Problem with Tripods

I've been hearing many horror stories about trips being ruined because they

couldn't use their tripods at some places. So what places can and can't you

use them? Are there alternatives to using tripods with out getting a permit and

still have the pictues look nice? I really want one of the effiel tower and taj

mahal when i go!! Any sugguestion??? Please help!!!

A worldwide list of where and where not to tripod, eh?.

 

Pretty exhaustive list, that is also desired? Forget that!!!

 

For starters on your world tour to India and Paris:

Taj Mahal: no tripods on the grounds; of course you can always get your 600mm out and find a far away vantage spot; yet they will not allow you tripods for fear of scratching the marble floor. Sounds reasonable for me.

 

Eiffel Tower: There is some copyright issue with the lights on it, so they claiom you cannot use the lit ET pics commercially. There may be restrictions on tripods right around where the tourists flock below: obstruction of street type of reason, reasonable.

BUT, the further away you get (not quite all the way to India), the less this can be enforced at night or day.

 

So, relax, take your tripod, and see what happens, on an off-night maybe ... This is part of life, Nicole. Rules are there to be broken, stretched, ignored.

 

Are you frightened of life, calling such fun episodes "horror stories", "trips being ruined"? Lighten up, maybe buy some postcards ... , if you can ... And you can always find some steady support in the most tripod-stuck-up place with a bit of ingenuity. Now that is a challenge to you: get those 2 pics without a tripod,

 

Nicole, how about that?

Let me deal first with the specifics. You will be able to use a

tripod to photograph the Eiffel tower. I don't know whether you

will be able to use a tripod from the Eiffel Tower. In Paris you will

run into trouble with a tripod in the Jardins du Luxembourg; in the

courtyard of the Louvre, and in some of the "passages". On the

street it's pretty much ok.

 

In Agra and Delhi, most of the monuments do not allow tripods

at all and you will have difficulty getting into the Taj complex

carrying one. Since they have adopted airline-like security at the

gates you can assume that sneaking one in and using it might

not work. You have three options. First go prepared to use

equipment /film combinations that you can hand-hold. I used a

rangefinder/ 400 ISO. Second, apply for permission to

somewhere like the Ministry of archaeology- there are threads

here on this, but it's India, so allow some time. Third, walk down

the east side of the complex and pay the boatman to ferry you

across. The Taj rises out of water and sandy desert that way.

 

Increasingly you have to reckon on running into tripod trouble

anywhere that is private property or is patrolled by security

guards. These latter regard it as their solemn durty to protect

their buildings from the likes of us, right or wrong. I rarely go

anywhere these days without a hand-holdable system .

A good solution would be to consider a travel camera that permits easier use of slower shutter speeds handheld, like a Leica. The inherent design of rangefinders (lack of a mirror) permits sharp hand held shots at speeds you wouldn't dream of with an SLR. The only tripod I ever travel with for my M7's is a small tapletop Bogen and I've never wanted or needed anything bigger.

I typically take a tabletop tripod wherever 'TRIPODS ARE NOT ALLOWED!'. I use available walls, floors, columns etc to firmly plant my camera, and take the picture. Even holding a camera against a solid object will allow you shots you'd never handhold if you're careful. It helps to work fast, don't be obtrusive, and use common sense -- whether with a small tripod or a normal one.

 

Last month I was shooting on the grounds of the Getty museum in LA. I didn't even know there was a tripod restriction. shot a whole roll of film before anyone noticed. Same thing at Pompei a couple years ago. Had I known about the restrictions I'd have at least been less obvious! Sometimes ignorance is bliss...

 

Happy shooting!

While I didn't use a tripod at the Taj, I know that a little "baksheese" will do wonders anywhere in the third world. The civil servants are paid so poorly, that it is expected that they will supplement their income by whatever means that they can. A tabletop tripod, like the Leica or Polaroid versions, works very well if placed against a rigid wall or bench. If you are planning on capturing images of the Taj by moonlight, I think that they will allow a tripod to be used.(Assumming that it is still open at night.) I was using Leicas when I was there 24 yrs ago, and did everything hand-held. (No nighttime stuff)

 

There is a website for the Taj, giving a virtual tour. (I no longer have the URL.) Plan on several hours there, at least. Arrive early to catch the ethereal glow of the false dawn on the marble. Allow plenty of time to get past the mile of merchants outside hawking everything from marble to betel nut. If you have time, cross the Yumana river to capture shots from the area of the "Black Taj". Wide angle lenses are a must when you wish to capture the overwhelming size of the edifice. Macro capability is useful for photography of the inlaid semi-precious stones making up the Koranic verses. I would suggest a roll of fast film for pictures of the true sarcofagi, which are at the level below the false ones generally pictured.

