thockenb

<p>Good idea, Willis. Guess I'll do the same. It's just a shame to have great lenses and camera and not to be able to use them to capture memories. I understand the pros don't want me in their way, and I understand they don't want me selling or publishing my photos, neither of which was my intention. Unfortunately, I have no way to prove that to them. Ironically, I'm a doctor, and the professional photographer cut her leg quite badly while back stage, and they were looking for me to come take care of her. She went to the hospital by ambulance before I knew anything about it. When I found out about it later, while I was helping take down the sound equipment, I must admit the word that came to mind was "Karma." Maybe that was petty of me, but it was the way I felt at the time. By the way, after seeing how much work that enormous sound system was to take down, I'll cross "roadie" off my list of possible careers if I ever leave medicine! Those guys work hard!</p>

<p>Thanks, Jeff. I guess I thought since it was a large outdoor venue it would be OK. I'll know to ask next time. I had no idea. Appreciate your candor.</p>

<p>My job involves traveling away from home for 1-2 weeks at a time, and I do get time off while I am gone to get out and take photos occasionally, so I usually carry my camera equipment along with me, including canon L-series lenses. Last weekend I was staying with my cousin between assignments, and his local community service group was putting on a huge outdoor music festival. I went along with him, paid my own $160 premium admission for the weekend as a donation, and walked around happily shooting photos of the performers warming up and the many volunteers. I saw the professional photographer who had donated her time to take photos for the service organization (with the caveat that she could sell them apparently), but I was literally never within 30 feet of her as it was a huge outdoor venue and I was shooting with a 100-400 mm lens to stay far out of the way of everyone. After a short time she approached me and asked who I was shooting for. I explained I was just taking photos for myself as I had nothing else to do since my family members had volunteer duties and I enjoy photography. I assured her I was not a professional, and was just taking photos for myself, and who my cousin was. She eyed my large L-series lens and looked unconvinced. (I did not have a tripod or monopod) About an hour later, one of the people running the festival approached me and asked that I put my camera away as she was donating her time and had been promised exclusivity. I did not want to make waves so I did not argue and put my camera away before the festival even started, so I got no photos of the performers during their sets and I only got a few photos of my family while they were volunteering. I felt embarrassed, like I had done something wrong. I saw lots of people with cameras and kit lenses snapping photos all during the festival, and no one said anything to any of them. Incidentally, the festival ended at 10 pm and I stayed with the volunteers until 3:30 am helping clean and break down the enormous sound system. It was an awesome festival, but I love photographing events like this and I feel like I really missed out. Was I wrong? Please be honest and tell me if I was.</p>