Many days have I waited for this event, I was so happy as heaven felt not that far away being able to hold the Patron tickets for the first time. Those past days, I initially thought it was a great event but the moment I arrived to the gathering place yesterday… I was gradually falling apart for seeing a poster that says “Professional Still Cameras are not allowed”, with that, it made me want to scream. This was my first time to be in Araneta because I don’t really go to concerts, not a single one except that Rivermaya Live in Music Museum 4 or 5 years ago.
Outside the dome, I was really hesitant to get inside. I asked the baggage counter staff why they won’t allow my camera to be used inside, he said; it takes very sharp photos, it has a lot of features, and it was using a telephoto lens. I can’t believe he said I was using a telephoto lens because in reality, I am only using 18-55 mm 3x zoom kit lens compared to the other “non-professional” 5 megapixel or more digital cameras out there that can shoot 5x-18x optical zoom with shake reduction. In short, my camera was only 6 megapixel with 3x zoom and without image vibration reduction. Plus, my camera doesn’t even have a movie feature! So I asked him again if they’ll replace my camera if they lost it. He confidently said yes so I endorsed it and they took my driver’s license but still quite hesitant to get inside the show. I almost want to sell my P1162 ticket for P5O because to me, it was useless but after a few minutes, I did get inside.
So there I was looking for my seat while the show has already started. Many people were shouting happily, everyones’ camera were raised on the air and every flash bursted out. Not yet seated in my seat, I backed out wanting to go home, feeling jealous… really jealous and unfair that I was not being able to have a right to capture photos. It’s like having a Mercedes Benz but you can’t drive it out because everyone is driving a Japanese car. I paid good P1162 money for the tickets yet I cannot even get one picture of my own. Imagine waiting for 4 years just waiting, dreaming and saying I’ll soon be there… I can’t take pictures? So I literally went out but having no idea where to exit, I asked the wrong person! I think her name was Marianne and she was insisting for me not to leave. She listened to my remorse so she gave me back my camera. But then after that, I was hurt when she said, “Okay here’s your camera… enjoy!”. Her tone sounded bad as if I was forcing myself to take pictures despite the fact that I really want to go home, I only stayed because she insisted for me to stay. Giving me back my camera was like returning an ice cream to a crying baby, I didn’t have any authorization still that I am allowed to take photos. And I am not that type of person who usually break the rules plus I know some Christians are judgmental. So I surfed the internet using my Nokia E61 while the band was still playing. I was directed to the DPPh website, quoting it from there, it was clearly stated that “DSLR’s will be confiscated if seen inside the dome”. Despite her help, I was getting suspicious into thinking she was putting me into harms way. I realized that a Christian’s trust is not a 100% effective insurance. It is not universal thing that can be plug and played to all human beings. You can never really trust anyone so I stayed on my ground, holding on to my words not to use my camera.
Though at present I am a backslider for a year now, there was a part of myself wanting to give just a tiny chance and go to that event. I even tried to master songs so that I could sing along, but the moment I was inside feeling bad and thinking what had happened seemed impossible for me to enjoy since my heart was already enraged and all I want to do is go home, since I promised her that I stay. But frankly, that night was the most useless, and crappiest day of my life for the rest of this year. I shouldn’t have thought about the idea of buying a ticket in the first place. That way, my heart wouldn’t see itself as a fish rotting on a shore. It was the biggest mistake I have ever made.
The biggest factor I bought a Nikon D40 was for this event. I spent every 25K of my money to buy one and because I also need to move on, enhance my love for photography in which I replaced my crappy Sony point and shoot camera and my prosumer Olympus C-3000 Camedia Zoom. I really want to get good pictures, capture the right light and the bands emotions even though the camera is only capable of capturing 2.5 shots per second with a 3x zoom, it makes sense why I bought the patron tickets and I wasn’t even able to find my seat. I was faking my smile that night but most of the time I was like a crying clown – sad and sometimes neutral. Not one time I enjoyed it. I cried not because of the worship, I cried because I felt it was so unfair. I tried relieving myself, I tried eating on a restaurant by myself, bought a new car magazine to read, and wrote this experience as a product of my emotions.
