Thrown out of Ramsey House in Knoxville

railwayman3 · Jul 9, 2009

hoffy said:
The "<insert appropriate profanity here> you, I'll do what I want" attitude isn't going to help anyone. Politely arguing the point, yes. Coming back later when the manager says its OK, yes, but giving the lady the theoretic bird and doing what you want is just bad news. Someone suggested above that she was a high up part of the society that runs the place? Lets look at it this way. She argues, you do as you please, she gets angry, you still do as you please...so what happens next? She brings it up at the next society meeting and they make it a condition of entry that there is no photography on site...who wins?

A fair comment....though, as one who has been involved with voluntary committees, etc., I've seen many people who regards these societies and properties as their own personal kingdom, and think that ordinary visitors are some lower order. They forget that, without these visitors and their goodwill, donations and support, there would be nothing for them to conserve or run.

Shangheye · Jul 9, 2009

hoffy said:
OK, time to get the old flame suit on here, because I probably aren't going to make any friends with this comment.

The "<insert appropriate profanity here> you, I'll do what I want" attitude isn't going to help anyone. Politely arguing the point, yes. Coming back later when the manager says its OK, yes, but giving the lady the theoretic bird and doing what you want is just bad news. Someone suggested above that she was a high up part of the society that runs the place? Lets look at it this way. She argues, you do as you please, she gets angry, you still do as you please...so what happens next? She brings it up at the next society meeting and they make it a condition of entry that there is no photography on site...who wins?

Actually, taking a picture takes 1/15s.....in my opinion, there is nothing to argue about....I would take the picture and the converstaion would be over. If a place does not allow photos, they should put a "No Photography" sign up....otherwise, they can sue me.

benjiboy · Jul 9, 2009

ann said:
oh dear, i best watch my "p's and q's " since i fall into the the old lady catagory, nothing like being 71

It's O.K. to be your age Ann as long as you stay away from historic buildings, I'm seventy, and at our age one of the few pleasures in life left to us is making younger people miserable

bsdunek · Jul 9, 2009

benjiboy said:
It's O.K. to be your age Ann as long as you stay away from historic buildings, I'm seventy, and at our age one of the few pleasures in life left to us is making younger people miserable

So, Ann, when I was 25 I thought 70 was old. Now that I'm 70, it's not. You're still a young women. Benjiboy, you're right - keem them young people on their toes. I especially like to show them up in a subtal way - makes my day.

nc5p · Jul 9, 2009

I probably said this but I had no flash in my possession, no camera bag, and no tripod. Just the 645 Super, 35mm f3.5, and a fresh roll of TMax 400. I had to brace on the visitor benches a time or two but got my shots at Blount. When I went to the Blount Mansion I showed them the camera and they said "great". They even helped me find the best shots. I think the original issue was one of the old lady being on the board of directors and being very stubborn.

When I was a teenager there were only a few places we couldn't photograph. Now it is nearly everywhere. We could sit around all night blame burglars, police, lawyers, and assorted other troublemakers. Personally I think society has just lost all common sense.

thebanana · Jul 9, 2009

nc5p said:
Yes, I got in trouble again for photography.

I am on furlough from work so we all got in the car and drove to Tennessee, to spend a week with my wife's sister. I visited two historic homes in Knoxville today. One was the Blount Mansion where I was warmly greeted and told photography is encouraged so long as no flash is used. The other was the Ramsey House. There the manager of the place told me flash was prohibited but otherwise I could take photos. Well, after paying we went into the old house. There was this old lady there giving tours. There were a bunch of kids there distracting her attention. We were in the kitchen and I had just framed a great shot with the Mamiya 645 Super and 35mm lens. It was a table lit by natural window light, covered with historic utensils and old kitchen stuff. Just as I almost shot the picture the mean old lady yelled at me to stop. That was it, I was busted. I immediately complied and left. I walked back to the visitor center and talked to the manager, a younger woman in her 40's who was quite apologetic. She said if I wanted I could come back in the afternoon, as the old lady would be gone. She has tried to tell this woman that flash was forbidden but not other photography. She won't hear of it. The old lady is a member of the historic board and she can't do anything about it. The people at the Blount Mansion also knew who she was. Evidently she is well known with the historical societies in the area.

So anyway, if anyone goes to this place go after lunch when the mean old lady isn't there.

If I recall correctly, this isn't your first post about getting into a spat regarding photography. Maybe it's you?

nc5p · Jul 10, 2009

thebanana said:
If I recall correctly, this isn't your first post about getting into a spat regarding photography. Maybe it's you?

It must be my face or appearance, for I'd never met her and didn't utter a single word. There are several people on here who have never had any trouble taking photos. Then there are some of us who are always getting in trouble. Could it be the camera? Perhaps medium format is threatening.

hoffy · Jul 10, 2009

nc5p said:
Perhaps medium format is threatening.

It may be the same principle that why people with white lenses get thrown out of sporting events?

Thrown out of Ramsey House in Knoxville

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