Know Your Camera Equipment

Believe it or not, some people do not know their cameras or equipment. While they might be good or even excellent photographers – they don’t know the different between “pro” and “point & shoot”.

This has caused a LOT of problems for people in certain situations – concerts, malls, family gatherings … even a trip to a family fun center has brought up the issue of when and where cameras should and shouldn’t be allowed.

Not all cameras are the same …

So, why is it important to know your camera?

Other than knowing how it works, it’s also good so you know where it is allowed, and where it isn’t allowed. That could mean a lifetime of memories, or a fleeting experience with nothing to remind you of it.

Some places have restrictions on the type of camera that is allowed – some allow no photography whatsoever, some allow only “personal” use cameras. And, that can lead to confusion.

There are a few cameras we know about:

     ** Smart Phones with cameras (iPhones, Android, etc.)

     ** Digital “point & shoot” cameras (like the lower/cheaper Cybershots)

     ** Digital SLR (DSLR)/Professional cameras (higher class Cybershots, etc).

Now, I’ll be the first to admit … I don’t know everything about photography. But, I do know the professional ones from the “point & shoot” personal ones. I do know that some are WAY more advanced than others, and designed for a different purpose.

The reason I mention this is because of two incidents revolving the use of photography in certain areas. Two personal ones in 2012, and an experience a friend had earlier in the year.

Where NOT to Use Professional “PRO” Cameras …

On a trip to the mall, a friend was “approached” by security regarding the use of her camera. In short, there was a certain “restriction” regarding the use of “professional” cameras in the mall. While she didn’t know the camera was exactly a “pro” camera, there is also no signage prohibiting the use thereof. Personal cameras and/or cell phones were allowed though, which can make it seem confusing. Why is ONE particular camera allowed, and another not allowed?

I get the confusion.

“Why is ONE particular camera allowed, and another not allowed?”

From reading about a lot of legalities surrounding the use/distribution/publication of people’s likeness and/or images for commercial use, in addition to children’s privacy, I think I get it. I do.

The reason? PRIVACY.

I don’t even like having my picture taken at the racetrack and try very hard to “hide”. I just don’t see myself as “photogenic”; please take someone else’s picture … stay away from me. But, I know being out at the race track, and doing what I do there … there is a chance I will be “photographed”. I give up my rights when I go there. That I understand.

On the other hand … being that I LOVE to photograph experiences, I’m always up for a chance to document my memories. As anyone on Facebook will tell you … I’ve posted OVER 14,000 pictures going back over the course of 10 years.

I’ve used my camera phone and “point & shoot” (a VERY SMALL Cybershot) in several situations. One was at the mall, in front of security, with no reprimand. And, I was there two straight days, same area – the food court, where my friend was approached.

Why was I there? I was working on a class assignment. It was an Anthropology assignment on human interactions. I had my laptop, my textbook, my photo equipment (my phone, my camera, and my camera’s USB cable), and my backpack. I also had a web browser open to the class and assignment. Perhaps seeing that … security assumed I was there doing homework (legit reason) and left me alone.

But, to get to the bottom of “why is one camera allowed over the other”, we have to understand the differences and the purposes.

What is the Difference Between “Pro” and “Point & Shoot”?

Besides looks and functions?

Professional = Distribution to a large audience. Possible monetary compensation, commercialized distribution, advertising usage

This is more or less along the lines of a “pro” camera:

[Example of a "pro" Cybershot camera]

Personal = Distribution to a limited audience many via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Usually personal use and sharing. No monetary compensation involved, and no commercialization.

My camera when I got it in 2010:

[Small "point & shoot" Cybershot; mainly personal use]

I get that, and I think we all do. It makes PERFECT sense.

I also feel as though there should have been some “signage” (whether or not people pay attention) to state: only personal cameras and smart-phones allowed – 

NO PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF MALL.

That would have worked. Warning is posted and if people don’t read – their fault. It might have avoided a few problems for the friend that day.

Again, because of the camera, they might have thought the person was doing something sinister.

We live in “suspicious” times. We don’t really know each other, so we don’t know what anyone is capable of or even thinking. Perhaps they thought she was there to photograph kids for an advert.

Or, she could have been working for an investigator. She might have been something worse … again; we don’t really know each other, so we don’t know what anyone is capable of or even thinking of.

That is why it is up to us to know the equipment and where it is and isn’t allowed.

What Have My Photo Taking Experiences In Public Been Like?

For the most part – terrific! No real problems. I’ve been able to take pictures at every event … almost. And, there will be a blog about the one time I wasn’t able to, but it was a “special event”, so it was understandable.

