Ohio Stadium. Photo Ben French
According to OhioStateBuckeyes.com, the official website of Ohio State University Athletics, cameras are permitted in Ohio Stadium. However, cameras with detachable lenses are prohibited. At no time may photography interfere with other guests. These rules seemed reasonable and easy to follow. After years of covering the Buckeyes from the sidelines I never found my way to the top of the stadium to get some full stadium panorama shots. I wanted to take advantage of the photo-stitch function on my Canon G10 to take some shots of the stadium. This function allows you to line up a succession of photos in a row to be put together in photoshop to create one photo. The rainy game against Illinois on Saturday, September 26, was a decent day to shoot besides the rain.
At halftime I made my way to the north end of the stadium with my non-detachable lens camera. Found a good spot on C Deck where people have cleared out due to the rain. It was a great spot to sit and line up my shots. Members of the band actually even came up and played some tunes to some of the remaining student fans. It was a good spot to shoot and not get in anyones way.
Photo Ben French
Until one of the ushers decided to flex his muscle. I and most other photographers in the city and state have always had a hard time with Ohio State ushers. And I thought that I was DONE dealing with these guys. They are notorious for giving photographers a hard time to get the shots they need to service the community and most importantly, the kids. I mean, I’ve had easier times covering The President, than I have covering the Gahanna Lincoln High School graduation at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
Don't take photos at Ohio Stadium for too long or "This Guy" will confiscate your camera.
Anyway, one of the ushers felt the need to approach me and ask to see my ticket. Being soaked from the rain, I kind of fumbled around looking for it as it was falling apart in my pocket. He then said, “You’ve been taking pictures for TOO long, you need to stop.” I was kind of confused and angry that he felt the need to worry about what I was doing. He then Said “You’re lucky I don’t confiscate your camera!” Which tested me again. I kept my cool, then told him that there is no way he would touch me or my personal property. I then went back to my seat to watch the rest of the game.
I guess this just turned into a rant entry and I don’t want that to reoccur often on this site. I just don’t understand why people feel the need to abuse their power when put authoritative positions. I guess some people feel the need to power trip and be rude when they have no other say in their real life. What kind of country do we live in when the guy making $8.50 an hour part time believes he can confiscate your personal property?
Did you flex your muscles at any point during this encounter?
preach it!!!! i can never figure out these guys either