Camera ban at Nats

[Quadrablue]

I want to hear from those of you that competed or attended Nats this year. How did you feel about being told last minute that cameras were banned from the venue? I, for one, was not impressed. Friends and family come from all over the country (and out of country for some) only to be told at weigh ins that they are not allowed to take photos or vid of their friends/loved ones. I thought about this after I got home and even looked at Andy's ticket stub to see if there was any mention of that rule on the ticket itself. Nothing. Did this happen at the Fitness/Figure Nats too? I've heard that this might become the norm. I don't like it. I guess it all comes down to money...yet again.

[Shortie]

I can't remember if there was a camera rule or not and I was there. But I do remember that as a spectator I wasn't told by anyone collecting tickets at the Massey that I couldn't take photos, maybe they just didn't say anything to me because I didn't have a camera on me. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/ashamed001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[RGO]

I want to hear from those of you that competed or attended Nats this year. How did you feel about being told last minute that cameras were banned from the venue? I, for one, was not impressed. Friends and family come from all over the country (and out of country for some) only to be told at weigh ins that they are not allowed to take photos or vid of their friends/loved ones. I thought about this after I got home and even looked at Andy's ticket stub to see if there was any mention of that rule on the ticket itself. Nothing. Did this happen at the Fitness/Figure Nats too? I've heard that this might become the norm. I don't like it. I guess it all comes down to money...yet again.

That's really a progressive position by the powers that be!

Funny, I've shot pics from the audience at every major competition in the US, as has everyone else in the building. The biggest concern seemed to be about video cameras and taping.

News like this makes me want to call WestJet and cancel my flight to the Nationals.....:banghead:

[Quadrablue]

I don't know if this will happen again at next year's Nats. I will have to do some asking around.

[Quadrablue]

That's really a progressive position by the powers that be!

Funny, I've shot pics from the audience at every major competition in the US, as has everyone else in the building. The biggest concern seemed to be about video cameras and taping.

News like this makes me want to call WestJet and cancel my flight to the Nationals.....:banghead:

You will have lots to shoot regardless. I will make sure of that :)

[powergirl]

my husband stood them down and I think he's a little scary when he's POLITE and MAD (he's rather big and stern looking).

he said "if you think that I have sacrificied all year round, spent almost $10,000 to get my wife's ass over here from Japan and now you say you are going to prevent me from having PERSONAL memories of the event and what we have worked for ALL YEAR you are MISTAKEN." (then a stare down)

the usher quietly walked away.....

[Siouxcountry]

This may be the worse rule ever.

This rule will only anger people, and result in less people attending the event in the future.

[Shortie]

my husband stood them down and I think he's a little scary when he's POLITE and MAD (he's rather big and stern looking).

he said "if you think that I have sacrificied all year round, spent almost $10,000 to get my wife's ass over here from Japan and now you say you are going to prevent me from having PERSONAL memories of the event and what we have worked for ALL YEAR you are MISTAKEN." (then a stare down)

the usher quietly walked away.....


Good for him!

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org) that's hillarious about the usher.

[RGO]

I wonder what the odds are that we'll have any of the promoters on here to elaborate on this subject.

Maybe they'll ask an usher to respond.......


Let's sit back and wait and see.:popcorn:

:sleep:

[RGO]

You will have lots to shoot regardless. I will make sure of that :)

:)

[Quadrablue]

my husband stood them down and I think he's a little scary when he's POLITE and MAD (he's rather big and stern looking).

he said "if you think that I have sacrificied all year round, spent almost $10,000 to get my wife's ass over here from Japan and now you say you are going to prevent me from having PERSONAL memories of the event and what we have worked for ALL YEAR you are MISTAKEN." (then a stare down)

the usher quietly walked away.....

Yay Joseph!!! Andy is not so diplomatic. There would have been some expletives used lol

[vancouverchick]

I think........... and don't quote me on this ......

that it was supposed to mean "no outside professional photographers allowed to take and SELL pics" - other than the official photographer of the CBBF Gary Bartlett --- I THINK!!!!

I don't think they meant family and friends, but the info was relayed wrong to ushers, etc.

