Opera <sneak in camera?>

My friend is performing in the opera today and I have tickets to the show. She wants me to take pictures of the performance, even though the rules prohibit any type of photography. Have you guys ever snuck a camera in?

mrandrew wrote in post #6119315
Have you guys ever snuck a camera in?

No. And I'm not planning to.

That being said, if your friend is performing, can't she arrange accreditation for you?

Depends on the place etc it's not too hard. Still, what he said, she can't do anything for ya?

I go by this rule: unless they say NO from the beginning, I will use a camera. That way, when I get caught, I can say, "OK" and stop taking pictures and leave with the pictures I already have. Of course, the only areas I've tried this were grocery stores.

You would never have gotten away with it in my theatre, not for an Opera at least. No way..
Likelihood the worst is that you;de get the camera confiscated,. but I don;t know if it's worth the risk of being removed yourself.

FYI at an Opera, there will be an announcement , "No Photography, Video Taping or Recording devices of any kind.. "

Respect the art, don't do it. It's a distraction for those wanting to see the performance.

hbdragon88 wrote in post #6122248
I go by this rule: unless they say NO from the beginning, I will use a camera. ....

mrandrew wrote in post #6119315
....even though the rules prohibit any type of photography.

So it's clear up front in this case.

You might try asking the director and the venue if you can take non-flash photos. If they say no....forget it.

Sneak in a camera? Why not just be adult about it and abide by the rules? If they make an exception for you, they'll have to make it for everyone else. And as someone else has already stated, you'll distract those around you from enjoying the performance. Honestly...I just don't understand why people feel that they're free to break any rule at the expense of others. Respect your fellow patrons, leave the camera at home, and enjoy the show.

Please don't sneak in that camera. I went to see Mark Knopffler a few weeks ago at the Rhyman Auditorium here in Nashville. A great venue with plenty of up close seating. The tickets said no photography, they annouce no photography, but what do I see??? All of these folks with their P&S's that can't take a photo in low light flashing all around. Security has to go to each flash and tell the people to shutter the camera. So what do these same people do? They pull out their camera phone, Ooooo I just need to take one more damn picture of Mark playing the guitar, damn everyone here who is playing by the rules and just trying to enjoy a night out. So again security has to bother everyone around to stop the camera phones. - Rant Over

I beg of you please follow the rules, don't bother the other paying patrons who are trying to enjoy the show, relax, enjoy it yourself, tell your friend how wonderful her performance was.

I personally would not sneak a camera in. I would ask your friend to see if s/he could get you the proper credentials to take photographs during the performance. Otherwise I would tell my friend that I could not take the photographs, but that I would enjoy seeing the performance. I know that not taking the photos for a friend can be hard to do but I think it would be the right thing to do.

I'm sure your friend can sneak you behind the curtain and you can shoot her there.

I've taken my camera to a ballet performance once. There was at least 10 PS shooters flashing around, but I was very uncomfortable shooting with a flashless DSLR. I'm sure I didn't distract anybody, but personally it wasn't worth it. I missed the performance and felt uncomfortable.

mrandrew wrote in post #6119315
My friend is performing in the opera ... She wants me to take pictures of the performance

They should have invited you to the dress rehearsal then. That's generally when the photographs are taken.

Using a DSLR during an opera would represent a deplorable lack of consideration for the other patrons who pay big bucks to see and hear the performance.

Next time, arrange to shoot during a dress rehearsal.

Riff Raff wrote in post #6127487
They should have invited you to the dress rehearsal then. That's generally when the photographs are taken.

I shoot a lot of theater but never during the regular performance. It's always done at the dress rehearsals. If you do good work and they don't have good images of the performers you should have no problems talking the artistic director into letting you come to dress rehearsals to shoot for them. Many of these type of companies have a real need for decent photography of what they do.

But do not sneak a camera in to the regular performance. I've been to plenty where people do and it is annoying to all those around them who paid to watch the show and not be distracted by some guy snapping away pictures. I had a good friend who was picked to sing the national anthem at a big professional hockey game. He was 16 at the time. The stadium had a policy of no cameras. I explained the circumstance, they still said no, so I didn't bring one. Rules are rules. You don't have to always agree with them, but you should follow/respect them.

Yes, "sneak" in a 1DMIII with a 70-200L, hey what the heck, slap on that 580 EX as well. Take some flash photos while you're at it. No one will notice and it won't bother anyone.

I kid, I kid. I agree about getting into the dress rehearsal as you'll be able to move around and such for nicer compositions.