Got asked to leave a Roman Catholic cathedral for using a tripod

rob.e

rob.e

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As title, I was in the Roman Catholic cathedral in Liverpool today with my camera and tripod when a women who worked there came up to me, she asked if I was a pro, to which I said no, and she asked why I was there so I said it was a hobby, so she said I would have to leave as I was using a tripod and might make money off the photos.

It's a bit odder because I was there yesterday aswell with a friend, although I didn't have my camera on me at the time but he did and we had no problems, and we returned today about 12, but there was a service at 12.15 and an employee asked if we would mind not taking any photos once it started, and said it would be half an hour or so, so we went to get some food and returned after. The impression I got was that it was just the old lady with a problem, and she said I didn't even ask if I could take photos. When I entered, there have been quite a few people there taking pictures with the flash on so figured I didn't need to.

I was considering arguing and making a point, but I figured that she doesn't have a boss/manager I could speak to, and the end result would be me having to go anyway, and also I was planning on leaving after another 10 mins or so. I just left without a fuss, and didn't bother donating. I found it particularly odd as I'm sure I read a thread the other week where someone posted that they are happy for photographers to come inside with tripods :shrug:

At least the other cathedral was a lot more inviting with friendlier staff, and a girl on the desk who was lovely and suggested where we could take photos from, and then said a donation would be appreciated. I was quite happy to donate there.

I was wondering whether anyone has had this happen to them and what the best thing is to say? I thought after I could have said I was an art student and it was for a project, but to be honest I wasn't expecting to be confronted about it, and I don't think I should have to lie about why I'm taking photographs. But similarly, I don't think the Church is a public place? So I don't really have any rights to photograph it without consent I am guessing?

Perhaps the lady was worried I was a terrorist, as after all I have a camera and was taking photographs, so that does put me in the potential terrorist criteria.

Sorry for the semi-rant/excessively long post :p

Rob
 
I like visiting cathederals when I have my short breaks. I always ask if I can take photographs ( and flash photography).
Most say it's OK. Some charge for a photographers permit. The only one I've come across that doesn't allow it is Durham cathedral.
 
Always ask first.. then you dont have problems..
 
rob.e said:
, but I figured that she doesn't have a boss/manager I could speak to,
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:D ( Sorry)
Sorry to hear about this Rob

rob.e said:
I don't think the Church is a public place? So I don't really have any rights to photograph it without consent I am guessing?
Rob
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I don't think they come "more public" that a Church
:shrug:

Just someone having a bad day I guess:(
 
At the other cathedral you mention a lovely girl on the desk, does this mean you asked first before going in to take pics ?

Nearly everywhere nowadays gets touchy about tripods, health and safety, obstruction etc etc, all you have to do is ask someone and you can find out whether tripod is usable or not and what they will allow, most will only ask to charge a small fee or donation, and you wont get pestered.

Just being devils advocate (hmm not sure if pun intended or not lol) but it only takes seconds to ask and you know exactly where you stand and can quote someones name if questioned later !
 
IanC_UK said:
At the other cathedral you mention a lovely girl on the desk, does this mean you asked first before going in to take pics ?

Nearly everywhere nowadays gets touchy about tripods, health and safety, obstruction etc etc, all you have to do is ask someone and you can find out whether tripod is usable or not and what they will allow, most will only ask to charge a small fee or donation, and you wont get pestered.

Just being devils advocate (hmm not sure if pun intended or not lol) but it only takes seconds to ask and you know exactly where you stand and can quote someones name if questioned later !
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We didn't ask at either, I think there were more people taking photographs than not, although mostly using compacts but there were a few other SLR users. I didn't think I was getting in the way, otherwise I would have expected her to say that I was disturbing other visitors or something, and it wasn't dead busy anyway. Yeah in hindsight I should have asked I guess, lesson learnt, I had just (foolishly) made an assumption based on the last couple of times I was there and what someone else here said. Oops :bonk:

Rob
 
I've been in both. In the Anglican Cathedral, the big brooding scary one, I've had no issues with my tripod. I haven't actually been in the wigwam for a while now. Its always best to ask and you would have to argue your case about tripods. State that anyone, pro or amateur, can buy and use one. Tell them that you're not using the images commercially. You could always tell them that the competing religion down the road is ok with it :D

http://www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk/visiting.html - "Photography is permitted except during services"
 
You will probably find if you ask and make a donation they wont bother you re the tripod ! And there is no need to start a war in a church or cathedral theres enough of them been started by religion not to start another one ;)
 
Ive used my camera in the Wigwam :D before, with tripod too.
 
Without trying to put to many peoples backs up (as I know there are a few older people on the forum) it sounds like 'old woman syndrome', the need for some old people to moan at anyone and anything for no real reason whatsoever.
 
Amp34 said:
Without trying to put to many peoples backs up (as I know there are a few older people on the forum) it sounds like 'old woman syndrome', the need for some old people to moan at anyone and anything for no real reason whatsoever.
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SOooooo............................what exactly is classed as old? Be careful. its my birthday on Monday.:bat::lol::lol::lol:
 
Norwich Cathedral has notices up asking for one to obtain a photography card, although never been through that, i suspect its some kind of donation.

What does it matter if you are going to make a few bucks, heck they are possible one of the richest orinisation going...
 
Rocket said:
What does it matter if you are going to make a few bucks, heck they are possible one of the richest orinisation going...
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At what point does it become ok to violate copyright?
 
badgerbaiter said:
Of course she does.. You should have knelt down, put your hands together and asked for the complaints department
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:D Didn't think of that unfortunately :p

petemc said:
If its the woman I think it is she's at least 65.
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Yeah sounds about right, all the other staff that I noticed were male.

Rocket said:
What does it matter if you are going to make a few bucks, heck they are possible one of the richest orinisation going...
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I did see a sign saying that it requires over £1k a day to keep open, and I was happily going to donate, but I have never sold a print anyway and don't have any plans to currently as to be frank, my work isn't really of a standard to be selling. Its just the lady seemed to assume that since I had a tripod I was going to be profiting from the photos. It probabaly didn't help that I had the lens hood on which made it look a bit bigger.

Rob
 
kevshore said:
SOooooo............................what exactly is classed as old? Be careful. its my birthday on Monday.:bat::lol::lol::lol:
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Someone about 3x my age...;)

petemc said:
If its the woman I think it is she's at least 65.
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That sounds about right to me.:)

Just because you are classed as old by the state doesn't mean you are old though. You could be old at 40 or young at 70 depending on your mindset. (my get out clause:p)
 
KIPAX said:
Always ask first.. then you dont have problems..
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I agree with this. Be totally up front. The people in Glasgow Cathedral couldn't be any happier that I wanted to take pictures of the building. And always remember to leave a donation to the upkeep of the building on your way out.
 
At least it wasn't Manchester, they'd have probably thought you were going to glamorise gun violence.
 
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