RE: [Leica] quiet cameras in cathedrals?

[Jem Kime <jem.kime@cwcom.net>]

Mitch,
I have to say that for anyone to have the insensitivity to want to 
photograph others in the act of worship beggars belief!
Where else might you expect to be able to walk into a meeting house and 
watch people involved in a private act and expect to photograph them?
Rotary clubs? Masonic societies? Moms and Toddlers? Alchoholics Anonymous?
Churches are open to welcome worshippers, they were never made or designed 
for tourists. I'm surprised they let you in at all during worship, look 
upon that as generosity on their part.
I can understand their reticence to let photographers take pictures for 
free, many of them only have  their historic beauty to capitalise on 
financially. If they can't sell you their photo postcards, guide book or 
permit to take pictures then what do they get out of your visit? Frequently 
nothing, and yet they face enormous bills trying to maintain the structure 
of these ancient buildings which people generally like to admire.
Jem

- -----Original Message-----
From:	Zeissler, Mitch [SMTP:mzeissle@gcipoa.gannett.com]

That's funny; during my visit to Vienna, one had to be very careful with
image recording gear of *any* kind in the religious structures.

All of the churches and cathedrals I visited would not allow image taking
during services [photos, video, etc.], and had bouncers to make sure you 
got
the point.  Others would not allow image recording at *any* time, and still
others would not allow tripods, spots, or flash usage at all.  The common
reason I heard was that they did not want professionals to profit from
imaging the premises.  In most spaces [except for Stephansdom and a couple
other places], the photographers I observed had to be rather furtive to 
take
a picture.  Even then, they were frequently escorted out of the building.

For me, not looking like a photographer helped [no vest, no bag; all gear 
in
closed pockets and camera stowed in jacket], as did a micro tabletop tripod
[mine has a tiny Leica ball head and stands less than 4 inches tall; looks
like a toy really].  In some places, a Noct was the only tool for the job.

/Mitch Zeissler

- -----Original Message-----
From: Gerard J. van den Broek [mailto:broekco@hetnet.nl]
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2000 4:32 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] Re: Leica Users digest V18 #1 quiet cameras in
cathedrals?



To all LUGGERS taking pictures in churches and cathedrals,

After having seen the enormous increase, since the early sixties, of
tourists/visitors in European churches and cathedrals sporting all kinds of
equipment, video cameras, walkmans and what have you, one would barely spot
the serious photographer, let allone hear the whisper of any Leica. And if
there is, by any change, no one in this church or
catherdral, whom could be hurt (heard)?

Gerard