them we were leaving and we walked away. It was time we left to make our appointment anyway.
Made me glad that the common word between english and spanish is "no."
Either me alone, or me and my husband have been stopped in and around Long Island and New York. It's happened to us quite a few times.
The most recent time I can think of was when we were shooting film footage of Walmart. Walmart doesn't like that
Security approached us and asked us what were were doing. We didn't move (had big video camera mounted on tripod in their parking lot) and just said were were shooting footage for a amateur film contest, nothing deragatory just something fun. Security guard told us that we're not allowed and to get off the property.
We complied.... we merely moved out onto the public street and shot from the car.
Amy Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. The Dang Gallery on DangRabbit - Follow me on Twitter or on Facebook Leica M8: Zeiss 35mm f/2 Biogon and 50mm f/2 Planar; Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5, 50mm f/1.5 Nokton and 75mm f/2.5 Heliar
Olympus E-P1: Zuiko 14-42 and 25mm f/2.8 Pancake; Panasonic 45-200mm and 20mm f/1.7; and M-to-m4/3 adaptor
Olympus e620: Zuiko 14-54 f/2.8-3.5
Twice, once in the airport building in Istanbul. I'd asked a policeman if I could take some pics and he said no problem. Three shots later 3 more jumped on me and told me I couldn't take pics here (just put my camera away and said sorry sirs). After the bustle of the streets of Istanbul, I couldn't believe how quiet the airport was:
Once at the heronry on campus at my university. I was told to leave the area, not because I was taking pics, but for my own safety, as several students had been mugged in the vicinity in recent times and noone was allowed in the area now without an escort :cry
Now you've done it. You had to make fun of my apparel. Just watch, olde man Harry has nothing better to do that poke more fun at me
:rutt
Heck, since I retired I have to find something to do with all that free time. :ivar
Andy was real nice with that jacket too. When he bought a new one he tried to give it to a homeless gent. The homeless guy refused it, said something about being poor but still having some pride left.
:lol4
If you think that jacket was bad check out Andy's hat
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
China late 80's while taking pictures of several army motorcycles which i believe trace their lineage back to prewar BMW's everybody and i mean everybody shook their hands at me in a no-no fashion.
ed
Just a quick sort of off-topic story here...
Every once and awhile while traveling through airports, I used to get the questions about lugging around my 400 2.8 in its hard case... almost to the point that it became a total red flag whenever I'd travel. If I had it, you could bet that I was gonna have to do an extended frisking at the airport. Blah!
So, to offset that problem, I started lugging around the Think tank airport security bag. Since then, no problems. Well, that's not true actually... ever try to store that sucker in an overhead compartment? Talk about needing some serious strength
Other than that, I've only had a couple of negative encounters with my camera while shooting.
One, was at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach while taking photos of some flowers on the public sidewalk. Apparantly, the security there is ever-watchful of celebrity hunters and paparazi scum errrrr photographers. Well, long story short, I was asked to show them some of my photos. But all in all, it was no big deal. I was a bit perturbed that I was on a public sidewalk and they still asked what my deal was.
I'm still waiting for that day that some kook security guard bulldogs me while while I lug around the Sigzilla 200-500 behemoth
Professional Ancient Smugmug Shutter Geek
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One, was at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach while taking photos of some flowers on the public sidewalk. Apparantly, the security there is ever-watchful of celebrity hunters and paparazi scum errrrr photographers. Well, long story short, I was asked to show them some of my photos. But all in all, it was no big deal. I was a bit perturbed that I was on a public sidewalk and they still asked what my deal was.
I'm still waiting for that day that some kook security guard bulldogs me while while I lug around the Sigzilla 200-500 behemoth
Maybe it's not the lens case but those fuses hanging from your shoes .. I had the same problem at the Montage. SMCHS Senior Prom and we all took snaps from the cliff tops ... while the limo was loading up security started to hassel me "Are you a professional?" "No." "Yes you are ... look at your cameras ..." "Then why did you ask if you know the answer." "We don't allow professionals..." "I'm not a professional." "Come with me." "No I'm busy." Et cetera.
