btbg

Although money might be an issue, it's not all about the money.

Most teams have exactly the same rules for training camp as for their stadiums during games.

In case you haven't noticed the seats in a football stadium aren't exactly roomy. I shoot sports for a living. Someone in the stands is not a threat to my livelihood. They aren't going to take the shot of that great catch in the end zone and then sell it for big bucks. They don't even know where or how to sell it even if they did happen to get a great shot from their seat.

However, how would you like someone with a Sigma150-500 sport sitting right behind you trying to take photos and hitting you in the back of the head. The rule is primarily there for other spectators comfort and safety. It's the same reason that most stadiums don't allow umbrellas. And it is a big piece of why stadiums also don't allow coolers and camera bags. Not only are they a security issue, they are also space eaters that harm other spectators comfort.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Which is why I wrote in the post previous to the one you quoted, "Sometimes the authorities fall back on language that focuses on the idea that certain restrictions exist for items 'that might diminish the enjoyment of an event by other patrons'.

I hear ya, btbg. Years ago I might have wished I could have been one of those guys with the big lenses kneeling in the end zone corner hoping to grab The Great Catch. These days, my knees couldn't take it, and no way could I get my butt out of the way. Leaving that kind of work to pros like you. Regards.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Because we wouldn't want someone's viral video on YouTube questioning the officials' blown calls, now would we?

whitewolfowner

I agree with you completely. But consider who owns and controls the NFL and all answers are self explanatory.

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Better safe than sorry.

whitewolfowner

You are right; I have touted that for decades and people look at me like I'm nuts. We fund everything for these million and billionaires though our taxes while the poor and disabled suffer form lack of help. How immoral can one be? We should not only have free admission but stock pay backs too. Then, there is the blocking of broadcasts if the stadium is not sold out!!!!! Need I go on......

whitewolfowner

No, it has to do with reach and how close you can get to the subjects. It reserves the good shots for the privileged few.

whitewolfowner

All that could be eleviated by having designated areas where people could take photos. It'a all about the money and control and since we as tax payers have a financial interest in these teams because we fund them, it's also our right.

whitewolfowner

All you got to do is record the TV broadcast for about five minutes of any Bills or Titans game to have evidence of that. Did you know that NLF ref's are part time positions and they all have full time jobs elsewhere. The more you know about the inner workings and politics of professional sports, the more dirty and thug run mentality becomes evident and it becomes more and more obvious all the time.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Also you don't want some jerk with a 1200mm prime sitting behind you knocking you in the head with it all game they need to draw the line somewhere. That's why they hire pros ! Just be glad they don't use max focal length instead. At Miller Park a 70 to 200 L is a no but the 16 -300 Tamron a go and the new Tamron -400 would be allowed also.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Actually, while the venue is FINANCED with public money making them the leasor, the leasee (the group that leases the venue can set the "visitor requirements"s. This is why that you check each individual concert or performance to verify that the "entry rules" haven't changed for that group. NFL Teams are "generally" leasing the facilities that they play at (or sometimes practice at and their contract with the companies may not include television, video, film or still photography rights. Those rights are owned by the group, "private or public" that is leasing the facilities. For instance, a college football game played in a stadium financed and owned by the college may have different photography rules than the stadium that they play in as a visitor.. or as in invited guest (as in a bowl game). This is why photo requirement may vary as a team travels through out it's visiting schedule. For instance, photographers at an Oklahoma Sooner football game may have completely different requirements at their home stadium in Norman, Oklahoma (which is owned entirely by the University (a state university) than they might playing at a college game in the Meadowlands, or in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This is due to what ever rights that are owned by the Coliseum, and the home team. These rights may vary depending on if OU was playing the USC Trojans or the UCLA Bruins. The same is true in all venues, whether sports, concerts, plays, or what ever. So the photographer has to verify, not only with the owner of the venue, but also with the leasee. Also, different groups may have varying standards as related to photographers. At the Saint Petersburg Grand Prix (a Honda motor racing event that has several practices and races over the course of a week, photographers that want to "circumvent" the camera / lens restrictions, can get a "press" or "photography" pass. These must be applied for. The major issue in getting a photography credential for the race is that the applicant MUST be representing a media service. This is not a huge deal as there are many small newspapers, etc. that would love for someone to attend an event for them. All you have to do is make a list of those small publications and contact them.. DON'T just show up at the gate and try to get in. Attached is the requirements for the Indy Car Races. You must have your credentials several weeks in advance and ATTEND the appropriate credential meetings before the event. http://www.imscdn.com/indycar_media/documents/2017-02-27/Credential%20Policy.pdf

Now, the streets of Saint Petersburg, Florida are "public" streets, but for this event, several miles (and not just the course) are blocked and closed to general access. This included the Saint Petersburg Airport, whose main runways are a part of the race course. While all or most of the track and surrounding area are city streets, sidewalks and public airport, the fact that you are a tax payer has no bearing on admission.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Sounds like the same as the cut off point for the male starring role in a porno movie, except that 8" is the minimum

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Size does matter, guys.....

Dannj

😊👍😊👍😊👍

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Shows how much they actually know about photography. They are talking about the physical length of the lens not the focal length? Some lenses are half lens shade (removable). 500mm mirror lens from eBay any body? Are Hasselblads or other medium format allowed? That should qualify as professional. Lots of people can be a-holes about photography rules.

I've heard that guitarist Jorma Kaukonen (former Jefferson Airplane & Hot Tuna), does not allow any photography at club dates these days (as a solo or duet or the like). I guess he has an authorized photographer who supplies him with photos to sell.