Nearly Getting Arrested in Downtown Atlanta
Here is a shot of downtown Atlanta from Olympic Park. This is not the shot I wanted, although I am still happy with it.
I had a run-in with the law this evening. Just next door to the Olympic Park is the aquarium and the Coke Museum with a big field in between. There were about a fifty people or so there at the park. I set up my tripod to take a photo of downtown and the Coke Museum was in the middle of the shot. A female cop of came over and told me I had to take down the tripod because I looked like a professional. Coke does not allow that, so she said. I said I'm a blogger with expensive toys and hardly a threat. Then she got quite huffy and agitated before telling me if I did not take down the tripod that I would be arrested.
This policy is absurd. She claimed that Coke is worried about their brand and image so professionals need special permission. So, it's okay for amateurs with crappy camera-phones to take photos and upload to Facebook and Flickr? But not me, someone that can make their building look amazing? And they don't want their pretty museum to be on a popular travel blog that gets over a quarter million visits a month and millions a year? Or even, who cares if I was not that popular and only 10 people saw it?
In fact, in the world of social media, Coke (and every other company with old-rules made by out-of-touch people) should welcome people like me that are making their brand even more popular.
And to think, I had just had a Coke.
from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com
Comments and faves
marcp_dmoz, Apogee Photography, .Ryan ---, Jacob Wighton, and 193 other people added this photo to their favorites.
jslab (46 months ago | reply)
Excellent Trey! Looks great large. Funny too. Next time bring your back-up. The kind you have to manually advance the film.
marcp_dmoz (46 months ago | reply)
I agree with you! Arrested? That's nonsense!
Great shot!
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Seen on my Flickr home page. ( ?² )
StephenZacharias (46 months ago | reply)
Ha ha funny story. Well I guess not so funny at the moment and terribly frustrating. People are so paranoid. Besides what are cops doing policing for Coke? If Coke doensn't like your image can't they take care of themeselves. I am sure the cops have better things to do then follow photographers around! Colorful image by the way.
ftoomschb - catching up (46 months ago | reply)
I miss RC ... ha ha! This is still an amazing shot though. The irrationality of law enforcement toward tripods is well documented throughout Flickr in threads, but it still makes me shake my head in disbelief sometimes.
Definitive HDR Photography (46 months ago | reply)
Not only that you're promoting them for free. Who shouldn't love free publicity?
nrtphotos (46 months ago | reply)
Trey, Do you use auto WB in your D3X or change the K manually?
–tradewinds•> (46 months ago | reply)
this is the case with corporations and business everywhere.
they just don't get it.
johny~ (46 months ago | reply)
And to think I left my Pepsi can on their big fancy lawn....oops!! Tee Hee!
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http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2009/08/09/near ly-getting-arrested-in-downtown-atlanta/ (?)
kimdokhac (46 months ago | reply)
nice shot !! that's strange , tripod was not allowed ...
Apogee Photography (46 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot Trey!! The photo police are absurd. The world needs photographs and talented people to take them!!
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Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)
Steven Davis Photography (46 months ago | reply)
VERY cool. the lights in the corners are kinda distracting, but the rest is great :)
ALPHAIMAGES (46 months ago | reply)
Excellent HDR!!! Yeah, that's absurd....
.Ryan --- (46 months ago | reply)
SOO amazing and SOO UNREAL!
lovely!
Surrealize (46 months ago | reply)
Cool shot, love all the light rays. Crazy story too... must have been her interpretation of "the rules". You should have offered to give her a better headshot then she could have gotten at "Glamour Shots" or "Photazz". Hilarious that you had just had a Coke too...
.Fierce (46 months ago | reply)
**** tha police!!
olasis (46 months ago | reply)
Nice shot. I've had a similar experience. I just don't get it why enforcement is so anti-tripod or you can't take a picture of this place. I empathize with you. We as photographers should start a movement to get a photographer's Bill of Right written into law.
ktark003 (46 months ago | reply)
does the cop work for coke ?
if you are not on cokes property why can't you take a picture
(pro or not )
Shenanigans in Japan (46 months ago | reply)
ah those kinds of rules are so stupid. at least ive never seen it happen over here in Japan. great shot though!
Trucker....Steve (46 months ago | reply)
Looks like Pepsi just scored!
Beautiful shot here!
Shairani (46 months ago | reply)
Nice shot.
This is weird. If the law has been passed by the govt, on all buildings, it makes some sense. But how can Coke not allow anyone to photograph their building, absurd.
Yabon_Gorky (46 months ago | reply)
Is there really a law in the US preventing you to take pictures of any building you want in the street ?
Great image as usual :)
[~Bryan~] (46 months ago | reply)
its cool, awesome photo!
