Why camera and photography are not allowed?

Malaysia
February 18, 2012 12:37pm CST
Recently I went to a concert. The security was strict and I was blocked as camera was not allowed. Yes, I shouldn't have bring camera but nobody mentioned such rules and conditions clearly when I make the ticket purchase! Then I ask the security guard, what am I supposed to do now?? They don't provide locker, and even they do, there were over thousands people need that! And they suggest me to keep in car or ask someone to keep it for me. What a ridiculous?! I don't drive there and how can I leave my camera simply to anyone I don't even know? I find it hard to believe, camera has been so common now a day, and almost every phone has built-in camera as well (but phone camera was allowed in this case), are we supposed to get a license to use camera?? why can't we take pictures of ourselves and the surrounding we visit??
1 person likes this
5 responses
@maezee (41997)
• United States
19 Feb 12
I can understand why they might not want cameras. Sometimes they will let you use a camera as long as you don't use flash. That's like the latest concert I went to back in Decemeber, to an amazing band called Avenged Sevenfold - I called ahead and asked if we could bring cameras, and they said YES - as long as you can turn the flash off. I can understand that though. You don't want to totally blind the band or singer you're seeing. I guess it's always a good idea to call ahead just to make sure.
@timetravel (1425)
• United States
19 Feb 12
Cameras and taking photos/videos are not usually allowed because of the risk they will be posted to sites and youtube and others will make money from them -without the licensing rights. My daughter and I went to a concert a few months ago and someone was videotaping the performance with his cell phone and was told by security to stop. Yet I've been able to sneak my camera in to the same place and take videos of other performers without being seen. I only uploaded a few to a social networking site I belong to and then just a few seconds worth. But that's usually the reason for the rule - so no one else can make money from the performer.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
18 Feb 12
Ricky Nelson - A photo I took of Ricky Nelson at his second last concert to Australia.
I think it is very unfair, I think the taking of photos and the flashing is all part of it, I think it is such a greedy world some artists don't like not getting paid for their photos, well these days I think people have to pay way too much for these concerts anyway, I have taken the risk a couple of times and taken photos and got away with it, I guess I was lucky.
@picjim (3002)
• India
19 Feb 12
I too had been to a concert where cameras were not allowed.I had to return back and keep it in my car.It is very difficult for those who haven't bought cars.I fully agree where do they keep these cameras safely?We would like pictures of stars and not ourselves at the concert.
• United States
18 Feb 12
I'm not really sure why its not allowed. I do know that if your doing like professional and "official" pictures then you can get a "press pass" from the venue and they will let you in with your camera. But for the general audience I never really understood why cameras were not allowed. Maybe because the flash would annoy the performers? I'm not sure.