Olympic Committee bans “professional” cameras
The Athens 2004 Olympic games were probably the best ever for photographic opportunities. Visitors had few restrictions, while professionals raved after the games about the relaxed atmosphere and the organisers’ flexibility and the freedom they were given to maximise their creative powers.
The Beijing games this month play a completely different tune. As CNET reports, non-professionals will not be allowed to use “professional” cameras. Everyone is free to translate this decision as they like, the truth however is that if you have a DSLR -or possibly a camera that looks like one- you will not be able to watch the sport you bought tickets for.
I have never heard of such a decision before, it sounds like a move to make spectators’ life difficult more than anything else… Even people with large lens would never try to use them with tripods or monopods in a packed stadium. After all, superzoom compacts offer much more freedom from a large distance. Are these classified as professional as well? Nobody knows…
What is certain is that photography restrictions start to get extremely unreasonable. You cannot shoot from your seat at sport venues, you cannot shoot in the street if somebody deems that it’s dangerous for public safety, only time will tell what else is coming our way…
