Written Photography Permission for ASI Sites (Architectural Survey of India)

The most important task to do before shooting the ASI Site. This important task is to take permission to shoot along with your TRIPOD. ASI means Architectural Survey of India. 

The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861.

Whenever you are planning to shoot Indian Monuments like Tajmahal, Jaigarh Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate etc. Shooting these monuments with normal, DSLRs camera does not have any problems. Foreigners, Visitors, Tourist are allowed to shoot these monuments. But when you try to carry your TRIPOD along with you to shoot these monuments then THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM. YES! I am telling you the truth. You cannot shoot with your tripod. I am sure photographers must be facing this problem in abroad too with their legalities. 

On a serious note, sometimes this objection really kills you and your photography passion. It really feels very BAD when someone strictly holds you to stop to shooting. But you must understand that THIS IS ASI RULES. We have to follow their rules if we have to shoot these beautiful monuments and locations. 

ASI understand that if someone shooting on TRIPOD then that particular person is filming the monument. Filming monument charges are too high. Filmmakers bear those charges because they have a big budget for film making. Photographers works for the medium segment budget and hardly bear this cost. 

Now the question is, How to shoot monuments with the tripod to shoot better and also in low light condition. Let's follow a few important steps to obtain legal permission. 

• You must finalise your date & time of shooting that specific monument. 
• Must visit Monument's website
• Must find out the facilitation office 
• Check out the contact person to speak or who can give you legal written permission
• Must introduce yourself as a photographer, Show your website, Facebook, Instagram etc
• Convince them that you are not a filmmaker
• Must share your purpose of shooting, not filming at all. 
• Must give him a list of carrying of photography equipment and tripod

According to ASI, filmmaking charges are as per the day but photography is almost free, But when you ask them to allow you to carry only TRIPOD then, in this case, You must have written legal permission to carry. They might have charged you nominal charges for this legal permission on the basis of your written request to the ASI. I guess this may be a good deal to go. Once you pay the charges then this will help you to get permission and you can go for the hassle-free shoot. 

I have seen a few amateur photographers carries a small tripod in their bag without permission. The monument staff thrash them very badly and do not allow them to shoot. I never support these amateur photographers because they are spoiling the reputation of the photography profession. If you are not authorised to shoot even for public building then you must respect word NO

ONE IMPORTANT & HAPPY INFORMATION for INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS- 25 Dec 2020 to 15 August 2021. There are no charges for photography at all.  Visit the mentioned link to read the news

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/from-dec-15-aug-15-no-fee-for-photography-at-asi-sites-for-projects-on-freedom-fighters/articleshow/79287200.cms?from=mdr

Keep experimenting! Have a wonderful & happy photography life to you all.

Photographer & Blogger Prasenjeet Gautam (www.prasenjeetgautam.com) has captured above monument Photograph, Qutub Minar, INDIA