Legality with doing a car shot in a parking lot

[taemo]

Out of curiosity for the car photographers out there, do you contact the security/management of a building if you intend to do a car shoot at their location?
I've done some shots up top of the Impark lot by 7th ave/2nd st SW but this was just by myself.

Also, the Chinook meets, does the organizer pay to set a meet at that parking lot or not?

What if there's 6-8 of you and 2-3 cars?

[gogreen]

It is my understanding that if the property is accessible for public use (not fenced or otherwise locked, obviously) then it is generally legal to shoot there until security or management asks you to leave. If you don't comply I believe they are within their rights to call the police and have you removed.

I think the larger the group, the greater chance that you'll attract the attention of security, so clearing it with management beforehand could save some headaches later on (i.e. prevent you from having to pack up and leave in the middle of the shoot).

[Davex]

I've done shoots in dozens and dozens and dozens of parking lots and parkades, and different property. The only time I ever got kicked out was the parkade off 9th ave and 9th street. Security there pushed my flash over while I was shooting scats bmw and kloubeks audi. other than that its always a positive experience. Lots of property owners have actually taken my business card and hired me back to do shoots of their own cars. Just dont trash the lot and respect it like your own and nobody will have an issue with you.

[Little Dragon]

^ Any parking lots in particular that have nice views?
We want to try out parking lot/parkade shoots.

[Davex]

Originally posted by Little Dragon
^ Any parking lots in particular that have nice views?
We want to try out parking lot/parkade shoots.

Here I'll hook you guys up with an amazing location that can be used for a good 3-5 different photos/angles. Maxbell arena after 6pm, or on the weekend. Unobstructed view of calgary skyline, plus a ton of other cool shit around it. I've used it a couple time

these are all pics i did at maxbell, i love this location because you can take multiple cars there and do multiple angles without it feeling over used.

[taemo]

^thanks for the tip, yes Max Bell arena was one of the spots I was thinking of as well, also looking for some loading dock like places.
Also Ramsay area with the Saddledome view.
I want to do some underground parking lot shots too though kinda like what you and mbolt have been posting

[Kloubek]

Yeah, those security guys were kinda cocksuckers weren't they?

[D'z Nutz]

Legally speaking (and this goes for just about any shoot location), unless you have business being in the lot (READ: paid parking), they are completely in their rights to kick you out if they want to. Don't fool yourself into thinking just cause there's public access you're free to use it as you please. It's still private property and it's still a business and if you're not there on business, you're trespassing.

Now realistically, most people running the lots probably won't care especially if it's during off hours and you're not interfering with business (ie: people who are actually paying to park there) and you're not causing damage or making a mess. If you're shooting anything important that can't be interrupted or cut short if they do decide to kick you out, it's always best to seek permission first. If you're just screwing around with your camera, some cars, and some buddies it's probably not a big deal, but getting permission would still be a nice courtesy. Remember, it only takes one person to ruin it for others.

There were a couple shoots where I was scoping out parking lot locations and they were all pretty cool about it when I told them what I was doing and I assured them it was going to be done off-hours when the lots were empty and it wouldn't conflict with business. The only time I was told "no" was when the lot was undergoing renovations, but the lot manager would've otherwise let me.

And if you do get permission, make sure you get the name and contact information of the manager who gives it to you. I was doing a shoot at a mall once and some security guards with a superiority complex tried to end my shoot before it started. As soon as I mentioned his supervisor's name, the smirk on his face disappeared.

[soccernut]

OP, check out beacon hill behind the Canadian Tire. It's a nice spot over looking the city

[DEATH2000]

Originally posted by D'z Nutz
And if you do get permission, make sure you get the name and contact information of the manager who gives it to you. I was doing a shoot at a mall once and some security guards with a superiority complex tried to end my shoot before it started. As soon as I mentioned his supervisor's name, the smirk on his face disappeared.

Was this at Chinook?

[D'z Nutz]

Originally posted by DEATH2000

Was this at Chinook?

No. Why? Are you a security guard there? Haha

[Davex]

Originally posted by D'z Nutz


No. Why? Are you a security guard there? Haha

I actually was doing a shoot at the upperlevel chinook parkade and then before i know it security was harassing me. it was "shlade" I think?? He said he saw somebody shooting a silver challenger on the security cam and that he had just checked out my facebook photo page to see i was shooting a silver challenger and came and shot the shit with me for a good half hour. Beyonders are everywhere

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah, you don't normally get hassled, but it's best to get in contact with whoever owns/manages it beforehand just in case, especially for parkades. I've never been kicked out, but I did have security guys show up once because they thought we were the people filming the He-Man themed porno they'd kicked out the previous week.

[kvg]

Heman porno Thats awesome.

I think like D'z said getting permission can help, but if you don't and are asked to leave, just be polite and roll out.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by kvg
Heman porno Thats awesome.

It was a pretty bizarre conversation. Apparently he walked into the parkade and there was a small film crew and a lady sucking off a guy dressed as Skeletor.

Guerrilla pornography enthusiasts, what can ya do.

[D'z Nutz]

Haha I guess it's better than walking in and finding them doing stuff with a green painted tiger. I wonder what it was called. "By the Power of Greyskullfucked" has a nice ring to it.

[kvg]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


Guerrilla pornography enthusiasts, what can ya do.

I could think of worse hobbies, I guess

[lison]

I went with 3 cars at chinook once and all the security guards did was ask us to drive carefully and not hit anything.