They are usually pretty strict that it can only be Gary who takes stage pics and makes a profit from them ----- again, just what I thought was the rule from speaking with other pro photographers who were told they couldn't SELL the stage pics they too - they could give them away, but make no $$$ from the sale of them.

and yes, I believe this same rule will apply again in 2009.

Not saying I agree with it --- just stating some facts I know.

Please Rick --- still come in August!!! Lots of great beaches to shoot on - better than a yucky dark theatre anyways!! hee hee

[Quadrablue]

An email has been sent to the promoters of next year's Nats regarding cameras. I'll let you know the verdict as soon as I do.

[Quadrablue]

I think........... and don't quote me on this ......

that it was supposed to mean "no outside professional photographers allowed to take and SELL pics" - other than the official photographer of the CBBF Gary Bartlett --- I THINK!!!!

I don't think they meant family and friends, but the info was relayed wrong to ushers, etc.

They are usually pretty strict that it can only be Gary who takes stage pics and makes a profit from them ----- again, just what I thought was the rule from speaking with other pro photographers who were told they couldn't SELL the stage pics they too - they could give them away, but make no $$$ from the sale of them.

and yes, I believe this same rule will apply again in 2009.

Not saying I agree with it --- just stating some facts I know.

Please Rick --- still come in August!!! Lots of great beaches to shoot on - better than a yucky dark theatre anyways!! hee hee

Was this at Fitness/Figure Nats? At the bbing Nats they were very clear. NO CAMERAS of any kind....even phone cameras!

[vancouverchick]

oooh, it was fitness/figure nats, my friends took pics at the massey theatre --- sorry, I thought you meant that one.... not sure about bb.........

[ibarramedia]

Yay Joseph!!! Andy is not so diplomatic. There would have been some expletives used lol

Kudos to you guys. If i was married to any of you and they told me sternly that I could not photograph and videotape my wife, I might be locked up. Things might get bloody with me and I assure you it won't be me thats bloodied up... i probably would end up breaking that usher's jaw or strangling him and knocking him out with an uppercut.

[Fit Body]

i personally think the audience should be allowed to take pics
i paid for both professional photographers pix
and would have whether my friends took them too or not...
i know they're trying to force competitors to pay for the pics
but you can hardly compare most amateurs pix with the professional ones, for one thing the pros get prime seats
and myself like Zoa spent probably close to $10,000 or more... I really don't wanna add it up and scare myself !!!! leave that to my accountant.... getting me to the show, i paid for not only myself, but my coach Darren Toma, and some of my Juniors expenses Melissa Ward, to help her get to the show too... so, not being able to click off some memories is totally insane, especially when it took a few months to get them from the pros... i just got the video within the last few wks thatz over 2 months !!!!
when you have people in the audience with digitals taking pics you can also see what you look like and compare to your competitors...
which can set your mind at ease or not, but at least you know !!!
just my opinion...

[powergirl]

what pissed me off was that WE ALSO BOUGHT THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS. so its not like anyone lost any money.

i'm thankful to have a very scary but well-spoken husband lol

and seriously i'll say it right here. i don't like causing issues or having stupid arguments but i WILL NOT obey if someone says I can't take photos for my OWN USE of a show I'm competing in.

It would be different of course if I had NOT bought photos and/or was using my photos to sell or replace the 'official' photo package.

What a stupid close-minded rule.

[ejmcompany@mac.com]

It seems like most of you think that the promoter should not sell the video rights to anyone, so there will be no issue of anyone being upset about people using video cameras...That is the only way there will be no issues... Maybe it's time for that to happen...If not, there are going to be upset people... Maybe they should sell the rights to back stage video only and leave everyone in the audience alone?

[klara]

I was there and thought it was a low rule. Cheapened the whole ambiance of the event. As a competitor I would have been turned off by it, hell I was turned off and I was a spectator. Its like banning cameras at Chuckie Cheese for your kids 1st birthday, stupidity. Made the show seem very profit focused, even though all events are, competitors especially at this level usually do pay the $$ for the professional photos, I find it funny that someone fears my zero pixel digital camera versus a professional one. They may have conveniently avoided mentioning the camera ban to prevent pre show complaint madness, because once there, people are going to have no choice but to follow the rule if they want to stay. I was with a "professional" photographer and even he was not allowed to take photos because he didnt have a "press pass"...whatever...I chest press..

