2019: General Discussion

[imanautie]

I'm surprised Towers haven't put watermarks on the screens like they do at some American parks. Or, if they don't want to do that, have a master switch under the counter to turn all the monitors off when this situation occurs.

It's not Alton itself but picsolve who operate the screens.
And I've chatted with that particular staff member about people like this before!

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

 

[RicketyCricket]

If they switched the monitors off whenever people do this, they'd be switched off 95% of the day, it happens allllll the time.

Fair play to the staff member, we are quick to slag them off sometimes but at least this chap takes pride in his job.

This Twitter reply did tickle me though:

"Dwight Schrute approves"

 

[imanautie]

If they switched the monitors off whenever people do this, they'd be switched off 95% of the day, it happens allllll the time.

Yep. It would be nice if people would be discreet about it however, as much as I hate the company it's not called for having ago at staff for them asking you not to photograph the screen.

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

 

[Steve74]

Then so be it, as I said, people will soon get annoyed with the people with phones.
And to be honest, I've not seen it happen much and switching them off could be a last resort like for that prat in the tweet.

Having said that, I do think the watermark option is the best way to combat this though.

 

[imanautie]

Then so be it, as I said, people will soon get annoyed with the people with phones.
And to be honest, I've not seen it happen much and switching them off could be a last resort like for that prat in the tweet.

Having said that, I do think the watermark option is the best way to combat this though.

If I'm not mistaken the score board for Ninjago is also picsolve and that is watermarked with the old (camera) picsolve logo.

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

 

[RicketyCricket]

I say just let people do it. They're only gonna get a crappy blurry photo of a screen anyway and were never going to fork out for a printed version. Those who want the full souvenir photo will always pay for it.

That seems to be Disney's approach anyway.

 

[Rob]

I agree. If you want a high quality photo then you are going to purchase it regardless of whether or not you are allowed to take a photo of a photo on your phone.

 

[SuperMuscleMan]

Is it me or am I thinking what's the point? Yes it's another cash cow. But with the equipment costing far less than it used to, (we now carry better cameras in our pockets). The price point should really reflect this.

Do we need picture staff? It surely could be automated for just a simple cheap download? Printing images off is hardly difficult and if people wanted a physical product why not have an end of day pick up point in towers street? Here it could all be printed from one central location.

The quality the guy will get off those screens is pointless so why worry?

 

[imanautie]

Is it me or am I thinking what's the point? Yes it's another cash cow. But with the equipment costing far less than it used to, (we now carry better cameras in our pockets). The price point should really reflect this.

Do we need picture staff? It surely could be automated for just a simple cheap download? Printing images off is hardly difficult and if people wanted a physical product why not have an end of day pick up point in towers street? Here it could all be printed from one central location.

The quality the guy will get off those screens is pointless so why worry?

You mean like it is with the digipass kiosks?
Ride photography equipment is not cheap and probably never will be.

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

 

[SuperMuscleMan]

You mean like it is with the digipass kiosks?
Ride photography equipment is not cheap and probably never will be.

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

Yes. A simple tap in model linked to a qr code or NFC. But pay £2 a pop. I'm sure an app with contactless could be made.

The cost of displays, cameras and storage has plunged since the 2000's.

I've just looked at the photo examples on the towers site and I'm shocked by the low quality.
Look at this:

https://altontowers-media.azureedge.net/media/2981/dp5.jpg

This is used on the digipass page. Has so much digital noise from over pumped iso.

Even the other examples show either to slow shutter, over exposure (with too slow shutter lol) and terrible white balance. So how towers can justify a printed price is beyond me!

 

[GaryH]

We looked at our ride photo from Thirteen 2 weeks ago and it was awful. The flash was far too bright and the image was over exposed, yet they still wanted to charge £12 for it.

I would pay £5 for a digital photo but £12 is way too steep. Plus, you got to carry them around with you all day.

 

[imanautie]

We looked at our ride photo from Thirteen 2 weeks ago and it was awful. The flash was far too bright and the image was over exposed, yet they still wanted to charge £12 for it.

I would pay £5 for a digital photo but £12 is way too steep. Plus, you got to carry them around with you all day.

