By Laurie Niles: I've checked: the official rules barring cell phone pictures and video remain in place at most classical venues that I visit. But the reality all around me tells a completely different story.
During concerts, people take plentiful cell phone pictures and video. For example, watching Ray Chen and Julio Elizalde's recital at Disney Hall last week, I witnessed someone directly in front of me capture their performance of three encore pieces, in their entirety, on their cell phone. Likewise, the picture snapping and video capture was everywhere, throughout.
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Every day on my social media feed - particularly Instagram and Facebook, I see dozens of photos and videos capturing performances by famous violinists. Of course, I'm happy that people went to a live performance and feel excited about sharing. "Wow, look at this amazing performance I just saw!" I wouldn't want to dampen that kind of enthusiasm.
Ironically, when I go to review a concert, I'm strictly forbidden from taking any photos from the audience and posting them - even one while they are bowing (ie not mid-performance). I can use photos from the performance only if an official photographer hired by the orchestra or venue took them (which is almost never the case!).
A lot of the time, the orchestra's union agreement actually forbids the pictures. But certainly, the rules are clear, in the program.
So what should orchestras, artists and venues do? Should we allow unlimited photo and video capture and sharing? I have been to a few concerts where that was explicitly the case ("Take all the pictures and video you want!).
I'll say, it is also a little distracting to see a bunch of glowing screens while watching a concert - a little like when I went to see the Mona Lisa and saw a sea of various-size screens all vying for a picture - it seemed like no one was just using their own eyeballs and human presence to witness the art. Why be there in person - is it just to capture a picture?
These are my philosophical meanderings on the topic- what are yours? Do you take photos or video at concerts (don't lie, I see your feeds!) And furthermore, does it seem okay to do so these days? As an artist, are you okay with that? Or is it simply a violation? As an audience member, why do we want to do this? As someone organizing concerts, are rules enforceable these days? Are there rules that would be workable, that allow some kind of limited capture? Please participate in the vote, and then please share your thoughts.
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