 

It is impossible to overstate the magnificence!

A little tabletop tripod that is amazingly versatile is the Ultrapod. It can only take a smallish camera, but it has a ballhead attached, and best of all it has an angle along the length of the legs that lets you snug it up to any pole or tree branch and use the attached velcro strap to keep it in place. It sounds complicated here, but it is really simple, quick, and easy and lets you use a 3 inch tripod to take pictures at eye level if you can find a street sign, light pole, tree branch, or anything else like that around. You are hardly ever in anyone's way because there is already a pole there! but it does limit your vantage point to pre-existing fixtures. It's great for travel, and especially hiking, when a tripod is too much or not allowed. I got mine at REI for about $15, but I see them everywhere.

Alex. Your comment about "baksheesh" simply demonstrates

what you say yourself - you haven't been there for years. Doesn't

work. You simply have to plan on the basis of doing without the

tripod. Although the Taj opens early in the morning - early

enough so getting a taxi from your hotel isn't always easy - it is

most often closed in the evening apart from a few special

openings.

I am sorry to hear that they now have closing hours. I had also heard that the entrance fee is much, much more for non-native persons, even expatriate Indians.

 

When I was there some of the stoneworkers would even offer to sell you gems removed from the stonework.

 

The Taj was almost torn down many years ago by a British entrepreneur intending to sell the marble back in England. The place had been pretty much abandoned and run down. Fortunately there was then no market for the stone back then, and so it exists today.

Alex,

 

When I was last there it was 700 Rupees for foreigners, still only

around $15, to spend as long as you like in one of the most

amazing places on earth, I think a bargain. I forget how much it

was for natives, I think either 7 or 70 Rupees, but as the average

wage is next to nothing it is still more expensive for an Indian to

go than a foreigner!!

 

 

Another thing is the best time to go is dawn so arrange your taxi

the night before at the hotel reception, they get a kickback from

the driver so they make sure you get there on time. I also seem

to remember that the first hour is more expensive (though the

700 was for early entry) and whilst security is tight, they are VERY

strict about knives, this is on religious grounds it is a temple

complex don't forget, camera bags are allowed but are searched

for knives, most bags have to be checked for a couple of Rupees

so don't take anything too valuable unless it goes into your

camera bag.

 

Photography is not allowed inside the actual building but can be

done descreetly without flash between guides tours, ofcourse

within the complex and grounds photography is allowed and you

will see many "pros" doing the tourist snapshot pic down the

pond with the bench in the forground and the Taj in the

background.

 

Nicole X don't believe the hype you can still use your tripod in

99.999999999999999% of the world so your shots won't be too

limited! Besides I've never needed a tripod in the Taj and would

probably only use one at the Eiffel Tower at night from a

distance.

 

Take care, Scott.

I've yet to go anywhere I couldn't take my tripod in, and I've been to many countries around the world. To answer a specific question, there are no tripod restrictions around the Eiffel Tower - so the classic lit up shot from Trocadero like <a href=http://www.photo.net/photo/1577795>THIS</a> will not present any probs. I've take a tripod up the Eiffel Tower too, and equally had no difficulties. The Lonely Planet guides are usually pretty detailed and if there are photographic restrictions like no flash or tripods in places, they generally mention it. The alternative is to carry fast fine grained film like FUJI NPZ 800 so that you can hand hold without flash in low light... Enjoy, Neil

It is true that whilst there is no copyright on the Eiffel Tower itself. The lights are protected by Copyright however. If it's just snaps for yourself then that's fine. If it's commercial work then you need permission to photograph the tower when the lights are on.

 

Daft I know but very much true.

