Unsuccessful photowalk

[SergeySud]

For 30 years that I am photographing (mostly for myself, not pretending to be professional), the opposition I received today in this shopping center was unprecedented in form and simply stupid in fact.

I’m already used to the fact that the security guards of shopping malls are a bit smarter than the controller of the metal detector frame, so every such visit I start by letting the administration know that I came and that I plan to conduct amateur photography of “public places”. Somewhere they answer me - “no problem”, somewhere they ask to fill out an “application for work”, and then I boldly walking with a “permission” with a round seal.

This time they asked to download a “request from” from website, fill it out and send it by email.

- When will you consider the application?
- As soon as we receive!

Super! Downloaded, filled, sent.

In anticipation of an answer, I shooted cool 480 pictures, communicating with each store’s manager.

Then I called to find out the fate of my requst:

- Well, you call so early! It’s will took 5 working days, but before that, you need to negotiate with each of our tenants, so that the director of each store must wrote and sent us a written request, asking us to allow you to make photos.

I replied that they have more than 500 stores in the mall, and this condition is impossible by definition and meaningless in fact.

After 2 minutes, I was stopped by the guard. I was not given any rules prohibiting amateur photography (I also note that there are no signs of such a ban), but they threatened to apply physical force against me for deportation from the territory of the shopping center in case I take photographs. Then I was given an escort from a security officer and two armed guards in armored vests, for my unhindered exit from the mall.

It was possible, of course, to call a police, because it was 100% unlawful. But I was sorry to lost for the time and nerves, and the futility of further shooting is obvious - I think they would just start to prevent me from make a photos.

So hopelessly stupid is the Advertising Dept of the shopping center. For now many objects in the mall are empty on Maps - no photos, no work hours, even no categories.

It was possible without the expense of money and time to get more than 1000 high-quality images, to improve hundreds of objects. This is so sad.

[YK1001]

Hi @SergeySud ,

Sadly this kind of response from those Mall operators are still not rare in today’s social media climate.

What if people is taking photo by Mobile Phone instead of professional cameras? Will they stop that also?

[ShafiulB]

@SergeySud Hi !!

What a bad experience !! Its really unexpected. Here in Bangladesh we also faced this kind of problem. The new Digital security act 2018 which is the big barrier for the Local Guides activity in the country.

But we are aware about these and try to be safe first then contribute.

Happy Guiding !!

[BruceDM]

Hello @SergeySud

I’m sure you are obeying all local laws but if someone does not wish to have their place photographed, it’s OK to not photograph it. We always encourage Local Guides to follow all local laws and respect privacy when it is asked. People will not always understand your intentions and that is perfectly fine, it is better for you to practice safety in these situations.

[SergeySud]

Hi @YK1001

Even if you taking random photo by SLR camera, the guards do not react. But if to shoot systematically, as I did, (even on mobile phone instead of camera) it causes an incomprehensible reaction of the ban.

As a general rule, they just insist that this is commercial professional photography, although it is not. For professional photography, permission is required, as it creates inconvenience to other visitors (because of light, tripods, overlapping passages, the need to ensure the safety of visitors and staff during these works).

[SergeySud]

Hi @BruceDM ,

You right - always practice safety in these situations. Of course not everywhere we can take pictures! But in respect of public areas, there are special rules - I am under the protection of the law, which allows me to take a pictures in such places.

However, if I plan to take a picture inside a store (not a mall), I always ask permission, and at 99.9% I get it. This gives excellent shots to me and free advertising for the store.

Also I try never to photograph visitors and employees. This requires special techniques, and it takes a lot of time, but in my photos for Maps you almost don’t meet people.

[Csaba]

I don’t even bother with photographing shopping malls for similar reasons (in fact, I extremely rarely go to malls at all). There are so much beauty in small places that it’s fairly enough for me.

[SergeySud]

Hi @Csaba

But the small shops that are located inside the mall are not to blame for the fact that the mall’s management company and the security are so stupid …

[Csaba]

No, of course not, @SergeySud . I actually meant small, “independent” shops from the streets. But if you agree with a shop owner inside a mall, there should (theoretically) not be any issue with that.

[SergeySud]

@Csaba In big cities, small stores have nowhere to place with a separate entrance. Big companies, build huge shopping centers, and if you want to trade in this area, you have to go inside the mall.

---

With 140 thousand visitors per day, this mall is the most visited shopping center in Russia, the second most visited in the world after the Dubai Mall in the UAE. That’s why I found it important to go there to improve the situation with business objects.

Herewith an example before my visit, and after it:

The link to this example https://goo.gl/maps/L2syMSFtYE62

[George1]

Earlier I did this: I went to the police (previously it was the police) section of the district and, if possible, the FSB (KGB), where I wanted to photograph and get acquainted with them. It is still good to have a certificate “Press” and this I have from the federal publishing house. I’m taught to take pictures with different methods, including I can make hidden photos and video.

From 1980 to 1982, I studied at special courses on improvement for photo reports for the media. In my city the police hide from me just in case …

[system]

Unbelievable @SergeySud , u have my support for effort and for trying to make some changes. It is incredible that in today’s world we uncounter to problems and barriers like this. I would be apsolutely outrage in the same situation. I know that in Russia there are a lot of restrictions in laws but have no idea that is this hard - here in Serbia, usually we don’t have any problem at all when taking photos in public. Do u still plan to continue with your goals and plans for photographing ?

[SergeySud]

Hi @user_not_found

Thank you for supporting.

There’s nothing about goverment’s restrictions, there is an issue in heads. Some managers and security guards thinking, that malls and stores are own private places, like a flat or private house, and they can create any restrictions they want. But is not.

On the past week I have passed 3 big malls, included “Central Children Shop”. In the discussed mall I finished 2,5 floors (from 6 in total). I will just ignore this problematic mall in the future. And I’m also informed my local community to avoid from similar activities there.

[MrLens]

Well @SergeySud , its so sad… I guess the size of the mall is partly responsible for their actions. Its hardly any different here in Nigeria too. Here, its safe not to attract too much attention for “Security Reasons”… A clause that can easily be invoked to stop you.

Here, you will hardly attract any attention if you’re taking a selfie with your Phone… this be comes the best strategy… I position my camera and pose for a selfie but use the other camera to snap.