Nonac_Digi (46 months ago | reply)
Nice shot Trey. Not so sure about the glare off the lights, but I love night time HDR anyway, this is a nice shot. How many frames?
falutx (46 months ago | reply)
This is something weird. But the shot is really great.
petaludes81 (46 months ago | reply)
so magic!!
becky lou (46 months ago | reply)
Awesome shot! I love it. (That's why I drink Pepsi) ;0)) I've had those problems and it really gets me angry.
❤ goldfish300 ❤ (46 months ago | reply)
love it :)
really nice colors ^_^
ScooteRoo (46 months ago | reply)
The light flares on this are really great.
khairallah tammah (46 months ago | reply)
nice shot
don j schulte @ oxherder arts (46 months ago | reply)
Screw 'em - have a Pepsi tomorrow. Seriously, The old world corps do not understand that controlling brand image is gone in the new world of viral marketing - social media - consumer empowerment. Directing brand image is now where its at. Control is in the consumers hand now. They do not get it.
Jonnyfez (46 months ago | reply)
I thought America was 'The Land of the Free'. Sounds a bit like descriptions I have heard of Nazi Germany just before World War 2.
I try not to buy Coke personally. Wonder if there's a Flickr Coke pool?
Perhaps we should set one up and start a revolution!
Joseche. (46 months ago | reply)
Amazing ligts!
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Vista en las fotos de mis contactos. (Yo también quiero esto)
ianduffy (46 months ago | reply)
I've just forwarded this to a friend who used to be a senior manager at Coke...hilarious in a completely-out-of-touch way!
{kidnurse} [deleted] (46 months ago | reply)
Now, that is a story! And yes, why is it if you take a photo with your phone that produces a photo that blurs or even a little p&s it is okay, but if you have invested in cameras along the way that will take the kinds of photos you are wanting people think it is a professional camera with all the lenses, etc? I had that happen to me at a mall once getting photos of my kids playing :[
Nightlovers (46 months ago | reply)
so, if it is like that- we don't love coke any more!:))))
antonioVi (Antonio Vidigal) (46 months ago | reply)
Great work !
Ventura Carmona (46 months ago | reply)
Maravillosa imagen!!!
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aumbody images (46 months ago | reply)
Fabulous night capture!
readwrite (46 months ago | reply)
Arrested? Because a *brand* said so?! That is MENTAL!
Great shot. :)
Benn Glazier (46 months ago | reply)
Does someone have a link to this legislation?
It's common practice for government buildings, think army bases, intelligence installations etc.. but Coca Cola? As someone mentioned, it would have to be a one-in, all-in blanket piece of legislation.
swagat_rath (46 months ago | reply)
Stunning shot!!
Stuck In Jacksonville [deleted] (46 months ago | reply)
I don't see how a company can tell the police to do this when you are in a public square. If it were me I would have asked to cop to arrest me and then I would sue the city for false arrest and unlawful harassment in a public square. Then again that's just me. Anyway, here is a link that I believe every photographer should have, print, and carry around with them.
hotography Is Not A Crime - Your Rights
Cliff_Baise (46 months ago | reply)
Cool, image Trey. So ironic that I experienced my first accosting by a security guard today at the mall. I too, stated that there were people all around taking pictures of everything. He got a little huffy and said, "Yeah but not with a DSLR and a tripod." I guess he'd been trained in that sort of thing. Later I realized I was pointing at a Jewelry Store. Whoops!
photographie par kim (46 months ago | reply)
I found you through your blog & tutorial on HDR. Your work is simply amazing!
Attanasio Imagery (46 months ago | reply)
went to the American idol concert and was told that P+S and camera phones were allowed but not dslr's. Huh? The security guards just smiled...they know it's absurd.
rroberts41 (46 months ago | reply)
Trey, love your work. While you are in my hometown of Atlana, I'm in your hometown of Austin. Did you also try and take a picture of the big CNN outside CNN Center? They will allow anyone to take a picture of it, as long as they don't use a tripod. Absurd.
ibrahem N. ALNassar (46 months ago | reply)
beautiful
GR58 (46 months ago | reply)
wow..very nice!!!!!
vszy (46 months ago | reply)
Great nightshot fantastic colors
mikeadkinsphotography (46 months ago | reply)
The same thing is occurring all over the place. The law states that you can take a picture of anything in public view if you are on public property. So the cop was wrong. However, it was not worth the issue. Just walk away and then come back in about an hour and get your shot. The cops have a catch 22 "Obstruction of Justice" which is there trump card to arrest anyone they want. There are cards that are available that I carry in my camera bag that you give the cop and then ask them if they still want you to quit. I hate it when they use the 9/11 excuse. OMG are you kidding me. I am not a terrorist and if I was do you think I would set up a tripod and a pro camera? Come on.... Please... Someone needs to get the laws strait for photographers. Where is our freedom? Malls are also good examples of non-camera friendly. You are free to use a crappy camera but pull out a pro camera and the mall police start coming out of the woodwork. So moms and dads, be careful with that new camera you got for Christmas to take those good shots of the kids. Leave that at home and just use your cell phone.