Spotting at the Races

[Stanly]

Hi Folks.
Just returned from a visit to the rather quiet heli-pad at Punchestown races. While trying to take photographs of one of the two helicopters on the pad, I was asked by "stewards" at the pad for a copy of my pass and license to take photographs there! I was outside the blue rope and there were absolutely no signs prohibiting or even mentioning photography at the area - the car park attendants at the race meet just waved me in!

Is there something new here or is there a subtle change in the attitude towards photographing a helicopter in Ireland. Funny enough yesterday evening, the steward (different guy) from the same company actually asked me if I wanted to get closer to the helo!

The thick plottens..................

[Fouga]

I dont think they have any power.

[heligaz]

I think power went to somebodys head, trying to show their authority  . Keep taking photos, unless they own the helicopter they can't stop you taking pictures. 

[Frank]

I think the problem is that the people still using helicopters do not want to be photographed using the helicopters, you know, loans gone into NAMA, hundreds if not thousands of their former workers on the dole, afraid to be seen spending money.

Kind of like the people who were afraid to buy new cars in case the neighbour lost his / her job and resented them for "splashing out" and rubbing their nose in it.

[Stanly]

None of these guys had anything to do with the helicopters! The machines available EI-WAV, EI-NBG and later on EI-FAB were all parked with no punters around. Surely these machines have been photographed before at Punchestown, Cheltenham, Leopardstown and wherever else horses run around fields in circles!

Let's hope they are not there for the air-show (oops! what air-show)!

[Frank]

Hi Folks.
Just returned from a visit to the rather quiet heli-pad at Punchestown races. While trying to take photographs of one of the two helicopters on the pad, I was asked by "stewards" at the pad for a copy of my pass and license to take photographs there! I was outside the blue rope and there were absolutely no signs prohibiting or even mentioning photography at the area - the car park attendants at the race meet just waved me in!

Is there something new here or is there a subtle change in the attitude towards photographing a helicopter in Ireland. Funny enough yesterday evening, the steward (different guy) from the same company actually asked me if I wanted to get closer to the helo!

The thick plottens..................

I think once you enter private property you're on dodgy ground, it's like going to an air show for example, and depending on the air show of course, but some shows demand copyright over all pictures or a cut of any profits made...