Photos using a Tripod in Liverpool City Centre

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

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I am planning on having a morning of mooching about Liverpool City Centre tomorrow. But I was planning to take the tripod and getting some street and building shots. I am planning on taking photos around the business section of the city, as there are some interesting old back streets and buildings.

I am not planning on staying in one section for too long, but taking a few shots then moving further along the street. I will then move to another street as not to loiter in one street for too long, as I don't want to draw too much attention to myself.

I was a little concerned with CCTV, as I know everyone is tracked all around the city Centre. Just wondering if I will cause any concern to CCTV operators, or would it be best to leave tripod at home ?
 
Is the area 'public' land or privately owned?
 
gramps said:
Is the area 'public' land or privately owned?
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I will be setting up the tripod and taking photos from the pavement. I am going to keep to paved street area were the main body of people will be walking. So I assume it will be public land. For those who know the Liverpool area, I am planning on getting some photos in Cavern Walks, Matthew Street the Beatles area. Then moving onto the business area that is just around the corner, Water st, Dale st, Victoria st. All these streets have loads of old little back streets worth exploring.

Just thinking Cavern Walks may be private land :thinking: if so I will keep the tripod tucked under my arm and just do hand held in that area.
 
Hi there,

I've been in Liverpool at night quite a lot with camera and tripod. Never ever had any problems. No problems with the local population who are reputed to be always after your gear. I feel so safe down there that I've been on my own several times, and have no hesitation in going back.

My only concern is that during the day it is very busy, and whilst most folk are accommodating you will undoubtedly get in the way with a tripod, and you will feel that you are being a nuisance.

Liverpool One is private property, and they can, and have asked photographers to move on. I've heard that they have mellowed, but I've no interest in taking photos of shops and shoppers so won't be testing the water.

If you can, go into the India Buildings, Cunard & Liver Buildings. They have concierges. Talk nicely and they'll let you take pics for private use. It is possible to get to the top of Liver Buildings (up by the birds) but you need prior permission for this.

Now if you want a night time down there, or round the docks just shout - I'm free and have a list of shots I want to take!!!
 
If it's public land then there should be no problems as long as you are not causing an obstruction, but I would suggest not acting suspiciously as you suggest in your 1st post ... just look as though you are there happily taking photos!
If it's private land your presence may not be appreciated with or without tripod.
 
although originally forma Manchester i spend alot of time around Liverpool day & night with and without a tripod and have never had any issues with anyone scallies trying to help there self to my gear, neither have i have any issues with officials, the public or security when mooching around with cameras in and around the city. I have noticed that Liverpool gets many tourists most of which have a camera around there neck.

I would just go about your business as you will and if you get approached by any officials and they not happy with what your doing then simply move on.

Hope my point of view is some use, Dont worry about others get out have fun take photos
(show them us when you get back :-)

Daz
 
mickledore said:
Hi there,

I've been in Liverpool at night quite a lot with camera and tripod. Never ever had any problems. No problems with the local population who are reputed to be always after your gear. I feel so safe down there that I've been on my own several times, and have no hesitation in going back.

My only concern is that during the day it is very busy, and whilst most folk are accommodating you will undoubtedly get in the way with a tripod, and you will feel that you are being a nuisance.

Liverpool One is private property, and they can, and have asked photographers to move on. I've heard that they have mellowed, but I've no interest in taking photos of shops and shoppers so won't be testing the water.

If you can, go into the India Buildings, Cunard & Liver Buildings. They have concierges. Talk nicely and they'll let you take pics for private use. It is possible to get to the top of Liver Buildings (up by the birds) but you need prior permission for this.

Now if you want a night time down there, or round the docks just shout - I'm free and have a list of shots I want to take!!!
Click to expand...

I am not going to take photos around the shopping retail section, but going to be concentrating on the business section, as in where all the office workers are. There are some pretty interesting areas there.

Thanks for the offer, I will keep it in mind, I may just take you up on the night shoot meet ;)
 
urdygurdy said:
neither have i have any issues with officials, the public or security when mooching around with cameras in and around the city.

I would just go about your business as you will and if you get approached by any officials and they not happy with what your doing then simply move on.

Hope my point of view is some use.


Daz
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Yes thanks for your input, I love hearing other views ideas and experiences.





urdygurdy said:
Dont worry about others get out have fun take photos
(show them us when you get back :-)

Daz
Click to expand...

It's very rare I will get anything worth showing :lol:
 
Jon, it may be worth trying to contact the CCTV lot and informing them of your intentions. If they have an issue with you shooting, it's better to know beforehand so you can avoid where they don't want you - also, they may track you and your kit for your protection. As Gramps has pointed out, public land and no obstruction should be no problem BUT many (? most ?) security people and even loads of proppa coppas don't know the law. IMO, it's not worth risking arrest etc over an amateur shot, so be polite and don't be a stickler for what may well be your rights. Take names and numbers whenever possible if the ordure does hit the ventilator and complain to the relevant authorities.

