mock26 (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mock26) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} chicago_el,@ 2007-11-28 20:05:00 |
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A day in the life of the CTA!
I am declaring that Wednesday, December 5th, is the date for "A day in the life of the CTA!" This endeavor is modeled after the old National Geographic series of books, "A Day in the Life of...." If you don't remember those books hundreds of photographers would head off to some country, such as Japan or Russia or America, and over the course of one day would take pictures all over that country to get a snapshot of everyday life. I would like to do something like that with the CTA. So, grab your cameras and take some pictures. Take a lot of pictures! Take pictures of just about everything that has to do with the CTA.
Before everyone goes running off to do this, though, some words of caution. First, here is the official CTA policy on taking pictures:
http://www.yourcta.com/news/whatsnew2.w
The general public is allowed to take snapshots in public areas.
Equipment such as lighting, tripods, cables, etc. is not allowed – except in instances where commercial and professional photographers enter into contractual agreements with CTA.
Photographers are not allowed to enter or photograph non-public areas of CTA stations.
Photographers are prohibited from obstructing transit operations, interfering with customers and blocking doors or stairs.
CTA personnel may evaluate the actions of photographers on a case by case basis to determine if a photographer is in compliance with guidelines. If a determination is made that the photographer is not in compliance, CTA personnel may ask them to stop.
Print this out and carry it with you. If an employee asks you to stop then please put your camera away and show them the above printed policy. If they still insist that you not take pictures don't push the issue. Respect their wishes, even if they are in the wrong. It just isn't worth the effort to argue with them, especially as the police might get involved.
Second, and I'm quoting chithirdrail, "You just can't interfere with transit operations (i.e. NO FLASH TOWARD ONCOMING BUSES OR TRAINS--it really is a dangerous thing to do to a person operating these multi-ton vehicles, and besides, flash photography is usually ugly), you can't go into non-revenue areas (no trespassing), and can't have any professional equipment (even if it doesn't impede on anything, it's a sign you might be there for non-personal reasons). It also appears you can't take photos of non-public spaces (if you go to the end of the platform and are snapping into the subway tubes, you might be in violation, technically, if not at least suspicious-looking enough to prompt a hassle)."
Third, show common courtesy to your fellow passengers. They might not want to have their picture taken, and while you may be allowed to take pictures respect those around you. If they look upset or angry then put the camera away and go elsewhere. If they get really angry then seek out an employee for assistance.
Fourth, use common sense! If you are in doubt as to whether or not you should take a picture, then don't take the picture. If you are in doubt as to whether or not you can take a picture, then don't take the picture. We are lucky that the CTA allows passengers to take pictures. Let's not do anything to make them want to change their minds.
Fifth, stay safe! Don't do anything stupid. Don't do anything dangerous. Don't do anything illegal. Your personal safety is infinitely more important than a picture. Use your head, folks.
Sixth, have fun!
Now, I know that a lot of people won't be able to participate on this particular date, and while I would love to keep this true to the old National Geographic books, I'm expanding this to be an entire week. Do everything within your power to participate on December 5th, buf if you cannot then pick another day within three days of the 5ht (from December 2nd - 8th) and use that as your day of photography. Please limit your participation to one day, though. I would like to keep this somewhat true to the title of this endeavor.
The gold of this little endeavor is to peek into the everyday life of the CTA. Be sure to try and get pictures of everyday aspects that we take for granted, such as someone reading, or the bustle of rush hour, someone pulling a stop request cord, someone paying their fair, and everything else. Find greatness in the little moments that make up life on the CTA. Remember that this is a celebration of the CTA.
When you are done, go through your photos and pick a few that you like the best, and post them to flickr. I have created a group over a flickr called CTA_Photo_Day. It is a public group that is open to everyone. Join the group and post your pictures. If possible please Geotag your photos! But, don't post anything until December 5th!
Edit: Mr. K.O., the creator of the CTA Tattler website, has asked that if it is possible he would like people to cross post these pics on this flickr group, which is called Chicago Transit Authority.
It would also be greatly appreciated if people were to cross post this to their own LiveJournals to spread the word out even more!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them below. And if you are interested there have been two other discussions on this. You can find them here and here.
Finally, spread the word! Get the word out to other groups such Chicagoist, Gapers Block, CTA Tattler, and any other that you know of. (Edit: I have posted over at CTA Tattler and sent the host an e-mail about this topic.)
Take care and have a great day....
ciao,
john.
PS If any of the more talented photogs out there have advice on taking pictures, especially of taking pictures at night without a flash, please post them here for everyone!
PPS Please, NO old pictures! Even if you have some great pictures from the past, please, DO NOT POST THEM! Only post pictures taken specifically for this fun experiment.
