CusopDingle Loc: central CT

If the venue is private property, I can't see that there can be any argument with a proscription against any type of photography. I'm sure different proprietors have different motivations, including not wanting the liability of people lugging large heavy gear (e.g. a D5 with a big lens) in a crowd - what a liability nightmare should somebody's head get banged by mistake. Three inches is just a number, like six inches. It's the idea of something big vs. something small, and three inches is something the flunky at the door can objectively measure - no judgement needed. My bet is that even quasi-private governmental agencies like universities have the same protections as fully private property. The bigger question is what about non-secure public spaces (meaning, TSA-watched areas like the arrival hall at JFK airport are excluded). Could NYC declare Central Park off limits to the D5 with a big lens? I would see that kind of thing as looming totalitarianism - with the next step being having to register your images/upload to a Federal Cloud so that our Minders can be watchful for Bad Guys.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Agan folks- there is no battle! It's all common sense. A coamer or a lense, regardless of it's size, does not com with a license to go anywhere you want and photograph anything or anybody any place. Obviously private property is PRIVATE and its owners can allow restrict most activities on their premises. All of the legal, moral, social issues have already been discussed in this thread.

There are othere issues that are more problematic. Even in seeing public places many folks have an expectation of privacy even if they are not protected by any law. Years ago, fols took picture on public beaches- shot candid picture of cute littel kids. As a press photography, my boss ues to tell me, on a hot summer slow news day, to go to the beach or the park or the beach and shoot kids in the wading pool- "bathing beauties at the beach". Folks used to pose, smile have fun and ask when the pictures would be in the paper and if they coud have copies. Nowadays they would call the police! I would be looked upon as a voyeur- a creep, a child pronographer UGH! Long lenses can have nasty connotations- some folks mistake them for weapons.

Sadly, the innocent, well meaning and ethical photographers pay the price for the bad guys! All the more reason for amateurs and professional alike to conduct themselves in a "professional" manner. If you don't want to be categorized as a professional, call yourself an artist or a craftsperson but act courteously and professionally. Ask for permission and cooperation. If you network properly and seek some accreditation and status, you will be surprised what you can accomplish.

It's a NEW YEAR- there may be great new opportunities on the offing- go get 'em!

radiojohn

Yes, thousands of flashes can ruin pigments. Remember your actions are just one of many.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Learn to conceal your DSLR and smuggle it into events.

gary m Loc: Cincinnati, ohio

To All,

I respect my amateur photo hobby and do not take pictures that are inappropriate or potentially infringe on another persons privacy rights.

Some photographers have ruined the enjoyment of taking those special photographs that we cherish if we are so fortunate to capture the image or special event desired.

Looks like my photo enjoyment will have to center around family, friends and landscapes, no longer sporting or concert events unless I wish to take the pictures with a cell phone or point and shoot device.

I sent an email to Canon just to let them know that the next generation may not care about the professional cameras and just take pictures with their cell phone, their business will change again, mirrorless will not be the long term replacement for amateur photographers like myself.

Wishing everyone a great 2019

Gary

BebuLamar

Although I would not attend a sporting event because I hate sport but I do attend classical concert and I would not want to take pictures there. Any way they sell you tickets to see the game not to photograph the game.

Shutterbug57

Without sideline access, what are you hoping to accomplish at a top tier sporting event? If you are in the stands trying to get the pro shots, you will have to have at least a 400 f/2.8 and likely a 600 f/4. You also won’t get the same angles as the pros on the field/court. Here’s an idea, practice where you can get access and build up a portfolio to earn the creds to get where you want to go.

sv3noKin51E

Gary, This sounds so like one of those, 'Geez, Louise' moments, this must mean we're still wedged in 1984. How does a press pass make a 3-inch lens legitimate? This sort of control freak gibberish has been directed at photographers for many years, and the question remains, why is this still done and under what authority? Who decides a cell-phone is an acceptable device to make photographs with, but not a camera and long lens? It's not enough to have large dogs sniffing the photographers crotch? You have my understanding.

That this still goes on in the 21st century brings up the aspect the authorities don't care to talk about, even though they dictate rubbish policies regarding lens measurements for photographers (really officer, it's only 6-inches!). Most of these events use fantastic facial recognition technology, that digitally zooms into all of the tightest crevices in the entire arena, simultaneously, ala a Predator drone from 4 miles up. To think they're dictating a lens length to less than 3-inches is more than a bit disingenuous. Wouldn't it be a hoot if everyone showed up packing 150-600mm zooms, that would be a day to remember.

Long ago I accompanied a friend to a concert, he hid his 35mm camera in his coat, and his zoom lens via the pickle in the pants method, as silly as it looked. He was keen to photograph the Stevie Nicks solo tour. He wasn't bothered, but anyone who called attention to themselves by popping flash photos were quickly asked to leave. Everyone else just used fast film, since smart-phones were many years in the future. Some artists were and still are, extremely distracted by flash photography, other were just concerned that they wouldn't sell expensive posters outside the venue. At that event, the authorities didn't want yet another lawsuit with photos proving their employees were harassing (etc) female concert goers. If you can't get a press pass (which should be easy enough to reproduce) there are iPhone attachments that can enhance zoom capability; some work fairly well, others are junk. Good luck. sv

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Agreed. You can purchase many kinds of bogus credentials/badges, but a smart gatekeeper can spot the phonies.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Very difficult to do with a DSLR if the venue has a metal detector. I am successful only about one out of five or six times and I need an accomplice to provide the distraction so I have pretty much given up on trying.

jcboy3

1. Go to events that allow DSLRs. These will be less popular, but can provide as many opportunities for photography. I shoot a lot of local sports and concerts that way.

2. Get a job to shoot the type of events you want. You usually won't be able to shoot a lot of different types of event, or many events, but you can get a pass to shoot. You can get a job with a media company that has arrangements with the event promotors (this will get you limited access), or you can get a job with a media company hired specifically by the promotors, or with the promotors themselves (this will get you maximum access). I work for a couple of media companies, sometimes the job gets me limited passes, sometimes I get complete access.

3. Get a telephoto lens for your iphone.

What I find interesting is that you don't want to go to the event if you can't take your DSLR. So you don't enjoy the event, just the photography? You can save a lot of money by just not going.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I will no longer scoff at the cell phones. My younger daughter has taken photos world-wide, and at high school track events with a cell phone that were excellent. The Missus has no interest in photography, but when she went to Hawaii I told her to take lots of photos with her iPhone 6. She did (something around 900 of them), and they rival anything I've seen on UHH, both for IQ and composition. I'm putting together a 45 page (90 photos) album of 8x10s, and having trouble keeping the number down to 90.

The iPhone has come a looong ways.

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

I have a neat little WHITE Lumix LX7 that really screams *amateur* *tourist* and shoot through a fast Leica zoom lens that slips past most of those screeners in a coat pocket easily..

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Hmmm, just saw the UHH post of the 'Mallards in Mating Season' a day or so ago and the Eagles posted by Regis....not saying your wife's cell phone photos aren't any good but I seriously doubt they rival or even come close to that quality and composition or many of the others....so, ANYTHING posted on UHH?....just saying, Cheers

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Oh, yeah...Regis...and there are a number of others in that realm. I got a little carried away on that one. But for zero experience and a cell phone I still say she could hold her own on the majority in the Gallery. Regardless, cell-phones can produce some quality work up to 11 x 14.