Taking an SLR Camera to concerts, festivals and gigs

Question

I'm going Reading Festival 2008 (Sunday only, not camping) and Rock en France this year to see Metallica. I'm taking a digital SLR camera with me which will have an 18-70mm zoom lens - what I'd like to know is whether anyone has similar experience taking SLRs to gigs, concerts and festivals, and what the security is like. If anyone has been to either of these festivals before and has taken an SLR I'd really like to know of your experience, were you able to take the camera in, etc? I'm also unsure of whether to take it in a rucksack (specifically designed for cameras) or a small shoulder bag (same).

I'm specifically not taking a telephoto lens, since that would probably get confiscated.

Also, if anyone has been and had any cameras confiscated, what was it like trying to get it back?

Answer 1

Naturally, you'll have to contact the music venue to get the final word on photography. While there may be ways to get around their policy -- anything from asking for permission (which surprisingly works many a time) to claiming legal protection -- it's good to know where they stand. In the US, you've legal protection to shoot basically anything that you can see in a public area. The exceptions are high-profile things like military bases (this does not include the vast majority of military personnel) and people in public places with a reasonable expectation to privacy (bathrooms, etc...). If you can take the shot from a public area, well, problem solved.

Anyways, I've had security guards try to confiscate my camera more times than I can remember. Now, I can't speak for any other country, but if you're in America, don't give them your camera. They simply are not allowed to confiscate your camera or your memory card. Your camera can only be taken with a court order by the police -- the security guards will p**s and moan about it, but they can't legally do anything. I've had some really get in my face before and start to  be quite a pain, but keep in mind that they're private citizens. If they push you, it's assualt; if they threaten you, it's coercion; if they take your camera, it's theft. They have very limited powers to hold you at their facility unless you pose an immediate threat to yourself or others (which obviously you don't) or you've stolen some goods (which obviously you haven't). It'll basically come down to a battle of wills, but the worst that they'll do is make you leave for violating their policy. Now, the venue can take you to court for trespassing (extreme cases, never happened to me) or to civil court if you publish your photos, but that's something that gets handled at a later date (and by the by, the photographer almost always gets off the hook by my personal experience).

Answer 2

Captain Noodles might be right about some things, but if the concert says no cameras bigger than a point & shoot, that is exactly what they mean.   They may not have the right to take your SLR. but they sure have the right to not let you in .  Rules are rules, and if you don't abide by them, you will have to suffer the consequences.  

So if you'd have to take your camera way back to your vehicle if you wanted to get in, that is what you'd have to do.  Find out ahead of time if an SLR is allowed.  If not, leave your camera home.  If your lens only goes to 70mm, how would you get good pics anyway unless you are way down in front?

Look at your ticket.  It might even say on there about cameras.

Answer 3

Since they're all different, I'd call the concert organizers and see what the rules for photography are.  Some say photography is okay, some say no flash, some say no video.  Might even be on your ticket.

Answer 4

I don't think they will steal your expensive gear due to possible charges of theft and the civil liability for the damage for your fragile equipment, but you will almost surely be asked to leave with it because they can't have competition with their contracted professional photographers.  They could never regulate point and shoots, but the SLR looking point and shoots are even usually rejected.  Good luck.