I am declaring that Wednesday, December 5th, is the date for "A day in the life of the CTA!" This endeavor is modeled after the old National Geographic series of books, "A Day in the Life of...." If you don't remember those books hundreds of photographers would head off to some country, such as Japan or Russia or America, and over the course of one day would take pictures all over that country to get a snapshot of everyday life. I would like to do something like that with the CTA. So, grab your cameras and take some pictures. Take a lot of pictures! Take pictures of just about everything that has to do with the CTA.
Before everyone goes running off to do this, though, some words of caution. First, here is the official CTA policy on taking pictures:
http://www.yourcta.com/news/whatsnew2.w
The general public is allowed to take snapshots in public areas.
Equipment such as lighting, tripods, cables, etc. is not allowed – except in instances where commercial and professional photographers enter into contractual agreements with CTA.
Photographers are not allowed to enter or photograph non-public areas of CTA stations.
Photographers are prohibited from obstructing transit operations, interfering with customers and blocking doors or stairs.
CTA personnel may evaluate the actions of photographers on a case by case basis to determine if a photographer is in compliance with guidelines. If a determination is made that the photographer is not in compliance, CTA personnel may ask them to stop.
Print this out and carry it with you. If an employee asks you to stop then please put your camera away and show them the above printed policy. If they still insist that you not take pictures don't push the issue. Respect their wishes, even if they are in the wrong. It just isn't worth the effort to argue with them, especially as the police might get involved.
Second, and I'm quoting chithirdrail, "You just can't interfere with transit operations (i.e. NO FLASH TOWARD ONCOMING BUSES OR TRAINS--it really is a dangerous thing to do to a person operating these multi-ton vehicles, and besides, flash photography is usually ugly), you can't go into non-revenue areas (no trespassing), and can't have any professional equipment (even if it doesn't impede on anything, it's a sign you might be there for non-personal reasons). It also appears you can't take photos of non-public spaces (if you go to the end of the platform and are snapping into the subway tubes, you might be in violation, technically, if not at least suspicious-looking enough to prompt a hassle)."
Third, show common courtesy to your fellow passengers. They might not want to have their picture taken, and while you may be allowed to take pictures respect those around you. If they look upset or angry then put the camera away and go elsewhere. If they get really angry then seek out an employee for assistance.
Fourth, use common sense! If you are in doubt as to whether or not you should take a picture, then don't take the picture. If you are in doubt as to whether or not you can take a picture, then don't take the picture. We are lucky that the CTA allows passengers to take pictures. Let's not do anything to make them want to change their minds.
Fifth, stay safe! Don't do anything stupid. Don't do anything dangerous. Don't do anything illegal. Your personal safety is infinitely more important than a picture. Use your head, folks.
Sixth, have fun!
Now, I know that a lot of people won't be able to participate on this particular date, and while I would love to keep this true to the old National Geographic books, I'm expanding this to be an entire week. Do everything within your power to participate on December 5th, buf if you cannot then pick another day within three days of the 5ht (from December 2nd - 8th) and use that as your day of photography. Please limit your participation to one day, though. I would like to keep this somewhat true to the title of this endeavor.
The gold of this little endeavor is to peek into the everyday life of the CTA. Be sure to try and get pictures of everyday aspects that we take for granted, such as someone reading, or the bustle of rush hour, someone pulling a stop request cord, someone paying their fair, and everything else. Find greatness in the little moments that make up life on the CTA. Remember that this is a celebration of the CTA.
When you are done, go through your photos and pick a few that you like the best, and post them to flickr. I have created a group over a flickr called CTA_Photo_Day. It is a public group that is open to everyone. Join the group and post your pictures. If possible please Geotag your photos! But, don't post anything until December 5th!
Edit: Mr. K.O., the creator of the CTA Tattler website, has asked that if it is possible he would like people to cross post these pics on this flickr group, which is called Chicago Transit Authority.
It would also be greatly appreciated if people were to cross post this to their own LiveJournals to spread the word out even more!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them below. And if you are interested there have been two other discussions on this. You can find them here and here.
Finally, spread the word! Get the word out to other groups such Chicagoist, Gapers Block, CTA Tattler, and any other that you know of. (Edit: I have posted over at CTA Tattler and sent the host an e-mail about this topic.)
Take care and have a great day....
ciao,
john.
PS If any of the more talented photogs out there have advice on taking pictures, especially of taking pictures at night without a flash, please post them here for everyone!
PPS Please, NO old pictures! Even if you have some great pictures from the past, please, DO NOT POST THEM! Only post pictures taken specifically for this fun experiment.
