I totally agree that you can't single one person out, but I'm afraid that with an L lens and pro-spec D-SLR (and I'm not saying that's what you said, purely hypothetical example) firstly you stand out like a sore thumb, and secondly, you're more likely to get the money shot (AI servo etc etc)
If I misunderstood the situation you have my whole hearted apologies, I'm a big fan of cricket myself, and if I was told to put my 40D/70-200L away on a practice day I'd be pretty pissed off myself, and likely whinge about it for weeks to come, but I think in the back of my mind I'd understand, because I've contributed my fair share to the "Uncle Bob" threads over on the wedding forum, it's such a delicate situation at the moment between established pros, extremely talented amateurs, and those who will sell 6x4 prints at $1 for the ego boost of "making a sale"
I really don't want to stir up any cans of worms or insult anyone here, and to Terry I'm just as insulted as you at the lack of courtesy shown to you, I'm merely trying to play Devil's Advocate.
Terry D wrote:
Guys...point and shoots are now 10 to12 megapxls and 300 + mm ... who's abusing who here? Some of you guys seem to take this in stride... like its no big deal IMO it is a BIG DEAL.
You may recall a few years back... there was a country that was the land of the free... I think it was call America ....whoops, where'd she go
IF I were a terrorist, I would certainly not walk around with a big DSLR and canon L lens. I would buy a good small P&S. It would give adequate picture quality and draw far less attention. If people are going to try and identify terrorists, they need to try and think like one too.
I'm with you on this one Terry. It just aggravates me that I can be standing in a crowd of dozens of 12mp P&S cameras with my D2X and 70-200 and I'm singled out as the ONE person that can't shoot simply because of my gear and for no other reason.
I've been the event photographer on the sidelines with the 'competition' shooting alongside me (youth sports) so I understand that perspective. I usually ask them who they are shooting and then I don't waste my time shooting their kids. I give them my card though and have subsequently been asked by more than a few of them to shoot their kids at the next game. But I've never asked that they be removed, I just outshoot them
I am a track photog at a locat 1/4 track, not nearly as nice as Norwalk but still a dragstrip and I can relate to both sides of this situation. I don't personally care too much when people come and shoot the cars or anything else that they would like. Most times if I see that they have nice gear I'll actually talk to them about it and even give pointers in they ask. Most guys are there just for a friends car or as a hobby and that's really cool with me. I have actually pulled out my second camera and handed it to various people, then shared my profits with them if their shots sold, and I've been suprised at how good, and how bad some of those shots have been.
However, there is one guy in my area who visits several tracks, all of which have an offical photographer, and sells his shots for far less than anyone else does, which I see as a bit rude because he's creating a price war not just a competition to capture the best shots. So, I can see how it can be upsetting to some track photographers when they see someone in the crowd shooting with nice gear and there is no way to tell what that person may be doing with those shots. I don't know that he's been to the track I shoot at and don't really worry to much about it as my name is at the tracks website, my banner is at the track, the announcer pushes my name and I hand out flyers and cards so I'm certain that my work gets the majority of the traffic.
However, I shot at the track mostly because I like racing and like photography, so I do bring my gear to other tracks and shoot while I'm there. So, it would really PO me if I was approached, and singled out, like Terry was since I know that I'm not there to compete against anyone for sales.
Also, Test and Tune days are my biggest sales days, bigger than any large or organized events so I can see why this guy would be worried about this, particularly on what seems like a ho-hum day at the track.
Well it has taken me almost a week to calm down about this... I told myself I wasn't going to look at this thread any more ... but I just couldn't stay away.
Thanks Trey and Troy... this is what I've been unsuccessfully trying to convey here. It was their/his attitude. You guys get it.
I guess a photographer could go through life butting heads with everyone who he perceives to be compitition... but I've always been friendly toward them and many times partnered up with them to make a KILLER team or at least be friendly rivals... not pi$$ them off and start a war.
I probably could show him some tricks... maybe learn one or two from him... I don't know. We might have liked each other and become friends. This much I do know.... we aren't going to find out now.
And I've been thinking that I just may not go back to the track any more... which would probably make him think that he has won.
My feeling is that in this case everyone has lost.
shadowcat wrote:
The thing terry is talking about is there was no track photographer only section he was shooting where everyone else could shoot if the track photographer has a problem with it he needs to get with track managment and have a track photographer only area put in in a prime location other wise he needs to shut the hell up and shoot his pictures. there is no thing as a pro camera it's the person behind the camera thats the pro don't get mad at me and try to restrict only me because I can afford a better camera than you unlike the other guy next to you. If a track, sports arena or any other place lets any one bring a P&S in to there place they need to let any other camera inthe pro's will just have to make sure the prime spots are set up only for them....Show more →
Wow that's an eyewatering post, please please use punctuation!
shadowcat wrote:
IMHO any place where the general public can pay to go like sports arena's race tracks etc. are public areas
The very fact that people are paying to go there should indicate that those aren't public areas. Isn't the very definition of a private area that you can't go there without someone's specific permission - in this case the payment of an admission price?
andrewhed wrote:
That is so ironic that your avitar is a mickey mouse.
Ive only heard the phrase "you cannot shoot with a pro dslr in here " once, and it was in one of disney's clubs in downtown disney.
They were big, i did what i was told.
I could see that from Disney because of all the copyrights, registered trademarks and such... they are very good at capturing $$$$ at every turn and have been doing it a very long time. I was there years ago with a modern Pro SLR and nothing was said.... but it is a much different world now.
shatterkiss wrote:
The very fact that people are paying to go there should indicate that those aren't public areas. Isn't the very definition of a private area that you can't go there without someone's specific permission - in this case the payment of an admission price?
Simon, I am not disputing the owners of property their right to regulate it... this was not the owner and at the time this individual was being instructed by the kahoniless track photographer to roust me... not the same IMO. It was a poker bluff and it didn't work.
I got stopped shooting a concert with a 10D as being too professional...albeit with a 300/4.5 MF Nikkor on the end... so I was thinking a gray Reb would seem far less professional...(with a smaller tele, maybe my 200/4)...
IMO any place the public is expected or invited to go like sports complexes, race track's, restaurants, city hall etc, paying or not is is a public place and most sport's complexes are bought with tax payer money.
And what I'm saying is if they don't want me taking my 5D in then they need to tell everyone they can't take there camera in and they need to post the rules at the gate so you know be for you go in.
IMO it is a BIG DEAL. 
but I just couldn't stay away. 
so I was thinking a gray Reb would seem far less professional...(with a smaller tele, maybe my 200/4)...