fokker
31-05-2010, 01:21 PM
From hanging around on another photography forum which is predominantly frequented by Americans, I have seen a lot of discussions about the legalities of photography - can you photograph people in public without their permission, photographing at sports games and events, confiscation of equipment etc. Without getting into too much detail, from what I gather is that you can photograph anything you want on public property without anybody's permission. On private property it is up to the management whether it is allowed, but in the worst case they can only ask you to leave, and forcibly eject you if you refuse. Under no circumstances can security or the police confiscate your camera or memory cards. Now this is America, but I'm curious to know about this sort of thing in New Zealand.
The reason I ask is I went to a concert on the weekend (Katchafire at a pub in Tokoroa). since I was sober driving I thought I'd just bring my camera along and keep myself entertained by taking pictures of the band playing, which I did for a while and was until one security guard told me that I had to put the camera away and stop taking photos or he would confiscate it. Now, I don't usually like to argue with security guards as they are usually big and black, and I'm a skinny white guy :(. But on this particular occasion I was a bit annoyed at being asked to stop, since I paid my money for a ticket with the intention of going to take some pictures (for myself only I might add, not for sale or a newspaper or anything). Nowhere on the ticket (not that I saw anyway and they kept the stub so I can't check) did it state 'no photography', and in fact there were about 6 little slappers in the front row with their p&s cameras flashing away, taking awful photos (I was peeping over their shoulders at the screens).
I asked the security guard why I was being singled out, even though it was clearly because of the camera I was using (just a 40d with 50mm lens, no grip or speedlight - imagine if it was a 1d with a 70-200 f2.8 and a speedlight!). His response was to tell me that I was not allowed to sell the photos. I argues the point that they were for my own use only, I even showed him the otehr shots on the memory card of typical 'hobby' photos such as flowers and some mates mountain biking, but he wasn't convinced. He went and asked the band manager, who said the same thing and when I asked him what the difference is between my camera and the little cameras the slappers were using his repsonse was that my camera 'has more memory in it' :eek: I was wtf, but they were obviously beyond arguing so I put the camera in the car.
It didn't really bother me at that point as I had all the photos I was going to take anyway, but it was a matter of principle. Also, the security guard said he did security for a lot of concerts and this was always the case - yet I've never heard of it being an issue before. I do plan on taking my camera to future concerts and would hate to be turned away at the door or have my gear confiscated by a power tripping bouncer.
So really what I'm wondering is what are the laws surrounding photography at events like this, and in general in New Zealand. I'm sure you guys have stories of your own and I'm keen to hear, please share them!
The reason I ask is I went to a concert on the weekend (Katchafire at a pub in Tokoroa). since I was sober driving I thought I'd just bring my camera along and keep myself entertained by taking pictures of the band playing, which I did for a while and was until one security guard told me that I had to put the camera away and stop taking photos or he would confiscate it. Now, I don't usually like to argue with security guards as they are usually big and black, and I'm a skinny white guy :(. But on this particular occasion I was a bit annoyed at being asked to stop, since I paid my money for a ticket with the intention of going to take some pictures (for myself only I might add, not for sale or a newspaper or anything). Nowhere on the ticket (not that I saw anyway and they kept the stub so I can't check) did it state 'no photography', and in fact there were about 6 little slappers in the front row with their p&s cameras flashing away, taking awful photos (I was peeping over their shoulders at the screens).
I asked the security guard why I was being singled out, even though it was clearly because of the camera I was using (just a 40d with 50mm lens, no grip or speedlight - imagine if it was a 1d with a 70-200 f2.8 and a speedlight!). His response was to tell me that I was not allowed to sell the photos. I argues the point that they were for my own use only, I even showed him the otehr shots on the memory card of typical 'hobby' photos such as flowers and some mates mountain biking, but he wasn't convinced. He went and asked the band manager, who said the same thing and when I asked him what the difference is between my camera and the little cameras the slappers were using his repsonse was that my camera 'has more memory in it' :eek: I was wtf, but they were obviously beyond arguing so I put the camera in the car.
It didn't really bother me at that point as I had all the photos I was going to take anyway, but it was a matter of principle. Also, the security guard said he did security for a lot of concerts and this was always the case - yet I've never heard of it being an issue before. I do plan on taking my camera to future concerts and would hate to be turned away at the door or have my gear confiscated by a power tripping bouncer.
So really what I'm wondering is what are the laws surrounding photography at events like this, and in general in New Zealand. I'm sure you guys have stories of your own and I'm keen to hear, please share them!