tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post6387264908794084299..comments2024-03-07T06:04:27.839-08:00Comments on Museum 2.0: Museum Photo Policies Should Be as Open as PossibleNina Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-35611699065355449042014-08-24T05:55:44.804-07:002014-08-24T05:55:44.804-07:00Great! I also question why I can't take pictur...Great! I also question why I can't take pictures there.<br />I like you mention the statement "if it doesn't spread, it's dead."<br />I humbly ask your permission to put your link in my blog article ya..<br />www.stellycious.com<br />thanks..<br />stellahttp://www.stellycious.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-47883897242241264912014-05-14T13:40:56.142-07:002014-05-14T13:40:56.142-07:00Awesome article. With an open policy, visitors wil...Awesome article. With an open policy, visitors will be more organized in taking photos in the museum and avoid visitors to make inappropriate gestures when posting the photos with the name of the <a href="http://artguru.me" rel="nofollow">museum</a> which can distort its values.gwenconhttp://artguru.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-19919164742781639372013-11-24T04:19:33.799-08:002013-11-24T04:19:33.799-08:00I know this post is over three years old now, but ...I know this post is over three years old now, but I was wondering if anyone out there in the museum world has noticed a shift or change towards photography by private individuals? Also, I wanted to get current opinions about some points I'll be stating below:<br /><br />I completely understand the mission of museums being charged with the preservation and protection of artifacts and items entrusted to their collections. At the same time though, why are most institutions so restrictive about access or personal photography? <br /><br />If I wanted to utilize research materials and records at a museum regarding a particular work of art that has caught my eye, I've found that in some cases, unless I am in the academic field or some type of professional that I'll be politely but firmly turned away. If I persist in asking why suddenly some records with information or photos are proprietary, I will get as many answers as there are days in a year. At the end of the day, I leave frustrated and feeling insulted.<br /><br />Then there is my main passion, digital photography.<br /><br />I have a pocket Nikon and my iPhone. I'm something of a photo enthusiast and I know how all my equipment works. I can turn off the flash and I've even gone to far as to put black electrical tape on the flashes so they won't fire accidentally. I think I'm demonstrating my sincerity at that point and should be cut a bit of slack.<br /><br /> I don't request the use of a tripod. I often visit during the quiet times of the day or slow days in the week so I'll be less of a nuisance for other patrons. I respect the need to not touch an object or get too close to it. <br /><br />I'm not one of those guys who likes to pose with a work of art and create a selfie. When I'm in a museum, my attention is on the item I came to see. I'm not there to shoot as many photos as possible with myself in them for bragging rights like some of my friends (I sure do hope they don't read this)! <br /><br />Yet, I find that I'm constantly being treated little better than a potential vandal or criminal as soon as my iPhone or Nikon come out. <br /><br />Docents and guards have approached me to inform me that some unusual Hellenistic Age or Classical sculpture or mosaic was off limits for personal photography on account of copyright (What?! Copyright?! I had no idea Praxiteles, Phidias and Alexandros of Antioch had recently applied for and received copyright protection at the Patent Office!) and when I ask how a person who's been dead for over 2000 years can still have a copyright, well of course they react negatively since they aren't used to being challenged with an intelligent and forthright question. <br /><br />Or to put it more bluntly, they hate being called out on abuse of power since they don't technically own anything like a copyright. In other instances, a director will explain that it isn't really copyright but a strong desire to control the usage or image of some artifact. I'm still puzzled over why my low resolution photography which is being done simply for my own personal satisfaction is being construed as disrespectful? Besides, when did my First Amendment right as a photographer suddenly get trumped by a overly-controlling museum policy? <br /><br />If the museum is a publicly funded entity, I've always concluded that in a strictly technical sense, as a taxpayer I own a tiny share in that museum as much as anyone else. I'm not asking for special privileges or treatment. I just want to be treated with the same level of respect as I extend to the museum and the collections within it as I try to carry out my photography in the least intrusive many possible.<br /><br />There are many more salient points I could bring up, but that is a lot of it. <br /><br />Does anyone foresee the inconsistent regulations that a photographer has to deal with becoming better with time?<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09376112718857300087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-52614767771283370342013-10-23T12:51:18.803-07:002013-10-23T12:51:18.803-07:00As a curator responsible for the welfare of our co...As a curator responsible for the welfare of our collection, my bottom-line question is technical. Do the "new" camera and phone flashes emit the same type and strength of light as old-fashioned cameras? My Director seems to think they do not, and wants us to allow flash. I know that ALL light damage is cumulative, and do not want to allow it. What does science say about this? Any study results?SOHS Curatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07192800294685445048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-67127180429106985392013-10-23T12:50:17.861-07:002013-10-23T12:50:17.861-07:00As a curator responsible for the welfare of our co...As a curator responsible for the welfare of our collection, my bottom-line question is technical. Do the "new" camera and phone flashes emit the same type and strength of light as old-fashioned cameras? My Director seems to think they do not, and wants us to allow flash. I know that ALL light damage is cumulative, and do not want to allow it. What does science say about this? Any