How to take photos at a convention (and not be an idiot)
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Posted by stiehle mbeauparland 7 years agoon 8/6/2017 at 4:29 AM
#51

mbeauparland wrote:
bithlord wrote:
So...it's not banned at all then.  Don't spread misinformation, even if you don't like cosplayers.
Not really taking a side here because I like cospalyers but don't like them blocking isles... What's the functional difference between "You may not do this" and "You are banned from doing this...?"

I think the difference is that 'banning' pictures in the aisles and walkways is an extreme and non-negotiable measure while the actual rule is to simply 'be polite and use common sense' by taking pictures off to one side and not to block the thoroughfare - a rule that isn't new at all, but should be given greater consideration due to the anticipated crowds that will likely be much heavier than usual.

Posted by gharris stiehle 7 years agoon 8/6/2017 at 6:16 AM
#52

stiehle wrote:

I think the difference is that 'banning' pictures in the aisles and walkways is an extreme and non-negotiable measure while the actual rule is to simply 'be polite and use common sense' by taking pictures off to one side and not to block the thoroughfare - a rule that isn't new at all, but should be given greater consideration due to the anticipated crowds that will likely be much heavier than usual.


I see you are still chafing at the word "banned", and I already said it may have been a bad choice of word, but the net result is pretty much the same.

You actually quoted the rule on the last page. It does not say "be polite and use common sense". It says you may not block or impede traffic or disrupt the convention. If people are having to walk around you, you are breaking the rule. If people are having to stop while you are taking pictures, you are breaking the rule. If you are joining a mob that is taking pictures, and that mob is spilling into the walkway, you are breaking the rule. Even if you are permission or people are being "polite" you are probably still having an effect on the other 30 people around you, and thus you are breaking the rule. 

This is not extreme, even if the word "ban" was used, as this is a chronic problem in the exhibit hall and the concourse outside. It is, however, non-negotiable- you cannot do it, period. 

Being as the walkways and aisles in the exhibit hall are going to be even more clogged than last year, even along the edges of the hall, you are not going to be able to avoid breaking the rule in most of the exhibit hall. It may not say "banned" but taking pictures in most of the exhibit hall aisles and walkways will not be allowed due to traffic. 

Note that my personal feelings about cosplayers are irrelevant, that is the rule. 

Posted by bith 7 years agoon 8/6/2017 at 11:20 AM
#53

If you *exist* you are breaking the rule.  If you say "hey, I want to go over there" and cut across the aisle to another booth you are breaking the rule.

Please, for the love of God do not turn this into another anitstroller crusade.

The rule exists so that GenCon can remove people causing a problem.   It doesn't exist so that people can rail against the parts of GenCon they personally find inconvenient.

Posted by raidkillsbugsded 7 years agoon 8/6/2017 at 12:42 PM
#54

The thing is, it all boils down to the fact that you have sooo many people moving through the same space all at once.  You could just as easily peg it on slow, overweight guys with big backpacks, or people walking in a group 5 abreast, or someone on an ecv, or someone with a stroller, or a friendly, but path-blocking shambling mound.  With attendance probably upwards of 75,000, if not more, it's going to be very, very crowded, and people are going to block your path and aggravate you while doing it.  That's Gen Con now.  It's become Disney World at Christmas break.  If you're going to go, you have to go in knowing that you're going to have to deal with all of the things, good and bad, that go with attending an event of that size.  I have several friends now who will probably only attend Origins or Adepticon as their "bigger con" to go to for the year as a result of this.  Things have changed at Gen Con, it's probably not ever going back to the way it used to be (regardless of what city it may or may not be hosted in), and you have to either adapt (meaning, be prepared to deal, physically and psychologically with massive crowds) or move on.  

"Shanna, they bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash!"

 

Posted by stiehle gharris 7 years agoon 8/6/2017 at 2:23 PM
#55

gharris wrote:
stiehle wrote:I think the difference is that 'banning' pictures in the aisles and walkways is an extreme and non-negotiable measure while the actual rule is to simply 'be polite and use common sense' by taking pictures off to one side and not to block the thoroughfare - a rule that isn't new at all, but should be given greater consideration due to the anticipated crowds that will likely be much heavier than usual.

I see you are still chafing at the word "banned", and I already said it may have been a bad choice of word, but the net result is pretty much the same.You actually quoted the rule on the last page. It does not say "be polite and use common sense". It says you may not block or impede traffic or disrupt the convention. If people are having to walk around you, you are breaking the rule. If people are having to stop while you are taking pictures, you are breaking the rule. If you are joining a mob that is taking pictures, and that mob is spilling into the walkway, you are breaking the rule. Even if you are permission or people are being "polite" you are probably still having an effect on the other 30 people around you, and thus you are breaking the rule. 
This is not extreme, even if the word "ban" was used, as this is a chronic problem in the exhibit hall and the concourse outside. It is, however, non-negotiable- you cannot do it, period. 
Being as the walkways and aisles in the exhibit hall are going to be even more clogged than last year, even along the edges of the hall, you are not going to be able to avoid breaking the rule in most of the exhibit hall. It may not say "banned" but taking pictures in most of the exhibit hall aisles and walkways will not be allowed due to traffic. 
Note that my personal feelings about cosplayers are irrelevant, that is the rule. 

