Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Taking Photos.

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Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Taking Photos.

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PacificEagle

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First, I loved the thread on War on Photography so I thought I would get some info out about the Olympics here and the restricitons on Photographers they are going to impose.

Now I understand the need for security for the Olympics here in Vancouver with the situations around the globe.
I was reading some postings in our local forum and a lot of people from around the world have been asking questions about bringing their photo gear, making money taking pictures at the olympics by selling there photos, as they have event tickets and want to take shots during the events.

Now I know a few people that work for VANOC, the organizing committee here, so I asked them who I would talk too about whats allowed to bring to events if your not press.
They put me in touch with the press/media relations guy and I got the following info, Just in case anyones coming here this is good to know.

NO ONE except credentialed press and photographers will be allowed to bring any camera that is professional/professional looking/or has any type of telephoto lens attached into any venue or event. Person that do will be asked to leave immediately and come back without their camera.

There are also colored Zones for security all over the place, each with different level of security. Basically the city is a mass of go and no go areas, street closures, etc. I would love to wonder the city taking pictures of all the action, as its going to be amazing around here but I doubt I will get much that is good.
One of the best areas near me to take pictures is along the Seawall from Stanley Park to Canada Place. However the IOC committee is staying in one of the hotels along the seawall, and security around there is going to be nuts.(there is a full time Swat team at that hotel) and they have the whole seawall and area completely closed(RED Zone)

I wouldn't recommend one of those T-Shirts....I'm a photgrapher, Not a terrorist....might be a bad idea.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Not allowing "pro" cameras in has more to do with controlling the Olympic trademarks and copyrights than having to do with security. They don't want you to go take pictures and then make money off the images!

I also agree with leaving the "not a terrorist" shirt back at the hotel!

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Wow, didn't know they had such tight restrictions. Blast it all.

Maybe I'll just hide my 200-400mm under my "I'm a terrorist, not a photographer" shirt ;^)

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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And then you can wear the "I just got maced, beaten, and arrested by a Mountie and all I got was this T-shirt" shirt.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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The Olympus pen camera would properly be your ticked, walk in with the 17mm attached, have a longer zoom in your pocket(with the adapter attached)

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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alphanikonrex said:
Wow, didn't know they had such tight restrictions. Blast it all.

Maybe I'll just hide my 200-400mm under my "I'm a terrorist, not a photographer" shirt ;^)

This will go over well.

Thanks for the info, PE. That's interesting stuff. The winter games here in SLC were much less strict. I took my OM-2 to the events that I got tickets for (Men's downhill and a XC skiing relay). I had no problems and that was right after the WTC attacks. I suspect Niko's right. They need to restrict today's cameras because the quality is so good.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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sure pete, with a small N600/4 :)
the question for me, what does it mean professional looking camera mean - d3000 included? and what telephoto means? - everything above 50mm :) ?

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Anything they deem looks professional adamz. If it doesn't look like a point & shoot it's not getting in. I wouldn't try to sneak a "big" lens into the venue Pete. It will make security suspicious of you and that's the last thing you want!

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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adamz said:
sure pete, with a small N600/4 :)
the question for me, what does it mean professional looking camera mean - d3000 included? and what telephoto means? - everything above 50mm :) ?

"No, sorry, you can't bring in that 10mm lens, as we have no proof that you haven't replaced the sensor in your camera with a 60x crop one."

Posted 3 years ago #
ShadeofBlue

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Looks like my old Kodak Superzoom is going to see some action. Unfortunately, the grip looks like a DSLR. Can't change the lens, though, so it should be okay.

Posted 3 years ago #
wilks

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I was thinking of bringing my Canon SX20IS. Do you think I will have a problem getting that in?

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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adamz said:
sure pete, with a small N600/4 :)
the question for me, what does it mean professional looking camera mean - d3000 included? and what telephoto means? - everything above 50mm :) ?

Yeah, when I went to the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, they didn't allow "professional" equipment either. Thank god my D40 is tiny, even with the 18-135. :D

Jeez, those photography restrictions suck the fun out of the Olympics.

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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If you can afford to go to one of the Olympic events, then you can afford to bribe someone to get you a press pass... lol.

