From: amlsmith@morgan.ucs.mun.ca (Andrew Smith)
Subject: Photography in the SCA (long)
Keywords: photo, camera
Organization: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 19:09:05 GMT



Greetings from Sebastian unto all of the Rialto!
This is a long post, I am afraid.
I have tried to comment on a lot, probably too much, but here goes!


Many good gentles have stated that, essentially, an event is where they try
to get away from cameras and the like beasts. Others have commented on
the general obtrusiveness of cameras. My favorite is from Graydon:

	"I actively detest sitting in a candlelit hall, hearing someone being
	roundly praised for their good service to King and Baron, and having
	a mess of flashbulbs go off. Right up there with hurling buckets of ice
	water on newlyweds for spoiling the mood"

I couldn't agree with you more. BTW there's no flash photography
permitted in the East, or several other places either, as people have
said. Even the EK law regarding flash photography has been posted. To
those who have been caught by the lightning demon, my sympathy. These 
demons are the real ones we should be flogging! :) 

Furthermore,
our solution for the "mess of flashbulbs" or cameras, is that we restrict the
equipment. Plain and simple. One of our numbers and myself are freelance
photographers (of sorts) and have all of the necessary equipment and
training in order to take the photos without flash, while being reasonably
unobtrusive. (Thank the gods for T-MAX 3200 film, it shoots very well at
speeds of well over12800! I have take it up to 5 stops!)

Brynjolfr Myrkjartanarson comments:

	"Photography is just so ... well ... unnatural and un-medieval..."

Again, I couldn't agree more.
Then again, so is the Rialto, it just has a medieval name. Here we discuss
various topics, most have relevance either in the middle ages, or the
modern middle ages, but we do it through a modern means. The next
argument is that we don't take the Rialto to an event. Well, may of us, like
myself, do talk of what was said on the Rialto at events, even if it does
require a modern intrusion. Although I did not go to it last Pennsic, is there
not a Rialto Party?
Strangely enough, though (or should be fortunately) no one I have ever
heard of, has brought Photographs or a video tape to an event!  8j)

Arval, I am sorry to say this, but you did look good. And for this, _I_
_thank__you__. You do state, however:

	"One of the things I love about the SCA is oral culture, complete
	with its inaccuracies, memory loss, exaggerations, and mythology."

I do not think that ANY camera could ever replace that. In fact, many
photos serve to augment it. My few Pennsic photos have Very tall tales
attached to them.

As for the arguments regarding the legal right to take the photos and/or the
copyrights of photographer and subjects, I contacted the campus copyright
officer. She had this to say: basically, the photos shot are the
photographers property, and s/he may display them as s/he sees fit. The
problem arises when the photographer tries to sell them. Arval, you 
_could_ sue for thank-you's! 8j) 
Another suggestion would be that along with whatever waiver that one has
to sign, any-one with photographic equipment would have to sign that it
is not for profit. unless, of course, you _want_ to chase down everyone
in the opening cerimonies, and have them sign a model form.. :)

Unless the photographer has invaded your privacy, or other such stuff,
and s/he does not try to profit from the image(s), you have no legal
recouse (I think..... Not a lawyer,.. NOT a lawyer!). 
Who wants to look into if the Pennsic XX and other videos are actually
legal. (Not I, said the little polac)

Moreach asks "IS it any business of yours, BTW?"
Yes, milady, I think that it _is_ my business to photograph those
things, events and people which appeal to me as photographic 
subjects. I consider myself a competant amature freelance photographer
and will continue to do so untill which time I become a professionally
trained professional freelance photographer. 
The camera is not a weapon in MY hands (though I did catch
a crook with it), it is a source of images. I would be honored, milady,
if we shoud meet, if I were permitted to take your photo. I also would
understand, and comply, if you still (politely) denied me that honor. 
Have _you_ ever considered trying the _other_ end of the camera? My
findings has been that no-one photographs the photographers, there is
always something much more interesting to shoot. That then takes you
out of the line of fire. I try to make it work that way for me, as I 
also hate photos: my skin goes green or yellow. I look like I'm a
martian or sick with jaundice! Either that or my big nose shows up!

 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j) 8j)

You do suggst that we take up illuminating the scenes of interest, and 
then reproducing them in a photographic manner, for those who would be
interested for such items.   _That_ is about the brightest idea I have
heard yet, thank you. 
 
To eliminate cameras from events would be a blessing, but there will always
be someone who wants a pickie. Why don't you try a designated
photographer? S/He could easily <pause for effect> SELL the photos, either
at cost or as a function of the group. This could easily be on the road to
good photos, less cameras, income, and making sure that only those who
have no objection to being photographed, will be.
Perhaps, by having one competent photographer, with appropriate
equipment and film, we can take care of the "Nobody takes a good photo of
me" paranoia. Anyone can be photographed. Anyone can be photographed
well, and even so as to display the person better than in person. I have done
it. Double chins, potbellies, big ears, anything can be 'altered' through the
viewfinder. If it cannot be fixed there, 10 to one that it can be fixed in the
darkroom. I even have a set of very complementary photos of a young lady
who has a very lazy eye which drifts off at all sorts of angles. Mind you, it
did take some special lighting. 8j)

There seems to be something of a schiste between the use of still cameras
and video cameras. Some of the suggestions for the video cameras make me
shudder, tesla coils and Media Relations Devices, Oh my!:)

The use of video for fighting has also been discussed. If you see one of
these, try to see a second one of the same fight from a different angle
(left-right AND up down). Suddenly the 'accurate record is no longer
absolute. It becomes a matter of what the camera-operator perceived as
the situation. Cameras do not lie, but they can be manipulated until
they hide the truth.


As far as the video goes at normal events, 
it IS very obtrusive, and even harder to hide.
However, it does capture more action and scenes than any still camera can.
In theory, therefore, it should be seen less often. But as we all know, theory
rarely works.  I must ask at this point, which are people more offended by,
real video cameras which take up space and are normally run by people
who are trained with them, or by the multitude of mini-cams, which appear
often, but can also disappear into bags and the like?

The still photo has the advantage of being easier to hide, as well as lighter,
and easier to become invisible to the eye, much in the same way as
eyeglasses, of instance.

Several people have described methods and equipment which hide the
camera in action. Bravo, IMHO this keeps with the medieval theme to
onlookers. (BTW, is there anything you DON'T do Tom? :)

In all I rate them like this: from HATE it to OK, sure. The best advice,
IMHO, is: just don't be an ass about it.

Camera crews with lighting.
Showing off photos at events,
Flash.
Carried excessive equipment.
Brandishing the camera.
Video cameras seen at events.
People who see the camera, and act up to (against) it.
Carrying the camera without covering.
Disguising the camera(s)
Having the camera so well hidden, that no one knows about it until the
next post-reve when the photos come out, and _everyone_ agrees that they
are all superb photos.  (I should wish! :)

To those who did finish reading this overly long post, I thak-you. I
feel strongly about cameras (or the lack thereof) within the society,
and I would appreciate any feedback. Pro AND Con. To any I may have 
offended, my sincere apologies. I hope that I helped someone understand
better, my viewpoint, and reasoning.

Humbly, 
Sebastian


amlsmith@morgan.ucs.mun.ca

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