It’s stunning how an organization with enough digital savvy to tweet contests during a game and offer an iPhone app can blow it when it comes to something so basic that most fans would want to do it.

I’m looking at you, LA Galaxy, and an electronics policy so ridiculous that if taken literally it would ban smart phones during the soccer match.

No cameras with interchangeable lenses. No video. No audio.

No fun.

I’m almost happy to have to leave my beloved Canon EOS Rebel and its removable lenses at home this weekend- even I get tired of toting all that gear all the time. It must concern for my back that led the Galaxy consider my setup “professional equipment” under two different clauses: the lenses are “interchangeable” and they’re longer than three and a half inches.

Except if the policy is interpreted strictly, my No. 2 and No. 3 cameras also are banned. One is a video that happens to do stills, the other is a still that also captures video. My Blackberry? Video and audio capabilities as well. I don’t know how I’m supposed to follow the Galaxy on Twitter during the game without it, though.

So that means that we have only two cameras in the house that qualify for admission – the guys’ anemic 3 megapixel models. They barely have lenses, let alone “interchangeable” ones.

I get that the team wants to keep control of its images and its trademarked/copyrighted property. But, really, is a spectator with a SLR going to steal David Beckham’s soul? I thought that had happened when he started hanging out with Spice Girls.

Contrast this to, oh, every other sporting event we’ve ever attended. We have pictures from NASCAR races that I could sell as posters if I wanted. I don’t want to, though. I merely want to create something that the guys can hang in their rooms to remember a time when they had a whole lot of fun.

Here’s a hint to the otherwise-tech savvy Galaxy: Those memories are what keep them coming back. They look at the previous year’s pictures, they relive the day, and they want to go again.

And here’s another hint: Nice camera gear also can be an indicator of disposable income. Does the team want to annoy the people who can afford to support it? Granted, the tickets are not expensive. The $109 replica jerseys, though, are.

So here’s a SWAT to the Galaxy for being tech wise and photo foolish. Stop Wasting America’s Time by pretending to be fan friendly when you’re keeping fans from creating inexpensive mementoes.

Copyright 2010 Debra Legg. All rights reserved.

Similar Posts:

None Found

Popularity: 1% [?]