Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Theme Day: Signs That Say No!

No!

Photo & Text Copyright 2008 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

It's the City Daily Photo Bloggers monthly theme day for July, picturing signs of what's not allowed. Even photography rights in public places have been controversial of late, so in private spaces scorn is to be expected. I had noticed several months ago that the downtown Macy's department store has lettering on every glass entry door that specifically admonishes me NOT to take any photos! It's right up there with the big no nos of smoking and soliciting. So when this month's theme was announced, I knew exactly what to do ;^). The employee watching me through the door from the cosmetic counter seemed relieved that I did NOT enter the store.

To see what is banned in Boston and elsewhere and how it's communicated in over 170 cities around the globe, take a look at these other CDPBlogs by clicking here to view thumbnails for all participants, or through the links below. Please leave us comments! Your feedback makes theme days really fun.

American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Shantaram, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Delta (CO), USA by Bill, Duluth (MN), USA by Sun Dog Press, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gaia, Portugal by m+p, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Knoxville (TN), USA by Knoxville Girl, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Lynchburg (VA), USA by Timothy, Mainz, Germany by JB, Melbourne, Australia by John, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monroe (GA), USA by Tanya, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Munich, Germany by Troy, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newcastle, Australia by Julia, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Poplar Bluff (MO), USA by Tricia, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Posadas, Argentina by Lega, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam Ruth, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Reykjavik, Iceland by Vírgíll, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Norma, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Stratford, Canada by Barb, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Toulouse, France by Julia, Trujillo, Peru by Giulianna, Turin, Italy by Livio, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine,

52 comments:

Jasminka said...

I enjoy your blog so much, theme days especially.
Are they afraid of negative publicity, or that they'll end up on somebody's blog, so they're not allowing photos? How strange...

Stefan Jansson said...

That's just crazy, you should invite all your Seattle flickr friends for a photo shoot there, that would teach them a lesson...

The D in D & T said...

the restrictions on photographers are getting to be entirely ridiculous. glad you chose this one :) happy theme day

Jane Hards Photography said...

No photography! I feel offended. I don't hink I ma going to see mnay of these today. Very good choice.

Rosie said...

No soliciting?
They are asking for too much! What is next??? "No shopping"?

Jérôme said...

Great photo you've got there, Kim.
America keeps surprising me ;)

Marie-Noyale said...

A good idea,but also a picture well done!!
I am glad I am not the only one getting annoyed with those restrictions!!

Lake Lady said...

It's Macy's loss if they ban your photography, Kim! Great idea for theme day. Wish I could have seen their faces as you photographed their "no photography" sign!

Small City Scenes said...

Good for you. Now look at the advertising they are getting. MB

Chuck Pefley said...

Colorful nays :) Gotta wonder what happened to the "i"under the dot, though.

Happy Theme Day, Kim!

Anonymous said...

I find the restriction ridicilous, too. To me a store, a warehouse is a public place. At times I dont understand why something that exists wanna be invisible?:)

Plus from commercial point of you. If I capture their products...isnt it a publicity?

Anonymous said...

hehe...point of you:) I mean point of view

Shantaram said...

Haha! Good to see you got one of those 'No Photography' signs. I went looking, but couldn't find any - though I was warned off at a couple of places!

Gerald (SK14) said...

Great shot - I was told off for photographing smokers outside Asda.

USelaine said...

I'm astonished every time I'm reminded of the "issue". I never go to action/crime movies - are they brainwashing audiences with depictions of evil photographers?!

You always rock, Kim. Perfect choice for the theme day.

alice said...

No, no, no, but yes, a very good choice! I've fixed the problem with my link, thanks Kim!

Gaëlle said...

Ahah! I love to take picture of "no photography" signs too! Good choice.

Priyanka Khot said...

Great sign and what an opportune moment to put it up!

If only the Macy bosses could see your blog.. and only if I could see them squirm at the post. :-)

Anonymous said...


Hi Kim,

The bees are back in Brookville, Ohio. I hope for the rest of the year at least. I even got one on my Better Blog Writing post today. LOL

I see you found an adorable No sign for our July Theme Day.

I saw your plea over at Celine's place about posting. I think you probably got the PM instead of the AM. Happens to me now and then.

Isn't it almost funny to think of adult people scurrying around their communities taking pictures of signs. And if somebody had asked what that is all about and you said a sign with "no" on it, they might... well. It is kind of funny.

—Abraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo

~tanty~ said...

Great choice Kim and happy theme day!

mouse (aka kimy) said...

now, did you get in trouble by taking a photograph of the sign saying no photography!!

Jim Klenke said...

HAHA no photos inside Macys. You know everyone wants to steal their designs.

Janet said...

I've never seen a "No Photography" sign at a store. I guess the widespread use of all these small cameras and camera phones have created a new "no no!"

What Would Jesus Glue? said...

Years ago, as a photography student, I took some friends to a local dept. store for some photo ops. I was approached by store management and told I couldn't take photos in the store. I asked why and they told me they didn't want other stores stealing their display designs. After I explained what I was doing they let me continue. So, no big surprise to me. And this happened to me in 80's.

Benjamin Madison said...

Well, you know what they say about great minds....

slim said...

Good choice. I'll have to check out my local Macy's store. This does seem to be a trend . . . and I, too, wonder what the thinking is behind this disturbing trend.

crittoria said...

Great choice for the theme day! A 'No photography' sign is guaranteed to attract attention in this crowd! ;-) I hate seeing a sign like that....

Rachel Sarah said...

...even so, Macy's probably appreciates the free publicity on your sit. :>)

Harry Makertia said...

Kim, a great respons for today's theme. Like it!

Janet Kincaid said...

This "no photography" thing is getting out of hand. As if Macy's has some kind of secrets it's trying to hide! Excellent photo.