But still, just like what they said, a scar in the heart takes time to heal itself. I promised this day that I will never go to any of these concerts in the future. Such a waste of my time and I’ll end up even more depressed.
UPDATE:
Jeez, the http://unitedmanila08.multiply.com/journal posted a message on May 23, ‘08 2:19 AM. It says, “Still cameras and video cameras are NOT ALLOWED.” What the heck is this I am reading!?! And it was posted 3 days before the event? Yeah right, camera’s most especially DSLRs in Hillsong worship event is not allowed… Are they Maroon5 or something? How much does it even cost to sell a picture of them? Does the organizers have a special deal with Araneta or something? That Australian can’t even say excuse while passing by… Great Hillsong team manners!
My gosh, I am speechless! They are not superstars, they are worshipers! I can’t believe a backslider like me is saying this to Jesus freaks.
dude, take a chill pill (or something like that). anyways, i share your sentiments having a lot of regrets and disappointments over my past life. btw, my laptop got broke
yea chill man…being a photographer myself..I usually hate it when concert organisers don’t allow photography..but I’ve more or less expected it. It’s not so much the Hillsong team themselves but the organisers. I was allowed to take all the pictures I want when I was at the actual Hillsong arena in Sydney. But anyways, photography is definitely not the main reason I’d go to the concert..choosing to worship is. I’m sorry you had a bad experience though
I pray you meet genuine followers of Christ next time. Seems like you have some bad experience with ‘Christians’ but that’s just a label, not all people who call themselves ‘Christians’ are genuine followers..so find those that are real, before you judge them yourself.
@Laura
Good for you that you know they won’t allow you to shoot pictures. This is my first time to be in Araneta and that slow mo multiply user posted the notice 3 days before the event! That way I should have brought my P&S. However, the notice says, “No still cameras and video cameras allowed” (professional camera and video camera wasn’t emphasized) and every Christian under the roof was raising their own and capturing videos too!
Maybe they wont allow photogs because they’re afraid of big, black, and long camera lenses. So poor, no wonder the Philippines ain’t moving forward. Even they can’t understand the difference between DSLR’s and P&S.
“photography is definitely not the main reason I’d go to the concert..choosing to worship is”
Photography isn’t always a formal thing. It’s everywhere. It’s capturing memories of a unique event. Any concert has a photographer because every camera user is a photographer, it’s just a matter of choice of what device am I better using with. I understand your point I quoted above, but you can’t tell me to do likewise. Frankly, I didn’t go there for the worship, I went there just for experience and fulfillment of my curiosity. If I would like to worship, I would have gone somewhere else. It’s my dream for 4 years even though I am in this present state of ex-christianity… I still thirst for the idea of been there, done that. Sure, the worship, it’s not like a backslider would instantly do such actions; one needs peace, calmness, sympathy, enjoyment and let’s see the guide of the Holy Spirit? I would have probably did worship, but with that grief in my heart, I’d better be irritated; no peace, calmness, sympathy et al.
It would have been easier to accept the fact that the organizers won’t allow me to get a few shots of Britney Spears, Maroon5, and other international singers because every picture taken can be a potential profit for me. But with Hillsong? Seriously???? I’d give it to someone who asks rather than selling it.
@SO,
I’m sorry for your loss. Anyway, your laptop can still be repaired right?
That event is in the past now but it was my first time. It’s an extreme loss for me not being able to do it in the first time. Taking a picture of one of your favorite band is like taking a picture of your wife undergoing delivery. If you miss the chance to shoot… it’s gone forever.
I feel sad with alzheimer-prone people who uses DSLR’s but weren’t able to capture great moments. Seriously, I can cry for that. I won’t give another try to join the 3rd Hillsong United visit because I already had my curiosity answered and my first hand experience.
BTW, I did take something like a chill pill. Caffeine-rich to be exact… Just to calm me. Even though physicians won’t allow such high intake, I was feeling better, not high, just feeling better.
Amazing Site! remarkable information.I really appreciate your article.Professional digital cameras are a little more expensive than a camera you would use for fun pictures. The professional needs a camera that is stable and dependable. The image quality must be top notch and the ability to shoot different scenes with one camera is vital.