Las Vegas Pics Tips & Tricks

Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?
Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.
Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

Thanks,
Veritas

veritas wrote:
Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?
Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.
Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

Thanks,
Veritas



A lady friend used to work at the Mirage as a bar hop. She told me none
of the casinos openly allow amateur photogs to roam about unfettered,
but if you get prior permission from the floor manager, for a limited
area appointment and NO FLASH, you could get lucky. Otherwise, don't
even think of attempting to circumvent this floor rule, you'd be noticed
in a blink by the really pleasant surveillance people and you'll be out
on your can. No, they can't confiscate your gear, but they can make you
wish they would while they escort you to the curb.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Jer wrote:

veritas wrote:

Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?
Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.
Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

Thanks, Veritas



A lady friend used to work at the Mirage as a bar hop. She told me none
of the casinos openly allow amateur photogs to roam about unfettered,
but if you get prior permission from the floor manager, for a limited
area appointment and NO FLASH, you could get lucky. Otherwise, don't
even think of attempting to circumvent this floor rule, you'd be noticed
in a blink by the really pleasant surveillance people and you'll be out
on your can. No, they can't confiscate your gear, but they can make you
wish they would while they escort you to the curb.


Why is this myth still so popular and repeated so often ?

Take your pictures anywhere you want, if a casino has a problem
they will politely ask you to stop. No one will confiscate your
camera, no one will throw you out unless you continue after you've
been asked to stop. If you don't believe me maybe you'll believe
the proof, follow the link below for many pictures taken in many
different casinos in Las Vegas.


--
Brian K

For Brian K's Las Vegas & Pictures Go To.......
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/3591/

Americans For Fair Taxation
http://www.fairtax.org/
Spread the word .......

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Brian K wrote:
Jer wrote:

veritas wrote:

Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?
Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.
Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

Thanks, Veritas



A lady friend used to work at the Mirage as a bar hop. She told me
none of the casinos openly allow amateur photogs to roam about
unfettered, but if you get prior permission from the floor manager,
for a limited area appointment and NO FLASH, you could get lucky.
Otherwise, don't even think of attempting to circumvent this floor
rule, you'd be noticed in a blink by the really pleasant surveillance
people and you'll be out on your can. No, they can't confiscate your
gear, but they can make you wish they would while they escort you to
the curb.



Why is this myth still so popular and repeated so often ?

Take your pictures anywhere you want, if a casino has a problem
they will politely ask you to stop. No one will confiscate your
camera, no one will throw you out unless you continue after you've
been asked to stop. If you don't believe me maybe you'll believe
the proof, follow the link below for many pictures taken in many
different casinos in Las Vegas.


I agree with Brian. I've never been asked to stop taking pictures in a
casino. Of course I don't aim the camera at a full BJ table. Only time
you get beat up in a casino is when you win too much. Or so i've heard...
Denny in Mass

Brian K wrote:
Jer wrote:

veritas wrote:

Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?
Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.
Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

Thanks, Veritas



A lady friend used to work at the Mirage as a bar hop. She told me
none of the casinos openly allow amateur photogs to roam about
unfettered, but if you get prior permission from the floor manager,
for a limited area appointment and NO FLASH, you could get lucky.
Otherwise, don't even think of attempting to circumvent this floor
rule, you'd be noticed in a blink by the really pleasant surveillance
people and you'll be out on your can. No, they can't confiscate your
gear, but they can make you wish they would while they escort you to
the curb.


Why is this myth still so popular and repeated so often ?

Take your pictures anywhere you want, if a casino has a problem
they will politely ask you to stop. No one will confiscate your
camera, no one will throw you out unless you continue after you've
been asked to stop. If you don't believe me maybe you'll believe
the proof, follow the link below for many pictures taken in many
different casinos in Las Vegas.




Okay, you do a vacation trip for a few days, I did too, but since a
casino is private property, I asked and got permission, and on the
contingency that no other patron complained. One finally did, and I was
politely asked to cease and desist. I did. It's not a big deal unless
you like getting kicked out on your can. I don't. According to my
friend, the no flash rule was at the Mirage, which is where I was. It
wouldn't surprise me if this was prevalent at the other places, I don't
like flash either. Oh, your proof is currently broken, too.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

"Jer" wrote in message
...
Brian K wrote:
Jer wrote:

veritas wrote:

Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?
Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.
Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

Thanks, Veritas



A lady friend used to work at the Mirage as a bar hop. She told me none
of the casinos openly allow amateur photogs to roam about unfettered,
but if you get prior permission from the floor manager, for a limited
area appointment and NO FLASH, you could get lucky. Otherwise, don't
even think of attempting to circumvent this floor rule, you'd be noticed
in a blink by the really pleasant surveillance people and you'll be out
on your can. No, they can't confiscate your gear, but they can make you
wish they would while they escort you to the curb.


Why is this myth still so popular and repeated so often ?

Take your pictures anywhere you want, if a casino has a problem
they will politely ask you to stop. No one will confiscate your
camera, no one will throw you out unless you continue after you've
been asked to stop. If you don't believe me maybe you'll believe
the proof, follow the link below for many pictures taken in many
different casinos in Las Vegas.