Posted 3 years ago #
smarterchild

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i wonder by being the high-schools newspaper photo editor... i could possibly get a press pass for myself and pull the first amendment of freedom of press :).

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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Vancouver isn't in American, we don't operate under American "first amendment rights,", rather the Canadian constitution, if you live in Canada get to know them if you want to work in the press. I highly doubt being part of a high school news paper will be enough to get a press pass, you'd need to work for a large community new paper at the very least.

Posted 3 years ago #
smarterchild

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okay pb pm. I wasnt thinking clearly that the amendments wouldnt follow into canada. My stupidity. Its been a long day for me. plus iknow i cant get a press pass to anything, even to a local concert event let alone a event on that magintude. Thats why i posted that comment as a "joke"

Posted 3 years ago #
nau

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can some one post official link where it says that you can not bring photo gear etc

few of my friends planing to take cameras with them and I told them about all this catching my self on a idea that there is nothing really solid (official) to this post...

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/spectator-information-faqs/index_cf-Vh.html?cat1=143808&cat2=&q=photography

It doesn't specifically say no "pro" equipment but trust me it's not allowed outside of the press area. It's pretty much covered when they say "The use of broadcast or photographic equipment for commercial purposes is prohibited".

The no flash rule is a new one I think.

Here are more "official" restrictions:

Broadcast and lighting equipment from entities other than rights-holding accredited broadcasters and the host broadcaster

Broadcasting and recording through the use of mobile phones or other transmitting devices (such as two-way radios, recording devices, PDAs or video cameras) for commercial purposes

Flash photography and other lighting devices (such as laser pens) anywhere around the field of play (exceptions may apply)

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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Vanoc, the company in charge of the Olympics here in Vancouver was asked about this by local news stations. The answer was, no DSLRs, period. Little point and shoots fine, but without a press pass no interchangeable lens cameras.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I was denied a press pass for the 2010 games because of this rule:

"Dangerous, disruptive behaviour or behaviour which disturbs spectators (including, without limitation, public drunkenness, fighting, gambling, spitting, threatening staff or spectators, throwing objects onto the field of play and/or public seating area, political or religious activities)"

They didn't think me streaking across the ski slope during the Salt Lake City games was funny. *Sigh*:^(

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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Are you sure it wasn't because Canadian customs refused to allow you in the country?

Posted 3 years ago #
nau

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my friend told me:
- there is nothing on a tickets about camera restrictions (a lot of ppl have some sort of dslrs and I can see ppl been pissed of a bit at the door)
- there is nothing that states u cant bring this and that (and again Ican see ppl been pissed off at the door)

and commercial use \ pro hobby photographer - tell me the difference with the gear?

soon u will need to purchase DSLR and update license every year just to use the bloody thing...

Posted 3 years ago #
wilks

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I just phoned

Vancouver 2010 Olympics General Enquiries 778.328.2010 or toll free: 1.877.408.2010

The girl on the other end basically said as long as you can't change lenses, don't use a flash and are taking the photos for personal use it would be ok. I am still a little concerned that I get there and they tell me I can't bring my camera in but I guess I will have to hope for the best. I did get my SX20IS into a Canuck game last week.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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PB PM said:
Are you sure it wasn't because Canadian customs refused to allow you in the country?

Canadian customs hand out press passes?! Wow you Canadians are crazy eh :^)

Nau taking a DSLR is not a good idea. If you or your friend want to try then go ahead, but don't get upset at the door when they ask you to leave it at the gate with security or go take it back to your vehicle/hotel and then get in the back of the line again. I hear at some venues they predict a wait of about 3hrs! to get in!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
ShadeofBlue

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NikoDoby said:
Canadian customs hand out press passes?! Wow you Canadians are crazy eh :^)

Nau taking a DSLR is not a good idea. If you or your friend want to try then go ahead, but don't get upset at the door when they ask you to leave it at the gate with security or go take it back to your vehicle/hotel and then get in the back of the line again. I hear at some venues they predict a wait of about 3hrs! to get in!!!

They won't let you leave it at the gate with security, they'll just tell you to leave and come back without the camera. That's one thing they've actually been clear about :).

Posted 3 years ago #