Event Photography Permission

[shutterfiend]

I am going to the Police concert at MSG in NY later this year. Of course, I would like to take some pictures while I'm there. The ticket claims "no cameras allowed". How does one go about getting permission to photograph events like these?

 

[furcafe]

2 groups control photographic access to concerts: the acts themselves & the venues. Venues like MSG may have their own rule against unauthorized photography (to protect their own intellectual property), but usually it's the acts that set the rules. The language on your ticket may just be boilerplate that Ticketmaster or whatever always puts on shows that take place @ MSG.

Press credentials will usually get you past both venue & act restrictions. It depends on the venue, but "press" is often defined elastically to include entertainment web sites, local music publications, etc. (if you know someone who writes for 1, see if he/she can get you credentials), so 1st check w/MSG to see what their policy is. That way you also find out whether it's MSG or the Police who have a problem w/photography. If you're not press, then I think your best bet is getting permission from the act or their management. This may be difficult-to-impossible w/a big time group like the Police, but I think it's worth a shot. Just be honest that you're a fan who happens to be a serious amateur photographer; give them a link to your personal web site or whatever. You might be pleasantly surprised & it'll be cool to have established a connection w/the act ("I've got this email from Sting saying I can shoot!").

You can always try to sneak a camera in, as there will no doubt be many people bringing point & shoots & phone cameras, but then you'll have to make do w/a P&S or phone camera because anything larger will be noticed & you will be either denied entry or have the camera "detained" (smaller venues will sometimes allow you to check your camera @ the door, like a coat, but I doubt MSG does that).

I am going to the Police concert at MSG in NY later this year. Of course, I would like to take some pictures while I'm there. The ticket claims "no cameras allowed". How does one go about getting permission to photograph events like these?

 

[sepiareverb]

I'd advise against sneaking a camera in- I've been ejected more than once for having a camera- a friend of mine was beaten and ejected from a Police show in 1983 (1982?) at the Meadowlands for having a camera (Not by the Police or the police, but by arena security).

Robert Fripp of King Crimson was famous for stopping playing and standing pointing at you if you had a camera or tape recorder untill security came and escorted you away.

I can understand the band not wanting photogs there, it can be a distraction. I used to shoot a lot of performance stuff- smaller clubs- for the bands. I'd always ask the them if I could be on stage for two or three songs- then I'd be out of the way for the rest of the show. They got better pictures, and were only bothered for a short time. I'd try to have the lighting guy on board for these songs as well to pump up the intensity a bit for me. In a big place like MSG they are going to be pretty hard-a$$ed about it I would guess. They don't need any promotion, and special permission might bring up some sort of liability issue.

A press pass is certainly the route I'd take- some small magazine or college paper, media where you have an in, but then you may not get to your seats- you would likely be on the floor down front, and may only get to shoot for a few songs. Perhaps not worth it.

 

[aad]

Ever hear King Crimson's "Lights, Please"?

 

[sepiareverb]

No- is that the soundtrack to ejection?

 

[aad]

Yes, actually- a track on one of my many (legal and official) Fripp recordings-starts off normally, then Adrian Belew speaks the, uh, title then asks for the gentleman with the camera to bring it up to security. Many loud calls for nastiness to be performed upon the photographer.

 

[furcafe]

IIRC, it was Neil Peart of Rush who introduced the "3 song" rule. From what I understand, he hates flash & instituted the rule so that the idiots who insisted on using flash could get it over with & not distract him for the rest of the show. Unfortunately, the rule was adopted by every other band, is now applied to all photographers, even those shooting available light, & has become enshrined into rock "law."

Robert Fripp of King Crimson was famous for stopping playing and standing pointing at you if you had a camera or tape recorder untill security came and escorted you away.

 

[furcafe]

This accords w/my experience. The crappier the camera, the easier it is to get it in. I see point & shoots, disposables, & phone cameras used openly @ concerts all the time, w/flashes blazing away. Definitely helps if the photographer happens to be a hot girl, though.

You could just take a point and shoot film or digital in with you. I did this at a U2 concert a little over a year ago and got some great pictures (at least great for memories!) all from a crappy minolta 4 megapixel digital. I put them on line for the people that were standing next to me. You can see them here-

http://www.patrickjames.net/u2

Not bad for a crappy little camera. If you get a cheap one you don't have to worry about losing it or getting it confiscated. The tickets probably cost you more. Think about it.

Good luck and have fun!

Patrick

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I hope this goes well for you... I'm shooting the Police concert in Toronto later in the tour. Looking forward to it, but I'm sure we'll be out after the three song limit.
It's OK with me I just want to see part of the show... and can miss the trafic I guess.
I might even take a RF with me for a couple frames.
-Rob

 

[Xmas]

Nice letter to agent ask for embedded photocall during practice sessions, they pick the shots thay like for pub shots. If they like them they have option of letting you bird dog them... They are gonna want to spike your best candids, but hey...

Noel

 

[Lemures-Ex]

Or you could fake press passes. I have a friend who does this to get into things like construction sites, large crime scenes and press conferences. Probably not legal but you will probably not get into a lot of trouble if you get caught.

Here's one from Google: http://www.rense.com/general70/crashingtheoscars.htm

 

[rogue_designer]

Don't fake it. You can screw yourself long term in this biz. Its not unusual to be blacklisted by venues, editors and road managers.

If you can't get an official publication to get you credentials. See if you can get the road managers name. If you give them time, and are polite and honest about your situation, more than a few will be willing to let you shoot.

You can also try writing the venue for permission.