Gratuitous rant about no-camera policy at concert venues

Title says it all, you've been warned (as I was, I guess).

So I was at a concert last week, just in the audience. Called the venue a few hours before and asked if I could bring a camera. The lady said compacts were ok, but 'big cameras' were not. I decided to chance it with my mirrorless X-E1. I get in just fine, no searches or signs or anything at the entrance, and the concert begins (on time! First time I've ever seen a gig start on time).

So I'm front row, first balcony with a clear view of the stage (about, what, 50-60 ft away?) and a 55-200. I disabled all beeps, lights, flash (duh) and screens. The only thing lighting up was the inside of the EVF, and the LED that blinks green and orange while writing to the card, which I usually block with my thumb. Even I couldn't hear the shutter over the music, so I'm pretty sure my neighbors didn't either; and anyway, on my left was my girlfriend, and on my right was an empty seat. All in all, I think I took great care not to be disruptive to my fellow concert-goers or to the band. In fact, I thought I was pretty much invisible.

I was wrong, obviously, since 6 songs in a guy from the venue taps on my shoulder and demands that I stop. Put it down or get out, basically. Fine, ok, bit rude in his delivery but them's the rules. I'm a bit curious of how they noticed me; I guess they were simply on the lookout for lenses.

But man! There were flashes blinking left right and centre, a hundred jackasses all around me filming the entire goddamn thing on their phones, and - I kid you not - a girl in the front row of the pit, right in front of the security guy, waving her iPad in the air for the entire 90 minutes with the thing lit up like a Christmas tree, constantly shooting pics or videos. I would have been livid if I'd been behind her. Yet I'm the guy they single out.

I hate that policy. It's grossly unfair considering I could be in the pit with a Lumia or X100 or whatever doesn't have a big fat lens in front of it and merrily snap away without anyone saying anything. The distinction is based on nothing at all since most of the time the employees of the venue don't even know what they're supposed to let in (see above: 'big camera'). It's not about disruption since I'm pretty sure that an iPad floating above the crowd like a kite and dozens of phone screens lit up at any point in time is more disruptive than what I was doing. I can see the problem from a rights management point of view, but I don't see how I'd sell pictures when a) they're all taken from the exact same spot, and b) unless I actually come out and lie about it, it only takes one question to verify that I'm not the appointed photographer. Plus, it's a losing battle: it's only a matter of time until people can use a cell phone to take zoomed-in shots from their seat, and what are they going to do then?

All I wanted to do was take a few poorly-focused, noisy pictures at 300mm equivalent, 1/30s handheld .

1 - it might be the artist setting the rules, not the venue. the security guys are just doing what they've been told (and yes, I've been in plenty of situations where two people interpret or heard things differently).

2 - if you couldn't get any good shots from the 1st row during 6 songs, well i am not sure what to say.

3 - your point about "I could be in the pit with a Lumia or X100 or whatever doesn't have a big fat lens in front of it and merrily snap away without anyone saying anything." - well, try that next time.


not everything goes our way.

hell, i saw some guy get kicked out of a Tool show for taking a picture w/ his phone. and the lighting was TERRIBLE.

1. I'm well aware of that and certainly not harping on a security guy doing his job. I just have a problem with that rule, whoever set it.
2. Actually, a few turned out ok (really pushing it with the shutter speed, but oh well), I just wanted to keep on doing it. There was a beautiful moment a few songs later with terrific lighting - wish I'd gotten a chance at that one. That said, since every venue tells me my camera isn't welcome, I'm pretty much just fumbling around.
3. But I like the comfort of my seat!

I mean, at the end of the day nobody got hurt, it was a nice concert (bit soured by that event though) and all that happened to me was someone pointing out that I was going against the rules and that I should stop doing that. I'm just venting.

Venues COULD do a camera check to everybody entering if they wanted to and either take the cameras and hand you a claim stub or forbid you from entering if they had a mind to be difficult.

one thing that does drive me mad is when different venues have different policies for credentials shooters...ie, the Flaming Lips show I shot last week specified we could only shoot from the pit. the NYC show let shooters roam the venue and shoot after the 1st three, which means they could get shots we couldn't, a benefit for those of us who syndicate images.

narlus wrote in post #16352556
one thing that does drive me mad is when different venues have different policies for credentials shooters...ie, the Flaming Lips show I shot last week specified we could only shoot from the pit. the NYC show let shooters roam the venue and shoot after the 1st three, which means they could get shots we couldn't, a benefit for those of us who syndicate images.

It could always be worse, I've shot the Flaming Lips when they decided to remove the pit just before their set with me right in the middle of it. Talk about getting crushed! Although without a pit, I was able to shoot for more than just the first 3 songs though.

I don't mind a no-camera policy, but THIS really grinds my gears:

armis wrote in post #16352333
But man! There were flashes blinking left right and centre, a hundred jackasses all around me filming the entire goddamn thing on their phones, and - I kid you not - a girl in the front row of the pit, right in front of the security guy, waving her iPad in the air for the entire 90 minutes with the thing lit up like a Christmas tree, constantly shooting pics or videos. I would have been livid if I'd been behind her. Yet I'm the guy they single out.