Its not the damned Pentagon

[Quadrablue]

It seems like most of you think that the promoter should not sell the video rights to anyone, so there will be no issue of anyone being upset about people using video cameras...That is the only way there will be no issues... Maybe it's time for that to happen...If not, there are going to be upset people... Maybe they should sell the rights to back stage video only and leave everyone in the audience alone?

We're not just talking about vid. I'm talking crappy camera phones here! There was ONE official photographer and ONE official videographer. If even half the competitors bought their pics and vid they did well. $100 for the photos and $95 for the vid. And it's not even vid of the whole show. Only the morning and evening of the women. If you want the whole show you pay more. And while we are on the subject.....I finally got my vid only to see that the night show disc was cracked. I spoke to the gentleman and he said he would mail me a replacement right away. That was a month ago. I've emailed twice and no response!

[RGO]

It seems like most of you think that the promoter should not sell the video rights to anyone, so there will be no issue of anyone being upset about people using video cameras...That is the only way there will be no issues... Maybe it's time for that to happen...If not, there are going to be upset people... Maybe they should sell the rights to back stage video only and leave everyone in the audience alone?

Not so, on the contrary, the subject of video rights doesn't come up often or if at all up here. There's not a lot of money to be made from selling show video; here, most often it's a "labour of love" break even project. That could change in the near future as some very professional individuals are testing the waters to see if there is in fact a market for quality (the emphasis is in the word quality) video compilations of shows. The tickets to the shows I work here in Ontario very definitely spell out whether or not any type of cameras are allowed in the actual auditorium (shooting in the lobby or on the premises being acceptable)..... spelling out the rules is a simple courtesy that can save a lot of frustration for all concerned. Yes, of course, the promoters are protecting the "official" photographers rights.....we don't know in most cases what their agreements are, whether there is a reasonable expectation of profit built in for the photog (I've had a couple of deals like this, where the promoter would have to make up what was agreed upon if the revenue from selling official pictures fell short). Then, there are the imperious ass**** promoters who just want to control everything, which is unfortunately their prerogative as they are putting up the money to hold the show, again with a reasonable expectation of profit from that investment.

All that being said, if there is no info on the ticket banning cameras of any kind, then technically the individual who purchased the ticket should be able to take pics....do we we have any lawyers here that can elaborate on this? (or correct me if I'm wrong?)

[powergirl]

what is worse is photographers who only take face or face and shoulder pics of the event. one of the provinces does this, i think its manitoba, and they have 1 official photographer, no cameras allowed. the photos are HORRIBLE...its a physique show! personally i work so hard on my legs and entire body (for conditioning and size) i HATE it when they take a smiling head shot only (this does not happen at the Canadians BTW, the photos are nice). i didn't train my head. (well i did, but that's another story). BRAIN FIRST, BODY SECOND. LOL ;)

[ms_moneypenny]

The ban was bunk! Zoa...actually, the photogs here in manitoba are awesome. there is one official "on stage" and one official "backstage", but camera's from the audience are permitted. you just can't be in the way of the judges or the official photographer. I paid 60 dollars for my onstage and got over 200 pics, many with great editing and effects.

Fortunately, the Tank by my hotel made for some great impromptu shots at Nationals!

[peterndc]

i personally think the audience should be allowed to take pics
i paid for both professional photographers pix
and would have whether my friends took them too or not...
i know they're trying to force competitors to pay for the pics
but you can hardly compare most amateurs pix with the professional ones, for one thing the pros get prime seats
and myself like Zoa spent probably close to $10,000 or more... I really don't wanna add it up and scare myself !!!! leave that to my accountant.... getting me to the show, i paid for not only myself, but my coach Darren Toma, and some of my Juniors expenses Melissa Ward, to help her get to the show too... so, not being able to click off some memories is totally insane, especially when it took a few months to get them from the pros... i just got the video within the last few wks thatz over 2 months !!!!
when you have people in the audience with digitals taking pics you can also see what you look like and compare to your competitors...
which can set your mind at ease or not, but at least you know !!!
just my opinion...

+1