Did you know that you had to register your camera?

[Lecter]

Discuss!

[dr.placebo]

Yes, you register your camera. It's pretty painless, and as far as I can tell the intentions are good: make it harder for the "Girls Gone Wild" types to make a buck off of the event. The wording of the agreement is a bit peculiar, since clearly the BM site itself has a lot of "personal use" pix posted. I also post a bunch for free sharing, as do hundreds of other burner photographers (no I did not count them).

It's a hassle, but I can't think of better way to suppress the commercial misuse of BM images.

BTW, I think that the LLC made a mistake with the Discovery Times affair, but that's mostly a different issue.

[Blade]

Is there a new rule, or is this about having to register video-capable equipment?

(As far as "Media Mecca"- that's *just* for the media- otherwise, you just sign a slip and get a little tag for your video-capable camera right at the greeter station when they're giving you the map and stuff.)

[mlk]

Is this a trick question? I think you only have to register video cameras.

If you are not taking the photos for personal use then you have to register your still camera and video camera.

[dr.placebo]

Sorry, I was inexact. The current rule for a "video" camera is in this link

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/video_cameras.html

where it says "This includes all digital still cameras that are capable of capturing a few seconds of video." This applies to MANY recent digital cameras, and it applied to one of the two cameras I brought.

I also did a bit of work for the Black Rock Beacon, so I also registered my pure still camera, but as far as I know that would not be required for exclusively personal use.

Slightly off topic, there's an interesting quote in

http://afterburn.burningman.com/01/admin/government.html

"The truth will set you free." Larry likes to say, "but only if a camera's rolling."

[Blade]

I also registered my pure still camera, but as far as I know that would not be required for exclusively personal use.

Yeah, unless the rule's changed it's *only* either video-capable or for media use- regular still cameras aren't included.

(Last time I did a greeter shift, anyway- of course it could have changed by now, but it doesn't seem as though it would have reason to - ?)

[DaBomb]

This from the Burning Man FAQ's Website:

http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/about_burningman/faq_what_is.html

Q. What is the policy on taking pictures?

A. Film and video cameras are forbidden without permission. All video cameras must be registered and tagged. This is to protect the privacy of participants and artists alike. Use Agreement forms for personal video cameras will be available upon arrival at the Gate, the Greeter's Station or Playa Info. If you are considering filming or videotaping for professional purposes, you must have a commercial agreement on file with the Media Team prior to your arrival onsite. Commercial use of images taken at Burning Man without permission is subject to cunning legal action and punishable by death. This includes amateurs and professionals who capture images. Click here for further information: http://www.burningman.com/press/

[Flamingo]

Actually you don't have to register personal still photo cameras:

Guidelines for filming, video and still photography of the event

The easiest way to determine whether you have to register your camera is as follows: All video cameras must be registered and have a tag attached to them. If your digital camera can record even a few seconds of motion imagery, it is considered a video camera.
If you are taking photos or shooting video only to show your friends and family, you must register your video camera by filling out a Personal Use Agreement at Playa Info in Center Camp. You do not have to register your still photo camera if you are just shooting for friends and family.


http://www.burningman.com/press/pressRandR.html

[Scout]

I took a camera the first year I went to the burn, which is strange for me because I never take pictures of anything. After that I took my mind and memory (like I didn't take my mind the first year). When I'm gone those memories will be gone, just the way I like it.

[Regyna LongLank]

hmmm...when i did the greeter shift we registered any and all cameras, digital , 35mm and video, regardless of intended appication...of course i myself did not bother to register the disposable cameras i brought ;) with me