I went to an Adam Ant concert a few months ago, called ahead and they said "no cameras." So I left mine at home, and the guy next to us had some Nikon with a foot-long telephoto attached.

Next concert I went to - different venue - the venue's website said "no cameras" but I took mine anyway, the whole bag. Bag was searched on the way in, security said "We don't like people bringing in backpacks, next time leave it at home" - and made no mention that the bag was full of camera gear. The venue was about 50% full, so I wandered around and snapped away. Would have put it away if I had been asked, but nobody in the venue ever gave me a second glance.

This is why Sony is making the DSC QX100, all the zoom you want, with an iPhone. And with that 46MP Nokia that just came out, I suspect it's only another 2-3 years where for concert purposes a cell phone and a kit rebel on the green box are going to have about the same effect.

I'd be fine with the policy if it included phones and - really? - ipads. Nothing is more annoying than some "photographer" or "cameraman" holding his phone up for an entire show to capture crappy video nobody cares one bit about. I'm considering water pistols or syringes for counter attacks

Really, nobody cares about mediocre photos, or video with terrible "sound", just stick it in your pocket and watch the actual show, enjoy!

armis wrote in post #16352333
All I wanted to do was take a few poorly-focused, noisy pictures at 300mm equivalent, 1/30s handheld

If you're not going to be able to take decent quality shots, then why bother?

Screens of phones, tablets and point & shoots are way more distracting than cameras with viewfinders. Especially when they're held up high. Not to mention the people attempting to use flash.

I was at a venue recently where the rule was "No recording devices of any type allowed", which was fine by me as it was a policy which was being enforced across the board. It's a lot less annoying than having someone holding up a tablet etc & blocking your view.

Be careful what you wish for. I know first hand that there are a number of artists that are investigating some serious no photo policies that include no cell phones in the venue. These policies will be well stated and there will be no phone check at the door. They are working out some kinks in implementation but it's coming sooner than later.

armis wrote in post #16352333
Title says it all, you've been warned (as I was, I guess).

So I was at a concert last week, just in the audience. Called the venue a few hours before and asked if I could bring a camera. The lady said compacts were ok, but 'big cameras' were not. I decided to chance it with my mirrorless X-E1. I get in just fine, no searches or signs or anything at the entrance, and the concert begins (on time! First time I've ever seen a gig start on time).

So I'm front row, first balcony with a clear view of the stage (about, what, 50-60 ft away?) and a 55-200. I disabled all beeps, lights, flash (duh) and screens. The only thing lighting up was the inside of the EVF, and the LED that blinks green and orange while writing to the card, which I usually block with my thumb. Even I couldn't hear the shutter over the music, so I'm pretty sure my neighbors didn't either; and anyway, on my left was my girlfriend, and on my right was an empty seat. All in all, I think I took great care not to be disruptive to my fellow concert-goers or to the band. In fact, I thought I was pretty much invisible.

I was wrong, obviously, since 6 songs in a guy from the venue taps on my shoulder and demands that I stop. Put it down or get out, basically. Fine, ok, bit rude in his delivery but them's the rules. I'm a bit curious of how they noticed me; I guess they were simply on the lookout for lenses.

But man! There were flashes blinking left right and centre, a hundred jackasses all around me filming the entire goddamn thing on their phones, and - I kid you not - a girl in the front row of the pit, right in front of the security guy, waving her iPad in the air for the entire 90 minutes with the thing lit up like a Christmas tree, constantly shooting pics or videos. I would have been livid if I'd been behind her. Yet I'm the guy they single out.

I hate that policy. It's grossly unfair considering I could be in the pit with a Lumia or X100 or whatever doesn't have a big fat lens in front of it and merrily snap away without anyone saying anything. The distinction is based on nothing at all since most of the time the employees of the venue don't even know what they're supposed to let in (see above: 'big camera'). It's not about disruption since I'm pretty sure that an iPad floating above the crowd like a kite and dozens of phone screens lit up at any point in time is more disruptive than what I was doing. I can see the problem from a rights management point of view, but I don't see how I'd sell pictures when a) they're all taken from the exact same spot, and b) unless I actually come out and lie about it, it only takes one question to verify that I'm not the appointed photographer. Plus, it's a losing battle: it's only a matter of time until people can use a cell phone to take zoomed-in shots from their seat, and what are they going to do then?

All I wanted to do was take a few poorly-focused, noisy pictures at 300mm equivalent, 1/30s handheld .

The lady on the phone may say "yes" when in actual fact it maybe a "no" she maybe have not looked into it properly, hence the reason why she hasn't given the correct answer to what the real door policy is. Also, I was at the Manics concert the other week, the audience were told when they were in the front row not to take photos of them, the security informed them that the band told them to speak to the fans. So they may change their minds at the last minute, so to speak

onona wrote in post #16354784
If you're not going to be able to take decent quality shots, then why bother?

Optimism?