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310 Comments
- DoctorSetebos, on 08/09/2008, -5/+291It's absolutely disgusting what some people think they can get away with. Keep fighting the good fight, Thomas - for the good of photographers everywhere.
- chrisbaskind, on 08/09/2008, -3/+159Photography is not a crime. this is really getting out of hand.
- cawins, on 08/09/2008, -1/+153
Send emails:
Neal Benezra | Director
nbenezra@SFMOMA.org
Out of office until August 13, 2008 so...
Ruth Berson, Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Ikuko Satoda, Deputy Director of Finance and Administration will be in charge in my absence. You can reach them at rberson@sfmoma.org and isatoda@sfmoma.org.
But Ruth is out until August 11, 2008.
Sounds like Mr Blint was acting out while the bosses where gone. ;-) - planetoftheweb, on 08/09/2008, -6/+118Just awful. If you can't shoot in a museum which displays photos, where can you shoot? Goes to show you how prideful and ridiculous government employees can be. This guy should be at least reprimanded.
- needcaffeine, on 08/09/2008, -3/+111what a total DB. You need to get this in the local paper, bring some more light to the situation
- SpaceBass, on 08/09/2008, -4/+83There are real issues in the world like, oh, I dont know...crimes that actually hurt people. This guy is fearful of what- some guy with a camera, a locally known artist at that? Clearly he is well suited for his job *facepalm*
- FujiwaraTofu, on 08/09/2008, -1/+68Wow, he's going to feel like crap the next time he Googles himself...
http://www.google.com/search?q=simon+blint - inactive, on 08/09/2008, -1/+68Somebodies gonna be out of a job tomorrow
- Lane, on 08/09/2008, -4/+69"Blint obviously knows nothing of photography because the 14mm ultra wide angle lens"
Classic. - ryan83189, on 08/09/2008, -3/+64Nice cameras seem to attract this kind of attention. A person with a thin camera gets no attention, full body cameras get stares and evidently SLRs will get you kicked out of some places. Photographers in public space, without tripods are being told to leave, that "You can't do that" with a mention of 9/11 or some other lame excuse. I have personally been told that I can't film "that", that the terrorists took photos of the twin towers, which is a blatant lie. It is their discretion to kick you out on private property though, mistaken or not. The guy who kicked you out seems like a real ass who obviously did not know of/care for the new decision.
- lacadaz, on 08/09/2008, -1/+61The no photography rule was a major factor when I was deciding which museum to join this year. As a student of photography I knew that most of the best exhibitions were going to be at the MoMa including that fantastic Lee Friedlander show. It was the "Only in the Atrium" rule that got me to join the Fine Arts Museums (de Young and Legion of Honor) I couldn't be happier. Never a problem with my dslr at either museum. They are even allowing non-flash in the Chihuly special exhibit. The de Young itself is a joy to shoot at both for the art and for the visitors and architecture. This will almost certainly keep me from joining the MoMa as well as keep me from going to all but the most irresistible (like Friedlander, Eggleston, HBC) exhibits. It's too bad if you ask me.
- thomashawk, on 08/09/2008, -0/+59lacadaz, I agree. The de Young is awesome. I'm a member there as well and shoot there frequently. Never have I been harassed at the de Young or the Legion of Honor like I was today at the SF MOMA. I've got some wonderful photographs of my wife and children in silhouette taken at the top of the stairs on the second floor of the de Young. I also shot the Chihuly exhibit there as well which was *amazing* and very cool that they allowed photography. The Oakland Museum of California, where I am also a member, has been awesome as well. The thing is, had Blint been more of a human being and actually sat down and reviewed and discussed my photography, this definitely could have been resolved amicably. Instead he thought he could just get away with bullying someone because he probably gets away with this all the time. It's unfortunate that the SFMOMA, despite their amazing exhibits, has to treat people so poorly.