Happy Theme Day!

Knoxville Girl said...

I think Macy's ought to pay you royalties for photographing their "no photography" sign. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

V.G. and good time to raise. I have been told I have to pay £100 for photographing public places if I use a tripod. Don't think so..

Keith said...

Are "No Photography" signs meant to be obeyed? I thought they were more of a dare. :-)

Happy Theme Day!

 gmirage said...

Agree with Keith! =)

Those are too many no's.

Petrea Burchard said...

What a perfect choice, Kim. I'm amazed they don't want photos taken in the store! Weird. I agree with Elaine, you always rock.

Ham said...

So where can you find prostitutes? Just curious. (Sooliciting in the UK can also be used for streetwalkers)

Rosie said...

Ham
Thanks very much for reminding me that there was another meaning for the word soliciting other than "street walking!"
When I wrote my comment earlier that was what i meant! lol

Bob Crowe said...

Kim - thank you for your very kind comments today on my last couple of posts. I'm glad you like my writing but I don't have a long enough attention span to do it at length. The text for a blog entry is just about right. Photography is a lot more intuitive for me so it feels like less work. I don't have to think so much.

No idea how many chapters the Sisters have. The URL that crabby anonymous commenter put on my post yesterday doesn't work (it goes to the Software Patent Institute. Duh.) Google the full name of the organization and you'll get it. I got some more good pictures from the PrideFest parade going up tomorrow and the next couple of days.

I also appreciate your comment on today's post. I was concerned it might be too weird and abstruse. That bit about sushi for breakfast actually happened to me on my first trip to Japan, after a 5:30 a.m. visit to the tuna auction at the Tokyo Central Fish Market. I'll eat sushi but I've never had a warm relationship with it. The experience was a slap upside the head.

You make a good point with your theme day post. I've been hassled taking pictures in stores a few times but I don't think I've ever seen in a "no photography" sign on the door. It would be just so easy to do it with a camera phone, pretending you are talking or texting. If I have a very quiet point-and-shoot, I sometimes take random pictures just holding the thing at my side in an place where photography is forbidden. It's an electronic way of thumbing my nose.

My wife and I will be in Seattle over Labor Day weekend after a few days in the Olympics. We have some close friends in Seattle and have visited many times. Just love the place and looking forward to seeing it again.

kuanyin333 said...

No photography! That's wild! It makes me wanna sneak a camera in just for the helluva it! :-)

Great graphic photo...your photos always excel and deliver!

julia said...

The classic store and is it just what you'd expect- restrictions. I get treated with suspicion when photographing sometimes.

Anonymous said...

I always like to snap a couple of images whenever we go into Macy's, there is always an interesting counter or display.

Keropokman said...

Haha.. you just could not resist posting the "No photography" up right?

Happy Theme Day!

ptowngirl said...

I wonder why they don't want things photographed? I haven't been to a Macy's around my way lately, so I'll have to check and see if they have the same restrictions on their doors! Cool that you got a picture of that though!

Kim said...

Thank you everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment! Rose, I DID get your tongue in cheek remark, and Ham, if you are really interested, I can do some sleuthing, but I haven't seen more than an handful of prostitutes in Seattle in the past three years, and I noticed them (very young. . .and so sad) on a section of Hwy 99 that seems to have a lot of meth users about. I think Macy's intent was to discourage panhandlers around the store. . .or maybe the Salvation Army bell ringers, who can tell :-).

Several of you wondered why the store might have such a rule. I only worked retail once in my life for a short time, but I could see the potential for a ring of thieves to use photos to plan robberies or major shoplifting. I've been asked several times not to take photos in stores, and it being private property I comply. A Flickr friend of mine has been harassed by security guards in public settings while taking architectural shots in downtown Seattle. His complexion is tanned and he has dark hair, a beard and mustache, perhaps giving a stereotypical appearance of being middle eastern and therefore somehow a threat. Being female and perhaps less stereotypically a threat, I've yet to run up against that. However, I have been solicited ;^). And thank you Chuck for noticing the missing "i".
-Kim

Maya said...

Wow! I wonder when those were posted? I've taken photos in Macy's in the past and just took photos of their window displays! Yikes!

Rosie said...

Kim
If you think it is bad in Seattle, you should see what is like in the UK. Nobody knows what is legal or not even in public places, including the police!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful colours and tones for this great approach to a controversial topic. Great choice, Kim!

Nathalie H.D. said...

Kim I'm sorry I missed a few posts, I've just gone back to read them.

Your view from the hospital window was beautiful and amazing. I hope your mom is better. Thinking of you.

Jilly said...

Love the photograph - as always. And great choice for today.

You asked about my camera on the Toddler photo on Menton Daily Photo. Kim, it's a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-18. Leica lens. Just a point and shoot but with an 18 zoom. I'm loving it. Much to learn about it tho.

Chris said...

A girl after my own heart! I would have snapped the photo, too. Whole Foods is like that, too. . .NO PHOTOS. Give me a break. What is someone going to do? Steal tomato or sweet potato secrets. Or, are they afraid a competitor might steal an idea and design a display or - HEAVEN FORBID - a similar product or piece of apparel? I got news for them. . . Competitors cruise other stores all the time for ideas and product information. They surely don't need cameras.

Good grief! This hit a nerve with me today!! Off the soapbox!!

Petrea Burchard said...

Chris, it's true: grocery stores are particularly competitive and that's why they won't allow photos. Of course you're right, they send spies, so it's fruitless (bad pun). Trader Joe's wouldn't let me photograph their signs either. It's more about prices and specials than items, but it's nothing new.

Jill said...

I was approached by a security guard at the hospital as I stood in front photographing one of the sky bridges that go from the main building to the parking garage. He told me I was not allowed to do so.