Why cameras should be banned from the dance floor

Are cameras a nuisance? In our recent poll, 74% of you said yes… In an age when smartphones have become ubiquitous, the use of cameras in the club environment has become a contentious issue. With most people carrying around a high quality camera in their pocket these days, issues of privacy and intrusion often arise.

On top of that is the notion that the dance floor is a safe space for liberated self expression. For this reason, many queer clubs around the world operate a no camera policy, and it’s commonplace in many Berlin clubs.

PRIVACY & VOYEURISM
This is an issue faced largely by women and people from the LBGTQ+ community, and perhaps some men: people disrespecting the privacy of others to film creepy or voyeuristic clips for their own entertainment, or to share in sleazy online groups.

THEY DETRACT FROM THE EXPERIENCE
The most enjoyable rave experiences occur when you let loose and get totally immersed in the party. Stopping every few minutes to get a clip of a big drop, or ID a tune you like, is a massive distraction and creates a disconnect between the person filming and the actual experience. By the way, you can Shazam tunes in your pocket…

YOU LOSE THE MAGIC OF BEING IN THE MOMENT
Following on from the previous point, rather than instinctively trying to record every moment with your phone, it’s far better to actually experience that moment in real time. Watching it back on the ‘gram just isn’t the same as a pure visceral memory.

DO YOU EVEN LOOK AT THE PHOTOS & VIDEOS?
Most people won’t even look back at the majority of the images taken on a night out. Maybe no one wants to see them because they look wasted, or the footage is bad quality, or they get lost and/or forgotten in the thousands of other photos and videos stored on your phone.

FILMING IS JUST NOT WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Some of the key components of raving are escape, freedom, self-expression and safety. Bringing cameras into that space and using them excessively can lead to people feeling inhibited, the total opposite of what this culture is about.