Shangi La Garden's laughable photography policy

[richardsfault]

I found this on http://www.shangrilagardens.org/Visit/Photography.aspx

The bolded items are especially amusing:

For purposes of this Policy, a professional photographer is any photographer who:

(1) earns income or payment for taking photographs;

(2) utilizes equipment, apparatus or gear that is beyond the level of equipment utilized by a novice or amateur photographer in order to achieve a high-quality image, including but not limited to tripods, cables, light meters, lenses, or UV filters; or

(3) sells, markets, distributes, circulates or publishes the images photographed by him or her for commercial purposes or gain.

The only way I know to shoot without a lens would be to use a pinhole camera, but then they would consider that beyond the range of what amateurs would use.

They are in a depressed small town near the TX/LA border, yet expect big-city membership and permit fees.

My guess is that they must prefer that pros abstain from shooting there as opposed to raising funds.

[ka5txl]

Lens is singular, lenses are plural. most novices have only the kit lens that came with thier camera. I can see thier pov even though I've never heard of the place before. It's thier place they have the right to set the rules and prices just as it's your right to go somewhere else

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by ka5txl

Lens is singular, lenses are plural. most novices have only the kit lens that came with thier camera. I can see thier pov even though I've never heard of the place before. It's thier place they have the right to set the rules and prices just as it's your right to go somewhere else

Blah, blah, blah...

It's safe to say the place will never get any support from me, and hopefully not from anyone else reading this who is concened about fair definition of professional.

[Imagebuffet]

Look, ma! I'm a professional photographer! No one has ever called me that, before! The other photographers call me things like a "snapshooter" or a "rank amateur."

Wait, what's this? I have to pay $150 to snap a shot in the Garden? Just because my UV filter means I'm a "professional photographer"? Um, I believe I'll be going, now.

[Daniel W.]

You say shangri la and I think twin beds, both equipped with "magic fingers."

[txphotog]

They are in a depressed small town near the TX/LA border, yet expect big-city membership and permit fees.

Be careful where you call a depressed small town. I happen to live near by and have many friends in Orange. They are a private organization and can set policy as they please. They have spent millions to restore the gardens after two hurricanes. The permits and fees are there to keep every mom and pop photographer from ruining the hard work put in to make it a nice place to visit. You would be surprised how many photographers would take advantage of them if they did not enforce these rules. They never said you couldnt take photos, you just have to obey the rules.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by txphotog

Be careful where you call a depressed small town. I happen to live near by and have many friends in Orange. They are a private organization and can set policy as they please. They have spent millions to restore the gardens after two hurricanes. The permits and fees are there to keep every mom and pop photographer from ruining the hard work put in to make it a nice place to visit. You would be surprised how many photographers would take advantage of them if they did not enforce these rules. They never said you couldnt take photos, you just have to obey the rules.

Of course they can do whatever they want. But, I have no use for a place that is going to require me to pay them $150 just for pulling out my Canon 20D. Sorry, but I have no reason ever to set foot in such a place.

[txphotog]

I know many people that have shot there with every slr from a rebel to a 1ds series. They dont care what camera you use just dont set up a huge tripod with a 600mm or have a huge bridal shoot and expect to get away without paying the fee. If your in business you just pass along the cost right? I think the main thing is they dont want photographers selling photos of the wildlife/facility without their consent.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by txphotog

I know many people that have shot there with every slr from a rebel to a 1ds series. They dont care what camera you use just dont set up a huge tripod with a 600mm or have a huge bridal shoot and expect to get away without paying the fee. If your in business you just pass along the cost right? I think the main thing is they dont want photographers selling photos of the wildlife/facility without their consent.

I've made less than $100 total in my entire life selling photos. I am sick to death of people thinking that I'm exploiting someone financially just because I take their photo. *I'm* the guy who is being exploited!

[Krossfire]

Is the place even open? The last time we went there to visit family it still wasn't open from all the damage from the hurricane's. I to believe their policy's are a little too strict. Mercer isn't even that strict.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by Krossfire

The last time we went Mercer isn't even that strict.

Mercer's policy is wonderful.

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

I've made less than $100 total in my entire life selling photos. I am sick to death of people thinking that I'm exploiting someone financially just because I take their photo. *I'm* the guy who is being exploited!

[123canon]

I have visited botanical gardens i mississippi before and could not enjoy the grounds because of all the photographers and B.A.A.'s with tripods. when ever i shoot sessions at gardens with no charges i give a complimentary c/d of some flora/fauna shots to the administrators as a thank you. however, i can see both points of view.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by 123canon

I have visited botanical gardens i mississippi before and could not enjoy the grounds because of all the photographers and B.A.A.'s with tripods. when ever i shoot sessions at gardens with no charges i give a complimentary c/d of some flora/fauna shots to the administrators as a thank you. however, i can see both points of view.

I'm thankful that the San Antonio Botanical Garden only charged me regular admission, then turned me loose with my Canon 20D dSLR, $350 carbon fiber tripod and eBay used lenses. Oh, yeah, I also had a rented Canon XTi and maybe a few other cameras with me.

It really irritates me a lot that people assume that because I am willing to spend a little extra on photo equipment that they should cash in on me, too. Lots of people do this. Comments such as, "That's a nice camera; you must be rich" really annoy me. There is a reason that I've bought only 1 dSLR in the last 10 years!

[toverman]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

There is a reason that I've bought only 1 dSLR in the last 10 years!

But you bought a good one, and it's bigger than the Rebels!