Photography Restrictions At Meetings

[Willowman]

Just noticed the restriction at the Oak Tree Arena (Somerset) here. Is this due to us now racing in the SGB Premiership and has been likewise at Elite League venues previously or something new?

[foamfence]

Just noticed the restriction at the Oak Tree Arena (Somerset) here. Is this due to us now racing in the SGB Premiership and has been likewise at Elite League venues previously or something new?

That used to be normal at every track in the country.

[Little Thumper]

That used to be normal at every track in the country.

 

Why?

[Gresham]

Just noticed the restriction at the Oak Tree Arena (Somerset) here. Is this due to us now racing in the SGB Premiership and has been likewise at Elite League venues previously or something new?

It's been in the programme and on the website before. Pretty much standard practice at speedway and most sporting events. I have noticed they are pretty lenient with people taking videos with their I phones. Even to the point where one fan regularly takes footage in the VIP area in front of the powers that be. Regularly uploaded to Facebook and liked by the riders.

[foamfence]

 

Why?

Because of the danger from flash and because it helped the pro photographers. They used to say that a flash from the centre green didn't affect the riders as much as from the crowd. Having said that, you still saw people doing it but there would be a "no unauthorised photography" notice somewhere in the programme, as well as a "betting prohibited" notice. These days you can get a bet on some meetings, so I suppose the 'no betting' sign has gone, I don't know whether any clubs still have the 'no photography' notice either.

[BuxtonTiger]

Last season at Belle Vue it was clear no photography (Prog & Ticket) - Yet their late great centre green announcer was telling you to get your cameras out and take photos. Still they might not have told him!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Little Thumper]

Because of the danger from flash and because it helped the pro photographers. They used to say that a flash from the centre green didn't affect the riders as much as from the crowd. Having said that, you still saw people doing it but there would be a "no unauthorised photography" notice somewhere in the programme, as well as a "betting prohibited" notice. These days you can get a bet on some meetings, so I suppose the 'no betting' sign has gone, I don't know whether any clubs still have the 'no photography' notice either.

 

Well, I suppose that prohibiting flash photography at night meetings when the riders are actually racing might be understandable but at other times, I can't see why photography should be banned.

 

I have watched all types of motor sport and have never come across any kind of ban on taking photographs. Indeed at some of the big meetings that I go to, such as British Superbikes at Oulton Park, taking photographs and video is an important ingredient for the paying customers.

 

So, I would have thought that any promoter trying to enforce a blanket photography ban should have a rethink and encourage people to take photos and show them to their friends, put them on line and use photography as a way of spreading the message.

[foamfence]

 

Well, I suppose that prohibiting flash photography at night meetings when the riders are actually racing might be understandable but at other times, I can't see why photography should be banned.

 

I have watched all types of motor sport and have never come across any kind of ban on taking photographs. Indeed at some of the big meetings that I go to, such as British Superbikes at Oulton Park, taking photographs and video is an important ingredient for the paying customers.

 

So, I would have thought that any promoter trying to enforce a blanket photography ban should have a rethink and encourage people to take photos and show them to their friends, put them on line and use photography as a way of spreading the message.

I remember at Halifax the 'no unauthorised photography' notice was usually at the bottom of the front of the programme. Some cameras had auto flash and were wielded by people who didn't know how to disable it, in recent years there was the Darcy Ward incident, when he pulled up thinking it was the red light. There are plenty of people showing their speedway photos these days, so the rule is either no longer used or rarely enforced.

[iris123]

 

Why?

Think a few things have caused this.Firstly the mention of zoom photography,i think became a problem with people supposedly taking improper photos of spectators with zoom lenses.Video has obviously started to be a problem with people streaming the meetings live on the internet

Edited December 1, 2016 by iris123

[Gresham]

 

Well, I suppose that prohibiting flash photography at night meetings when the riders are actually racing might be understandable but at other times, I can't see why photography should be banned.

 

I have watched all types of motor sport and have never come across any kind of ban on taking photographs. Indeed at some of the big meetings that I go to, such as British Superbikes at Oulton Park, taking photographs and video is an important ingredient for the paying customers.

 

So, I would have thought that any promoter trying to enforce a blanket photography ban should have a rethink and encourage people to take photos and show them to their friends, put them on line and use photography as a way of spreading the message.

