Cameras allowed?

[narcissus]

This may be a bit of a silly question, but can anyone shed some light on just how vigilant security is when it comes to bringing cameras to the show? (Particularly anyone with personal experience at Madison Square Garden [NY]) I'm talking your basic digital camera, that's all - I just want some better-than-phone-cam-quality photos to remember an amazing evening, but don't want to get escorted out of the building in the process.

[narcissus]

Hello? No one can share anything? Any past experiences regarding photo taking (besides the 'hey, send me those photos you took at the gig last night please!') Anything intended in a helpful vein would be appreciated...

[nosaj]

Couldn't say. I can say that when he played in Toronto, they did not check bags, and I was with a black guy with booze in his bag...maybe the only black guy at the concert! You'd think he would get singled out (based on experince)...so, he coulda brought a camera...good luck.

[drafsack]

At the recient shows I went to - I know they were in the UK - they were only checking the womans bags - men with coats on got in unsearched. Also with so many people with camera phones they seem pretty chilled with digital cameras

[narcissus]

Hmm..thanks, nosaj. From other stuff I've heard, it just seems like a 50/50 as to whether it would actually pose a risk.

[narcissus]

Thanks as well, drafsack. I wonder if they're any stricter here because of residual September 11 paranoia or something.

[Machina]

Call the venues they change rules for each venue .I went to 3 RW shows last year and two let cameras in and one didn't.Roger doesn't give a crap.I saw him wave at a guy with a Video recorder at the Star Lake concert last year.

[Evilio]

At Melbourne this year there were signs everywhere banning cameras...however, considering security were helping people get better pictures, you can see just how strongly that was inforced.

[AtomHeartMomma]

This may be a bit of a silly question, but can anyone shed some light on just how vigilant security is when it comes to bringing cameras to the show? (Particularly anyone with personal experience at Madison Square Garden [NY]) I'm talking your basic digital camera, that's all - I just want some better-than-phone-cam-quality photos to remember an amazing evening, but don't want to get escorted out of the building in the process.

I was at Continental Arena in New Jersey last night. Some people were patted down, some weren't. I was asked to open my purse, which was so small that it couldn't hold much of anything. Last year at Madison Square Garden, the security team was not that diligent on the first night, but really made sure that no one was bringing cameras in on the second night. I really would not take a chance on bringing in a good personal camera. Last year I was able to get in with one of the one-time use digital cameras, but the photos did not come out that great.

[narcissus]

This may be a bit of a silly question, but can anyone shed some light on just how vigilant security is when it comes to bringing cameras to the show? (Particularly anyone with personal experience at Madison Square Garden [NY]) I'm talking your basic digital camera, that's all - I just want some better-than-phone-cam-quality photos to remember an amazing evening, but don't want to get escorted out of the building in the process.

I was at Continental Arena in New Jersey last night. Some people were patted down, some weren't. I was asked to open my purse, which was so small that it couldn't hold much of anything. Last year at Madison Square Garden, the security team was not that diligent on the first night, but really made sure that no one was bringing cameras in on the second night. I really would not take a chance on bringing in a good personal camera. Last year I was able to get in with one of the one-time use digital cameras, but the photos did not come out that great.

Thanks for the advice, AHM, and I trust you had a wonderful time the other night, photos or no photos!

[thefloyd]

This is a good question more generally (not just Waters gigs)... Generally ALL venues ban photography and often have signs up or even warnings printed on the tickets. However these are normally just standard warnings - not specific to the show in question.

The security people will often be briefed to stop specific kinds of photography, eg video and flash photography, but turn a blind-eye to cameras without flash. The problem is this is often miscommunicated and they try and stop any kind of photography. It's also annoying to others if you've got a camera with a bright screen held up in the air - you are a bloody nuisance to fans behind you if you do this.

As part of the lighting crew, I've managed to get permission to photograph at several Floyd related gigs recently, but it's not easy. If you don't have permission, just try not to make it obvious - switch off or dim your screen, avoid using a big SLR with a fat/long lens and hold the camera discretely.

The main thing security/venues pick up on it people using video cameras, professional looking cameras or people generally making an obvious nuisance of themselves in the process.

And - SWITCH OFF YOUR FLASH! The flash will NOT reach the stage, your photos will look terrible (mostly just picking up the back of the heads in front!) and you'll loose all the atmosphere and effect from the stage lighting and effects. You also ruin the effects for everyone else too - leave the flash lighting to the Martin Atomic Strobes which grace the front of Water's stage! If the venue uses a lot of smoke/haze (the current Roger Waters tour uses LOTS of it) you'll also just get fog if you use a flash.

I was at both Earls Court (London) dates on the current Waters tour - everyone was using cameras, very few were asked to stop and even then it was a warning only - nobody was asked to leave. They were more strict in the stalls (best seats) than those on the balconys - mainly as they couldn't patrol those so easily.

Dave

[Keith Jordan]

As part of the lighting crew, I've managed to get permission to photograph at several Floyd related gigs recently, but it's not easy.

If every you feel you want them in the NPF Photo Gallery, then you just let me know!

[cwta eugene]

I would do this:

Get a "travel" bag and stuff your camera, toiletries, a map, tickets,etc. in it. That way, if your bag is searched, you play it off like you are from out of state and have been sight seeing the city via bus or train before the concert. I've done it before. The more junk you pack in there to make you look like a tourist, the less inclined they are to think that you're just trying to sneek in a camera.

[narcissus]

Guys, thanks for the continued advice and tips...3 days to go and I'm still considering my options!

[DBlaze]

Guys, thanks for the continued advice and tips...3 days to go and I'm still considering my options!

I'm guessing you went yesterday then huh? Anyway, I had no problems when I was there...other than the fact that my pictures suck It's good enough for my personal use but it's of no good use on the internet or the NPF gallery.