Comments on: Tuesday News Update

By: Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:01:48 +0000

I heard many years ago that the law prohibiting tripods on the mall was passed to protect and at the request of the official congessional photographer. This was in the days of 8×10 view cameras and 5 sec+ exposures. The photographer wanted exclusive rights to pictures of monuments and federal buildings around the mall. The law essentially gave him exclusive rights. The law is still enforced.

By: Wilbur

Wilbur — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:33:52 +0000

Once, I was told not to use a tripod when trying to take a picture of the White House (no tripods allowed!!!). This was from Park Police.

Also not allowed to use a tripod inside the Lincoln Memorial or Jefferson Memorial (but outside is no problem). Also, from the Park Police.

In DC there are a lot of different agencies involved (Uniformed Secret Service, Park Police, DC police, etc.). Never had a problem with the DC police though.

By: Jason D. Moore Photography » Blog Archive » P&P Weekly: #48

Jason D. Moore Photography » Blog Archive » P&P Weekly: #48 — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:50:13 +0000

[...] Scott of Photoshop Insider had some fun shooting with the National Coalition Against Sharp Photos. [...]

By: Seoul At Night « Carl’s Blog

Seoul At Night « Carl’s Blog — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:24:26 +0000

[...] up to them and asked if we could go it to the complex and take some photos – with tripods (see Scott Kelby’s blog post on his trip to Washington DC). The policemen allowed us to go in and we took the above [...]

By: Carolyn E. Wright

Carolyn E. Wright — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:05:26 +0000

The monuments in DC are on National Park Service land. A summary of the law at issue can be found here: http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/permits.cfm?urlarea=permits

Note that the Director’s Order #53 (http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/DOrder53.html) is the law and is clearer about whether a permit is needed for a still photographer (even when a still photographer is shooting commercial work.

Section 14 specifically provides an exception to the written authorization requirement for photography. It states that a permit is not required for:

* a visitor using a camera and/or a recording device for his/her own personal use and within normal visitation areas and hours;
* a commercial photographer not using a prop, model, or set, and staying within normal visitation areas and hours; or
* press coverage of breaking news.

The permit used to be free, but now there is a charge (I think it is $50 for DC), which can be cost preventative for some photographers.

From a previous conversation with the Program Manager of Special Uses for the NPS, Lee Dickinson, a tripod is not a “prop” or “set.” So the guard’s insistence that a permit is required for a tripod is wrong.

To force photographers to get a permit when it is not required by law violates their rights.

By: mollie

mollie — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:54:20 +0000

a few years ago, a Washington, DC police officer ran over to me and screamed at me to take down my tripod. I refused to without sufficient reason (I’m an attorney, so a natural pain in the ass when it comes to cops). This was at a July 4th celebration on the Capitol grounds. He pulled out of his pocket a letter detailing which items were prohibited on the basis of terrorism – and tripods were included because of the possibility that my camera might be a weapon. This was specific to that day, however, because of the high security required for the July 4th concert. Still a crock. I’ve had no problems with my tripod when taking photos of the Pope in the Vatican.

And the part about needing a permit to film our public, tax-supported buildings, monuments and spaces? If that’s true, then that’s even more infuriating in a so-called “free country.”

By: John Harrington

John Harrington — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:09:51 +0000

Scott –

As a DC photographer, the reason they preclude a tripod, is because it is one of the main tools that still photographers and videographers use to produce commercial work, and the production of commercial work on National Park Service land, or the US Capitol grounds requires a permit, and in many places, you cannot get a permit to film commercially. However, if you are working editorially, a permit is easy to obtain. As someone who has obtained permits on countless occasions, it’s an easy process. It’s not about mounting weapons on, but rather, so that commercial endeavors do not take place on public lands without proper permission.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:52:56 +0000

Scott: I wanted to mention that you looked great in Chicago. Wow! Congrats on the weight loss. How did you do it? I too could shed a few (like most of us) and would love to hear your secret. Again congratulations and keep up the path to a healthier and better looking YOU! One more thing, we just purchased CS3 upgrading from our Elements 5 program for $300! We couldn’t believe the price… we checked and doubled checked the deal with Adobe. What a great deal. I’m not sure how well advertised this upgrade (yes they are calling it an upgrade) is reaching folks. We received the info via an email. Thanks for visiting our blog and noticing our posting as well as sharing it. Take care and see you soon, I’m sure! Rick Bella

By: Al Marsh

Al Marsh — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:31:49 +0000

Lightroom works well on another computer, Scott. The problem began last year when I uninstalled Norton Antivirus. It never uninstalls cleanly yet everything including CS3 worked well until Aug. 31 when Lightroom was installed. Yesterday Dell sent updated Dell repair software, available to all XP users who haven’t updated in two or three years, that found and repaired some damage to the startup file. Now Lightroom works on the formerly damaged computer, too.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 05:25:49 +0000

To Mano:
If you’re printing photographs to an Epson color inkjet, it is NOT a Postscript printer, and you’re not sending Postscript art to it (you’re sending pixels instead) so you can totally ignore the warning that Photoshop is giving you. It sounds like you need to use a hardware calibrator to get your screen and printer looking the same. I use X-Rite’s Eye-One Display 2, and I think it will really help your situation.

To Glyn:
I’m really looking forward to doing some serious shooting with the D300 and D3. It’s tough to judge anything when all you can do is shoot photos of an Expo floor.

To Al:
I hate to hear that you’re having problems like you are. I know of some people who have had a corrupt layered TIFF, and it caused Lightroom loads of problems (crashes, etc. like you’re having), but what you’re experiencing is very rare. If I were you, I’d try installing it on a different machine, the try importing shots from your next shoot and I’ll be it works like a charm. Let me know what happens.

To Shelley:
Thanks for spending the day with me in DC. Really glad to hear you enjoyed it.

To Mel:
I’m afraid for now Chicago is as close as we’re going to get. But hey—ya never know.

By: Mel Lammers

Mel Lammers — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:42:05 +0000

Hi Scott,
It would be nice if you could hold one of your sessions out here in the Eastern Midwest [Southwest/Central Ohio]. Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati. Any would do. I bet you could get your 500. The travel penalty for DC, NY, Chi, etc is pretty great.

Keep up the good work though.
Mel

By: Shelley Miller

Shelley Miller — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:33:25 +0000

Scott,
I attended the DC Lightroom class yesterday. Thank you for a terrific class! I purchased Lightroom & intend to toggle between Lightroom & CS3.

Your class & books have been very helpful. Thank you again.
Be well,

Shelley