Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/09/20

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Tripods in France
From: "Ed Kowaleski" <ekowaleski@twmi.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:18:57 -0400
References: <e4.1b1d0b6e.28da5181@aol.com> <3BA949BA.727168D2@theblueplanet.org> <003f01c141de$1222cbe0$56234d18@gv.shawcable.net>

I've had similar experiences in Paris to that of Ted Grant.  One has to use
some common sense.  Understandably, the Police are not happy about setting
up tripods in crowded places. I have used table top tripods under and near
the Arch de Triomphe without question while at the same time the Police
stopped people using traditional tripods under the Arc.  All this assumes we
are talking about 35mm photography and not big clunking Medium Format or
View Cameras.

I have taken a number of pictures with a small, flimsy, telescope tripod in
the middle of the Champs-Élysées at a traffic island facing the Arc de
Triomphe.  I had been trying to get the postcard view of streaks of red
taillights and yellow driving lamps.  The Police did not seem to care as
long as I did not stray off the island however the vibration on the roadway
was horrible and I finally resorted to taking exposures timed with the stop
lights so the road would settle down.

The Louvre permitted the use of a tripod for a small fee.  One had to pin
the permit slip to a lapel or jacket so it would be easily visible to the
guards patrolling the rooms.  The permits were not available on Sundays or
holidays when crowds were at their peak. I do not think that permits are
available at the Musée d'Orsay but I have used the small Leitz table top
tripod held against a wall or railing and no one ever challenged me.  This
is easy to do if pictures of opportunity are being taken; it is going to be
almost impossible if you want to frame a picture or sculpture exactly.
Again, I think the size of the crowd will dictate the severity of the museum
guards' attitude and reaction and most of the galleries at the Orsay always
seemed to me to be more crowded than those at the Louvre.  Something to do
with the love affair most people have with 19th century impressionism.

Ed Kowaleski

Most churches permit at least table top tripods as long as services are not
being conducted.  ----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Grant" <tedgrant@home.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Tripods in France


> > ARTHURWG@aol.com wrote:
> >
> >Anyone have any experience using, or trying to use, a tripod in France?
> I've
> >heard that it's almost impossible, or at least very difficult, as someone
> is
> >bound to chase you away etc. I'm planning to take a trip there sometime
> this >year<<<<<<
>
> Hi Arthur,
> I see others have said there's no problem using a tripod in France and
that
> maybe their experience in some locations.
>
> Just don't try and use a tripod within the confines of  the Arch de
Triomphe
> or you will be politely told... "Non tripod!" You will be asked/told
nicely
> by the policemen. Don't  argue, just do it! They don't do nicely the
second
> time around. :-)
>
> Shooting from the street over 6-8 (?) lanes of traffic I didn't have any
> problems in the evening doing time exposures of traffic patterns and Arch.
>
> But when you go through the tunnel under the street to the Arch properly
and
> the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier there isn't any question, if you take a
> tripod over there, day or night, you will have the police stop you from
> setting up. period. No matter what brand or size.
>
> And please guys this is live experience from absolute been there, done it,
> had it happen!
>
> Other than the Arch and Plas de Concorde requiring time exposures in the
> evening, all other shooting in Paris was hand held stuff with a fair
amount
> of evening material using the Noctilux without tripod.
>
> But then a Noctilux, why use a tripod? ;-)
>
> Soo Arthur old buddy take the tripod and use it and don't ask, just do it
> and if it's a non-non you'll find out quick enough.:-)
>
> By the same token use common sense, as you're aware there are many places,
> no matter what country you reside in tripods are not allowed. I've always
> found on assignment being polite about the situation you might "just be
able
> to get a couple of frames off" with their cooperation by smiling and sweet
> talking and indicating, " Please can I just take one?" Even if the sweet
> talk has to be passed through an interpreter. Occasionally you can win one
> being polite!
>
> Then break down the gear quickly.
>
> If not, let it go, as arguing doesn't get you a thing other than ticking
off
> the locals and illustrating you're just another "loud mouth pain in the
ass
> tourist!"
>
> ted
> Ted Grant Photography Limited
> www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
>
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>

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In reply to: Message from ARTHURWG@aol.com (Re: [Leica] Tripods in France)
Message from Charles Mégnin <charly@theblueplanet.org> (Re: [Leica] Tripods in France)
Message from "Ted Grant" <tedgrant@home.com> (Re: [Leica] Tripods in France)