On 10/7/05, Markus Maurer, discombobulated, unleashed: >But why is that not allowed in general?
To put it simply, venue management bow to most artist's management and ban photography and recording so that the artist retains control of their material. If I was a musician, and performed a concert at a theatre seating a couple of thousand, and later found that CDs were being sold (Cotty, Live and In Concert!) without my authorisation, then doubtless my manager would be looking for someone to sue. If the venue management prohibit recording equipment, then there should be no recording of my concert taking place. With photographs, it's a little different, but essentially the same principle is repeated. As a musical artist, my manager would want full control of my image, and how that is portrayed. True, gifted amateur photographers are not going to damage my reputation in any way i can think of, but by the same token, my manager will not be able to tell the gifted amateur photographer apart from a paparazzi looking to make some sales. With any performance art, it is all about who you know. Clearly you need to make better contacts with the venues - the venue manager you spoke to did not seem very endearing. Is it not possible to approach him before an actual performance, in a less stressful situation - possibly taking along a portfolio to show him, putting him at ease with you, showing him that you are a nice, likeable photo enthusiast and not a nutter pap hungry for glitz and money? >I think if you photograph without a flash and only with a silent manual >camera it should be possible. As many people do. People take in small point and shoot cameras to music venues all the time. That's easier to do though, and managers are less inclined to worry about results using such gear. When they see you and a 300 f/2.8, you may find that they become a little more interested in your motives. In the end, that's what it's all about - motives. Why are you shooting what you shoot? is it to make some money, or is it because you enjoy the activity? You and I know the answer to that - now you have to convince the people who are able to decide if you will or you won't be able to do it. >Of course I depend on your sympathy for a "poor" amateur like me Cotty, it's >all about suffering for the creation of Pentax art (vbg) ;-) In general, most people warm to humility. Even when i have every right to be in a certain place at a certain time, filming whatever or whoever is the subject, I always just check in with whoever's in control - have a little chat, gain a little confidence, make a little friendship. Sometimes it pays off huge dividends later, when there are two dozen monkeys jumping about waving expensive gear - and I get ushered to a better position because i took the time and trouble to make contact with a fellow human. I learned long ago that if you burn a bridge behind you, you can bet your paycheck that you'll need to cross it again on the way back! HTH Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________
