Taking photos at central

DavidB · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:29 pm

parraeel · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:32 pm

Why did you go through all of that "hassle"? You probably could have left and returned later. By the way, if I notice people taking photos and or movies at my station, it doesn't worry me one bit. Doesn't happen often where I work but.

Eleven Mile · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:51 pm

biqua · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:31 pm

M636C · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:46 pm

To reiterate what I said earlier, perhaps with amplification, the first junior assistant did go away for advice, and I said that I would be on the platform taking my photographs. When the second assistant arrived, I went to the SM's office directly with him as agreed.

Nothing I did was in any way suspicious. I had my camera in view at all times, and I offered to show them the images. At no stage did they ask to see what items of rolling stock or infrastructure I had photographed.

It was clear that they were not in the slightest concerned about security because they never checked my ticket and never asked my name or what I wanted to use the photographs for.

And remember that I had already been taking photos in the station for about an hour on platforms 1, 2 and 3, without anyone, staff or passengers even looking at me.

As long as I was only planning to bomb Countrylink services, nobody cared!

I tried to initiate discussions about my name, identity and purpose both with the second assistant and the SM but it was clear that they weren't interested. They didn't even want me to leave. All they wanted was for me to stop taking photographs.

One conclusion from this, viewed impassionately, might be that they, CityRail Central, (not me) had something to hide.

This was not staff reacting sensibly to a perceived threat. This was an inconsistent and slipshod response to a perfectly normal activity.

I have been taking photographs at Sydney Terminal and Central for more than forty years, and this was the first time that anyone even suggested that I should ask for permission.

M636C

biqua · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:36 pm

I really don't think you did anything technically wrong M636C, and I think the staff handled it very badly, so I don't want to to think I think otherwise. It just seemed from the first account you took a slightly more stand-offish approach, hence my comments.

The forty years comment certainly does make you think though, not to mention the fact you could prove your photos were published, but they took no interest. Confused

http://biqua.fotopic.net/

Recent updates:
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greenkayaker · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:46 pm

Duno what to say about all this at Central, except that the staff seem to be on a power trip. No policy or warnings have been issued about rabid photographers on stations!!! Hell, half of the staff I know carry cameras to work with them. I do. M, I think that you should go and speak to PR or media unit and try and get a sensible answer. I wonder if you were there with an offduty employee taking pics if you would both be chased off or if there are 2 sets of rules....

And then?????? Mwa ha ha ha!

doridori · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:37 am

Ron_D · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:50 am

doridori · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:21 am

of course theyre not allowed to do it, yet that doesnt stop them trying does it !!!

joe · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:27 am

Hi All.

I have never had any problems at Central and have not asked but if
there were a Station Master on Duty that felt threatened by My presence
Then I would explain My self and ask is OK now if I take some photos
on Your Station.

The only 2 places I ever had trouble were Redfern and Olympic Park.
Redfern was 2004 when 3112 and 3526 were going to Valley Heights.
I went to Clyde to photograph them and the Station Master there was
good enough to let Me know that they were delayed due to the derailment
in Everleigh.Upon being told this My Son Myself and 3 other Mates decided
to catch the train to Redfern to see the trains coming from Everleigh to
Central.( Good in theory did not happen as their Trains were in Central
and the Engines came up through the Engine Dive)
There was a Station Assistant came down on to Platform 1 and said We
were not allowed to take photos on His Platform! So We all went up onto
The overhead concourse and I suggested We go and talk to the Station
Master which We did.The Station Master on hearing what his Station
Assistant said,Was not impressed and said We could take as many photos
as We like as it was not so and so's B_____ Station. He wanted us to sign a visitors book but after informing Him We had tickets and showed Him,
He said no need to sign the book.Did We get any photos? Yes
but only of the Engines running up out of the Engine Dive from Platform 2.

But wait there is more after the Engines had gone into Central We proceeded back up the stairs to go to Platform 4 as to catch a train back to Clyde.
At the top of the stairs We were again accosted by Grey Ghosts which had
been talking to the Station Assistant He was upset that We had permission
from the real Boss Man of the Station at that time in history,They thought
they would put there ten cents worth in.( Thats about all it was worth )
One of them tried to tell My Son to wait were He was walked up to Him and started to question Him.
I turned and went back a few steps and told My Son to hurry up as the train was arriving in the Platform,Then I pointed
to the Station Masters office and said You want to question someone Go
and talk to The Station Master and He will put You straight,We have a
train to catch. Having said this I had been to Redfern on many occasions before and never had an once of trouble the staff had always
been very helpful even to the extent that one morning they informed Me
that 3801 would not be on the main line as there was a signal failure at MacTown and would be on the suburban.

Olympic Park was a different story it happened when 8646 was tabled to
run through back in 2002.The Station Master on Duty was quite adamant
that He would not let us onto the platforms and even had a grey ghost that
was in His office come out a tell us We were not allowed to take photos.
But He made a goose of Himself by trying to say that it would not be
happening as the train was running 2 hours late,I then said something
like oh well We must have been photographing a ghost as We had
followed a train down the coast and back again and it has 8646 on the front,and that it was actually running dead on time if not a little early.
Then I said He could keep His station and left.

I must add here that at the time of the 150th the Station Master at Olympic Park was more than helpful.

I have been to several other stations in the Metropolitan area and not had an once of trouble.

Cheers
Joe.

Shunter

banko_boy · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:09 am

Interesting story there Joe. Good to hear the Redfern SM was a good guy.

I once had a fat smeg stationmistress at Richmond who said I couldn't take photos. The argument lasted about 5 minutes and she couldn't provide any proof that I was not allowed to take photos. Makes ya wonder!

WaterfallDJ · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:24 am

What is this photo paranoia anyway?

What would a terrorist do with them anyway? Get a voodoo doctor to stick pins in them after a sacred ritual?

Some people really are thick Kill Me

DavidB · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:26 am

biqua · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:51 pm