Digital Cameras at Football Matches...

[cat]

Was planning to take my Canon S2 to Villa Park today and just noticed that the back of the ticket states

'no person may bring into ( or use within ) the Stadium any equipment which is capable of recording or transmitting ( by digital or other means ) any audio, visual or audio-visual material or any information or data in relation to a match or any aspect of it'

anyone got any idea whether this means I could have a problem? Obviously don't want to take my camera only to be told I can't take it in ( and with security up my bag is likely to be searched ) It's my son's birthday so want photo's but can't risk leaving it in the car as I wouldn't be insured...

[cat]

hell, just found this http://www.aopy71.dsl.pipex.com/Weblog/2004_04_01_archive.html .....to quote

' Villa Park is the first ground I've ever been to where I've had my camera "refused admittance". They did a grand job of looking after it for me, and were very polite about the whole thing. All the same, there's nothing on the ticket saying I can't bring one, the only notification being right at the entrance by which time you've already got it with you.

For crying out loud, it's a point and click digital camera. I'm hardly going to start competing with SkyTV and Mirror Group Newspapers, am I?'

[Highlander]

Have you got/know anyone with a small compact, eg: Ixus type, camera, which you can carry in your trouser pockets ;)

[cat]

last time I went I had a Canon A60 ( in camera bag ) and that wasn't noticed - I even took video with it totally oblivious that I was breaking any rules!!! It's fairly cold and kick off is 5.15 so I'll be wearing a swiss army combat jacket with big pockets..... tempted to just stick my S2 in one of them. Obviously there is a chance I'll get searched but I'm a girl and my son is 7 so wouldn't have thought I'm a likely terrorist suspect... really torn as we take a photo outside of the stadium every year and frame it with his ticket....

[PC_Bod]

Take it, stick it in your pocket, and in the unlikely event that you're searched (I would have said that you being a girly would limit the chances somewhat, as they would need a female to put hands anywhere near your person), then if they find it (You don't have to empty *everything* out of your pockets;)), then just let them look after it for you?

Free camera babysitting service :)

[cat]

If they babysit the camera then even if they find it I guess I'm ok with that - my main concern is not leaving it in the car.... obviously would be nice if they didn't find it as the reason for buying a cam with a 12 X zoom was precisely for moments like this!!! Have checked cam fits in my pocket, which it does, bulges rather as the S2 isn't particularly compact but probably worth a shot. Why this policy anyway? surely their only concern is to stop pro's and there is a world of difference between the kit a pro would need to take in and an amateurs P&S...

[PC_Bod]

I suspect it would be a contractual obligation due to the huge fees that the media are paying for being there.

At the end of the day its (sadly) all down to money money money.

[DeadKenny]

Basically most the premier games will be fussy about cameras, especially any large professional looking cameras.

A non-league or lower division game is probably okay.

As said it's all about money. Even though most aren't pros looking to sell images, it's just another thing they could force people to cough up money for the privilege.

A football ground is private property so they have every right to restrict use of cameras. If it was public then they can't do anything about it. Also it's perfectly legal to point a camera from public property into a football ground, say if you had a decent vantage point (house, flats, or a hill, and a stupidly long lens ;)).

[PC_Bod]

And if you do get caught having taken a photo inside, they can't force you to hand over your camera or delete the image, most they can do is follow the 'trespass' route ;)

[Flap]

Almost all venues say no cameras, for concerts, footy matches, anything.

95% of the time it's fine. I take my camera to concerts, footy matches, everything..

[cat]

well stashed it in my pocket... stood in the family enclosure and as the mascots came around everyone whipped out there cameras for photos with the kids!!! Didn't bother hiding it after that... think I took about 250!!! Had also smuggled my brother in ( bought him a ticket but he's a Spurs fan!!! ) and when Spurs scored the people in front and to one side of us all jumped out their seats cheering.... so guess I didn't need to worry about being discreet about that one either!!!!

[Bish]

I've taken my camera to numerous footy grounds and only had a problem once and that was at Hillsborough when a steward said we were not allowed to take photos.

[surfer_chicky]

Been to a few Liverpool games and never been told Im not allowed. So many people take there cameras with them. Even saw a few guys with the canon 300d round there necks, wish i took mine but I though I would of been pushing it!! and its a long walk back to the car if they refuse to let u in.

[Mozza]

I've never had a problem up at the Villa.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/gloaming/IMG_0012.jpg

[cat]

seems a good place to put the results!!!! Quite happy with these as a first go ( although downside is I'll have to wait another year to have a second go!!! ) The late kick off meant I lost the light and as a result most are fairly grainy... this photography malarkey is a terrible trial!!!!!!

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/bus.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/warmup.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/warmup2.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/look.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/lineup.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/tackle.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/tackle2.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/injured.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/penalty.JPG

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/save.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scatatonic/goalshot.jpg

[Ragnarak]

Nice pictures but you were a second late in getting the penalty save ;)

[cat]

lol my problem was I kept trying to jump up and down and screech at the same time - I think my photos would be better if I tried taking them of a team I didn't support!!! As it was almost all my snaps of Baros suffered from camera shake :n0rty:

[DeadKenny]

Awaits legal demand from the FA to remove the pictures from the forums... :D


Actually I don't know if they've ever flexed their muscles when it comes to match photos on web sites. I've heard of it with some concerts though.


Decent zoom or tele lens there on that camera cat... or you were practically on the pitch :D

[Ono]

Nice pictures.

Didn't realise James Milner was so short though :nuts:

[cat]

lol don't think they'll feel overly threatened by my efforts!!!! To answer your question I was using a Canon S2 which has a 12x built in zoom. Last year I had a Canon A60, 3x, which proved totally useless as the footballers were wee dots in the distance!!! Was a tier lower this year as well which helped!! Would love to go more often and a bright sunny day next time wouldn't go amiss!!! Am limited to a yearly treat though so have to settle for Worcester City the rest of the year!!!

[Flap]

Very nice photos, cat.

[cat]

thanks - you are all being very polite!!! Think I shall have to get some more practice in at Worcester City as my mind was more on the game than composition!!!!

[Mandrill]

Fantastic pictures :thumbs:

Especially the pen save one

[cat]

Thank you!!!! Feel very encouraged by all the positive feedback.