JohnnyRottenNJ Loc: Northern New Jersey

Recently on a trip to Ohio, I had the occasion to visit the Hall of Shame. I was with a group and the woman who was giving instructions about the place was one of these "low talkers." If you ever watched Seinfeld, you'll know exactly what I mean. Twice during her instructions, helicopters flew overhead. She neither stopped talking or raised her voice. So I missed most of what she said. Apparently they don't allow cameras to be used in the place. I didn't quite catch the whole jist due to the rotor noise of the choppers. I did spot a "no camera" sign, but I rationalized that the place is not well lit, and the amount of UV light from a flash would likely fade most of the articles on display over time. I have a Nikon D7000, and cranked up the ISO to 6400 and then up to the max, (25,600 ISO.) After taking about a dozen photos, the camera Nazis descended upon me. You would have thought that I was photographing the war room in the basement of the White House, or some sensitive areas of the Pentagon. I explained to the commandant that I'm not a pro photographer and was only taking some shots for my own use, AND I told him what I had rationalized. He wasn't having any of it, and demanded that I turn over my camera. I politely declined and said that I would leave. I even deleted the photos that I had taken right in front of him. Still not good enough. I heard someone on his walkie talkie say "get the memory card out of his camera and format it." I told the guy that it wouldn't work, as I had over 100 images on the card and he wasn't going to touch me or my camera. This is one of those times that I didn't mind carrying my heavy Manfrotto monopod. I told the guy that I was leaving and if he laid a hand on me or my camera, I would send him flowers in the hospital. I was careful not to menace him in anyway as I didn't want to get arrested. He still wasn't satisfied, so with that I pulled out my pocket knife (nothing too scary looking about it, but I just always carry a pocket knife.) Again, making sure to not appear to be menacing, I opened the knife, turned towards him and slowly cut the plastic wrist band off. I picked it up and shoved it at him and told him to stick it. Then with several expletives that I won't elaborate on, I walked outside. I was with a group of people, and just stayed out there until they were done. I was half expecting the Cleveland PD to show up, but I guess I was lucky.

Now here is the part that really frosted my genitals: I went with the group to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. They had many of the same displays on their walls, guitars, clothing, you name it. I asked one of the waiters if I could take a photo of Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar, and the guy offered to photograph me standing next to it. I don't get it. The one Nazi said that if people could take photos of the displays, no one would come after awhile. I said, "yeah, I was in DC a few years ago and took some photos in the Smithsonian, I went back last week and the lines were so much shorter at the various exhibits, NOT." So my thought is this: Yes, it's their property and they can prohibit photography, but I can also publicly say, "Save your money, spend the $13 on a hamburger and visit the Hard Rock Cafe." Much more enjoyable and much less aggravation. Talk about a bunch of pompous asses.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

next time go straight to canton, to see a much classier hall of fame! at least everyone in the pro football hall of fame is related to football. the rock and roll hall of fame has rap and hip hop which isn't rock and roll. sorry you had a bad expirence. I lived in cleveland for several years. there is a reason its called the mistake by the lake. No wonder lebron left. As we say in the wolverine state, "the best thing to come out of ohio is I-75! let the buckeye flame war begin.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Did you know Cleveland is spelled wrong? The city is named after Moses Cleaveland, an early settler.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

I am going to remove the R&R Hall of Fame off my bucket list. If I can't take pictures then the attraction drops way down for me.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Been to the RR HOF, nice but all that impressive, Hard Rock Cafe has more and better goodies, plus a great lunch and a cold beer.
I have been fortunate to have visited HRC's from Amsterdam to Shanghai and constantly amazed at their collection

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

There are a number of attractions that do not allow cameras for the less obvious reasons that it clogs up traffic flow and leads to copyright issues that they would rather avoid. I'm not defending the policy, but it saves a lot of trouble to check it out before buying your ticket.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's why I avoid bus tours, unless they leave me off and let me wander. There are far too many low talkers for my liking. As for the museum, that's what we have to put up with these days - people with an overblown sense of their own self-importance. I'm glad you stood up for youself. Many would have folded and given those guys an ego boost.

How was the reaction of the others in your bus?

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

I heard someone on his walkie talkie say "get the memory card out of his camera and format it."

Obviously someone trying to impress with his/her tech savvy. And what about pictures on the card that weren't taken in their sacred shrine? Bastids.

dasloaf

I went to the John Wayne Museum in Winterset, Iowa. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside John Wayne's birthplace. It seems that people were taking pictures of items and reproducing them for sale on the internet. They are a non profit organization and had to use their resources to hunt down people selling fake memorabilia and the cheapest way to stop it was no pictures! They did allow pictures with the John Wayne Statue and that made my day!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I guess i don't get it.

I was brought up to respect the rules of wherever you might be at; be it my house or a business establishment or where you are.

If you were at my house and I asked you not to take pictures, I wouldn't expect you to rationalize it, I'd expect you to stop taking pictures.

After all, you are a guest in my house.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I see your point: their house, their rules, but he was a paying guest. Rules are rules, but confiscating property is pretty extreme.

dasloaf

Where the rules posted, were they explained before the tour? signs posted?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I disagree with trying to confiscate his property, that's not legal.

My point was that they have the right to set the "no photo" rule.k


From their site:
FAQ:
Can I take pictures at the Museum?
Many of the artists who have generously loaned or donated artifacts to the Museum have stipulated that these items are not to be photographed or reproduced in any way.

Due to our agreements with these artists, photography and video are allowed only on the Plaza and Promenade Lobbies.

Visitors must check their cameras at the coat and camera checkroom on the Museum’s Ground Level.

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

I am often in wonder of those people who think they are above the rules.

Oh let me rationalize...you pissed me off so Im gonna kill you...oh heck with the rules.

NO PHOTOS...big signs...and the people just snap away...

THEN GET PISSED OFF ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES of their own actions.

I think you got off lucky...and I would have been embarrassed if I was in your group and ashamed to be associated with it.

Pretty soon because of people like you NO CAMERAS WILL BE ALLOWED in places with restrictions...and you will have to give them up before entering and then your camera will reallly be at someones mercy...

do you go through stop signs too...because you rationalize that oh heck they were not meant for me?

Oh pooh....im outa here...you will rationalize that i am over reacting or something and that you had every right to break house rules.

Edmund Dworakowski

I think that you are a dope and give photographers who play by society's rules a very bad name. If I was your father, I'd smack you on the ass..