Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/07

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Subject: [Leica] I almost had a 'George' experience on Sunday
From: Rick Dykstra <rdandcb@cybermac.com.au>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2003 07:55:51 +1000

It seems we have overzealous officials down here too.  And it looks to  
me like it's time to sue!

I specialise in soccer photography and the opening ceremony of the  
largest soccer tournament in the southern hemisphere was being held in  
front of our 'Old Parliament House' - the democratic heart of the  
nation.  I've been the official photographer for this tournament over  
the last two years and could have been again this year, had I agreed to  
pay the event manager the commissions he sought.  As if!  So I was  
officially there in the capacity of 'unofficial photographer', taking  
pictures of groups of happy people, many who knew me from previous  
events (R8 with 50/2; M6 with 35/1.4 and F5 with 300/2.8)

The event manager's 'official photographers' were diligently shooting  
the suits as they stood in line on the dais (there's a good sales  
prospect!), while I shot teams of laughing players waving colourful  
banners as they marched past.  I've done this before you see. :-)

The manager guy eventually realised I was getting all the money shots  
while his commission paying photographers were not and pounced on me,  
security goons in tow.  But being the professionals they are, they  
refused to follow his directions to 'throw me out', advising him  
instead that this was a public place, in fact the most public of  
places.  This blew one of his gaskets and he turned to a visiting team  
from the US and declared that I would 'rip them off'.  I'm thinking  
'slander' here.  Bewdy!  I'm told that he made a similar statement in  
front of 500 or so coaches and managers at a briefing that night.  Umm,  
up here for thinking mate.

http://www.bicaprolab.com.au/pls/piction/ 
glbx.accept_login?UN=junior&PW=soccer

Regards, Rick Dykstra, Australia

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