Museums and no photography

[JaybirdUK]

Recently I did a whole bunch of WW1 museums and sites around France and a couple of museums banned photography, one little museum even wanted me to leave with her my DSLR gear (this wasn't going to happen!)

This got me thinking, why do they do this? One of the museums was a one man band outfit that didn't sell any images or souvenirs so it wasn't to force you to buy their stuff.

Are they just being mean?

[dudleybloke]

iv heard of flash photography banned from certain museaum and galley exibits to stop light from damaging old paintings ect but i can see no reason to stop you taking pics where you were.

[Killwilly]

I was in one of the Oxford university museums last week and was told photography was not allowed, even none flash.

[sinizter]

Maybe they think you are scoping the place for a heist or something.

Maybe they have seen that poster released by our beloved Government, about suspicious behaviour such as taking photos of buildings being linked to terrorism.

Edited by sinizter on Saturday 10th September 08:53

[Mobsta]

I always wanted a powerful miniature hand held concealable push-button flash device, just to wind up the old ladies in museums and national trust galleries for this reason

[Stiglet80]

I always thought with places like the National Trust buildings it was to do with copywright and producing saleable materials from their property. You can at the National Trust sign a waiver to say they are for personal use only and wear a badge, however when I did I just go harassed all day by the volunteers telling me I couln't take photos still.

[Simpo Two]

sinizter said:

Maybe they think you are scoping the place for a heist or something.

That's a possibility. After all if you saw someone taking pictures of your house you might be a little aggreived.

But like all these fear things, they don't stand any examination. Rather than take a photo of a Ming vase on the left for example, you could just go out and say to your waiting accomplice, 'Fingers' Fanshaw, 'There's a Ming vase on the left'.

Stiglet80 said:

I always thought with places like the National Trust buildings it was to do with copywright and producing saleable materials from their property. You can at the National Trust sign a waiver to say they are for personal use only and wear a badge, however when I did I just go harassed all day by the volunteers telling me I couln't take photos still.

You can take photos at Holkham Hall in Norfolk, but that's because it's privately owned. Worth a trip.

[JaybirdUK]

It's all rather annoying, I enjoying recording in pictures the places I go to and the fact I own as DSLR doesn't make me a professional and want to sell them for profit.

If it was for criminal intent, I could so easily take covert pictures with a mobile and they'd be none the wiser.

Spoil sports

[Dogsey]

Having worked in a gallery I can answer this and it's usually down to one of many different reasons.

1) Light damage from flash, galleries are lit to very strict lux levels for conservation reasons. Paintings and fabrics are particularly vulnerable.

2) Copyright. Often lenders will make it a condition of loan that their copyright on the work has to be protected, if one lender has specified this and another hasn't it's easier to enforce a blanket ban rather than a "you can photograph here but not here" policy.

3) Revenue protection. If the gallery has invested it's money in making postcards, prints, posters or exhibition catalogues it had a right to protect that investment.

4) Security. Probably the least important reason actually, but while you are taking that innocent photo of the Ming vase you could also be including where PIR points or security cameras are and what make / model they are.

[Teppic]

Stiglet80 said:

I always thought with places like the National Trust buildings it was to do with copywright and producing saleable materials from their property. You can at the National Trust sign a waiver to say they are for personal use only and wear a badge, however when I did I just go harassed all day by the volunteers telling me I couln't take photos still.

National Trust have changed their policy and now allow non-flash photography in a lot (although not all) of their properties.

[Killwilly]

Simpo Two said:

That's a possibility. After all if you saw someone taking pictures of your house you might be a little aggreived.

In the late 1970's I lived in a 16th century black and white half timbered property in Herefordshire and was always having someone take photographs. It didn't bother me then and I don't think it would today.

[Simpo Two]

Well I did say 'might'... if you live in a chocolate-box cottage on a tourist route it's too bad!

[Bacardi]

Simpo Two said:

You can take photos at Holkham Hall in Norfolk, but that's because it's privately owned. Worth a trip.

Such a pleasant change. I nearly fell over when the guy on the door welcomed me in and said 'feel free to take pictures anywhere'!

It is worth a trip. If you're ever invited to stay, this is one of the guest bedrooms...

[Simpo Two]

That's my gardener's bedroom, that is.