Warning Photographers Harrased

On the third day of shooting the contract security individuals harassed me because I had a tripod. There was nothing like this when I shot with a monopod on the second day of shooting. When I took pictures in monopod mode, on the third day, one individual said this was ok and other seemed not able to count – he claimed the pictures were being taken as a tripod.

When I was in the museum on the first day members of the press had complex equipment, including large video tripods and no one was being hassled.

One contract security individual stated that the reason they do not like tripods is individual access is restricted due to the three legs being place on the floor. Yet, I was extremely careful in the placement of the legs and used monopod mode much of the time. Further, having a tripod laid down for a shot is less of a hazard to those walking the museum pathways that an individual with a cane – the cane moves while the tripod legs do not.

This is all a great disappointment and a sad mark for the National Air and Space Museum. The “rent-a-security” mentality is that professional photographers are a hassle and they are interfering with others seeing the museum – unless one has a press pass. Yet, it totally ignores the value of web sites such as this for those that cannot get to the museum. More importantly there is no common sense about the equipment being used. If the objective is to not impede access this can be handled with care by the photographer. But the individuals who implement security on the floor hardly know anything about equipment and the overall value to the museum when professionals are successful.

This is but another warning that one should be prepared for further erosion of photographer’s rights.