Punters with big lenses at MotoGP.

I was just looking through the "Conditions of Entry" for this years MotoGP round at Phillip Island, and it states.....

"Patrons must not, without the prior written consent of AGPC, bring any of the following items into the Event:...............

photographic, video or audio recording equipment AGPC deems unacceptable for the purposes of Condition 14 below, which may include (without limitation) audio recorders, camera tripods, monopods or lenses with a total focal strength of greater than 300mm and digital video equipment."

Now I don't know if this is the same with all MotoGP rounds, but what are people's experiences with getting their gear into these sorts of events as a spectator? Any Aussies with experience at Phillip Island?

It's quite a common condition on entry to sporting events. I'm not sure a security monkey will know how big a 300mm lens is - my experience is that they don't like any large/pro looking lenses. If you're worried about it, write to the promoter and try to get permission beforehand (and remember to take it with you). You could always give some of your lenses to friends to take in too.

Just take along the 300 f/2.8 and don't let them see the 2X converter.

Mate that 2x/2.8 combo to a 30d and you're pushing 1000mm with crop.

Photography restriction rules are VERY dumb. But, they do try to protect the ones who have chosen to make a living at it. Pointless protection though.

Why is it "pointless protection"??

Because a guy like me, when I email some shots behind a fence to the editor of Bike Mag XX, just gets the cold shoulder.

I had some great motocross shots, sent them to the editor of a bike mag and got a "nice shots" email back. It's easier to pay their established freelancers than to get you all set up. And why bite the hand that feeds you as an editor?

Unless you nail some incredible shot of a crash or pass than someone else misses and you scored some insane place for a spectator, you're out of the payout loop.

You've mixed up event photography and editorial photography.

An event organiser is perfectly right to control who takes "pro photos" to protect both the photographer and the event itself - promotors, sponsors, trade stands etc etc.

A magazine will take the best photos it can - usually at the lowest price it can get them regardless of who supplies them. An email saying "nice photos but no thanks" doesnt actually mean that, but they are trying not to hurt your feelings which will cause you to stop submitting.

Sorry to sound harsh but thats life.

I've mixed up nothing. And you're not sounding harsh.

Assume I'm "anyone" who buys photos for the motoGP website, a sponsor, a publication etc. As a publication purchaser, sure I'd take any photos I can. I mentioned this in my previous post. Maybe you didn't catch that. But understand the majority of photos that would come across my desk from amatueurs will NOT be in prime spots, they won't have any supplementary shots from the pits, they on average will not have the quality of the people who I usually buy from.

Yes, there are exceptions. But to the point of the thread as to why the longert lenses are not there is to make sure that someone in the stands can't replicate a spot occupied by a person who earns a living by putting themselves on the track and at the mercy of self promotion.

I think you're trying to make a point I already have.

As for the email I got back, I didn't hurt my feelings. Did it stop me from submitting to them? Sure it did, the event comes to my city once a year. Duh. My shots were better than most they had on the website from the event and I was fine with that. The 2x3 foot poster of Ricky Carmichael that my nephew has on his wall is worth more than any $XXX they would have paid for a web destined shot.

It would be a cold day in Hades for many people here to give up their day jobs to pursue photography as their main source of income. If I could make the same money being a photographer, I'd probably do it. I don't think it's happening anytime soon.

With regards to photography, what the Hell is a "punter"?

"Punter", in the context of my original post, is the general public at an event, as opposed to people involved in the event or a professional.

A punter is usually a term applied to a individual who makes a gambling bet... but it can also refer more generally to a 'customer' or, in this case, a 'paying spectator'...

---- Gavin

I do my fair share of editorial photography and 99% of the jobs I undertake are booked up in advance by the newspaper/magazine.

This way the publication knows they'll be getting the images they need (often to a particular brief which may even extend to image shape/orientation to fit a page layout)... and, conversely, I know I'll be getting paid for them. Even with 'free access', I still have numerous costs to cover - equipment, travel etc - as well as turning a profit. In all honesty, I've only shot a handful of organised events 'on spec' and even then I'll have a couple of clients 'on the bubble' to give me a fighting chance of getting something published.

Some publications will use 'on spec' submissions but they will still prioritise the images supplied by booked contributors over other submissions. This is in the main because they won't know whether to 'expect' an 'on spec' submission because it is, by it's very nature, unexpected. Also, most (OK, not all) publications will show loyalty to their regular contributors who provide consistently good work on deadline... and that's how it should be.

Another aspect of 'on spec' submission is that some publications will express an interest in your images but they will not want to pay for them... you will often see this in local newspapers where images are designated as 'contributed'. Some major news organisations (e.g. the BBC) will go as far as soliciting submissions from 'citizen journalists' on the basis that you will not be paid for them... and, frequently, you will be giving up your rights to the image at the same time.

Obviously there is a market for 'on spec' work... particularly if you capture a significant news event or make an incredibly striking image. However, togs at organised/planned events will frequently be booked up in advance by their clients... I'm certainly not saying that they will always get the best images, but many publications need some certainty of supply and will have agreed payment rates in advance. Yep, your images may be 'better' than mine... but they still might not fit the page layout or the story that the publication is pursuing. It can be that simple.

Submitting 'on spec' work can get you noticed though... and you may well pick up booked assignments as a result in the future. However, don't flood the editor's inbox with images as this will soon get you on the 'spam' list Target your submissions, keep them short and sweet, remember to caption them fully and correctly and try to avoid sending them around deadline times

---- Gavin

Gavin: What is meant by the term "on spec"?

Shooting "on SPECulation" - ie without any guaranteed sales.

Thanks Gary... beat me to it.

---- Gavin