Maybe it's not the lens case but those fuses hanging from your shoes .. I had the same problem at the Montage. SMCHS Senior Prom and we all took snaps from the cliff tops ... while the limo was loading up security started to hassel me "Are you a professional?" "No." "Yes you are ... look at your cameras ..." "Then why did you ask if you know the answer." "We don't allow professionals..." "I'm not a professional." "Come with me." "No I'm busy." Et cetera.
Gary
I've had similar comments made when going to sporting events (NY Mets or Islanders) with the 30D and one of my big white lenses. Mostly I get comments like "nice camera" but now and then they'll say "I'm not sure you can bring that in". My usual response of "I always do!" normally gets me in, and I've never actually been refused entry. What I would like to say is "You're checking bags at the door dummy, if you don't know the rules, what exactly are you doing here?" but I figure that would be a good way to get thrown out
I did have one guy at the Nassau Coliseum (home of the Islanders) ask if it was a "professional camera" (the coliseum website specifically prohibits them - whatever that might be) and I said "No, I'm not a professional, it can't be!".
Of course, the people with the little point & shoot cameras, that can shoot video, have no problem, despite the big signs prohibiting video recordings at the events.
Maybe it's not the lens case but those fuses hanging from your shoes .. I had the same problem at the Montage. SMCHS Senior Prom and we all took snaps from the cliff tops ... while the limo was loading up security started to hassel me "Are you a professional?" "No." "Yes you are ... look at your cameras ..." "Then why did you ask if you know the answer." "We don't allow professionals..." "I'm not a professional." "Come with me." "No I'm busy." Et cetera.
Gary
Heh, I see the "Shoot/ Get married and run" wedding parties hit up the Montage all the time and they never seem to get into any difficulties from the staff. It sure seems like a nice and cheap way to do it too!
I've even gone so far as to announce to the security that I was gonna be there shooting flowers or scenery on occasion. Needless to say though, I've always wondered though, if they have legal rights to harrass anyone if its a public sidewalk, that just happens to go through the resort property.
Also, I've always wondered the legalities of making pros pay fees at places like Little Corona beach where the portrait/model/wedding photographers take their shots.
Professional Ancient Smugmug Shutter Geek
Master Of Sushi Noms
Amateur CSS Dork
Comments
lol, Great story...
We have a winner.
Okay, slightly off topic, but...speaking of places where photography is not...um...allowed, appreciated, etc.
Smash-n-grab thefts are common with TV news crews. A lot of us have elaborate locking systems, cages, and so on in the news cruisers, and some stations have policies that say you can't leave your gear in the vehicle even with those systems. So you have to have your camera with you. Always. Like, all the time. No exceptions. So when you have to use the bathroom, well...you can imagine the looks and comments you get when you haul your Bigass Camera(tm) into a bathroom stall.
"Are you going to take pictures...HERE?"
"a scathing expose on commodes?"
"are you ALLOWED to have cameras in a bathroom?"
So...one day somone called security on me apparently. He got there as I was leaving and didn't know exactly what to ask me.
I knew you must have p***ed them off up there!
Ah! I spy a group of Webelos Scouts...great way for kids to get up close to all sorts of otherwise off-limits gear/stuff.
They hold it every year, in September, and fortunately, you don't need to bring a kid along to get in. It's one time you can be at the airport, taking pictures of airplanes, and not get funny looks!
http://www.moose135photography.com
You know, the urge to snap a shot of her would be nearly irresistible. Having a battle of wits with an unarmed person is not nice.
http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
If there's anything that needs a restriction on it, its this jacket, not photography!
Canon 40d | Canon 17-40 f/4L | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/1.8 | Canon 70-200mm f/4 L
:rutt
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Hey man that jacket was way cool back in 1970. At least thats what I heard, I wasn't born till '80 so I don't know first hand.
www.zxstudios.com
http://creativedragonstudios.smugmug.com
Don’t make me get my PR-24 out…:D
Made me glad that the common word between english and spanish is "no."
