BGC really Camera Friendly?

[Monseratto]

Kotse,com FB Page...

Do you agree with the sign?

Does this sign tell the truth or trying to sell B.S.?
IS BGC TRULY PHOTO FRIENDLY?

SYNOPSIS: Tripods + DSLRs are not allowed unless you apply for a permit first.

Was shooting (or tried shooting) in BGC yesterday. DSLR, tripod. Time was around 2pm. I Got asked for a permit 3 times by 3 different security marshals. Each time, I tried quoting the sign. But then after their persistent and rather unclear explanation of things, I agreed on one marshal's invitation to discuss the matter at the security office (on 7th street).

My question was very simple. What does this sign mean? If BGC is photo friendly, why am I being asked for a permit just because I had a tripod with me. I did not find the word "tripod" nor "no tripods allowed" in the sign.

Here are the plethora of answers and retorts I got from the security officers:

1. My camera is "sophisticated." It looks professional. Several times they mentioned it was big. Sophisticated, professional and big cameras are NOT allowed. I reread to them the clause in the sign. ALL CAMERAS ALLOWED. I don't know if they heard me but they insisted that if I was to use my camera, I better get a permit.

2. I replied: "Sabi po sa sign na eto, kung kasal, debut or pang commercial/advertisement and kukunan ko, dapat akong kumuha ng permit. Eh hindi ko naman po ginagawa ngayon yun... andito lang ako para mag practice mag photography. I'm taking pictures for myself. Their reply was "hindi namin alam ang tunay mong gustong kunan."

Huh? "Pwede nyo naman po itanong yun. Atska wala naman po akong kasamang model or debutante or ikakasal, why are you assuming I'm shooting something na kailangan permit? Again, no concrete reason given. Basta bawal tripod. Kailangan kumuha muna ng permit pag may tripod.

The assumption is, if you look professional and your gear looks professional, you must be doing commercial work. You need to get a permit.

Incidentally, there was a BF-GF couple shooting before I went to the security office. The guy had his camera on a tripod but he was using it as a sort of gimbal/stabilizer for a video he was shooting his GF. They too got approached by the marshall...because of the tripod!

3. There was this (arrogant) guy who was sitting in a table away from our discussion, he was behind his laptop, suddenly cutting in. "Parang party yan eh! Pag inimbita ka, bubuksan mo ba pati yung ref?! Private property to, hindi basta-basta pwede gawin yung gusto nyo."

Okaaay. I wanted to ask eto ba ang "friendly" in "BGC is Photo Friendly" but decided against it. I just replied, "anlayo na po nyan sa tanong ko, hindi naman po ako pumunta ng party."

Private property, maraming bawal. Then what's with this Photo Friendly sign? I interpreted it as an invitation. Passionate minds can come here in BGC and enjoy photography. Apparently, even after explaining my non-commercial intentions, I cannot practice my kind of picture-taking here.

Read More:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater