FMX Photo Fight!

You may have noticed that prior to the FMX Big Purple Party we had to have contests to get listeners to post their photos for us to use on our website.  Yes, "photographers" went to the FMX Spring Thing and X-Fest, but we never saw anything from them. So when listeners ask simple questions like "who took that picture of me?"  We had no idea.  Some of these folks even told or implied to the band, the promoter, the gate people and the concert goers themselves that they were somehow connected to the radio station ( I confirmed this with the promoter this morning).  This is where trouble starts.  More after the jump.

So if a person says they're representing the radio station misbehaves it falls on us.  Now misbehavior can take all kinds of forms from sneaking people in to just plain taking pictures when or where you're not supposed to (most bands only allow pictures for the first three songs and with no flash).  Now at the previous two shows we had no less than five people claiming to be photographers and we never saw a picture from any of them.  Wouldn't it make sense that you'd at least allow the radio station to have access to pictures you took at our show?  This is where things get fuzzy to me.  Sure they're YOU'RE pictures, but you took them at MY show (or at least a show with our name on it).  Even worse, there are some folks who think we somehow owe them for sneaking into our shows and taking pictures.  Also, at the end of the day, there are only so many photo passes issued and we'd like them to go to people who will supply us with pictures for our website and dumb little blogs.

It's funny to me that people somehow think a semi-expensive camera gives them a free pass to wherever they want to go.  I don't see it that way.  We don't need five photographers, especially if we never see the pictures they take.  So now we have Guns N' Roses coming to town. They will allow ONE photo pass. That's it.  ONE.  We are, of course, going to make sure it goes to a guy who will show us the pictures.  We owe it to you guys to document these shows properly and if that can also help a local photographer then we're all for it.  If you'd like to put your name in the hat to take shots at an upcoming show, we'd love to hear from you.  Sometimes bands will even sponsor a promotion where you can win that privilege.  Our new guy tends to take lengthy photo-vacations and we'll need substitutes in the future. Meanwhile, the promoter has made it very clear that these free range photographers are a thing of the past.  So, the next time someone takes your picture, we should be able to tell you who it was.  At the same time, keep in mind that anyone taking your picture should have a clearly displayed pass that has the name of the band and the show date on it.  If they don't have that, they may just be some random weirdo who are selling your pictures to strange overseas businessmen who like to touch themselves at work (you never really thought about that, huh?).

*p.s. This doesn't affect rules regarding your camera phone or pocket size cameras. Those are usually allowed at most shows.  The basic rule security people are given is, no "pro/detachable lens" type cameras.