Can you take a light stand around Old Town Spring or Market Street?

[TenderMomentsPhotography]

I have a couple of Christmas shoots coming up - and Im noticing that both Market Street and Old Town are supposed to be decorated.
While I know about the crazy photographer wigging out on people out there - I dont really care as I intend to stay off her specific property and not to photograph her studio. But Im wondering if anyone knows if there are rules around these areas that say we can't bring a stand with a light on it.
Also, if you have shot in these locations - feel free to share the hidden treasures you have found there to shoot in front of !:)

[venchka]

One way to find out for sure...Just Do It! Work quickly. You could be done before somebody objects.

I have a few photos from Old Town Spring. A bit too bizarre for my taste. The colors, how you say?, POP??????????? Looks like Toontown to my old eyes.

[wclavey]

I have taken just the Bronica MF kit to Old Town Spring before to do some holiday street shooting and just the "professional looking camera" generated some concern in front of some stores... and other places were perfectly fine... but in general, it was unpleasant enough that I don't take more than my RF "P&S" camera there now.

I think this is absolutely a YMMV experience...

[venchka]

Funny. A Bronica is a "professional looking camera". The afternoon I was in Old Town Spring, my TWO black Leica cameras didn't raise concerns for being "Professional looking cameras." Go figure. The general public is clueless.

[TenderMomentsPhotography]

Okay few things - what does Ymmv mean? And whats an RF?
I guess maybe I should scope it out before hand - decide where I want to shoot and then speak with the shop owners to let them know that on such and such date I will be taking a quick shot or two infront of/beside/behind their shop? That way Im not having to ask or get yelled at while in front of clients?

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by TenderMomentsPhotography

Okay few things - what does Ymmv mean? And whats an RF?
I guess maybe I should scope it out before hand - decide where I want to shoot and then speak with the shop owners to let them know that on such and such date I will be taking a quick shot or two infront of/beside/behind their shop? That way Im not having to ask or get yelled at while in front of clients?

YMMV = your mileage may vary
RF = range finder

[TenderMomentsPhotography]

Thanks Tom!:)

[ronocnikral]

one thing to find out is if it is public or private property. if it's public, just stick to the streets and sidewalks and you are most likely ok. but then you have the issue of professionalism and the potential situation. i would skip talking to the shop owners and just finding out if it is public or private property. good way to test it out is to take your kid or friend's kid and just go shoot on the sidewalk in front of the area of concern. if a shop owner confronts you, tell them to get bent. could be some ramifications if it's private...but it's what i would do. most likely they will just ask you to leave if it is private property. if i'm bored some weekend, i'll let you take pictures of me.

here's where i would start...

[venchka]

The red caboose serving BBQ is stradle the sidewalk, if there is one, and almost overhanging the curb on the street. Apparently rules are different in Old Town Spring.

I have to wonder what it looks like with Christmas decorations. The contrast between the neon colors and the decorations might be interesting. Maybe the decorations match the neon paint jobs on the quaint old buildings.

Does "The Twilight Zone" sound familiar?

MF = Medium format camera.

[TenderMomentsPhotography]

Okay I spoke to Jeanie at Old Town today - and she said as long as its before or after business hours there should be no problem. But if it's during then we may need to ask the shop owners if they mind.
She also said that the photographer out there that runs people have has NO GROUNDS to do so. She is paying for HER property and studio only and therefore we are not to go on HER property and shoot using her studio as a backdrop. Otherwise we can tell her to talk to management.

[ronocnikral]

thanks for doing the leg work there shelley!

i would have pushed back a little bit on jeanie though...only after hours but you can shoot during business hours with shop owners permission. however, they aren't suppose to run you off??

i have a feeling it is public property...obviously no one should go onto someone's private property to shoot, but public is almost always fair game...

[venchka]

Before and after business hours. What a deal. Who knew? Sunrise to 9-10 am would work perfectly.

Thanks!

[JohnT]

Funny how just a few years ago, this wouldn't have even been a concern. How times are a'changin'.

[venchka]

...not for the better.

[TenderMomentsPhotography]

I dont think she meant that we HAD to get shop owner permission - I think it's just the curteous thing to do - you could shoot and then if they run you off you can leave. But I dont want to be chewed in front of my client! LOL!
Yeah - they dont open until 10am anyway and probably dont get busy until 10:30. And then they close mostly around 5 so it works out well. Also - she said a good deal of shops are closed on Monday, so that would be a good day to shoot if the family isn't at work!:)

TenderMomentsPhotography added 4 Minutes and 29 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

And **squeal** I finally posted a profile pic....offtopic I know - but had to point that out