Yeah... I'm not going to get drawn into a debate of interpretation again.  My own opinion is that the op has the right idea of how to take photos without blocking the walkway and matches the terms of the service agreement.  The difference in our opinion is in degrees.  I personally don't think that a small cluster off to the side (leaving the main part of the walkway clear) where a few individuals are taking a picture of a cosplayer or two isn't going to invoke a reaction from most folks - including security.  You obviously have  different take on it.  

Posted by marimaccadmin 7 years agoon 8/6/2017 at 3:33 PM
#56

There's no need to get engaged in an epic debate on this.  Use your common sense, be aware of your surroundings and courteous to others, which includes not blocking the walking paths of others.  There's no need for a debate on this one.

Marian McBrine
Event Coordinator
Gen Con LLC

Posted by jimtullis 7 years agoon 8/7/2017 at 8:25 AM
#57

There was one other bit that I liked about the "Do" graphic.
It shows Traffic flowing in the halls in the same way as it flows on U.S. roads.

I think traffic in hallways should be "keep right". If we all agree on a traffic pattern we can move things along more quickly. 

If you come up to someone head-on, step right. If both people do that it avoids the 3 step dance to get past each other.

When going around a blind corner, keep to your right to avoid suddenly running head-on into people.
 

Posted by stiehle jimtullis 7 years agoon 8/7/2017 at 12:43 PM
#58

jimtullis wrote:
There was one other bit that I liked about the "Do" graphic.
It shows Traffic flowing in the halls in the same way as it flows on U.S. roads.
I think traffic in hallways should be "keep right". If we all agree on a traffic pattern we can move things along more quickly. 
If you come up to someone head-on, step right. If both people do that it avoids the 3 step dance to get past each other.
When going around a blind corner, keep to your right to avoid suddenly running head-on into people.
 

Totally agree!  I often wonder if folks that stay to the left in heavy pedestrian traffic are from other countries who 'stay left' on the road.  :)

On the other hand, if you're a pedestrian on the road, you are supposed to walk against traffic (i.e. left side) while bikers are the ones that are to travel with traffic (right side).  So I suppose that adds to the confusion.

Posted by jimtullis stiehle 7 years agoon 8/8/2017 at 2:26 AM
#59

stiehle wrote:
Totally agree!  I often wonder if folks that stay to the left in heavy pedestrian traffic are from other countries who 'stay left' on the road.  :)On the other hand, if you're a pedestrian on the road, you are supposed to walk against traffic (i.e. left side) while bikers are the ones that are to travel with traffic (right side).  So I suppose that adds to the confusion.

NOPE! the folks who stay left in heavy Pedestrian Traffic are from Wal-Mart.
Well, I guess that might count as another country. ;)
 

Posted by mhayward1978 stiehle 7 years agoon 8/8/2017 at 2:41 AM
#60

stiehle wrote:
jimtullis wrote:
There was one other bit that I liked about the "Do" graphic.
It shows Traffic flowing in the halls in the same way as it flows on U.S. roads.
I think traffic in hallways should be "keep right". If we all agree on a traffic pattern we can move things along more quickly. 
If you come up to someone head-on, step right. If both people do that it avoids the 3 step dance to get past each other.
When going around a blind corner, keep to your right to avoid suddenly running head-on into people.

Totally agree!  I often wonder if folks that stay to the left in heavy pedestrian traffic are from other countries who 'stay left' on the road.  :)On the other hand, if you're a pedestrian on the road, you are supposed to walk against traffic (i.e. left side) while bikers are the ones that are to travel with traffic (right side).  So I suppose that adds to the confusion.

I can confirm from personal experience that right-walkers are just as common in left-driving countries as left-walkers are here.

Some people just don't think that way (i.e. that driving conventions could be convenient for pedestrians).

Posted by dblade lord thrifty the cromulent 7 years agoon 8/8/2017 at 7:08 AM
#61

mstabosz wrote:Oh Jesus... is that the mess that I bought tickets for?Please tell me that's, like, San Diego Comicon or something.
Hah! Fortunately that zombie herd only happens at the Opening of the Gates. It won't be that crowded in the hallways for the rest of the con. The Cosplay Parade on Saturday can clog up the area for a bit though. If you are inclined the parade is a great time to video tape. It's what I show people that are curious about the cosplay at the convention. Individual pictures are great but there's nothing like seeing a cosplay horde in full motion.

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