I'm sorry, you canNOT put THAT there!

04/17/2008 05:34:53 PM · #1

THAT being my tripod!

Yes, another grumble about the ridiculousness of the UK and it's idea that anyone with a tripod is preparing to commit some horrendous terrorist act!

I left my house at 8am today and made my way into London to meet

Ecce Signum before we headed off to an important appointment. After HOURS of sitting around waiting to be seen we finally got released back into the big wide world and headed in the direction of the train station.

Andi had brought my tripod along with him so I could finally take it home with me so, as we approached the London Eye I decided I needed to rest my weary legs for a moment and we paused as I lent against one of the pillars a stones throw from the Eye.

Here's where it get's interesting (I promise!)...

We moved the tripod legs a little so it could stand on the floor by itself and had a bit of a chat when all of a sudden we were greeted by one of those 'Official' looking people!

The conversation went something like this...

Official blokey - "I'm sorry, you can't use a tripod here"
Andi and I - "But we aren't using it and we aren't taking photos"
Official blokey - "You still can't use a tripod here"
Andi - "Like we said, we aren't using it. My friend is just resting"
Official blokey - "You aren't allowed to use tripods here before 8pm"
Andi - "Interesting, why 8pm?"
Official blokey - "Because thats when the ride shuts down and tripods are no longer a health and safety issue. At the moment you are posing a risk to the public, a child could come running along and trip over a (unextended!!!) leg on your tripod so I am going to have to ask you to stop taking photographs with your tripod"
Me - "What would happen if I collapsed on your land because I wasnt allowed to put my tripod down and have a rest!?"
*Official blokey mumbles something about how they would obviously come and help me in anyway they could if this were to happen*
Me - "well, as we have already told you, we are not taking photos. I am just resting as I have bad legs and we stood the tripod next to us for a moment whilst I sat here."
Official blokey - *goes into apologetic mode* "In that case it's my mistake, I thought you were taking photos using the tripod (though neither Andi or I had or cameras out and the tripod was not extended!!!). In future just remember that you are not allowed to put a tripod up here until after 8pm"

I am sure he waffled on a little bit longer but by then Andi and I were already thinking of who'd get back home the quickest and be first to post the story on here ;o)

In this crazy mixed up world we live in I never fail to be amazed at the 'stir' our three legged 'friends' seem to cause to 'official' looking people at landmarks around our countries capital!

On the plus side, if we could all bring our tripods and make the next GTG end at the London Eye just before 8pm I'd really love to see if we get 'told off' LOL

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 18:49:43.

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

04/17/2008 05:37:51 PM · #2

He just did not have a leg to stand on ! ;-)

BAMartin

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/17/2008 05:38:41 PM · #3

Talj, i will be reading your blog to see how the appointment turned out ;-)

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

04/17/2008 05:39:16 PM · #4

hahahahahhaaha

04/17/2008 05:40:42 PM · #5

Originally posted by BAMartin:

Talj, i will be reading your blog to see how the appointment turned out ;-)

I'll post a little something after some much needed rest but will send you a quick PM now Barbara! Thank you for thinking of me {{HUGS}} xx

BAMartin

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/17/2008 05:45:15 PM · #6

Originally posted by talj:

I'll post a little something after some much needed rest but will send you a quick PM now Barbara! Thank you for thinking of me {{HUGS}} xx

I look at your blog almost every day! I DO think of you every single day. But please get some rest first, I can wait

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 17:45:48.

_eug

Nikon D50

04/17/2008 05:47:52 PM · #7

Sounds like you need to rise up and create a little civil disobedience. Get all the UK photographers you know to arrive under the Eye and start setting up and taking down their tripods in every other 5 minute span. Drive those buggers mad trying to protect the public's "health and safety".

Don't forget to tell your buddy who works at the local paper. You know one of those guys, right? ;)

Limbo

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

04/17/2008 05:51:18 PM · #8

Originally posted by talj:

On the plus side, if we could all bring our tripods and make the next GTG end at the London Eye just after 8pm I'd really love to see if we get 'told off' LOL

Bring a bunch of collapsible cones and setup a "safe" area ;-)

I think

Quasimojo has some official looking vests.

04/17/2008 05:52:37 PM · #9

Originally posted by BAMartin:

Originally posted by talj:

I'll post a little something after some much needed rest but will send you a quick PM now Barbara! Thank you for thinking of me {{HUGS}} xx

I look at your blog almost every day! I DO think of you every single day. But please get some rest first, I can wait

Too late! You've got mail ;o)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

04/17/2008 06:02:10 PM · #10

I'm sure there's something you're not telling us. Did it have a rocket launcher mounted on it?

BAMartin

04/17/2008 06:07:31 PM · #11

Originally posted by talj:

Too late! You've got mail ;o)

And you have mail in return ;-)

JulietNN

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

04/17/2008 06:09:11 PM · #12

is that a MINI you drive for the ball

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

04/17/2008 06:13:14 PM · #13

Great timing actually - I was just reading this article on BBC News;

Innocent photographer or terrorist?

04/17/2008 06:17:32 PM · #14

Originally posted by jhonan:

Great timing actually - I was just reading this article on BBC News;

Innocent photographer or terrorist?

I'll never understand why things like this happen, how many people have been charged with possessing a dSLR with intent to use it as part of a terrorist plot?!?! Crazy!

JulietNN

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

04/17/2008 06:19:14 PM · #15

talj, you have mail, unless that is not a Mini

04/17/2008 06:19:36 PM · #16

Originally posted by JulietNN:

is that a MINI you drive for the ball

Oooh! Andi will kill you for that! ;o) Nooo, it's a SMART Brabus Roadster Coupe :o) You can see a few more shots HERE :o)

JulietNN

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

04/17/2008 06:20:19 PM · #17

well edited bad word, then ignore the email, i am not sure it will work. bummer

Mind you it looks like a Mini, why not try what I said, you never know what will happen, especially if you an stick a sticker on the side of the car!

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 18:21:25.

04/17/2008 06:24:02 PM · #18

Originally posted by JulietNN:

talj, you have mail, unless that is not a Mini

Replied Juliet :o)

inshaala

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

04/17/2008 06:33:20 PM · #19

double post

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 18:33:55.

inshaala