Since I began using a digital camera in December 2003, I haven’t had any real problems from people – private people or celebrities.

The only major incident was with a private person on April 29, 2012, my birthday. That almost turned a blessed day/event into something ugly. And, it was something I was reminded of when my friend posted her issue about the camera and the mall almost two years later.

I was spending the day at Scandia in Victorville for my birthday. Since I hadn’t been to a Scandia in a LONG time (try about 1996), I was taking pictures of the little houses, buildings, and the “bumper boats” – even the little Indy racers as well as the surrounding area. Tell me who didn’t do this back in the day? 

[Little buildings at Scandia – Victorville, CA]

I have some OLD 4” x 6” photos from the one that had been here in Las Vegas adjacent to the I-15. That was back in the days of 35mm film! Those were some good times …

Coming back to the present …

As I said … I was there for my birthday. I was actively playing mini-golf, wearing my “all-day/all-access” wrist band, when this man aggressively approached me. He demanded to know why I was taking pictures of HIS kids.

Again, this is with my “point & shoot” camera, I’m with my mom … we’re playing golf. It wasn’t as if I had been lurking or following him, it wasn’t like I wasn’t actively doing my own thing between “turns”.  I wasn’t “lingering” or “loitering”.

Naturally … I was a bit stunned as to why he was so aggressive.

Now, I don't like people in my pictures (sometimes they’re distracting), so I make sure to shoot around people as much as possible, especially kids. I don’t like to have kids in my photos if I can get by with it. Sometimes, I can’t – like at a NASCAR track. On this occasion, I could. I made a special effort to go around them.

The man demanded I give him my camera! No way, buddy! Not getting it. You want it … call a cop (at least that’s what I was thinking). My mom stopped playing to watch what was going on. I signaled for her to stay back as right then it didn’t concern her, it was my problem, and the fewer people “involved” – the better.

The man was agitated and I didn’t want things to escalate. It was my birthday, we’d just gotten there, having driven close to 190 miles to get there – I didn’t want my day to end before it began. I remained calm and in control …

He again demanded the camera and, again, accused me of taking pictures of HIS kids.

Had it not been so serious, I would have laughed. I didn’t know which of the eight kids gathered there were “his” kids, and I had also taken other pictures of the trip down there, so it wasn’t like I hadn’t been taking any pictures all day.  And, I had no “kids” in any of my pictures.

I politely informed him that I wasn't taking pictures of his kids. He said “you most certainly were; I saw you”.

What we see, and what we think we see are two different things. It might look like it, but it isn’t. I might point the camera, but I don’t “shoot” until it is “clear”.  I look, wait, snap. I’m not exactly a pro, but I’m not an amateur either. At that point, I had been taking pictures for over nine (9) years. In that time … I’ve perfected a few things.

Anyone with access to my photos can see this is how I shoot my pictures. Of course there will be the rare times of tourist attractions or photo bombs and I share a picture that people are present in, but it doesn’t “detract” from the subject. I’m sure we’ve ALL done that. Sometimes, it cannot be avoided.

Maintaining a firm grip of my camera, I showed him the previews to show that his kids WERE NOT in my pictures. He asked me about the “foot” picture I had taken. It showed a pink and a purple golf ball, along with a foot in flip-flops. I tried not to laugh as that foot belonged to my mom! It was HER foot! While not “huge”, certainly it was too big to be that of a child’s foot.

Still not convinced I wasn’t up to a sinister act, I showed him my wrist band, our receipt for our purchase, said it was my birthday, and that I was taking PERSONAL pictures of my experiences. He wanted me to delete all pictures off the camera card to be sure. I deleted only a few “empty” ones of the bumper boats, but I said no more. After a few seconds, he backed down but said “watch it”. I was rattled, but moved on. Not sure if he left or what. I didn’t see him again. I did get a few pictures of the bumper boats anyway – again, no kids.

[Celebrating my birthday at Scandia – Victorville, CA. As you can see that "foot" is not exactly a child's foot. That was my mother. The pink ball was hers that day.]

And, I kept on taking pictures without any further incidents from anyone. Even others in the area made comments about him. Apparently there was something going on, but as I’ve come to learn ... “not my circus, not my monkey”. 

As long as he stayed away from us … it was all good. And, since it didn’t end in violence or the police arriving – it was definitely “good”.

I know I shouldn’t have had to delete the pictures, after all … we’re in public, it is a tourist attraction, and families go there … what was the problem?

