delder Loc: Maryland

I HAVE seen signs @ some local venues [Birchmere etc.] Specifically 🚫 prohibiting "Professional Cameras with Interchangeable Lenses"

delder Loc: Maryland

I HAVE seen signs @ some local venues [Birchmere etc.] Specifically 🚫 prohibiting "Professional Cameras with Interchangeable Lenses"

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

As the image quality of cell phones approach "Professional Cameras".

So I suppose my Sony H-1 will also be fine then.
(Not a professional camera with an interchangeable lens.)

Supposition on their part? All non-professional camera users are amateurs?

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

Some of the “add on” lenses for your phone are pretty good - especially if you run the image through Photoshop

therwol Loc: USA

Not entirely true if you judge by the standards of the day. There were "professional" portable cassette recorders that recorded with noise reduction. I knew someone in school who had a rather large one and separate mics that he took to Grateful Dead concerts, and the results were credible. Digital quality? Of course not, but not bad.

To address the photos and videos that people take at concerts and other shows with cell phones, it has become hard to control. I've been to shows where the ushers have gone around telling people with cell phones to put them away. It's hard to hide the light of the screen. On the other hand, in the middle of something with flashing lights and loud music, it would be impossible to stop everything that's going on in the audience. I want to mention that I've seen "School of Rock" live in London. There was an announcement beforehand that anyone could take video of the big finale. Right before the big final number and the curtain calls, the main character told the audience, "If you want to take video, now's the time to get your phones out."

jlocke Loc: Austin, TX

Most of the mid-size venues around Austin and San Antonio have a similar policy:
"No professional photography equipment or audio/video recording equipment will be allowed into the venue. Only cameras without detachable lenses and that are smaller than a shirt pocket will be allowed into the venue."

So, I bought a Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80. It has a lot of noise at extended ISO, but nothing that can't be removed. I've gotten some pretty good photos and video with it. I've not had it turned away yet.

jlocke Loc: Austin, TX

This is a note for the upcoming Bob Dylan show at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre here in Austin:

PLEASE NOTE: This show will be a phone-free experience provided by YONDR. Use of cell phones, smart watches, cameras and recording devices will not be permitted in the performance space, upon arrival at the venue, all devices will be secured in YONDR pouches that will be opened at the end of the event.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Can't argue with that, they want to protect their copyright.

But I'll bet some believe their desire for pictures is more important that the performer's copyright.....

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Today, concert audiences in the USA behave far more calmly than they did fifty years ago. Back then, I always took my camera to concerts, and no one said a thing to me about it. There was rampant dope smoking all over the arena, the odd stand-up sex act happening down front in "the pit," people passing people overhead, dozens of rolls of toilet paper sailing through the air, and that was on Clemson University campus.

At a Leon Russell outdoor VFW Stadium concert in Uptown Charlotte, the police acted like it was normal that kids were smoking pot. Some in the audience brought in their own coolers of beer. At least one guy was wandering through the crowd selling what he claimed was LSD. The hippie lady next to us bought some and freaked out... I have a slide of her somewhere, chain-smoking what was probably her third joint. People were creating their own very temporary mini-Woodstock environments. It was surreal and somewhat sad. I just burned a couple rolls of High Speed Ektachrome, pushed one stop, and enjoyed the music.

jcboy3

I have been a photographer for a few bands, and occasionally for a venue. The policy is usually set by the band or promoter. It is intended to keep quality images to the professionals that shoot the gig. And they are often restricted to photographing only the first couple of songs unless the band wants full coverage. So I would get in the pit for a couple of songs and then I was out.

The policy has become a mostly rote restriction; it started primarily because the hired photographers wanted restrictions so they wouldn't be competing with "amateur" photographers for photos.

When I attend a concert as an amateur, I encounter a variety of restrictions. I've had security question my bridge cameras, which clearly don't fall under the normal "professional" = "interchangable lens" definition. Basically, it's enforced by size...got a big camera, need a permit.

This is different from the restrictions on some events which restrict the overall length of a camera. This is simply a matter of safety; they don't want you smacking someone else in the head with your camera.

I do find the smartphones to be more of an interruption; nothing like a sea of phones lifted high to interfere with enjoyment of a concert. And people use them to record long videos and then post them on YouTube. Some bands figure this is good advertising.

But if you're looking for rationality...forget it.

If you really want to take pictures, get in contact with the band. You might be able to work a deal. Depends on what their contract with the promoter stipulates. And your best option is less popular bands at smaller venues. I contact them, offer them the pictures at no cost, and frequently get a pass to photograph.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

Dylan won't even allow cell phones. Ushers are under instructions if they see some one trying to get a shot with thier phone.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That's funny, I photographed Dylan and The Band back in 1974 in the old Charlotte Coliseum. People had cameras all over the place, and there was a guy sitting near us with a Nakamichi cassette deck, recording the whole show.

Nothing like that happens now. The industry got lawyered up and über greedy.

Bob Dylan and The Band, ©1974, ©2022 Bill Burkholder

(Download)

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I am an amateur musician and an amateur photographer. I LOVE taking pictures of other musicians playing. The issue of concert photography is one I watch closely. If possible, I always ask the musician or venue personnel if I can take pictures.

In my experience, most venues below the top tier allow non-flash photography. I have never had an artist prohibit me from taking pictures. I share the best with the artist.

As has been noted, large venues are more restrictive in their policies, but enforcement varies. As recently as last week, I was at a show at which a fully equipped audience member was running up to the front without being stopped. I took cell phone shots from my seat.

I have half a dozen emerging artists currently using my images for their web sites. Great relationships, great fun.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Because of liability.
You see, us YAHOO'S like to show off and bring big lenses and put them over the heads of folks sitting in front of us so we can get the shots, not my fault if they stand up and injure themselves.
And then there are those of us that take there yahoo camera's to concerts to post and sell there images after the show, and would you believe it, we don't share any of our ill gotten gains with the performers. It is our images, not there's, we have the right to post and sell anything we please.
I guess that's why the MAN won't let us bring our GOOD gear to concerts anymore. Shame on the promoters.

jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.

My guess is the promoters are afraid someone in the audience may make a few bucks selling a photo instead of the promoter. It's all about the money.