Luminous Landscape Forum
The Art of Photography => The Coffee Corner => Topic started by: tom b on March 12, 2015, 08:49:38 pm
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Interesting article (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/12/for-20-years-i-fought-the-law-today-the-law-won) in the Guardian.
Cheers,
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Well, at least its good to know that this sort of madness is not limited to Australia!
Tony Jay
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That's an interesting law about tripod use because it sort of explains the reasoning behind my local Texas city's parks and rec department creating a new "Photography Policy" I had read about in a City Council Agenda pdf emailed to me where I immediately called the city about.
As the parks director explained it me they were having issues with photographers who were setting up a little mini-studio in the park which involved a tripod and lighting gear and charging folks who wanted their loved ones to be photographed in the beautiful backdrop of the park. Of course this was getting out of hand because it was seen as turning the park into some type of commercial kiosk like in a mall where people were congregating in small but dense groups to have their picture taken. I never heard or saw any photographer actually working like this before but it made sense as to how it would be a quick money maker with low overhead and big demand since they weren't being charged for the space.
This was outside the normal random wedding photographer dragging a reflector & gear around their shoulder herding the bridal couple around for the best setup and lighting which they also weren't being charged for the use of the space but they didn't generate a crowd and an eyesore in the park.
Has anyone seen these types of setups in your local park?
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That is one editor who is truly a good sport.
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A good read, thanks! :)
cheers,
Bernard
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What I really love about this story is the fact that the good-humoured police officers, clearly acknowledging the ludiocrous nature of the complaint to which they originally responded, were happy to be photographed for the story.
That is why our British bobbies are so wonderful.
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The park bylaw is part of a number of laws designed to stop commercial activity in the park. I suspect that when drawn up, professional photographers were using large plate cameras.
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Wouldn't it make more sense to ban unlicensed commercial activities (if that is truly the targeted offense) in such places, rather than to ban tripods?
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On a related note, the Smithsonian has banned the use of "selfie-sticks" in all its museums.
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Selfie-sticks can be a hazard to others, if the user swings the stick without checking environs.