I didn’t know, wasn’t going to ask. He was concerned, he was upset, I honored a request (to a point), and moved on. I respected his right to privacy, but I was NOT going to just give up everything.

Some would argue that it was a “PUBLIC FACILITY” much in the way Disneyland is.

Can you imagine Disneyland telling tourists “NO PICTURES”?

Honestly, I don’t think that would sit well with their visitors. And, can you imagine EVERY parent demanding someone’s camera or demanding they don’t take pictures of their kids? That’d be real hard to enforce. I get the reasoning behind it though.

That is why I understand the restriction on “professional” cameras. Even some shady paparazzi have been known to buy a ticket/pass for a place to get some pictures to sell.

That might be why there are some “no camera” restrictions. Which, to that point, I hadn’t encountered.

What Do You Mean … “no cameras”?

My first “no camera” experience was later on in 2012 during a visit to Planet Hollywood Hotel/Casino (Las Vegas) for NASCAR’s “After the Lap”. I had to pick up my tickets BEFORE the event as they didn’t mail them out … good thing I live there though.

As I was leaving, a sign caught my eye: NO CAMERAS.

What?!

Since the event started here in Las Vegas in 2009, I’ve ALWAYS gotten to take pictures, most everyone who goes to a concert, special event, race, etc. takes them … pictures are ESSENTIAL to capturing, sharing, and re-kindling memories.

Being curious (and little crushed), I asked security about my phone and my Sony Cybershot, and was told they were allowed in the venue, but not a “pro” camera. Phone cameras and “point & shoot” cameras are deemed “personal”, and were allowed.

Whew! What a relief!

I was satisfied, came home, got ready and headed back there. No problems with security, and I got some GREAT pictures with my little pink “point & shoot”.

[NASCAR "After the Lap" 2012 – Planet Hollywood Hotel/Casino Las Vegas, NV]

The event was switched to the Palms for 2013, but again … no problem using my small Cybershot and smart phone camera.

And, this was also the concern of another friend who’d gone to a concert. Her pro camera wasn’t allowed, but her smaller “point & shoot” was allowed.

So … what’s the BIG Deal Anyway?

With everyone getting so “sue happy” these days, there have been a few lawsuits about “fair use” in advertising with photos. Some started out as personal pictures, which a company asked to use ... then **poof** it got exploited after that.

And, obviously in the “Scandia” case … the father might have thought I was a private investigator or something else, despite the fact I was there celebrating my own special day with some presents in the car, and my mom was there as well. Who knows? But, his concerns are everyone’s concerns – privacy, safety, security.

That’s why it’s IMPORTANT to know your camera.

For years, I’ve wanted a DSLR camera, especially for NASCAR races. So, why haven’t I gotten one?

            1.) COST – Really, I can’t bear to part with the $300 (and up) it might cost.

            2.) RESTRICTED USE – The whole point of getting a “great” camera is to get some “GREAT” images. If I face a lot of restrictions on where to use it, I don’t think it is the camera for me. After all … I’ve used my Cybershot since February 2010, and it’s done great (despite drops, bangs, and falls). This is the LONGEST I’ve ever owned a camera

            3.) SPACE – It doesn’t fit easily in a purse or pocket, or even in my car’s pocket. It is bulky and awkward. I couldn’t see me taking it on a plane (as I did with my pink “Cybershot” in June)

I do know that I will have to get a new camera … the Sony’s USB/Video cable has been through the ringer despite careful usage:

[Poor USB cable ... four years old and still going, despite this]

But, I don’t think I’ll upgrade to a DSLR unless I get into the photography business. I’ve gotten several GORGEOUS shots with my current camera (samples from a flight and trip to New Jersey in June 2014):

[Little flight and trip I took June 2014 – Las Vegas, NV and Newark, NJ]

So … What Have We Learned?

Learn about the equipment! Know the designations of it.

It might not say “professional”, but chances are … the more sophisticated it is, the more professional it COULD be. And, anyone with those cameras can run into a LOT of problems.

I also urge people to carry a smart-phone with a camera and a “point & shoot” just in case “pro” cameras aren’t allowed in the venue. Call and investigate prior, and if you can ... stop by the venue to check out their policies. This might save some headaches.

If you go sight-seeing, take the pro camera, but a trip to the mall or somewhere else? Go for the smaller “point & shoot”. Chances are, you might not have any problems. Always check signage to be sure though.

Realize that not everyone wants their picture taken, and respect that. No matter what the reason is.

Oh, and that event I went to? I only got one picture from the night. It was worth it. But, I did get pictures the day before and day after, and I have hinted at what it was in regards to.

I’ll blog about that some other time …