TIP: Taking Photos/Video while on a Coaster

Went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg today with my new Nikon Coolpix that I picked up earlier in the week. I bought the small pocket sized camera so I could take it on trips because my normal camera (that I use for artistic photography) is too big to lug around. Of course with the BG trip coming up, I so wanted to take some coaster pictures/video and even try some from the rides themselves.

Now BG has warning signs on most of the rides about ejecting people for using cameras while on the rides, so the small size came in handy here. But I was actually really worried about dropping the camera more than anything else. The day before the trip, however, I came up with a little quick fix idea. If you own a Nintendo Wii, pull the strap off of one of the controllers and swap it out to your camera. That collapsing clamp lets you get that strap tight around your wrist. It doesn't come off. I actually did lose a handle on the camera on the Loch Ness and the wrist strap saved the day.

I only tried that one video though because the lines were too long to wait for the front seats on this visit. I didn't want to film the back of coaster carts. :)

So just to make sure I understand, you created a thread in order to admit in a public forum that you disregarded the posted safety restrictions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and you're providing tips for others to do the same? That's not cool.

Everything about the above is just absolutely wrong.

Not only are you violating park policy, but you are putting other people at risk, strap or no strap.

Blah, blah. Don't leave loose articles on the loading dock either. I think I tripped over 30 pairs of flip flops too. I think I sped on the way to the park too.

P.S. I also put my hands up.

You're also a Ravens fan.

Yeah, I root for the hometeams, which makes me an Orioles fan too. Ugh... Not the trendy kind that goes for the winners of the previous seasons.

I hope you get banned from this site and all parks you break the rules in.

Here's my tip for taking photos and video on rides. Don't. Your vid won't be any better or different than the countless available for us to see on YouTube, and those of us riding behind you will feel a lot safer. Sheesh.

Here's my tip for taking pictures and video of coasters.
1) Stay on the ground
2) Secure all lose articles including your camera if getting on a coaster
3) Buy a picture or video if they have one of that ride at the exit.
4) If you decide not to follow the tips provided and take pictures or video while on the ride. I hope you get kicked out of that particular park and your season pass (if you have one) is revoked and sliced up in front of you. Then arrested for endangering others on a thrill ride.

Not cool dude, NOT COOL

Let me say one thing: Your an idiot! My friend got hit in the head by a camera phone at cedar point because someone was taking pictures while riding! He ended up with a ton of stitches on his head! What a fun day at the park! Obey the rules because people do get hurt! PS the person the phone belonged to was more worried about her camera that her boy friend was using then my buddy who was bleeding all over the place! We kept her phone and told her you can get it back in court when you get sued!

By the way Go Steelers!

Coasterfreak I am sorry to hear about your friend. Maybe his pain will help educate and prevent another incident, assuming PRWagner pulls his head out of his a**.

Sorry Jeff.

PRWagner said:
Blah, blah. Don't leave loose articles on the loading dock either. I think I tripped over 30 pairs of flip flops too. I think I sped on the way to the park too.

P.S. I also put my hands up.

Being a jerk about it doesn't make it right, either.

I'm with Tyler, I hope you get banned from the site and from all parks where you break the rules.

Coasterfreakfromeriepa said:
Let me say one thing: Your an idiot! My friend got hit in the head by a camera phone at cedar point because someone was taking pictures while riding! He ended up with a ton of stitches on his head! What a fun day at the park! Obey the rules because people do get hurt! PS the person the phone belonged to was more worried about her camera that her boy friend was using then my buddy who was bleeding all over the place! We kept her phone and told her you can get it back in court when you get sued!

By the way Go Steelers!

Steelers all the way baby! :)

Inn bee four clothes! (ah...an oldie but a goodie)

EDIT - I have to agree. At the very least I'd like to see you go bye-bye from Cbuzz.

I had a good laugh when I read the thread title.

PRWagner, I'm not going to call you an idiot, even though I want to. I'm just going to agree with everyone here in that you really shouldn't try to film on rides. You can hurt yourself or someone else.

You say that you lost a handle on LNM? I don't know what the handle is (or how big it is or what it's made of), but there is a chance that it could or could have flew into someones face or head and caused them injury. Rideman's signature says to respect the rides because they wont respect you. That means that you should treat riding a coaster seriously, even though it's fun. That menas following the rules.

The parks who make up these rules know the dangers of loose articles better than we do. They deal with the rides all day. We are coaster enthusiasts, and even though I am pretty sure that I could handle a camera on any coaster, even coaster enthusiasts should follow the rules, if only to set a good example for others.

You are displaying a lack of concern for other people's safety.

Well said, LK.

I've always thought it was stupid that people keep taking on-ride videos when most likely there are official videos from park websites or other illegal POVs that have already been posted on YouTube. It's not like the coaster ride will look any different when you film your illegal POV. Also, you're not above the rules of the park because you're an enthusiast; your season pass is issued with legal jargon stating you will follow all posted safety rules in the park upon using the pass for admission.

I'm personally a fan of when Cedar Point ride ops stop a ride and take all the time to walk up and down the lift hill when security cameras catch someone with a camera/cell phone out. It sucks for those waiting in line (and for the riders as well) but I think it sends a good message that cameras on rides are not tolerated.

arw84, I think that that the best way to curb people from trying this is to set an example by stopping he ride and walking up the lift to catch the person.

You called it illegal. If I understand correctly, it is illegal in some (or all?) States because the law says that riders must follow all posted rules. Violators of the rules could also be considered trespassing. The safety of all riders is taken very seriously by the parks for reasons other than good will. Parks don't want to see their insurance rates get hiked up when someone gets hurt, so they want as clean of a record as possible.

Lets take a negative topic and turn it into an educational topic! :)

^Hippie!

Hey! I resemble that remark. :)