This leaves me curious about museums' photography policies. A quick search and dipping in at random produces:
"To protect the objects being photographed, the copyright privileges of their creators, and the safety of our visitors, there is a need for certain restrictions on taking photographs in the museum..." (Dayton Art Institute)
"Readers may use their own non-flash digital cameras and Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras to photograph certain items. We regret that the use of camera tripods is not permitted. All photography is under staff supervision in a designated area, using document support aids provided by staff where appropriate (See Section 4 below).
"Photography for personal use is permitted in all galleries and exhibits
in the Museum. Certain traveling exhibits may have photographic
restrictions. These will be posted in the gallery..." (McClung Museum, University of Tennessee)
The sites usually mention that tripods need permission, flash isn't permitted, and use by press etc needs special permission.
Now for the visuals - taken in January during some of theV&A's refurbishment work:
Cornelia Parker's controversial sculpture is suspended over the interactive area in the southwest corner. (Comments at its unveiling were along the lines of "they could have repaired those instruments and kids could be playing them") --
I think that the photography policies are basically an attempt to prevent commercially viable postcard photos being taken, hence the tripod and flash bans. Of course in some cases the objects will suffer if flashed at, and in other cases copyright is involved.
ReplyDeleteIt would help of course if they had postcards themselves of the objects one wanted!