- inactive, on 08/09/2008, -0/+56Sir - if you dont let me take pictures I am going to Blog about you. Boys have times changed. When I was his age it was " I'm gonna kick your ass" now it's "I'm gonna blog about you"
LOL - gheide, on 08/09/2008, -1/+47Could this be his facebook profile?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Simon_Blint/1156953 ... - sisko2k5, on 08/09/2008, -2/+46Photography is the skateboarding of the new millennium
- KG2V, on 08/09/2008, -2/+44For the folks who bring up Photo Law, and Photographers rights. The Museum is NOT a public space, and they CAN set any photography rules they like.
That said, they have a written policy that says you can take phots there, so they SHOULD allow it, and it sounds like the guard is a real idiot. On the other hand, on private property, if someone in charge of the property says "Please stop doing X" (where X is pretty much anything), if they are not violating a law that says "they can't ask you to stop doing X", you really should, because they CAN ask you to leave, and if you do not, it becomes a tresspassing offence.
BTW - Nice Photo - xaxxon, on 08/09/2008, -1/+40I kept thinking.. "what a total database" Then I realized I need to get out more.
- xaxxon, on 08/09/2008, -2/+40If you can't shoot in a museum that explicitly allows photography, where can you shoot?
- DeskFlyer, on 08/09/2008, -4/+42Security guards generally know jack ***** about photography and the law. I think this is a prime example here.
- paretoj, on 08/09/2008, -1/+39Here's more contact information (below). Be polite if you contact them. I will be emailing them saying that I had read an article about the staff there, and if accurate I will be encouraging others not to visit San Francisco, nor the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
http://www.sfmoma.org/press/pressroom.asp?do=conta ...
SFMOMA Press Office
151 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-3159
415.357.4170
commassistant@sfmoma.org
Libby Garrison, Public Relations Manager
415.357.4177
lgarrison@sfmoma.org
Sandra Farish Sloan, Senior Public Relations Associate
415.357.4174
ssloan@sfmoma.org
Robyn Wise, Senior Public Relations Associate
415.357.4172
rwise@sfmoma.org
Thea Stein, Marketing & Communications Assistant
415.357.4170
tstein@sfmoma.org - hakandahlstrom, on 08/09/2008, -0/+37Thomas, you did everything right at MOMA and I'm so angry to hear the way you are treated. This is a threat not only to you but to all photographers of all kind. Keep on blogging about this kind of harassement so people get their focus on the problem...
- BLUEGLUM, on 08/09/2008, -2/+39Maybe there should be a letter writing campaign.
- Haeretik, on 08/09/2008, -6/+42WTH!?
- tylermenezes, on 08/09/2008, -0/+29If nothing else, you have a case against them for false advertising. Their website says explicitly that you can take pictures, and after purchasing a membership you were told you couldn't. While you may have no actual intention to sue them, if they refuse to rectify the situation in a way which is acceptable to you, you can send them a letter stating your intent. Most places will give in to your demands if they're reasonable at that point. If not, I'm not sure if this is something small claims court will handle, but if so, it's usually $100 or less to file a case there.
- xaxxon, on 08/09/2008, -0/+28But it wasn't a security guard that had him kicked out. The director of relations did it. That makes it even MORE inexcusable. Not someone who is ignorant of new rules, but someone who should have been involved first-hand in MAKING them.
- napsack, on 08/09/2008, -0/+26I recently visited the Met in NY, and to my surprise I actually saw a "No Sketching" sign... as well as no photography, etc... I'm shocked that locals haven't made a big fuss about this. Though I'm sure it wouldn't bother them much since the majority of visitors are foreign.
- alexforcefive, on 08/09/2008, -0/+24HANDS OFF THE LEGO, MAGGOT!!!!!
- dj4site, on 08/09/2008, -2/+26Meh, just another example of a small dicked, power hungry, egomaniac, mentally retarded, knob-jockey. Hope he gets fired. He's obviously too stupid to do the job.. so fire him !
