Camera in India - question

LUNAris

We are planning a 3 months trip to India, Nepal and Tibet (Feb-May 2005). Both of us are artists - professional photographers and camera operators and we want to make a documentary about India, Nepal and Tibet (in chronological order).
After much thinking which camera to take with us, we decided it's going to be Sony 500 dsr camcorder (+ tripod stand etc).
1. Do we need any kind of filming permit, any kind of document for our camera and the filming we want to do in India (for the police or,...)? For Nepal?
2. The same question goes for Tibet!? We are taking a overland trip Kathmandu - Lhasa. Is it going to be a problem to take the camera to Tibet, we are worried about the Chinese border? Will the camera be too big for them?
This is really important for us.
Thanking you in advance,

Natasha and Lucian

jarman_ah

I don't know whether you HAVE to have a permit, but if I were you I would err on the side of safety and obtain some authority anyway. We found that there are sensitive areas in India as far as photography is concerned -- for instance, airports, near military establishments, from airplanes -- and you will probably be hassled. A written authority or permit may help.

At a couple of other places -- the Ajanta Caves and Old Goa come immediately to mind -- signs say specifically that cameras on stands are prohibited (sometimes this is worded a little confusingly and amusingly, so it sounds like what you are not allowed to do is stand in front of the camera).

Of course, you are probably aware already that entering monuments or important buildings often requires two tickets: one for you and one for your camera. If you have two cameras you have to have a ticket for each.

jarman_ah

Well, another thread a little further down this column tells me that you CAN, in fact, now take photographs from planes... the previous laws have been amended. Sorry for the misinformation above!

Freezo

Hi,

I am currently doing photography and filming in Dharamsala. Topic is tibetans. I did have to get a permit for things like : TCV (Tibetan Children Village) and the REception centre. You can go to the DIIR (Department of Information and International Relations), take a written letter with you, explaining what you would like to do, explaining you understand the privacy of tibetan people, and things like that. Plus of course your information (passport stuff, address etc.) Then it will be approved by the secratary (or not). I usually takes no more then an hour. However, i do know some people who got denied a permit, but they were not prepared....so be prepared.
And remember, they just try to protect the tibetans.

Hope this helps.

Gr.
Friso

mr pastry

No cameras at all allowed in the Mysore Palace. They must be left at the gate (safe deposit box) for which they have the cheek to charge you

LUNAris

Thank you all for the answers! We are less stressed now.
I must admit that when we began preparing for our trip, 6-7 months ago, we were so busy doing the research on: getting to know the Indian trains, fares, accommodation, air India schedules, more fares, temples, fees, malaria,...................... so, we completely forgot about the camera and the filming and the work we want to do there. Now, a month before the trip, we realized we DIDN'T DO ANY research on what's really important for us. So, we panicked. And we still are. Panicking.

We are not interested in filming the temples (tourists spots in general), boarder checkpoints, government offices, airports etc. We are going to do some homestay: filming the everyday life of an Indian family (from going to school, their socializing, going to work, going to the cinema, everyday activities + LOTS of street life, street atmospheres,...). It won't have any commercial use/purpose.
In many cases cameras are not the problem, it's the tripods that catch the officials attention - seems the tripod more than the camera deems you a professional and your endeavor commercial.
Friso (Freezo), what kind of cameras you're using (both photo and film)? Have you filmed anywhere outside of Dharamsala? Any problems, documents required?
I sincerely thank everyone for answering.
Cheers!
Natasha

OFFAL CLUB

If this is not to bew a commercial film, have you considered taking a monopod instead of the tripod. It is a little more tedious than a tripod but with a litle ingenuity it can be readily supported to be free standing. Folded up its only about 40cm long and very compact. Secondly consider a very small mini tripod that can be set up any available surface. Once again you can get very tiny ones that are really compact.
Of course then you have the added bonus of not having to wrestle with a tripod with your luggage.

Tripods grow an extra five legs when you are not using them with the camera and the locks will grab hold of everything in sight.

__________________
I have achieved the one thing that money cannot buy....poverty

Freezo

Hiya,

Ok my equipment is not too professional hehe:
Photocamera : Canon EOS 300D (With some lenses, cleaning equipment. Monfroto tripad, Cicular Polarizer filter, haze filter etc
My vid cam is : (from the head) Panasonic 3CCD NVGS120 also with some extra stuff like Cicular Polarizer filter, haze filter etc. Also cleaning kit.

I have a LowePro backpack, i think it is called the minitrekker. It can fit all my equipment, so the camera's, lenses, even my laptop and under the back my tripod (pretty big tripod). This back is soooooo good, and it looks like a normal backpack...nobody knows whats in it

With mny laptop i brought an external harddrive of 200 gigabyte (firewire).
If you need more info about equipment let me know.

Where have I filmed....well
All around dharamshala, but I did get a permit stating what I do, and if people would offer me assistance in any way. Also that it is for the benefit of people, an dnot commercial use. I also filmed in amaritsa Golden Temple, just asked and done. Only not inside the temple.

I think it is just the approach towards people and organisations. State clearly what you would like to do. and respect their privacy...people do not want a camera in their face without being asked. They also like it when you show them the pictures. I personally print out a lot of pictures and give them to those people.

Oh I also filmed in delhi, no problems there. Any other questions? (I had to do this in a hurry, gotta get me some Shahi Paneer!

Gr.
Friso

LUNAris

Friso, you have a very nice equipment with you and lots of it too. I especially love your photo camera. Very nice . I'm taking Canon with me also - Canon EOS-1, 3 lenses: Canon EOS EF 17-35mm f/2.8 L, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L and my favorite - EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro + lots of filters, cleaning kit etc. No laptops I'm afraid.
Sony 500 dsr is much bigger than your nice camera. It's huge . Now, I'm not even sure we'll be allowed to enter India with all this equipment. We'll look like some photo/film maniacs (which we are). I'm really not sure what to do? To take the huge camera or not? To risk or not to risk?
We are full of respect for people when it comes to filming them and taking their pictures (and in general) + lots of experience in filmming/working with people. But no experience whatsoever in dealing with Indian, Nepalese and Chinese authorities. (!??!???!!!??!!??!)
Have a nice time in Dharamsala. Relax and enjoy your time there!!! Happy filming.
Offal, I am considering taking a monopod. It's a good idea. Thank you!
Cheers!

Natasha

Freezo

Hey,

About the big camera....trust me...I have seen some big ass camera's here...so I do not think you will have any problems with that. Strangely enough, nobody checked my backpack, where everything was in.

So goodluck!