What happened when photographing my niece's kids.

[petersmart]

yesterday I went to visit my niece at Northampton and in the afternoon we went to the Weston Favell Shopping centre.

This is an indoor shopping centre and apparently there were going to be 2 caroon characters there: Ben and Holly.

When we got there there was a large queue to meet the characters so we had to come back later.

When other kids were cuddling up to these (very large) characters some parents were taking pictures on their mobile phones or compacts(and flashes were going off).

However I have a very noticeable Canon 450D fitted with the 18-55 IS USM lens.

Having read the other horror stories on here and in the newspapers about the treatment of other photographers in shopping centres I fully expected to be accosted by Security guards and accused of all kinds of things.

And guess what happened when I started taking pics?

NOTHING!

I got pictures of the Christmas tableau of cartoon characters and picures of my two little great nieces with their favourite cartoon characters.

Nobody was worried - no nonsense from over active security guards or the attendants overseeing the crowds waiting to see the characters and helping the kids to meet the characters.

In fact everyone was friendly and the 2 characters posed quite happily while I got my shots.

So Kudos to the Weston Favell Shopping Centre in Northampton!

 

[EdBray]

Well unless you've painted it bright pink, I would hardly think a 450D and kit lens is very noticeable, it is only a little bigger than a bridge camera.

I would also suspect that security were forewarned that there was to be a childrens photo-op and told to keep a low profile.

Try going back next week and setting a tripod up and see what happens?

 

[Mike54]

Nice to hear a good news story. I guess if you are part of the general public with the kids in tow then whats the problem. We have all read horror stories of confrontations, but personally I have not been in that position and long may it be so.

 

[String]

A couple of weeks ago I went into town, and in a shopping centre, stopped in the cafe are for a cup of coffee. I had my little Olympus XA with me and whilst having coffee, gave it a quick once over, as you do.

Within 2 minutes a security guard was standing at my table telling me " You can't use that in ere sir, not allowed". I drank my coffee and left.

 

[WP-UK]

I must admit my local shopping centre is fairly good for photographers. As long as you don't go setting up tripods blocking peoples way they don't mind you getting the camera out. My gripped D300s isn't subtle if you like but I still managed to snap a few inside the shopping centre without any trouble :shrug: maybe I was just lucky.

 

[mipevo6]

I was stopped in the mall in Leicester by a couple of security guards a couple of months ago.

I was obviously taking a picture of the roof and not the people or shops... when I asked why ? and pointed out that there were no signs about photography etc..

I was told that with the current situation etc.. blah blah I just laughed and asked what situation? he couldn't answer with any good reason. I put my camera away and walked off....

Crazy...

 

[Stumpy]

What many people fail to realise is that just because the public have free and open access to a particular area doesn't make that space a "Public place"!
Nearly all shopping malls are privately owned including the out of town shopping centres and their car parks. Their place, their rules reasonable or not. And I think you'll find that its up to YOU to find out about their rules, not for them to tell you. By being there you are deemed to be in agreement. If you don't like the rules don't go there.

And as for security guards well, pay peanuts, get monkeys! Its when the police which WE PAY FOR start acting like security guards that I object vociferously. Police get well trained and well paid NOT to make mistakes.:rules:

 

[Blasteh]

I see a problem, the fact that nothing happens comes as a surprise.
It should be the other way around, nothing happening should be what we expect. Sad times.

(also, the owner of the property sets the rules so they can escort you off the premises if they have a no photo policy)

 

[coldpenguin]

Their place, their rules reasonable or not. And I think you'll find that its up to YOU to find out about their rules, not for them to tell you.

(also, the owner of the property sets the rules so they can escort you off the premises if they have a no photo policy)

One would hope, that if it were such an important rule to end up in being escorted out (rather than just asked politely to put it away), that there would be some fore-warning of this rule.

 

[MartynK]

A couple of weeks ago I went into town, and in a shopping centre, stopped in the cafe are for a cup of coffee. I had my little Olympus XA with me and whilst having coffee, gave it a quick once over, as you do.

Within 2 minutes a security guard was standing at my table telling me " You can't use that in ere sir, not allowed". I drank my coffee and left.

Ah well, you weren't using it, were you? If I'm really bored - waiting for my wife in a mall or whatever - I sometimes take out a cigarette, put it in my mouth and start fiddling with my lighter. 90% of the time that will produce a hysterical response.

 

[Marc]

I see a problem, the fact that nothing happens comes as a surprise.
It should be the other way around, nothing happening should be what we expect. Sad times.

(also, the owner of the property sets the rules so they can escort you off the premises if they have a no photo policy)

I think that's the point. The surprise is that someone has reported that nothing happened, people usually only report things when something HAS happened.

 

[boliston]

What many people fail to realise is that just because the public have free and open access to a particular area doesn't make that space a "Public place"!
Nearly all shopping malls are privately owned including the out of town shopping centres and their car parks. Their place, their rules reasonable or not. And I think you'll find that its up to YOU to find out about their rules, not for them to tell you. By being there you are deemed to be in agreement. If you don't like the rules don't go there.

And as for security guards well, pay peanuts, get monkeys! Its when the police which WE PAY FOR start acting like security guards that I object vociferously. Police get well trained and well paid NOT to make mistakes.:rules:

What annoys me is that photography bans are often "stealth" rules that are not openly advertised.

As malls are private spaces they would be perfectly entitled to ban anyone from entering the mall wearing pink trousers but if I happened to be wearing pink trousers then I would be grateful if they would notify me of this ban, perhaps with an appropriate sign on the door.

Why are they so shy about advertising a ban they feel so strongly about?

 

[String]

Ah well, you weren't using it, were you? If I'm really bored - waiting for my wife in a mall or whatever - I sometimes take out a cigarette, put it in my mouth and start fiddling with my lighter. 90% of the time that will produce a hysterical response.

Nope, just one of those things where you take your little camera out of your pocket for a look and basically get jumped on......