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

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??

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.

FOX2PRO wrote in post #7334476
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.

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??

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.

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.

JoYork wrote in post #7334875
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.

neilwood32 wrote in post #7335211
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.

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.

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

yuriyo923 wrote in post #7334488
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?

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

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

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #7336541
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.

waterj2 wrote in post #7340630
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

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.

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