Photography in Museums..

I have been to quite alot of big Museums in my life, and have alwys been allowed to take photos. Louvre, Vatican, no worries.

But yesterday, I was told I was not allowed to use my camera in Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. I was not given a reason as the security guard did not speak much english.

I know flash and Museums are a no go, but no cameras at all? Are they worried about people photographing and printing and making copies? This doesn't happen with as famous work as the Mona Lisa.

Just wondering whether this is common in other places other than Rijksmuseum..

Depends ... there is no single rule. My experience is that some allow, some don't and some restrict to certain areas. Most don't allow flash whatever the other rules ... at the ones I've visited.

In art museums I have seen that cameras are usually ok in the permanent collection, but not in temporary or traveling exhibits. In other museums its more of a mixed bag.

Are they worried of people photographing and printing mass copies?

Because I really don't know what it is that would make them ban Cameras all together..

My experience here is often similar, having had to actually 'bag' a camera to make sure I was not going to photograph something. I was in Kamakura on Sunday at a temple. No photography signs common. Not sure why, since the areas are popular tourist/visitor attractions, but maybe because the statues are in the realm of being...sacred? In popular and limited museum venues, it does hold up the line if folks are taking pictures. I guess they want to sell postcards and view photo taking as a loss of revenue. Some items donated come with a caveat that does not allow the item to be photographed, and lastly, in spite of the no flash rule, invariable someone will fire one by mistake, incurring the guard's temporary wrath. Just my thoughts, often disappointed when this happens.
Cheers,
John

I thought it was because the flashes can damage some of the sensitive prints.

I've been to some museums that do allow photography, and some that don't. It pretty much depends on how the management feel about it.
There's a line of thinking that if exhibits that are exposed to more than their fair share of flash their colour will fade (just like carpet in sunshine) although I don't remember seeing any tests that would back this up - another test job for mythbusters?

Some museums I've taken a lot of pictures in (Cairo museum for example) now do not permit photography at all - possibly for the alledged fading reasons, but more probably because having every Tom, Dick & Harry fire a P&S with uncontrolled flash is a real annoyance for anyone within range.

The cynical would of course claim that photography bans result in increased takings at the museum shops...

traveling exibits is a security thing

I was told once by a museum curator that it is only the flash they are worried about. Most SLR owners should be able to take pictures without flash - however, as most P&S owners can't, or won't turn their flash off, it has to be a blanket 'no photography' rule.

I'm not sure, but if I remember correctly, when I visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in 2001 they made me leave my camera bag before allowing us to tour the museum. I could be confused, it is in the wee hours of the morning and I should be sleeping.

At the Fine Arts Museum in Houston, Texas you are not allowed to take any photos at all. I got kicked out for doing it one day. There was also a statue outside that I had my friend pose in front of and a security guard actually came out and made me delete the photo!

Totally ridiculous in my opinion.

There's quite a few places here in the UK that don't allow photography in stately homes/museums etc. Photography is forbidden in any interior at National Trust property. However, photography is allowed at Hampton Court (where there are many old and valuable paintings and tapestries.

The idea of the light from flashes "fading" paintings is unfounded. The actual amount of light emitted from a flash unit is extremely small.

I think the real reasons are two-fold.

1) Money. Museums etc, make a significant income from brochures, postcards, etc. If people aren't allowed to take photos, then they are forced to buy merchandise in order to have a visual memory of the place.

2) Convenience. There's usually not much room in these places, so people holding up the line to get the perfect angle on something only serves to hold everyone up. Slower progress through the building means less people can visit = less money for the venue.

i know for instance they do not allow any photos at the Whitney in NYC yet MoMa allows some photography as well as the met, it seems any exhibit on loan is off limits.. perm collections are fine in those museums

In the US, flash is mostly an insurance issue. IF you are using flash and it reflects off of something, or directly into someones eye's, as they are moving and they trip, or walk into something, damage is possible. I have had clients specifically ask if I could do an event without using flash, for that very reason and they are concerned, that it is distracting.

Tell you guys what...the museum here is holding some of my prints for the summer, I'll ask the curator what the reason behind no photography in museums would be. I'm pretty sure they don't allow flash photography either