Hint don't go on a ride early on in the day if you want a photo, I think picsolve's camera system resets daily and has to go through a few ride cycles to adjust itself.
THORPE have the sense to not shut it down like towers do so test cycles help it adjust.

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

 

[spinba11]

We looked at our ride photo from Thirteen 2 weeks ago and it was awful. The flash was far too bright and the image was over exposed, yet they still wanted to charge £12 for it.

I would pay £5 for a digital photo but £12 is way too steep. Plus, you got to carry them around with you all day.

What colour was the camera case?

 

[ringo]

It’s hit the “press”.

Apparently though the reason you aren’t supposed to take photos of the screens is for privacy reasons

Jobsworth' Alton Towers employee desperately tries to stop customer filming their £30 ride photo

A theme park employee has been labelled a 'jobsworth' after desperately trying to stop a customer from filming his ride picture in a bid to escape payment.

The confrontation is believed to have taken place at Alton Towers, Staffordshire, which charges £30 on top of its £56 entry fee to download ride photos.

But one cheeky customer - on what is thought to be the Nemesis ride - decided to try filming the board of ride photographs so he did not have to pay.

Ordinarily, customers have to pay on top of their entrance fee for a printed photograph from the ride or for a digital download.

When approached for comment, a spokeswoman for Alton Towers said: 'A visit to Alton Towers is all about families and friends making happy memories and for many guests their 'on-ride' photo is a great souvenir of their day.

'Our display screens are there so guests can review their on-ride photos and several images are usually displayed which can show guests of all ages, including children.

'We ask guests not to film or photograph the screens to protect the privacy all the guests on display.

'In this instance, the member of staff had explained this and repeatedly asked the individual not to film the display.

'We have spoken to our teams to remind them of the reason for our policy, and would ask our guests please to respect staff requests not to film and the privacy of other visitors.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-stop-customer-dodging-ride-photo-charge.html

 

[Lurker]

Where did the £30 figure come from?

 

[Burbs]

Where did the £30 figure come from?

That'll be the 1-day Digipass price.

Must be a slow news day.

 

[AT86]

Apparently though the reason you aren’t supposed to take photos of the screens is for privacy reasons

 

[Lurker]

I think it's absolutely disgusting that they'd run an article on this, especially insult the employee as a jobsworth. I'm sure it's not a particarly great job to tell people to stop filming and then get shit for it. He is clearly doing his job as instructed, and visibly frustrated by the entitled customer. I think concerns of privacy are important, and even if they weren't its a fair policy by the park/picsolve. Trivialising the customer as cheeky and vilifying the staff member as a jobsworth is outrageous.

It's the daily mail, I expect this shit, but I still think it's worth saying it's wrong.

He was doing his job to the best of his abilities, and clearly working hard. Hope towers give him a bonus.

 

[imanautie]

I think it's absolutely disgusting that they'd run an article on this, especially insult the employee as a jobsworth. I'm sure it's not a particarly great job to tell people to stop filming and then get **** for it. He is clearly doing his job as instructed, and visibly frustrated by the entitled customer. I think concerns of privacy are important, and even if they weren't its a fair policy by the park/picsolve. Trivialising the customer as cheeky and vilifying the staff member as a jobsworth is outrageous.

It's the daily mail, I expect this ****, but I still think it's worth saying it's wrong.

He was doing his job to the best of his abilities, and clearly working hard. Hope towers give him a bonus.

He isn't a towers employee, he's picsolve and one of their fantastic team members. (Which is saying something if you know my opinion of picsolve).

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

 

[RoyJess]

Apparently though the reason you aren’t supposed to take photos of the screens is for privacy reasons

The bottom line is, taking photo of the screen is stealing. You haven't paid for the pic, Picsolve owns the copyright to that photo. It's no difference to you going into a shop and taking an item and walking out of the shop without paying for it.

If you wan't an on ride photo, either pay for it (print or digit pass) or get a family member or friend to try and snap a pic of you from off the ride as you whizz around.

I'm with Picsolve and their staff members on this one.

Perhaps Picsolve should turn the tables and take photos of the offending pictures snapping thief's and pass the their mugs shots over to the security/police and have them pay a fine many times that of the price of the initial photo plus a criminal record.