Photography Policy - Electric Picnic?

ciaranhickey

Hi,

I am trying to find out the policy for bringing DSLR cameras into the Festival for Electric Picnic?

I've had issues bringing my digitalSLR (350D) to a festival in Spain before, was refused entry with it as security
assume it's for press-related photography (due to size & Lenses) and that I'd require a press pass!
I later managed to get in with just a small prime lens on it.

I've tried contacting Aiken Promotions but no reply and have checked EP Forums.

Any info about this would be great

Thanks,
Ciarán

Also as a side note, the fact that DSLRs are becoming more affordable and more
popular with non-pro consumers makes me wonder where the line will be drawn at such
events (sporting, festivals etc) between average consumer (pro-sumer) or the professional
photographer there to work ??????.

Fajitas!

Aiken Promo's are usually pretty sound.

The tour manager is the guy I'd be getting in contact with for a gig, but not sure about festivals! Bringing them into the festival itself should be no problem though.

ciaranhickey

Fajitas! wrote:

Bringing them into the festival itself should be no problem though.

Apparently not - just got a reply Email from one of the promoters to say...

"Small cameras are allowed but SLR's aren't I'm afraid. Many artists object to people in the audience taking photographs, particularly on these."

Discrimination!!! :rolleyes:

Fajitas!

Bull!

Reply saying that the photos are/will be for your own personal usage, not for sale, profit or publishing in any way shape or form.

Even that you won't take photographs of the band, but only your friends. That or bring a TLR camera or bridge camera... show them

beans

The picnic is going to be such a great weekend for photo opportunities. I wouldn't even give the first thought to photographing the stages mind, I'd be more interested in the goings-on around the site. But then, I dont have any telephoto lenses etc...

Around the body & soul area in the night-time is going to be great

I wonder what the security would really do if they opened a camera bag to find bodies and lenses? If you were to plan for stealth mode and not bring any massive lenses, I would have thought you'd be ok. The official line is always going to err on the side of draconian, and differ from the reality on the ground

ciaranhickey

Yeah I reckon I'll chance it anway but with just a small prime lens - anyway it's
just for taking photos around the grounds and of mates... I can't see the real
problem unless I get some stubborn security guard with a chip on his shoulder.

It's not surprising really that that's their official stance, but the reality is that
people want to take photos of their festival experience and DSLRs are becoming
a popular choice of camera.

Thanks,
Ciarán

melekalikimaka

security can be a bit heavy handed if they want, would wrap the camera up tight in case they knock you around a bit(not as in beat up but shove you out. I considered doing the same at other festivals but realised either
a. i go to the front with a prime(too close to security)
b. keep back with a zoom(too obvious)

DotOrg

Fajitas! wrote:

Reply saying that the photos are/will be for your own personal usage, not for sale, profit or publishing in any way shape or form.

the ticket or the terms of the ticket mean you can't record or photograph the event,even if it's for personal use only, but they allow small cameras as they know they will be used for personal use only. Any dSLR can capture images that are easily saleable to newspapers/magazines and the artists performing have the right to not let people photograph them for publications they don't know. When on private property the promoters decide on how to enforce the artists rights.