Good, Bad and Ugly stories Re: Permits for tripods

[Steve Shapiro <sgshiya@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Subject: Re: Permits for tripods


Jim Dunn wrote:

> > I would just like to add to Ron Klein's excellent advice that in these
> > potentially awkward situations, do as much theory on the shot as
> > possible.  As
> > most of these views are exterior, requiring no supplementary
> > lighting, sort out
> > where to site the camera, which lens to use ( for this I quickly
> > produce a Nikon
> > with a zoom lens ) take a meter reading ( again surreptitiously )
> > and wait for
> > your moment to produce all the gear and go for it.
> >
> > As most of my work is on 4" x 5" I would normally shoot a Polaroid
first,
> > forget that , just get a few sheets 'in the bank' and then think about
the
> > Polaroid.  If I do get hassled I  am always very pleasant, very
> > ignorant, and
> > claim to be a mature student!   Bob Atherton
> >
>
> It has always been a worry to me that I have to fabricate a storey in
> situations like this...as I "have" done. I have worked in photography for
17
> years and I have never been comfortable with fabricating stories to get a
> picture, news or stock.
>
> I am not speaking from the high ground only making an observation.
>
> Best wishes
>
> ............................................................
> Jimmy Dunn
> Scottish Stock Photography
> E-mail:  jimmyd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ............................................................

Dear Jimmy,  I know exactly where you are coming from,  I also don't feel
too
good about having to tell the odd white lie.  In the perfect world I would
get
the correct permits, liaise with the relevant personnel etc.

I do find it difficult with deadline pressures from clients, directors and
worst
of all, rapidly changing weather (it's OK for these west coast Americans,
but us
Brits have a tough time of it!) to have the time to sort out the necessary
authority.

It's just that most of these type of views are not the main shots for me.  I
remember doing an ad campaign for British Gas a couple of years ago.  All th
e
key shots were in the bag with total co-operation from everyone concerned,
and
then the art director thought it would be good idea to include a night time
view
of the London skyline,  just a little 'throw away' thing.......... well I
think
I had more grief over that one than any other shot in my career!        Best
wishes,      Bob

I live in a 'Private State Park,' which was a device the morse code inventor
Samuel F.B. Morse came up with to 'preserve' the forrestrial integrity of
the land, here.

He has since rolled over in his grave several times.

But, the company -- as we serripticisoulsy reffer to them -- trade marked
the Lone Cypress Tree and tried to restrict all photography.  There's a
'franchise fee' coupled to any shooting on the grounds.  Of course, there
are events when the 'pros' descend upon the 'park' as we refer to our noble
grounds; and images are found everywhere with no goegraphic identification.

I was dealing with a local [magazine] publisher on very cozey and friendly
terms; and once stated that as a resident, homeowner I could offer pictures
from within Pebble Beach without that silly franchise fee; and they truned
grim, "We're the ones selling that franchise right."

Not only do we not talk, in this community of some three thousand people,
but Barbara and Bob March look over my head whenever I'm facing them, in the
Post Office or on the street.  It's kind of funny; and I am -- ultimtely --
sympathetic to them because this makes MY photos more exclusive, too.

Meanwhile, there's a new State Park growing out of the Military Base
deconstruction going on, here.  I asked what I cold do to make photographs
out there while the 'clean up' was in progress.  The executive director of
one of the three bureaucratic offices said, "Just hop the fence.  Don't get
hurt."

After I reconcilled him to understand I was a serious professional; and I
didn't mind paperwork.  I wrote a letter making my request plain and clear.

I got a letter, copied to the Fort Police, Security and Government Head
Office; and a FAX copy and a welcome from the State Park Service people.  I
now take some of the local 'pros' out there to shoot and we have fun.  Guys
like th original Ansel Adams Yosemite Workshop teachers.

All because I simply wrote the letter, and nobody else took the time.

Steve Shapiro, Carmel, CA
sgshiya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
'the dude abides'