Who owns the copyright? – Night photography can be a dangerous pastime.

[SAB_Click]

Night photography can evidently be a dangerous pastime.

I was much upstaged earlier this week by the artistic skill and contribution of some newbies – three blokes to be exact.

I first became aware of them when I lifted my face from the viewfinder to find that they had seemingly appeared from nowhere - one in front of me, one to my left and the other behind me. With a wall and river on my right, I have to confess to feeling a little claustrophobic. I didn’t have time to dwell on this before the action kicked off proper. Long story short; between us we ended up with this shot. Although I feel I must take some credit for actually pressing the shutter, their contribution was most definitely the motion blur concept. Ownership rights were very much on topic, although in the end we forgot to discuss copyright. :rolleyes:

What do you guys think…do you rate them? Who actually owns the copyright on this picture given it was a joint effort?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4078325671_7f98e280f5.jpg

[Living Daylight]

I think non-photographers would find it interesting, but to me it just looks like a handheld shot with a long shutter speed.

[mercersmoments]

I think non-photographers would find it interesting, but to me it just looks like a handheld shot with a long shutter speed.

+ 1

This needed a tripod.

night shots look great, when done right

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3502/3986530666_893640c7a0.jpg

next time, used a tripod or table, something you can steady the camera on, use a long exposure.

:)

Re: copyright, maybe all involved own it ?! Or the person who owned the camera that took it?

To be honest and I hope this doesn't sound mean, but If I were you, I would deny copyright on this photo, pretend you had nothing to do with it.

sorry !

[e02937]

I don't get your post?

[PicSniper]

I think he's trying to say that he almost got his gear jacked by three guys that sneaked up on him while he was taking some night shots. OP, is this correct? If not, then I'm lost, too...

[Living Daylight]

I think he is saying that three random people had input on what settings and composure to use.

[photoguy6405]

I don't get your post?
Good. It's not just me. I so don't get it, either... though the getting mugged part did occur to me, hence the camera shake. :lol:

[e02937]

Well...

if someone attempted to mug you, I hope you're all right!

If other guys helped you with your settings, then you guys needn't worry about the copyright and worry about getting an image worth fighting for :)

[cb1]

weird shot IMO

[Drozz119]

how many times have you got mugged.. taking pics?

And how do you keep getting away?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7820904&postcount=8

[SAB_Click]

Those that picked up on what happened are correct - the post was tongue in cheek as a bit of a warning to fellow photographers.

I've had a bad experience twice now this year and to put that in perspective, I've probably only shot at night this year half a dozen times or so. I'm beginning to feel unlucky and wary. The big lesson I have learned is how easily and quickly things change between minding your own business to looking up from what you are doing and finding you are in a very different situation.

On the first occasion (earlier this year) It felt that two guys were going to 'have a go' for my equipment...it really ruined my evening.

On this occasion, this week in a different city, some guys did. This shot was at the point that one of the guys attempted to grab the camera (and tripod still attached).

[mercersmoments]

attempted to grab the camera (and tripod still attached).

Oh My goodness. some people !

[Living Daylight]

Oooohhhhh I get it now. So my blunt critique probably makes me look like a bit of a tool. I apologize for that.

If anyone ever tries to steal my camera I will fight them, I don't care how many or how big they are.

[usukshooter]

That's why I don't do night shoots alone.

[Rubi Jane]

This shot was at the point that one of the guys attempted to grab the camera (and tripod still attached).
This is why you should also pack a monopod while shooting at night...think trungeon ;)

I did pick up on your intent and had a little internal chuckle while feeling bad for you at the same time. The chuckle was the result of the way you wrote your post and not regarding you almost got your gear nabbed. Glad you & the gear is OK.

[Symphonic]

Sound like a really bad experience...
How did you handled the situation after that, did they run away?

[Mu Eugene]

Hope your gear and yourself was ok - I'm assuming so given you are here to write about it.

As noted work in groups, monopod is also a good idea, but may I also suggest bank of 530ExII's rigged to set off manually to deter assailants for a moment while you:

1. pick up your gear and run

or

2. break out your monopod and beat them or poke them in the eye.


of course, deploying such measure could throw exposure off and in the absence of viewfinder shutter like some Nikons, may create some stray light to pollute your night shot.

Take care, nevertheless.

[Hannya]

Pity you didn't manage to 'capture' the bloke standing in front of you - might've been useful. Take care!

[Flo]

Time to start using the cell phone for night shots:p

Pity that something like this could ruin a perfectly happy hobby.

[ShutteringFocus]

Wait wait wait...so what did you do?

I mean obviously these guys didn't nab your stuff. I think you would have said something about that.

So did you knock one guy into the river, another over the wall, and re-arrange the thirds nuts with your tripod or what?

[PicSniper]

So did you knock one guy into the river, another over the wall, and re-arrange the thirds nuts with your tripod or what?

LOL! I was thinking the same thing...

[OdiN1701]

I don't think they would have liked to stare down a .40 S&W, so they would probably leave.

[Todd Lambert]

I do a lot of night stuff, and I've yet to have too many issues. However, I'm a pretty big guy, so they'd have to really want my stuff or be high or something else.

I recently did some work down in the (now famous) 9th Ward of New Orleans where it is just about as close to martial law as anywhere in the US. I was carrying my Glock with me on these trips, because there is no one down there at night, and I figured I wouldn't want to have to wait for the police to show up especially since a lot of time, they won't even answer calls in that area of town.

[PicSniper]

There's something about shooting in the middle of nowhere that makes me uneasy, as well, due to the fact that I'm carrying a lot of gear that someone might want to permanently borrow. Whenever I'm in the middle of the Everglades or in the backwoods where there are not a lot of people, I get a little satisfaction knowing that I've got some protection on me and I'm not talking about contraceptives, either... :)

[rw2]

Ahhh! The advantage of small town USA. The day I have to carry a gun to to take photographs is the day I might consider quitting.

[5Dmaniac]

Ahhh! The advantage of small town USA. The day I have to carry a gun to to take photographs is the day I might consider quitting.

Amen to that! I don't even own anything resembling a gun and the rest of the world (outside the US) doesn't either.

[jetcode]

at night carry a flash that is on and ready and flash them in the face if they approach ... they will be temporarily blinded ... I learned this trick from one of my teachers. I would probably hire personal security for some areas.