As somebody whose social life was changed beyond all recognition (ok so it changed from maybe 3rd gear to OVERDRIVE) by being spotted on DSI, I find it rather vexing that Fabric now has a 'no photo' policy.

What's going on? Somebody on DSI must know somebody at Fabric who can explain this madness, surely?

Answers on a thread....!

Yeah, that policy has been in place a fair while. Don't know why they don't let people take pictures in there, as the light and laser shows are awesome, not forgetting the lovely specimens of womankind that grace Fabric.

If you're fortunate enough, you might be able to sneak your camera without having it getting taken off you, as I've seen quite a few people with them inside taking pictures, but DSI won't allow you to post - I guess its to respect the wishes of the club.

You mentioned 'respect' damn you! Now I have to play fair. Because I always take my camera in there and always take loads of photos!

Nah, I've done so in the past too - though haven't been back to Fabric in the past 2 months, but you're gonna have to create your own photo album and link it in the forum discussion page, shame, as its a wicked venue and wicked crowd.

But as Squeakywheels mentions, come on DSI sort it out!!! I know you can!

WITNESS THE POWER OF DSI!!

(Which is what I said when I posted my ex-girlfriend's Big Chill ticket on DSI and sold it to a very nice man in 14 minutes flat!! Buddy of a buddy.)

Is anyone interested in a follow up to this thread? I have some more info if anyone still cares...

i care!

Alright then - someone I know was inquisitive enough to actually ask them...

I shan't comment or analyse, just quote:

EMAIL TO MANAGING DIRECTOR

Subject: Photo Policy Clarification Request

Dear Fabric Manager,

I was wondering if you could clarify a few questions about the camera policy in Fabric, as I have heard differing versions of the policy from friends and am not sure what I should or shouldn't be doing.

I've never noticed a "no cameras" sign in Fabric. Indeed, people I know have not had cameras taken off them after the security search on the door, so I presume they are allowed?

However, some people I know said that they had posted pictures to the internet but subsequently these pictures were removed by the site administrator "at the request of Fabric management". Can you explain the reason for this please?

Also, is it an issue of WHERE the photos are uploaded to? For example, the internet site I mentioned above was (I think) www.dontstayin.com, which I am sure you know.

Is it just this site whom you don't allow to post pictures of your club or is it all such sites?

What about personal web sites? I mean, if I am allowed in with a camera (say, for a friend's birthday) and want to make the photos available for my friends later, then am I allowed to post them on a personal web site? If not, what measures do you take to stop people from doing this?

If you do allow pics to be posted on personal sites, but not on public sites (like dontstayin.com), could you please explain the difference?

Sorry for so many interrelated questions, but there seems to be a lot of rumour and misinformation being spread around the internet about the details of and the reasons behind this policy and I thought the best way to clear it up for myself might be to speak to you directly.

Many thanks for your time,

EMAIL FROM MANAGING DIRECTOR, CC TO GENERAL MANAGER AND TWO PRESS OFFICERS

Can someone please reply accordingly
thanks

EMAIL FROM GENERAL MANAGER, CC TO ONE PRESS OFFICER

Dear _____,

As a rule we do not allow people to take photo's in the club. There are a couple of signs on the way in by the tills stating this. A lot of cameras are confiscated on the door searches, and later inside if they are seen to be taking photo's.

Obviously we cannot confiscate or control 100% all photography in the club. With the advent of camera phone technology – that would be impossible.

For all other info I suggest you wait ( for an imminent ) reply from _____.

Best regards,

_____
GM

EMAIL TO GENERAL MANAGER, CC TO PRESS OFFICER

Dear _____,

Many thanks for your quick reply, clarifying (to my surprise) that photos are not officially allowed at all in Fabric. (Although this policy doesn't seem to be enforced very vigourously, since I know many people who haven't had their cameras taken off them either at the door nor during the night.)

I look forward to hearing from _____, as promised, and hope that her answer might include an explanation for this policy.

Best wishes,

EMAIL FROM PRESS OFFICER,, CC GENERAL MANAGER

Hi _____,

Sorry for the delay but I'm rather busy after our huge weekend.

Photography is not permitted inside Fabric, except by ourselves and we also strictly limit this.

We make occasional exceptions for music based press reviews – although we usually ask that they use our pictures - and for the artists. But in most cases the answer is no, and they are not permitted to take pictures of individuals except on special occasions such as our Birthday.

This has always been the case, and I do not foresee a time when we may change our policy.

Some people may have sneaked cameras into the club and not had them taken off them. Security cannot be everywhere all of the time.

The reason why DontStayIn and similar websites are not permitted to take pictures or display them at our request, is because they are not doing music based reviews and it goes against our clearly stated policy (on the signs by the entrance) that photography is not permitted inside the venue. This includes personal websites.

Personally, and also speaking for many others on the staff here, I do not understand the constant need to photograph every moment. Everyone has a right to privacy. Enjoyment is not amplified by having a photographic record of it, memories work better if they are in your head and are in context. Fabric is a nightclub, people come here to dance and have fun, other peoples enjoyment can be ruined by having flashes going off in their eyes constantly.

Hope this clears up any confusion you may have had.

Best wishes,

_____

flashes? lmao..

strobes anyone?

Does my head in when im standing around and i see a little flash of light.

and SINCE WHEN, IS MEMORY BETTER THAN PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE?

If i didnt have photos as proof, chances are i wouldnt have a clue whats gone on this year.

I see what she's saying, but shes gone about it all wrong.

Agreed

I wish they wouldn't use those lights, and lasers.. they really stop me having so much fun.
Also - They should really turn the music down. It's not good for my ears, you know.

;)

yeah, when i go out i dont want to have to put up with flashing lights, and deafening music. Why can't it just be a well lit room with no music on ? or if they insist on music, quite music.

and sometimes people sweat, which smells, so they should ban that, i dont want any of my senses offended.

I reckon fabric should employ a 'no touching' policy.. I reckon people would pay as much attention to that, as they do to the 'no photo' policy. :)

hehe. i go to dance mate, but what you pay the entrance fee for is your business.

what i'd really like to see is a "no over charging for drinks" policy. but again, probably wouldnt make much of a difference.

That was a beautiful reply from Fabric that totally failed to answer any of the questions! Aren't politics a beautiful thing??!

yeah, would have been better if the response was

"Jus cos alright! now cough"

But that would never have taken 4 people to write tho, would it?!

they could have taken turns typing a letter then fwd-ing the email on to the next person.

plus now we've got an excellent defense about taking cameras in

"its my birthday & the manager said we could take em in"

hee! Altho I think they said "their" birthday and I'm not sure how that makes a difference!!

i cant be botheres scanning thru it again, i thought their was the persons birthday. but i could be wrong, does fabric celebrate a birthday?