Canon 40d | Canon 17-40 f/4L | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/1.8 | Canon 70-200mm f/4 L
The most recent time I can think of was when we were shooting film footage of Walmart. Walmart doesn't like that
Security approached us and asked us what were were doing. We didn't move (had big video camera mounted on tripod in their parking lot) and just said were were shooting footage for a amateur film contest, nothing deragatory just something fun. Security guard told us that we're not allowed and to get off the property.
We complied.... we merely moved out onto the public street and shot from the car.
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
The Dang Gallery on DangRabbit - Follow me on Twitter or on Facebook
Leica M8: Zeiss 35mm f/2 Biogon and 50mm f/2 Planar; Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5, 50mm f/1.5 Nokton and 75mm f/2.5 Heliar
Olympus E-P1: Zuiko 14-42 and 25mm f/2.8 Pancake; Panasonic 45-200mm and 20mm f/1.7; and M-to-m4/3 adaptor
Olympus e620: Zuiko 14-54 f/2.8-3.5
Once at the heronry on campus at my university. I was told to leave the area, not because I was taking pics, but for my own safety, as several students had been mugged in the vicinity in recent times and noone was allowed in the area now without an escort :cry
Bugs
Spiders
Flowers
Heck, since I retired I have to find something to do with all that free time. :ivar
Andy was real nice with that jacket too. When he bought a new one he tried to give it to a homeless gent. The homeless guy refused it, said something about being poor but still having some pride left.
:lol4
If you think that jacket was bad check out Andy's hat
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
ed
http://www.dogshome.org.au/
Every once and awhile while traveling through airports, I used to get the questions about lugging around my 400 2.8 in its hard case... almost to the point that it became a total red flag whenever I'd travel. If I had it, you could bet that I was gonna have to do an extended frisking at the airport. Blah!
So, to offset that problem, I started lugging around the Think tank airport security bag. Since then, no problems. Well, that's not true actually... ever try to store that sucker in an overhead compartment? Talk about needing some serious strength
Other than that, I've only had a couple of negative encounters with my camera while shooting.
One, was at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach while taking photos of some flowers on the public sidewalk. Apparantly, the security there is ever-watchful of celebrity hunters and paparazi scum errrrr photographers. Well, long story short, I was asked to show them some of my photos. But all in all, it was no big deal. I was a bit perturbed that I was on a public sidewalk and they still asked what my deal was.
I'm still waiting for that day that some kook security guard bulldogs me while while I lug around the Sigzilla 200-500 behemoth
Master Of Sushi Noms
Amateur CSS Dork
Maybe it's not the lens case but those fuses hanging from your shoes .. I had the same problem at the Montage. SMCHS Senior Prom and we all took snaps from the cliff tops ... while the limo was loading up security started to hassel me "Are you a professional?" "No." "Yes you are ... look at your cameras ..." "Then why did you ask if you know the answer." "We don't allow professionals..." "I'm not a professional." "Come with me." "No I'm busy." Et cetera.
Gary
Unsharp at any Speed
I did have one guy at the Nassau Coliseum (home of the Islanders) ask if it was a "professional camera" (the coliseum website specifically prohibits them - whatever that might be) and I said "No, I'm not a professional, it can't be!".
Of course, the people with the little point & shoot cameras, that can shoot video, have no problem, despite the big signs prohibiting video recordings at the events.
http://www.moose135photography.com
Heh, I see the "Shoot/ Get married and run" wedding parties hit up the Montage all the time and they never seem to get into any difficulties from the staff. It sure seems like a nice and cheap way to do it too!
I've even gone so far as to announce to the security that I was gonna be there shooting flowers or scenery on occasion. Needless to say though, I've always wondered though, if they have legal rights to harrass anyone if its a public sidewalk, that just happens to go through the resort property.
Also, I've always wondered the legalities of making pros pay fees at places like Little Corona beach where the portrait/model/wedding photographers take their shots.
Master Of Sushi Noms
Amateur CSS Dork