- btschul, on 08/09/2008, -6/+30The Photographer's Right: http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
- rumdrunk, on 08/09/2008, -0/+23rules regarding photography are getting out of hand, I am a professional photographer and am going to do some shots of the exterior of a shopping centre at night, the client is the shopping centre itself, but I still have to inform the local police, and keep the security informed of my movements, whilst some of this is for my own safety there is a large amount of red tape to get through just to do some relatively straight forward shots, everytime we plan a shoot on location we have to consider who's permission we might need to get, in the past the basic rule was if its public property and you are not causing obstruction or danger to the public then go for it
- WoollyMittens, on 08/09/2008, -8/+31That's because, "gl77", your statement is a fallacy. You cannot compare your living room with a tourist attraction where one can reasonably expect to be able to do touristy things like taking photographs without being manhandled to the curb. Your hard-line interpretation of the "law" isn't within the spirit of the law.
- spyd3rweb, on 08/09/2008, -2/+24Hes gonna be working security at Toys R Us 8am tomorrow morning.
- restlessdesign, on 08/09/2008, -3/+24Be Simon's friend on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Simon_Blint/1156953 ... - p2gilbert, on 08/09/2008, -4/+23Looks like a petty tyrant to me. In my opinion he must be a frustrated artist who has to work in a museum to be close to stuff he can't make himself.It would make him cross to see people actually making art! -
- CandaceHolly, on 08/09/2008, -1/+19Wow. That's just awful. I'm sorry to hear that. I know one place to avoid when I go visiting. I hope you get an apology at the *very* least from them. Do keep us updated.
- edtruckell, on 08/09/2008, -0/+17that's pretty disgusting. hope this Blint character gets a formal warning or loses their job over this. Evidently that's the only way things will change.
- CMYKvsRGB, on 08/09/2008, -0/+16I would love to hear some updates on what happens to this guy once all of this blows over.
- teamgwho, on 08/09/2008, -5/+21RTFA "gl77"
You are correct that an establishment can set it's own policy. If Simon Blint was enforcing SFMOMA policy, then his action would be vlid. In this case the photographer was not in violation of the stated policy. He was in compliance. Simon Blint decided to selectively punish the photographer for reasons of his own. Simon Blint would not even listen to reason and allow the photographer to summon a superior in order to establish that he was not in violation of the policy.
So RTFA article next time. That's why you're being dugg down. - Spanktacular, on 08/09/2008, -0/+16That's great. But, if you don't call Blint's superiors and explain why you're not joining MOMA, you're just a guy on the intertubes...
- gl77, on 08/09/2008, -0/+16i could see if this guy just went in without talking to anyone first and started snapping pictures and it was against museum rules. they could eject him because it's their property. BUT being as though he actually cleared it with staff earlier as well as the fact that it states on their website that it's acceptable to be taking photos where he was, sounds like this Blint guy was just on a ***** power trip and wanted things his way or no way at all. what a disgusting excuse for a human being. he needs to be fired and taught a lesson about photography.
BTW, im sure Blint got quite the hard-on while he was throwing this guy out and this guy was yelling about blogging his experience. to be honest, i wouldnt care if anyone said that to me either and it just makes this guy sound like a whiny nerd. best to not have said anything about that. reminds me of "Help! Help! I'm being repressed!!" - kh99, on 08/09/2008, -1/+17The difference is that a lot of people actually *will* blog, whereas people who say they're "gonna kick your ass" just have big mouths.
- SarahC, on 08/09/2008, -0/+15I've sent him a nice message.
"I'm a professional photographer, and I find your behaviour insulting and degrading - I hope you are sacked.
http://digg.com/travel_places/Photography_is_Not_a ..." - FujiwaraTofu, on 08/09/2008, -1/+15How is a SLR not a handheld camera?
- Halsfield, on 08/09/2008, -1/+14they limit photography for good reason in some museums because the flash can dull paintings and other pieces of art. this just sounds like a power trip though.