Very valid point...I have on occasion uploaded footage of speedway via my phone on to social media. It in turn has raised awareness, and some people have rekindled their love of the sport having not been since they were children. Some not even realising there was Speedway a mere 20 minutes drive away from them. Also a rider I used to sponsor, liked it when I sent him footage of his races from different vantage points.

[Little Thumper]

Think a few things have caused this.Firstly the mention of zoom photography,i think became a problem with people supposedly taking improper photos of spectators with zoom lenses.Video has obviously started to be a problem with people streaming the meetings live on the internet

 

Good Grief! What are these spectators up to?

[iris123]

 

Good Grief! What are these spectators up to?

Firstly there were problems(not at speedway i think) with people taking photos of children.Then there was the obvious problems of trying to take photos of women up their skirts or down their tops or whatever.The spectators weren't up to anything,the photographers though,was another story.......

[foamfence]

 

Good Grief! What are these spectators up to?

There can be some long gaps between heats ;-)

http://picclick.co.uk/1969-7-APRIL-32614-Halifax-Speedway-Programme-122108036425.html#&gid=1&pid=1 This shows the notices I mentioned.

Edited December 1, 2016 by foamfence

[Little Thumper]

Firstly there were problems(not at speedway i think) with people taking photos of children.Then there was the obvious problems of trying to take photos of women up their skirts or down their tops or whatever.The spectators weren't up to anything,the photographers though,was another story.......

 

Well if someone is pointing a camera up a skirt or down a top and offence has been caused, then the police should be called for and the matter investigated.

 

To instigate a blanket ban on photography on the basis of an incident where there may possibly have been an invasion of privacy is a little thin, I feel.

[iris123]

Here is a thread on the same subject from a few years ago.Might answer in depth some of the questions

 

http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=69452&hl=photography&do=findComment&comment=2093857

[Little Thumper]

Here is a thread on the same subject from a few years ago.Might answer in depth some of the questions

 

http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=69452&hl=photography&do=findComment&comment=2093857

 

Thanks for that, iris123.

 

So having read the previous thread where all this photography business is talked about at length, it would appear that the taking photos nonsense is coming from the same interest group as Belle Vue's Food and Drinks Policy.

 

In other words, the organizations don't want Joe Public indulging in any activity that might diminish their earnings.

 

Has anyone seen people being challenged for taking photographs at a speedway meeting and what was the outcome?

[SteveLyric2]

I think theres always been some sort of notice about photography at most tracks. I know the BSPA instructed tracks to issue 'upgraded' notices in 2016 especially in respect of video footage (periscope etc) to stop 'live' streaming as it contravenes the TV agreement with Sky.

 

At Poole there have been new notices displayed at the turnstiles, in side the stadium, in the programme and regular announcements made by the centre green presenter.

 

Having said all that I think the BSPA and many tracks are missing a trick at not displaying 'video highlights' regularly on club websites and official club social media platforms (whether it Sky footage or not?!) as it could attract new or lapsed fans.

Edited December 2, 2016 by Skidder1

[Tsunami]

 

Thanks for that, iris123.

 

So having read the previous thread where all this photography business is talked about at length, it would appear that the taking photos nonsense is coming from the same interest group as Belle Vue's Food and Drinks Policy.

 

In other words, the organizations don't want Joe Public indulging in any activity that might diminish their earnings.

 

Has anyone seen people being challenged for taking photographs at a speedway meeting and what was the outcome?

It's a business.

 

Yes, caught and banned. And that was before the new guidelines.

[Little Thumper]

It's a business.

 

Yes, caught and banned. And that was before the new guidelines.

 

So you are seriously saying that a paying customer got banned from a venue because they took a photograph?

 

So, Tsunami, which venue took this draconian action?

[woofers]

Aside from any commercial aspects, (and I really think these are minimal as the sport needs as much publicity as it can get), my understanding of the prohibition was more around the safety of riders due to :

 

1. The flash photography on the outside of the track is a distraction. Watch any onboard video and you'll see the footage will reveal more views toward the outside than the inside of the track.

 

2. I think a telephoto lenses will require a more powerful flash than a standard lens, therefore the flash could be quite strong.

 

3. Many recording devices and cameras have a red light on the device when in operation. This could be mistaken by the rider for the track red light resulting in him to cease racing and cause all sorts of issues. (I believe Scott Nicholls had this issue in the SWC when it was run at Poole).