Photography in Public Areas

S

SuperCNJ

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This is a topic that has had quite a bit of coverage already but I have to get this off my chest.

RANT MODE ON

I went down to the new much talked about London shopping centre with the missus the other day to check out what the fuss was all about. (Not all that impressed mind you as I came home £300 lighter :suspect:). As we walked from one end to the other there must have been 30 or so people taking photos with their camera phones. Security staff everywhere, no problem.

We get to one end and theres a man with a D80 (hand held) shooting away at the chandeliers, security man comes over and tells him stop taking photos and insists that he deletes the photos off his camera, all the while theres a bunch of kids metres away taking photos with their camera phone.

So whats the difference? Whats all this fuss about using a big camera?:shrug:

RANT MODE OFF
 
I have come across this on numerous occasions, playing devils advocate I guess shopping centres are looking at controlling the media.

A camera such as yours is capable of producing images which could be used in periodicals and publications, whereas camera phones and compact cameras (depending on which compact) do not have ether the file sizes or quality to reproduce in magazines ( quality wise)

My advice to you would be that shopping centres are private premises and they can ask you to refrain from taking pictures.

Security guards cannot ask you to delete images nor can they detain you unless they think you have committed a crime.

Frustrating it is, however just like us who can stop someone photographing in our house , owners of private property can ask the same. :(
 
I wonder if anyone has gone to a centers management office, and asked if they could take pictures, for there own use, and what was the response.

I know some locations are concerned about their customers personal privacy. On occasions when I've had to photograph in a theme park, for business, they have put up a notice explaining photography is taking place, and giving visitors the option not to be photographed. Having said that no one has objected.
 
Chappers said:
I wonder if anyone has gone to a centers management office, and asked if they could take pictures, for there own use, and what was the response.
Click to expand...

Yep, Me, Central Milton Keynes shopping centre last weekend. As it was for my own use (college course) they were very happy to oblige.


S
 
This is nothing new and not the same as being stopped in a public place. You were on private property and they have the right to stop you - shopping centres have taken this attitude for 30 years or more. You have to get written permission to shoot in them! Probably for the reasons mentioned above - fear of adverse publication.
 
Chappers said:
I wonder if anyone has gone to a centers management office, and asked if they could take pictures, for there own use, and what was the response.
Click to expand...

I have and the response was positive, although in my case the pictures were for publication in a city guide
 
I was stopped from shooting ice hockey at rink in Braehead shopping centre at the game on Sat. Northern league, Pirates v Fife Flyers)
Told no photography, only pro tog allowed.
Totally p@%$ed off and told them so.
Left the rink in disgust and won't be back !
 
Did you not check before you paid for the ticket?
 
Complained, nothing on ticket or area around arena which is at far end of complex, but was told it was on information board in shopping area - didn't bother checking, just told them what I was thinking and left. I'm off to shoot some basketball next weekend - should I ask permission first and risk being told no, or just go for it ? ...thoughts / advice.
 
Ask first and avoid being disappointed. Ask very nicely, offer some shots for the website, etc. and you might get free entry and better access :thumbs:
 
Cheers px18
Think I'll take your advice - never shot BB before so not so sure they'd be interested in my shot and they have pro tog anyway - wouldn't look too good out shooting the pro - hee hee
(Ok - anybody can dream )
Which reminds me, bet time zzz.
 
read an interesting article in an SLR magazine about the rights we have when in public / non public places. will dig it out and try an get the main points on.

from what I remember asking permission can help, and many places do have a picture policy. this is sometimes as simple as no tripods (H&S risk) to a more strict approach of a definite no.
 
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