- inactive, on 08/09/2008, -6/+18As a Nikon D80 DSLR user, I find so many people consider a pro looking camera a threat, while the point and shooters have no problems usually getting their cameras into concerts for example, or shooting people out on the street, but break out a big camera and your a problem. Funny thing is, unless you are good with your DSLR (and i really hope your not shooting on Automatic) a point and click can sometimes take better, clearer photos.
- 22pages, on 08/09/2008, -0/+12Here is the contact info for the membership department.
E-mail membership@sfmoma.org
Call the Membership Department at 415.357.4135, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Drop them a line and let them know how you feel about this incident. - inactive, on 08/09/2008, -2/+14Could someone explain to me why this place is so top secret that you couldn't take photos before and now you can?
- mohsenxp, on 08/09/2008, -3/+15"Your hard-line interpretation of the "law" isn't within the spirit of the law.".
Beautifully said. - EtherGnat, on 08/09/2008, -1/+13Be careful of harassing them after hearing only one side of the story. This incident seems straight forward, but people can and do exaggerate and even lie outright about things like this.
I'm reminded of the story that hit Digg ( http://digg.com/security/Nightmare_at_Reagan_Airpo ... ) about the mother harassed over her daughter's sippy cup at airport security that Diggers up in arms. I urged caution then, too, and was swiftly dugg down for my opinion.
Then the TSA released video of the event ( http://digg.com/odd_stuff/TSA_denies_sippy_cup_inc ... ) which showed the mother clearly in the wrong.
I'm not saying this guy is lying, just remember it's only half the story. - TheCamino, on 08/09/2008, -1/+13
You should try walking around with a full size, 45 lb broadcast video camera. The bigger the camera, the more you're a terrorist! I must be up to no good.
(I'm a news videographer in a city. My camera is marked up for local news. It's got logos all over it, and everyone can see them.)
Sometimes, you can't walk down a public street without a security guard giving you crap. You're trying to walk by their building, and you'll have to get in an argument with them to let you pass while the public is walking by.
Try taking pictures of a factory now that just announced lay-offs! A security guard sees you? You're MF'n Osama bin Laden NOW! Stupid, stupid, stupid security guards have blocked my car on public thoroughfares, and told me that "they're going to have to have my tape." I tell them that I work for a television station, and this won't be good.
GIve me the tape, they say.
My usual response is to start laughing out loud.
Here's my little speech I've used it at least five times in my career, it varies, but it goes like this:
"So, you're allowed, as a security guard and member of a private organization, to forcibly take my property? Aggravated robbery is part of the job description now, is It? I tell you what, you take it from me, and I'll send your ass to jail tonight. Oh, and as a working member of the media, I'm protected on high by lawyers that the prince of darkness himself calls in for arbitration."
That's when I start getting snotty.
At that point, I usually tell them to go sit in their box.
Remember this, no organization, outside of the government, can seize anything, and cops know what they can and cannot do. It's the freakin' security guards. If they say they're going to take away your camera, then you say you're going to charge them personally with agg theft or robbery.
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY.
Then tell them the cops are coming, no matter what, if they lay a finger on you.
If they tell you that you're trespassing, you have to leave immediately.
If they have a tresspassing ordinance filed with the city, they got you no matter what.
As most don't know what that is (cops can boot you automatically and charge), ask them. Because they can't charge legally without notices, without a tresspass ordinance, or without informing you and giving you a chance to leave immediately, and definitely none of the above instantly in a quasi-public space like a mall.
You get technical on a security guard, and they're going to get flummoxed. If it's a major event, like a triple murder in a mall, a major political figure, or something like that, take pictures, and go quietly and fast.
And never, ever, ever, get caught with the media in the camera. They'll destroy it, and lie about stealing it. Take the shots, and change the media cards or film immediately in a zapruder situation.
Overseas outside europe, never take a camera that you don't want stolen by a cop. -
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