No Photos for You!
Thursday night I went to the Metro to see Troubled Hubble, Sybris, and the Changes. As usual, I brought my camera. As usual, I planned to take several pictures of two of my favorite bands, something I’ve done several times at the Metro, right in front of the security guards, for years.
First off, photography is my hobby. My pictures are for my own personal enjoyment. I post them online so my friends can see them, much like most of the technologically enlightened world does.
The Metro doesn’t see it that way. Last night I was able to take this picture before a security agent approached me and informed me the cameras aren’t allowed unless I have a press pass.
They’re not doing this because my flash might disturb the band (I wasn’t even using flash) or because I’m getting too close (there’s a fence keeping us pee-ons from the uh, “press”). The only reason I can think of is that my pictures, and yours, for that matter, might upstage any official press or Metro photos. After all, if just anyone can take and publish these pictures, why go to the professionals or Metro sites? Exactly. Except, you know what? If you want to see more pictures of Sybris from last night, you’re out of luck. There are none. Well, okay, except that one on the right.
I don’t argue that they have the authority to do this, but it’s just plain rude. Can I not allow you to take pictures in my home? Sure, I can. Would I? Of course not, because I’M NOT A JERK. (Well, okay, I am, but I still won’t.) Maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehill, and you can certainly let me know if I am. However, it’s been a slow month, and I haven’t had anything to rant about lately, so here you go.
Here’s what I want to do. I want to find twenty other people with cameras, digital or otherwise, and take a little trip to the Metro. We’d go early so that we dominate the front row. Then at the same moment, we’ll all take out our cameras and start shooting. If the security approaches any one of us, we’ll just show him our homemade press passes. Or the finger. I’m open on that one.
Who’s in?
The best thing to do is to just photoshop your own Press Pass and laminate it at Kinkos. Run a google image search for “press pass” and make your own based off those examples. Happy Shooting!
to be fair to the metro, bands are the ones who determine whether press passes are needed for photogrphers or not. since the groups at the show you were at are all local the guard’s behavior seems strange (unles trouble hubble is noow filtering their images, which i doubt.)
don’t blame the metro or the bands though, blame an overenthusiastic security guard…and then ask phil or someone to get you a pass next time you want to photograph sybris to avoid future problems.
having dealt with this sort of thing for years, i can say that’s the easist way to go.
it wasn’t troubled hubble, because they asked me if i was taking pictures that night and expressed dismay when i told them i wasn’t allowed. shawn of sybris saw they guy approach me and was like ‘no, no, let him!’
maybe you’re right, maybe it’s just the guard, but whatever. don’t worry, i already have assurances from 3 bands that they’ll give me press passes, and now that i think of it, i better email new black about thursday…
and i still wanna go in with 20 other photographers…
I wouldnt blame a overenthusiastic security person like tankboy said it is usually up to the production and managment staff of the main band to have the word on said matters the security only follow their requests, sometimes it’s no cameras or no flash, or even all is ok exept for filming, it’s all up to the managment.