Burma-Shave
05/28/04
(art by Norman B. Colp)
These are the kinds of photographs the MTA wants to ban. (And not just because they're blurry.) Will we let them? There will be protests. The details of these protests will be posted here. Stay tuned.
12:47 AM | Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
If they ban it in the subway....what is next...
Posted by: SF at May 28, 2004 06:25 AM
I like how one specific guy is in three of the photos.
Posted by: Etan at May 28, 2004 07:34 AM
More discussion of the proposed ban is at the photoblogs.org blog. (I'm frustrated that I can't find the text of the proposed ban anywhere.)
Posted by: Frank at May 28, 2004 08:43 AM
Man, I used to helplessly read that series of signs every time I walked from the A to 1 train at times square. Total nostalgia rush. Thanks.
Posted by: David at May 28, 2004 09:49 AM
"I'm frustrated that I can't find the text of the proposed ban anywhere."
I'm told by friendly people at the MTA that nothing has been written yet. "It's just an idea at this point," or something like that.
You'll eventually see something here:
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2004.htm
Either the text of the proposal or at least an announcement of public hearings. There's also some good info there about the NYS rule making process.
Posted by: Matt at May 28, 2004 09:49 AM
You guys are lucky if they are "just contemplating" this in the US. I've already been chased out of Melbourne city loop train stations for just pulling a camera out. Good luck with the fight!
Posted by: troy at May 28, 2004 10:14 AM
mike, you're clearly ploting something with these photos.
Posted by: tien at May 28, 2004 10:15 AM
Tien, you found me out: I was going to blow up Times Square, but I read these signs and got sleepy...so sleepy...
Posted by: Mike at May 28, 2004 10:31 AM
The protests will likely be on June 6th, at noon, Grand Central.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a camera.
Posted by: Screw Bush at May 28, 2004 12:55 PM
Wouldn't people feel *safer* if they knew other commuters could carry cameras on subways, knowing that someone might be ready to document an attack/robbery/suspicious activity?
Posted by: Andy at May 28, 2004 01:24 PM
The Village Voice gave an award to that art installation one day... they called it the most tired piece of underground art ever.
BTW, you missed the final shot... of the weird bed set made out of tiles.
Posted by: Dennis at May 28, 2004 01:35 PM
How bizzare - isn't there a freedom of expression argument against this government policy? WHat next - no pencils for taking notes?
Posted by: Alan at May 28, 2004 04:15 PM
I have been told by CTA workers not to take pictures here in Chi-town. But that was one time, and I will continue to take pictures. Good luck on with the protest. I have always enjoyed your pictures of the subways there in NY. I would really miss it if that was not allowed anymore.
Posted by: Chris at May 28, 2004 05:39 PM
If they ban photography on MTA property, the Transit Museum no longer gets my membership, I don't buy any more of their merchandise and I walk whenever possible.
Screw 'em. When's the protest?
www.forgotten-ny.com
Posted by: Kevin Walsh at May 29, 2004 09:25 PM
haha nice message in your series of photos.
Posted by: -cj- at June 4, 2004 06:46 AM
They've had a similar ban up on the Boston MBTA for years. I was told the reason for it and at the time it sounded logical but the fact that I no longer remember the reason gives me pause as to its necessity.
Posted by: Mister Anon at June 6, 2004 05:42 AM
the only thing nicer than your shots.... is the fact that you referenced burma shave.
great work
-A
Posted by: allison at June 10, 2004 10:37 AM
I tend to agree that one particular reason for the propossed ban is not to show the sorry aspect of desolation and filth found in trains and passages. "Undercover cameras" will become "the" style, perhaps one of those "throw away" plastic cameras from CVC, ShopRite, etc?
Posted by: Luis at June 13, 2004 02:13 PM
You missed the last picture in that sequence which is the most important one.
Posted by: Dennis T Cheung at April 1, 2005 08:18 PM
Ban it? This is the truth of American business, now and forever. If they ban it, they are only proving how true it is.