Pictures at Market Street in The Woodlands

[wondershots]

Yes, what John said. Once we signed in we were good-to-go at Market Street Square. The lady even called the security guys and let them know we were there.

Later as we moved towards the canal I had a short conversation with a Montgomery County Sheriff. She actually joke with me a little bit about the "photo nazi's" around the Anadarko building.

BTW John, it was great shooting with you last weekend. Hope we can do it again sometime.

Originally Posted by revjvegas

FWIW, I was at Market Square last weekend assisting with a shoot. All we had to do was sign in with the concierge and we were cleared to shoot around the area. Note that the area in question is around where all the shops are located such as the Borders, Eddie Bower, HEB market etc.

Just FYI.

[richardsfault]

I shot at Market Square with Victoria Leigh yesterday. As was suggested by others, I first signed it at the Concierge booth. The person there was nice and the form simple.

The only thing that concerned me in any way was a passing mention of not using images on the Internet, and I'd be curious as to what others here know about this.

We shot with a Sunpak 383 on a stand, and experienced no hassles of any kind. "Barney" was nowhere to be found, and must have been staying around Anadarko.

The place would be even nicer if cars were kept out, and stepping back into traffic while shooting is a persistant hazard. A 35 mm lens worked best much of the time.

I'm curious as to which other local retail facilities have a similar policy, as I would like to check them out.

What about Portofino?

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by TxLerman

#2 NO TRIPODS. Why I ask? They are used by commercial photographers. See my answer to #1.

Given the passion on both sides of the issue concerning potential profiling in Arizona, it's disappointing that profiling and assumption of intent towards photographers is condoned.

[richardsfault]

Final results of my first shoot:

Victoria Leigh - 05.14.2010

The darkening skies of approaching storms helped a great deal, and it's definitely a good bad weather location as shelter is nearby.

No hassles at all, and I fel more relaxed knowing that I checked in properly.

[dmcantrell]

Many architects consider their finished product as work of art, which leads to the issues faced when trying to photograph the buildings.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

Many architects consider their finished product as work of art, which leads to the issues faced when trying to photograph the buildings.

Then they can either shield them from public view or stop whining.

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by richardsfault

Then they can either shield them from public view or stop whining.

While these may be two possible suggestions that could lead to a resolution, I'd venture to guess that there are other complications to the issue that may not be apparent in this internet message-board thread. I'm only speculating though, as I am not a lawyer nor an architect.

[Paulo]

Hi Richard,
Not sure if you've already received an answer to your question.

I haven't shot at Portofino since late 2008 & early 2009 but the contact I had was Rose Moreno, prop mgr. Phone: 936-321-0934

From what I understand, photographers are suppose to check in with the property manager each time they shoot (indoors or outdoors). If an image is for publication, they want the name of the property in the credits. If sessions become frequent, they use to ask the photographer to make a donation to their charity. The inside and outside is intended for business use. No issues if photographer activity does not disrupt normal business. Sometimes they have events so it's generally good to call simply to make sure the area is available. Just like Market Street, their main concern is us respecting their property and copyright restrictions when it comes to taking photos on property. Store front signs/logos should not be included or at least not legible in the background ..ie: Old Navy, Hal-mark, etc...

Each time I've spoke with either property managers, they were very nice and accomodating. They just don't want people to abuse the property as it's not the photographers 'private studio'. Also when you call/check-in, they inform the security detail so they don't interfere with your shoot.

I have not shot at either Market Street or Portofino this year so I don't know how much of their policies have changed since last year.

I never go near Anadarko area because of so many other photogs' experiences. Only time I was ever questioned out there was when I was shooting along the Town Green Park canal. The courtesy officers are very nice and they simply mentioned to me not to specifically photograph the canal where the the water taxi's travel. Again, copyright issue.

Originally Posted by richardsfault

I shot at Market Square with Victoria Leigh yesterday. As was suggested by others, I first signed it at the Concierge booth. The person there was nice and the form simple.

The only thing that concerned me in any way was a passing mention of not using images on the Internet, and I'd be curious as to what others here know about this.

We shot with a Sunpak 383 on a stand, and experienced no hassles of any kind. "Barney" was nowhere to be found, and must have been staying around Anadarko.

The place would be even nicer if cars were kept out, and stepping back into traffic while shooting is a persistant hazard. A 35 mm lens worked best much of the time.

I'm curious as to which other local retail facilities have a similar policy, as I would like to check them out.

What about Portofino?

[richardsfault]

I appreciate the info.

Originally Posted by Paulo

Hi Richard,
The courtesy officers are very nice and they simply mentioned to me not to specifically photograph the canal where the the water taxi's travel. Again, copyright issue.

A copyrighted canal? That sounds like absolute BS

And even if it was, a photgraph is not a full representation of a phyiscal object.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

Many architects consider their finished product as work of art, which leads to the issues faced when trying to photograph the buildings.

Regardless of what they consider their structures to be, you cannot prohibit taking photographs of it from public property.

Originally Posted by richardsfault

I appreciate the info.



A copyrighted canal? That sounds like absolute BS

And even if it was, a photgraph is not a full representation of a phyiscal object.

I don't think you could copyright a canal or a building. you could copyright it's description, but that would only keep people from using the exact same description. if you copyrighted a canal or building, it only keeps other's from selling that bridge or building, not selling replica's or building the same object.

You could trademark a building and/or canal. But that only keeps other's from leveraging off of or damaging your reputation in commerce. however, taking a picture of the trademarked object is not illegal (assuming you are standing in a legal place when taking the picture), but selling it could be.

of course, i just started studying for the patent bar, which doesn't include copyrights, but does cover trademarks. i could be completely wrong...

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

Regardless of what they consider their structures to be, you cannot prohibit taking photographs of it from public property.

Well, as I mentioned in a response to the other reply like this, I'm sure that these sort of opinions have been mentioned to the appropriate authorities on the matter. I'm merely relaying one potential root cause for the difficulties that photographers may face and am not trying to support or refute the validity of the idea itself.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

Well, as I mentioned in a response to the other reply like this, I'm sure that these sort of opinions have been mentioned to the appropriate authorities on the matter. I'm merely relaying one potential root cause for the difficulties that photographers may face and am not trying to support or refute the validity of the idea itself.

hey me too! i have facts though, not just conjecture.

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

hey me too! i have facts though, not just conjecture.

[carrbowl]

While I was shooting there I was asked to fill out a little form. Basically just wanted to know who I was and my website. They said they just wanted to be sure their names and their place was not being used in a "bad" way. Since I was on their property and it wasn't a big deal..I did it. It wasn't a big deal for me to do and get a long with them..but I'm usually pretty easy to get along with, if I understand the reasoning behind your request and you are honest.

[wondershots]

In some places they trademark things in nature. I think this is ridiculous.