Photography at events (minor rant)

<p>Forgive me for ranting, but I think I’d like to vent a little.</p>

<p>Photography is my hobby, I am an engineer by trade. Photography is one of the few things that I’ve splurged on and I have a nice set of lenses and a nice slr camera. Well, a lot of times it raises eyebrows at events. No photography with long lenses. Or no bringing your camera to the event. One time it was a rodeo that I got told no long lenses. I was able to use it at a Womens NBA event without complaint (thank goodness) but Seattle Mariners? I’ll try this summer but will have a backup plan if security stops me at the gate.</p>

<p>The events say that it is due to “interfering with other patrons enjoyment”. Well, I hate to say it, but I’m pretty sure far more patrons would want to sit next to my camera lens than my 3 year old daughter! </p>

<p>The other thing - and more realistic thing - that they say is they don’t want to lose commerical rights to the photographs taken, and because I have professional quality gear, they feel that I must be selling photographs. But there’s little to no money in selling photographs, and since it’s a hobby, it’d not be the best use of my time. </p>

<p>I simply like having nice photographs for the wall at home, Facebook, or digital picture frames. Just like everyone else - I simply have nicer gear.</p>

<p>Anyways, thanks for letting me vent about that.</p>

<p>I agree… I had a similar situation.
I had a telephoto lens to be able to snap OL football photos. Took the camera in to every SEC football game… Home and away…then we are at the national championship game …I am stopped by security. No go!
I’m thinking great… I had taken a taxi to the game… I am going to have to go find some fan in a RV to see if they will hold my camera.</p>

<p>Then blessedly a photographer from a local paper stops me, while walking back to the parking lots, to ask a question… And I tell him my plight and he volunteers to walk my camera through security and meet me.
So I put my camera/trust in his hands…and got to capture great shots.</p>

<p>He said that security thinks we may use the lens for bad purposes…sadly our society has grown some bad apples who have soured little things in our lives.</p>