Okay, you do a vacation trip for a few days, I did too, but since a casino
is private property, I asked and got permission, and on the contingency
that no other patron complained. One finally did, and I was politely
asked to cease and desist. I did. It's not a big deal unless you like
getting kicked out on your can. I don't. According to my friend, the no
flash rule was at the Mirage, which is where I was. It wouldn't surprise
me if this was prevalent at the other places, I don't like flash either.
Oh, your proof is currently broken, too.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

I think we need to see about getting this one on the ballot. I have the
RIGHT to take pictures in a PUBLIC place. WHO do they think they are saying
I can take flash photos. Haven't they ever heard of the Constitution or the
Civil Rights Act? I may have to call my congressman! Or better yet, Nancy
Pelosi!

veritas wrote:
Hello!

This is my annual Las Vegas digital photography cross-post to both
alt.vacation.las-vegas and rec.photo.digital.

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

when I shoot night shots a tripod is nice but I have learned also to
hold the camera still. I underexpose night shots then manually bring up
the gamma so lights do not get saturated.

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?

For example, shooting the Rio Carnival. Stay away from the tables.
Slots are more relaxed.

Where is it frown upon? A polite warning with a smile.

I got a NO doing my Camcorder at the LVH, and it was in the restuarant
section. Mostly because there was hardly any body there, I was picked
out.
Don't linger. Know how to preset camera and do quick shots.

Where can you get in a couple then they get real mad (threats but no
action)?
Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

I was threatned to have my Camcorder confiscated at a free concert on
the downtown streets. The woman really irritated me, was outright
nasty. I don't think she had any right to do this, but it happened.
What do yo think of my Bellagio shots?
http://www.pitt.edu/~szekeres/vegas.htm



Thanks,
Veritas

My other problem is where it's OK to take casino pics:
Where is it OK all the time with no worry?

I occasionally ask either a "suit" or a uniformed security guard what
the policy of the casino is. I'm doing a cut-paste of the comments I
have at the end of the post here.

Where do they confiscate your memory/camera and kick you out (can they
steal your property?)?

IANAL, but those who are say "NO" they cannot legally confiscate your
personal property but they can kick you out. You might want to check
the Krages book, _Photography_And_The_Law_ or something like that. Any
libe or bookstore should have it. I found it on the shelf of the local
B&N.

Anyway ...

On the past several trips, I made a point to ask at the casinos we
visited to see what their photo policy was. I always asked a uniformed
security person or else a "suit", so I would be sure I was getting the
actual policy and not somebody's whim.
.. . . . .

Sahara: "Well, you're really not supposed to, but ..."
.. . .

Sam's Town: "Over here by the machines is fine, don't shoot the pit."
.. . .

Green Valley Ranch: NO! Very emphatic. He said that some of the
other Station properties do let you do it.
.. . .

Gold Coast: "With you and your friends by the machines is fine, don't
get other people in the background. The pit is off limits."
.. . .

Westward Ho: No! (Kind of a moot point now ...)
.. . .

Slots-A-Fun: "No tables, no cage, anywhere else is fine."
.. . .

Stardust: Long discourse about how the pit, cage, showroom and sports
book are a no-no, but about anywhere else is ok. War story about how
the
cage was robbed a couple years back, so if they see you photograph the
cage, they may get nasty. (Kind of moot too ...)
.. . .

Imperial Palace: No tables, no cage, no flash. Some entertainment may
be restricted. Be considerate.
.. . .

Wynn: Very snooty answer from suit type floorperson:

Me: What is your policy on photos here?

FP: Oh, the same as in all of the better casinos.

Me: What is that.

FP: {condescending look} No gaming, all else is ok.
.. . .

South Coast: "Media only, with prior arrangements."
.. . .

Rio: Guard took me aside for a grand tour of what could and could not
be photographed ... said while pointing ... "Machines ok, no tables, no
cage, no personal shots of the photos with showgirls. You are
encouraged
to take photos of the show in the sky."

My major problem is night shots of the Bellagio Fountains -help!

I don't know if this will help, but here's what I've tried for the
Bellagio fountains. I still don't have it to the point that I have any
of the Bellagio fountains that I want to display. Some of them are "OK"
(I think we can do better than that!) but don't rate the Charles Atlas
Seal Of Approval.

I use a manual film camera, usually a Canon GIII, for the Las Vegas
night shots, and almost always Fuji 800 film. Kodak 800 gives me a
dirty and gritty image compared to the Fuji, and the now-discontinued
Walgreens/Agfa 800 was downright nasty! You can probably get good
results with digital, but you'll need to set the ISO high, like at 800
or even 1600, and set exposure to manual, and I suggest 1/30 or 1/60.

I'll either handhold at 1/60 or 1/30, or use my purse as a makeshift
beanbag and go 1/15. You'll see people there with tripods, but I
consider those to be a pain, plus I think 1/30 is about as slow as you
want to go for fountains. For waterfalls, you get that "bridal veil"
look shooting slower, but for fountains you want some stop-action.

Anyway, a couple of my attempts are on these pages:

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas3/
http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas9/

The Bellagio shots are down quite a bit on both pages.

Hope this helps.

I agree with Brian. I've never been asked to stop taking pictures in a
casino.

I was once. Ironically it was the Westward Ho, shortly before they
closed. I was shooting outside, the facade and those umbrella things,
and I stepped inside and started composing.

A security guy was on me in seconds. He was incredibly apologetic and
very courteous, but he did ask me to not shoot inside. I didn't. He
apologized over and over.

The WH outside shots that night are he

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas6/