 

Otherwise, usually museums don't let you use a tripod, or insist that you get a permit - usually a small fee. Churches & cathedrals can be the same. Anywhere on the open street you're in the public domain so you should be fine. It's also true that most 3rd world security will ask you for baksheesh if they see that you want a photo in a restricted area such as a temple, etc.

 

Best thing to do . . . take it with you & remember that upmost, you should relax & enjoy yourself :)

 

Regards

 

Gavin

 

www.urban-landscapes.co.uk

 

Have fun.

While I never used flash inside the temple/mausoleum of the Taj, I was never restricted from any interior photos. Views of the exterior grounds taken through the carved stone tracery can give a be enchanting. At one time it was possible to climb one of the minaret towers, though that hasn't been allowed since a spate of love-lorn suicides many years ago. (Or so I was told.)

 

In regards to the minarets, it is not perspective, but the towers actually lean away very slightly. It was designed so if an earthquake should topple one of them, it would not fall on the central building.

Keith, with an IS lens sharp handheld shots are possible that you wouldn't dream of

with your Leica.

 

Just an additional perspective.

Dear Nicole,

 

The main trouble I've had with tripods is in India -- many sites object even to monopods, and you have to apply in writing, months before. Other hassles include English royal parks (where they assume that anyone with a tripod is a professional) and Maltese archaeological sites.Otherwise, tripod permits are often modestly priced (eg Knossos, last time I was there, or Canterbury Cathedral, near where I used to live) or you can use use a monopod or table-top tripod. Failing that, try a Leica/Voigtlander.

 

In Paris a gendarme once waited for me to finish a shot before strolling over and telling me I needed a permit. He told me where to ask. After trying, I decided to keep on using one illegally (there's no real way to get a permit -- all you have heard about French bureaucracy is true. Consider who invented the word.).

 

Even where you can't use as tripod -- usually for fear of other tous]rists falling over it -- there are often other possibilities. In Old Goa I rested my camera on display cases and even tombs.

 

A lot depends on who is on duty, too. One day I had no problem with a tripod in the Moskva Kremlin; another day I wasn't even allowed to take it in.

 

Compact, ultralight tripods such as the Snapman and the Velbon 343i often attract less attention than big ones, and I've never had a problem with a table-top -- and I'd second the Ultrapod recommendation.

 

A few years ago I did a book on travel photography with Focal Press, so I'm moderately experienced in these matters.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

Dear Nicole,

 

One other point. Lonely Planet guides may be detailed but they SURELY aren't outstandingly reliable -- they pay so little that their 'researchers' can't do as much as they should. Two particularly sloppy guides of which I have experience are India and Mexico (though they may have improved since my last editions) and my 22-year-old nephew was mightily unimpressed with Peru this year. They give a (fairly) good impression of many places but they are about as reliable as The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (which I suspect they inspired in part).

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

You cant use a tripod at most historical places in India. David has coorectly pointed out that they are governed by the rules of Archaeological Survey of India (ASE) which is a government agency.

<p>It is much better using 400 Speed film, however India in general and Agra (where the Taj is) is pretty well lighted. Most of the days you could use Sunny 16 rule, except in Nov-Feb when fog sets in early mornings. However at F8 with a 28 mm lens you should still be able to get 1/50 or faster. Other parts of the year, the weather is more warm and more lighted, tripods are required more for composition and being in a parallel plane. Handheld photos would do good with ISO 100 and much better with ISO 400.

<p>Alex, i find it disturbing that rich foreigners bribe ('baksheesh') poor natives to bend the rules. It is more disturbing that people even ENCOURAGE others to do the same. It is a pity and bribery and corruption leads to other social troubles. This is not a foum to discuss that. However I would suggest others not to heed to the bakshish idea just so that they can get a pic taken. Just cause it is cheap for you to bribe somebody, doesnt mean you should.

<p>Nicole, you might also use tabel top tripods, esp. some small ones with padded feat that you can balance on your chest. These would be required mostly in indoor shots.

I have found you can often get away with a monopod. Jammed against a tre or pillar and using mirror lock up it works surprisingly well. If you do get challenged you have a reasonable defence that you don't have a tripod, although I wouldn't push it after that. They aren't usually checking for these things that closely and a monopod is no that easy to spot.