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Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Updated: August 27th, 2008 03:58 PM EDT
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Photographers Face Ejection Over Lenses
source: Slashdot
Zooomr CEO Thomas Hawk was ejected from a San Francisco art museum because the security guard apparently thought his expensive camera could be used to spy on female employees.
Another photographer notes that 'many people consider a professional-looking camera a threat,' and the state of California has even passed a law against telephoto lenses being used to intrude on celebrities' private lives. Hawk is routinely confronting security guards who argue that photographing their buildings represents a 'security threat.' Ironically, four weeks ago while attending Microsoft's Pro Photo Summit, he was told he couldn't even photograph the lobby of a Hyatt Hotel."
For a blog entry on this subject visit the Eye Openers blog at www.imaginginfo.com/interactive/2008/08/26/photographic-profiling-continues/.
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Visitor Comments
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Posted by Bert Krasner in Longmeadow, MA
large camera
I emerged from a parking garage in Minneapolis and while getting my bearings, was approached by a security person who gave me directions and the warning that I was not allowed to take pictures from the skywalk. These are the structures between the buildings allowing pedestrians to walk in the city without being exposed to the weather. They are all over downtown between the major buildings over the business area.
(09/05/08 - 04:00 PM)
Posted by David Gasser in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Large Cameras
This is not uncommon in private property. Hotels, distinctive buildings, the NY Subway stem and even national parks have policies against unauthorized sales of images. Try to get a large camera into Machu Picchu and youll see that they same happens. This is an attempt to preserve intellectual property. As artists we should understand that this is important. Casual photography with small cameras is different. Most private sites have a process for authorizing photography based upon the purpose.
(08/21/08 - 01:30 PM)
Posted by Doug Churchill in Chico, CA
Large Cameras
When I lived in smelLA (1990s) I too was asked to leave Griffith Park Observatory when I attempted to photograph an exceptional sunset, one of those also very rare clear days with an ocean view.
There have been other times pre/post 9.11 that I have been asked to not photograph or leave because of "professional looking cameras".
There have been other times pre/post 9.11 that I have been asked to not photograph or leave because of "professional looking cameras".
(08/21/08 - 09:30 AM)
Posted by horqua in Denver, CO
This is another example of the "sky is falling" mentality shoved down out throats by an overly paranoid society. Fight back. Our freedom to record what we see is at stake. The sky is not falling!
(08/21/08 - 12:16 AM)
Posted by darlene nation in NYC NY
telephoto censored--lg. lenses
basically thats ridiculous, with new 5-8x lenses on point and shoot
cameras...all cameras can be (and sometimes are) intrusive.
looks arent everything
cameras...all cameras can be (and sometimes are) intrusive.
looks arent everything
(08/20/08 - 07:24 PM)
Posted by Derek Hinkle in Orange, CA
Large Cameras
Has this world become so paranoid that we as artists and working photographers have become targets for security people to watch. We have to be good examples when in the public eye, and the paps have blackend it before we even get started. They have their place and thats OK but they need to be aware of the fallout that they cause when thay act badly it comes down on all of us.
(08/20/08 - 02:56 PM)
Posted by Chris in Redding, CA
Flentye
Being that the paparazzi has done much to give itself a bad image many
trend followers get real excited when someone is taking pictures. Last week while I was
shooting images for a client that has a waterpark, I was asked if taking pictures
of hired pro models was illegal.
In areas where it is likely photography may be discouraged I shoot very discreetly.
trend followers get real excited when someone is taking pictures. Last week while I was
shooting images for a client that has a waterpark, I was asked if taking pictures
of hired pro models was illegal.
In areas where it is likely photography may be discouraged I shoot very discreetly.
(08/19/08 - 11:08 PM)
Posted by Alan Goldstein in Clarksville, TN
Large Cameras
Wow, now we have camera profiling.
(08/19/08 - 09:19 PM)
Posted by Victor Muschetto in Pasadena, California
Large Cameras
I was asked to leave Griffith Park Observatory because I was using a 4x5 camera on a school project. I was told my camera was too professional looking and had to leave. This was by the head astronomer at Griffith Park and I was really disappointed that everyone else was allowed to use their cameras but mine was too big.
(08/19/08 - 08:33 PM)