If you do get forced to delete images, remember that many recovery programmes can recover deleted images, even after a format, just don't use the card after any deletion!
 
Nod said:
Jon, it may be worth trying to contact the CCTV lot and informing them of your intentions. If they have an issue with you shooting, it's better to know beforehand so you can avoid where they don't want you - also, they may track you and your kit for your protection. As Gramps has pointed out, public land and no obstruction should be no problem BUT many (? most ?) security people and even loads of proppa coppas don't know the law. IMO, it's not worth risking arrest etc over an amateur shot, so be polite and don't be a stickler for what may well be your rights. Take names and numbers whenever possible if the ordure does hit the ventilator and complain to the relevant authorities.

If you do get forced to delete images, remember that many recovery programmes can recover deleted images, even after a format, just don't use the card after any deletion!
Click to expand...
Thanks for that interesting bit of information, I will certainly remember that, especially the image recovery bit :thumbs: .

The missus persuaded me to simply leave the tripod at home, and enjoy walking about with just the camera. I did leave the tripod at home, besides it was a good twenty minutes walk after I parked up, and I was glad of not having to carry it.

I did manage to get some of the shots I was after, although most were a little under exposed :( .
 
I don't go out of my way to do confrontational photography, anything for an easy life. At the same time, if there is a photo I want to get, I will do my best to get it.

I dress down when out and about taking photos, not scruffy but I dress nerdy. So anybody looking at me, will simply see a harmless person taking photos.
 
nigpd said:
This may be a moot point, but you can only be "forced" to delete images by Court Order
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That is very true but there have been plenty of instances where security and even real Plod have made such demands. It can make defusing a potentially nasty situation easier if they see you pressing the buttons and watching the pics vanish into the ether.
 
I have only ever been asked once to delete a photo, this was a few months ago by a woman who said she was paranoid about being followed. I showed her the photo as I deleted it, I did not tell her I had taken three photos in total of her ;)
 
Nod said:
That is very true but there have been plenty of instances where security and even real Plod have made such demands. It can make defusing a potentially nasty situation easier if they see you pressing the buttons and watching the pics vanish into the ether.
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This is where an eyefi card is useful. All pics can already be saved off camera ;)

Personally I'd take a monopod instead or a bean bag support. Far less intrusive and cumbersome.
 
srichards said:
This is where an eyefi card is useful. All pics can already be saved off camera ;)
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I have often wondered how these cards work, I thought you had to be near your pc :thinking: I think I should read up on these cards.
 
As I understand it, they are designed to work via a network but an ad hoc network can be set up allowing the cards to send files to the device ad hoccing!
 
jonbeeza said:
I have often wondered how these cards work, I thought you had to be near your pc :thinking: I think I should read up on these cards.
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You can get software for iOS devices so an iPhone or ipad etc in pocket or bag would do I think. Would be quite cool to work out how to upload to those massive electronic billboards too :)
 
srichards said:
You can get software for iOS devices so an iPhone or ipad etc in pocket or bag would do I think. Would be quite cool to work out how to upload to those massive electronic billboards too :)
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That's good then, as I always carry my iphone all the time :)
 
As has been said, only with a Court Order can you be forced to delete your images. If you wish to delete images to stop a confrontation that is another thing. ;) An Eye Fi card was mentioned earlier, but also for those who have dual memory cards slots, using the extra slot as a back up lets you 'delete' the image from the first slot. ;)

As for taking pictures in the city centre, I hadn't heard of anyone having trouble in Liverpool One, but it is normally quite busy, and setting up a tripod in any busy place could cause unwelcome attention. The centre of town is only going to get more busy on the run up to Xmas, in the shopping areas anyway.

In the business parts of the city, they are normally quite empty all year round. One place you do have to be careful of is the Passport Office on Old Hall Street. It is not a good idea in general to take pictures of Gov't buildings as they are normally closely monitored for obvious reasons, and the Security seem to stay pretty active.

I've heard of a few people having the Security problems at Beetham Tower, also on Old Hall St. If you try to take pics on the land outside there, they will come and ask you to stop, which is their right of course because you are on their land. Seeing as the Tower is next to the Passport Office, I'd steer clear anyway. ;)
 
Well I have already been and took the photos, I did not bother taking the tripod after all. Good job to, as I popped into a Coffee shop and had a bit of lunch. I did a bit of people watching, while I got a few candid phone shots. I will go to the pier head and take some pics there. Tripod will not be a problem here.
 
I'm in Liverpool regularly with my camera. The place always has its fair share of tourists with DSLRs and tripods, so unless you go out of your way to draw attention to yourself, most people won't bat an eyelid.

And that statue is Billy Fury, not Elvis!!!
 
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