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Activity
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435 online
Server Time:
2024-04-16 07:19:15
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 MaxPower101
   
Location: Sydney, Australia
Gender: Male
 |  | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 20 on 8/28/2009 4:14 AM >
|  | | | Posted by SMSailorNeptune
I have a few questions, but first, some explanations.
First, there are two really amazing abandonments near me I want to check out. One is a Naval prison abandoned in the 70's, and the other a State Hospital abandoned in 2004. Probably with both or at LEAST the Naval prison, getting caught is not an option. I found contact information for both places, buuuut...
Should I even bother calling about gaining access? Has anyone requested access to an abandonment and actually had it granted? Should I make up some lame story about why I want to visit, or just tell the truth, that I want to take pictures cause I think abandoned buildings look cool?
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I would recommend always trying the legal way first...
Why put yourself at needless risk of a drawn out legal process (or worse a severe beating) when you may find yourself freely allowed to wonder around to your hearts content.. of cause, if this fails then you can always start to devise a more discreet plan of attack.
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Esoterik
  
Location: Kansas City
Gender: Male
| | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 21 on 8/28/2009 4:05 PM >
| | | | What does it hurt to ask? And you may be surprised.
True story: My dad and a friend were watching some old stunt biplanes practicing doing tricks the day before an airshow. The planes landed and they started bullshitting with the pilots. My dad said "can you take us up for a ride?" The pilots said sure and had a great time trying to make their new passengers puke or pass out!
I am so jealous of his story. But that was in 1982 and one can probably no longer 'hang out' at a municipal airport.
“You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons.” |
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LostAmerica
Location: The West
| |  | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 22 on 8/28/2009 5:38 PM >
| | | | I'm a UE night photographer and light painter with 20 years of experience, so take it from me, getting permission is just so much easier.
Go right to the top. Bypass caretakers, security and secretaries. Only the boss can say yes or no, so don't waste your time with the flunkies.
Telling them that you’re “taking pictures at night” usually just confuses them, but showing them how interesting you can make the site look is a huge selling point, so always carry prints of your other night work. Before my books were released, I’d always carry a sheaf of 8x10 prints and thumb thru them while explaining about time-exposures, star trails, cloud movement and light painting. More often than not, after seeing the work, they’ll give me the run of the place.
If they’re not present on site while you shoot, verbal permission may not be enough. Make sure you get their business card. I once had a sheriff catch me in a highly secure site. He was ready to arrest me on the spot until I produced the site manager’s business card. The officer then called her at midnight to make sure I had permission. She hated getting the call, but it saved me from taking a ride downtown. So even a written note giving you permission may not be overkill in certain situations.
Some owners may require further convincing. Offer them prints from your shoot of their location and make sure you deliver on that promise. I’ve even used a 12-pack of beer as an ice breaker. It’s all in your attitude and manner when you talk to them. Yes, social engineering, all the way. Make sure they understand your motives for shooting there; play the “I love the history and atmosphere of your location” card. Tell them you’re an “artist that wants to capture the spooky soul of the place.” Be upbeat, personable and excited about he prospect of shooting there. It also helps to know your subject. If you’re working on an aviation boneyard owner, be able to tell the difference between a DC 10 and an L1011.
Some owners may ask to be paid. Professional photographers frequently pay site owners for access privileges, writing it off as part of the expense of a paying job. If you are selling the images, the property owner deserves a cut, if he wants it. If you’re just shooting for fun however, explain that you’re not making any money with the work and that it’s a pure art project. The classic line “I’m an art student” has worked wonders over the years, but the older I get, the less it seems to work.
Some owners will say “My insurance won’t cover you. If you get hurt, I’m liable.” The best way to beat this is to have your own insurance. A $1,000,000 rider for photographers costs about $500 a year. If having a policy means getting access to a prized location or not, it’s a smarter investment for taking better pictures than that new lens you’ve been thinking about.
Having permission is just a much better way to approach UE night photography. It allows you to relax and not worry about getting caught. You don’t have to suppress your lights, especially important if you’re a light painter. Plus you can publish the work later without worrying about angry property owners coming after you.
www.lostamerica.com |
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ilduce
 
Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia
| | | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 23 on 8/28/2009 8:14 PM >
| | | | Permission works. Be up front, be honest, and have your paperwork in line. State up front that you are willing to waive their liability in writing, that you have equipment to deal with hazardous enviroments, and that you'll work around their schedule. You'd be surprised how many places can be opened up to you, especially when you're dealing with local or regional governments.
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metawaffle
King of Puns
Location: Brisbane!
Gender: Male
Purveyor of Fine Lampshades
| | | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 25 on 8/29/2009 12:48 AM >
| | | | Posted by LostAmerica
Some owners will say “My insurance won’t cover you. If you get hurt, I’m liable.” The best way to beat this is to have your own insurance. A $1,000,000 rider for photographers costs about $500 a year. If having a policy means getting access to a prized location or not, it’s a smarter investment for taking better pictures than that new lens you’ve been thinking about.
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Carrying your own insurance is an interesting idea - when I've been turned down, it's always been about liability.
http://www.longexposure.net |
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35mmVAman
Location: Charlottesville and Richmond VA.
Gender: Male
They call me Iron Isoceles
| |  | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 26 on 8/29/2009 5:45 AM >
| | | | I grant my own access typically.
The fleet to date: "Betty" 72 Pentax (Miss her everyday), "Sneaky Pete" 85 Pentax, "Thor" 76 Konica TC
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rz350
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: toronto
Gender: Male
The looniest, zaniest, spontaneous, sporadic Impulsive thinker, compulsive drinker, addict
| | Re: Requesting Access
<Reply # 27 on 8/29/2009 5:15 PM >
| | | | I've given people access under escort to secure locations before, and have been given permission to enter places just by asking. It works. Just gottas approach the right person on the right day.
ducky 999 |
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