No street photographers at London,UKs Annual Erotica Show!

[keith_halsey]

<p>This years Huge Indoor Erotica exhibition held at Olympia London England (2008)saw no outside street photographers attempting to photograph arriving celebrities on a cold winters day.It appeared that casual street photography outside the event was frowned upon as a large security prescence and Police intimidated any photographer from even "loitering"near the only possible photo point outside the main doors as taxis and limos arrived with the best dressed guests male and female.Surprsingly this was the spot the miserable looking motley assortment of security staff chose to hang out!Inside only official pass carrying photographers were officially allowed to form a ludicrous melee around the main stage area overseen by fluroescent jacketed police man in the galleries.Guests bags were all serached at the door and were told hope youve got no cameras we dont like cameras in here.(this is mild compared to the anti camera policy at some of Londons fetish nightclubs where random seraches usually of the wrong people occur inside venues of bags have occurred by officious amateur stewards for the night and where threatening language has been used in blogs claiming if even tiny cameras were found they would be "inserted up some place where the sun doesnt shine!"What are people so scared of?Their personality being stolen?The reasons seem 2 fold1)to maintain a monopoly on the photo trade2)to protect privacy(as if anyone there was important enough?3)Fear of leering coming out into the open as expressed by cameras.Some years ago at Dennis Gildings'Balls cameras were allowed and actively encouraged within the venue.The catwalk was flashing.Why the shift?Anyone else frustrated?</p>

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[rogerjporter]

<p>Sounds like they got their wish, if they don't want the attention, why give it to them?  Let's go photograph someone who cares and wants to be photographed!</p>

[keith_halsey]

<p>Hello Roger-Yes but I get the impression that a considerable percentage of the exhibitors,guests and models in the show DO want the attention even of amateurs-at least by their very exhibitionist behaviour....anyway none of them including guests have ever been consulted,they are just TOLD not to bring cameras.Who has decided on this rule?Probably a tiny clique of control freaks at the top.There is absolutely no good reason why amateur cameras should not be allowed in.Many other events allow cameras as do museums and exhibitions.Its sheep think.Perhaps someone should do a survey with a clipboard asking visitors if they would A)be neutral about camerasB)Are actively FOR cameras or C)Against cameras.This seems to me a case of the tail wagging the dog.Just because a few individuals may be paranoid or frightened or want to assert a minority ruling a majority of being incidentally photographed.Do these people also object to store cameras etc?So I think there are people in there who would love to be photographed having made such an effort with their costumes.The negative associations with photography have to be dispelled.Ironically enough within a few hundred yards of the Event are several well known camera shop chains desperatly struggling to make a living by selling cameras to the public.The event is diametrically opposed to this trade.As for finding alternatives of willing photo participants this is for the average guy A)expensive B)very difficult C)few and far between.Dont forget this event is only held one day a year.</p>