They would not let me take my camera to a hockey game!!!

[yuriyo923]

So I went to a hokey game tonight, and at the door they stopped me and asked me to step aside for a min. Some manager came up to me and said unless I have a media pass, I cannot take my 40D with Sigma 70-200 lens inside, so I had to check it in with them and picked it up after the game.

It sucke, cuz we had front row seats, and I would have had some great shots of people getting hit and stuff :) Where and how can I get a media pass??

[FOX2PRO]

You need to be with a legitimate media organization to get one. Making up a fake organization doesn't work. Trust me, I've tried.:D

[yuriyo923]

You need to be with a legitimate media organization to get one. Making up a fake organization doesn't work. Trust me, I've tried.:D


I was thinking of that, just making up a pass for Seattle Times or something.. but that could be criminal or at least illegal, that much I know.. Can I get a freelance photog pass of some sorts??

[JoYork]

This is cheeky but could you try mounting a really small lens, like the nifty fifty onto your camera, and keep the Siggy in your bag out of the way? That way your camera won't look so intimidating and you might get lucky.

[neilwood32]

Why not just go and enjoy the game?
Like you i would love to shoot at a game but if its going to be difficult getting clearance to do it, surely its better just to watch the games and enjoy the hockey.

[yuriyo923]

This is cheeky but could you try mounting a really small lens, like the nifty fifty onto your camera, and keep the Siggy in your bag out of the way? That way your camera won't look so intimidating and you might get lucky.

that could posibly work, they said that camera with lens sould not be longer than 6 inch. So maybe I will try that. I had my little camera bag with me, and they let me take that.

Why not just go and enjoy the game?
Like you i would love to shoot at a game but if its going to be difficult getting clearance to do it, surely its better just to watch the games and enjoy the hockey.

I call that plan B, I would still injoy the gave and take few shots in between. My wife was happy to be just hanging out with me with no camera, but I would love to shoot a real action game.

[Hannya]

Next time, try contacting the organisers prior to the event, say you are building a portfolio, can you take shots, you'll let them have any for use ....
Might be worth a try. Nothing to lose.

[00dahc]

I was stopped at an AMA SuperCross event for my camera, I gave the guy $10 and continued on my way.

[nphsbuckeye]

I was thinking of that, just making up a pass for Seattle Times or something.. but that could be criminal or at least illegal, that much I know.. Can I get a freelance photog pass of some sorts??
There's a difference?

[blueM]

In Detroit the Red Wings limit the lens to 80mm. Because of this I never have bothered to bring a camera.

[stathunter]

Try 40D-- no grip and 135L --- small enough and no one cares.

[waterj2]

There's a difference?Well, speeding, for example, is illegal, but you get a ticket and you're on your way. Not really criminal, as I understand it. Here in Massachusetts, marijuana possession (under 1oz.) is now only punishable by a $100 civil fine, and that's apparently decriminalization, to some extent. I'm not sure how the line is drawn, but there does seem to be a distinction, especially when it comes to things like whether or not you get a criminal record for it.

[yuriyo923]

Well, speeding, for example, is illegal, but you get a ticket and you're on your way. Not really criminal, as I understand it. Here in Massachusetts, marijuana possession (under 1oz.) is now only punishable by a $100 civil fine, and that's apparently decriminalization, to some extent. I'm not sure how the line is drawn, but there does seem to be a distinction, especially when it comes to things like whether or not you get a criminal record for it.


What he said :)

[MJPhotos24]

Media passes are for media members for a reason, we have a job to do and someone taking a mouse hole or another spot just to build a portfolio or what not is not exactly something media directors for teams will allow. Bigger the team the more strict they are, there's actual media outlets and wire services that can't get passes to games already! Especially hockey with limited space. Best chance get in with a media outlet if you can, start small and build up until you get those assignments.



Interesting about the Joe in Detroit, there's a lot of NHL arenas with no restrictions.

[LowriderS10]

MJPhotos: Exactly. Some non-media person weaseling his way in with a fake media pass is just making things harder for those of us in the media.

Besides, a lot of games are nearly impossible to get into as it is. Even my media pass (I work for the 20th largest paper in Canada, and am employed by the largest media company) won't get me into Oilers games, you have to have a special Oilers media pass.

If you make a fake one...good luck to you if you get busted, 'cuz that's all sorts of trouble...and makes it harder for me when I go to the next event with a legit pass :p

[gh patriot]

I work for the 20th largest paper in Canada


I didn't know Canada even had 20 cities total!:p

[rral22]

I didn't know Canada even had 20 cities total!:p


Then the fake ID would work on you, wouldn't it.

[Glenn NK]

I didn't know Canada even had 20 cities total!:p

I would have sworn he said 20th largest newspaper.;)

On the matter of getting into major sports events with "pro" equipment, the reason it's limited is because the team has the rights to all images, or controls them at least. They want you to buy a program with photos in it (for their profit).

I really don't blame them - it's their arena and their team.

That's the way it is - we might as well accept it.

[yuriyo923]

I wouldn't even try to get in with a fake pass... But maybe I will try contact the team and see if I can get in and give them the pictures... and keep few as well.

[LowriderS10]

that's a good idea, and worth a shot :)

lol...I'm loving all the Canadians on this thread ;)

[yuriyo923]

that's a good idea, and worth a shot :)

lol...I'm loving all the Canadians on this thread ;)


lol, I say hockey and all the Canadians say I'm here... :)
BTW, the game I went to it was my first hockey game and it was Seattle T-Birds and some Canadian team "Bruins" Bruins won 1-0.

[LowriderS10]

lol actually I couldn't give less of a crap about hockey (or sports in general) ;) haha...I was just interested in the thread...and when media passes came up...I just had to lol...

[gh patriot]

I would have sworn he said 20th largest newspaper.;)



Im quite aware of that. I was just assuming 1 paper per city. Anyway, it was a joke. Sheesh. Nothing against Canada.

[digirebelva]

that could posibly work, they said that camera with lens sould not be longer than 6 inch.

Had the same thing happen to me at a college football game, had my 70-200 on and they made me take it back to the car, let me in with my 18-55 though:(

[adblink]

in Toronto, the Leafs have a limit of about 75mm, but the Raptors (nba) who play out of the same building, have zero restrictions. I went to a game with my 40D+70-200L and had no issues

[syee99]

The Vancouver team (Canucks) said something similar too. Max 70mm. However, I'm pretty sure none of the security folks had any idea how to tell. I took my 55-250 with me and they didn't confiscate it or say anything. Unfortunately the seat I had kinda sucked (netting was in the way) so I didn't get any "net free" pics.

On the flip side, I've been to Colorado Avalanche games and they didn't care what I brought in as long as it wasn't a video camera.