study results?SOHS Curatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07192800294685445048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-26398812170943703572013-09-20T01:05:29.299-07:002013-09-20T01:05:29.299-07:00Agreed with Robert. Since my post on the Warhol m...Agreed with Robert. Since my post on the Warhol museum in HK and correspondence with the curators, it seems that they are changing and many of the exhibitions there allow photography. Let's keep on pushing and raise voices! Sundialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09522848055102719632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-63007652625912326752013-09-19T07:48:22.565-07:002013-09-19T07:48:22.565-07:00I completely agree with this post. I’m a huge art...I completely agree with this post. I’m a huge art enthusiast who always brings his point-n-shot when he attends a museum, but before I whip out my camera I always ask permission from the staff, and I take my photos in the most non-disruptive manner possible. I usually do a general walk through of the collections, taking in all the pieces which interest me, and then a quick run with my camera, staying out of the way of other visitors. My main interest is documenting panel information so I have a record of the pieces I enjoyed, and also to capture those little intimate details you don’t see via web images. All these photos are for my own personal use, but occasionally I’ll write a post highlighting a particular piece, and I always mention the item location and encourage people to visit the museum. <br /><br />If the museum does not allow photos, that’s fine. I just write down the item information for later. However, if I know of the no-photo policy in advance, and if the museum is charging what I consider to be a higher than usual admission fee, then I might spend my time and money elsewhere. That’s the decision I make as a potential visitor/customer.<br /><br />Also, here’s a tip: If you want to get an in-focus shot without a tripod, switch to ‘continuous’ and it’ll take multiple shots, and at least one of them will be in focus. ;) <br /><br />Great post. I agree.<br />roberthttp://www.againstathorn.livejournal.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-60094261280494550692013-06-30T01:32:29.140-07:002013-06-30T01:32:29.140-07:00Excellent write-up and thank you for running throu...Excellent write-up and thank you for running through the issues.northierthanthouhttp://northierthanthou.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-4140306753590758262013-03-07T04:06:12.970-08:002013-03-07T04:06:12.970-08:00It's funny, of all the "technology" ...It's funny, of all the "technology" that I see going wrong in galleries these days, I most often see visitors really engaging with work more with their cameras than anything else.miltonhttp://miltonfriedmanday.org/fitness/les-mills-pump-review-does-it-work/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-6074829310789517452013-01-18T19:31:45.676-08:002013-01-18T19:31:45.676-08:00Well-thought out article on the issue, congratulat...Well-thought out article on the issue, congratulations. I am pushing on the same issue related to public museums/galleries in Hong Kong;I hope at least we can generate a debate and change in our city. Right now I am writing to the authority for responses and hopefully start a ripple or two. You can see my article (and follow-ups at below): <br /><br />http://artswise.blogspot.hk/2013/01/shooting-at-warhol.html<br /><br />One thing I don't want, as excuse to improvement, is to find photo-taking charge!!! for visitors - this policy I found in some art galleries in Berlin, absolutely ridiculous. Take careSundialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09522848055102719632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-55308669708535405102012-11-05T04:33:12.638-08:002012-11-05T04:33:12.638-08:00Some what agree with your point because its my per...Some what agree with your point because its my personal experience. I myself dont buy photos from museum as I carry my camera with my own.drugstorehttp://www.shopeastwest.com/med/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-1321262984899313862012-10-22T06:51:31.591-07:002012-10-22T06:51:31.591-07:00I personally think the restriction of flash photog...I personally think the restriction of flash photography is the solution :)<br /><br />Dave<br /><a href="http://ubiquitousmarketing.com/supplements/what-do-the-raspberry-ketones-reviews-say/" rel="nofollow">Raspberry Ketones Walmart</a> and <a href="http://ubiquitousmarketing.com/workout-program/insanity-asylum-review/" rel="nofollow">Insanity Asylum review</a>Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-31997571764324147482012-09-12T16:27:03.859-07:002012-09-12T16:27:03.859-07:00I'm sorry, I really disagree with you on this ...I'm sorry, I really disagree with you on this topic.<br />I think all 5 of the justifications you mention are valid,<br />though you're right that the last two are a bit out there. Still I can't imagine such rules exist unless precedents have been set for them.<br /><br />I find the constant photographing of EVERYTHING<br />these days extremely rude and to be blunt, <br />childishly narcissistic. Not everything in the world, <br />including art and artifacts on display in museums, is about me me me. It's important to respect the integrity<br />of a piece by giving full attention (or pretending to<br />by not distracting other visitors)<br />and not insisting on insinuating oneself into it.<br /><br />Sketching is not more distracting than photography--the focus with sketching is on studying the piece, not on posing<br />in front of it or using it as a souvenir.<br /><br />I have enjoyed European museums, as have many people before me and they have the strictest policies against photography. That didn't get the way of my appreciation.<br /><br />I like your creativity, but I don't like your eagerness to toss all traditional elements out the window.<br />That is a big and dangerous mistake.Harmoniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12616437274174496392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-6891955636779281392012-06-04T04:41:17.269-07:002012-06-04T04:41:17.269-07:00For our modest university museum, the policy is ba...For our modest university museum, the policy is based on photo rights issues, usually from artists' estates that are highly restrictive. Once we paid for the usage of an image for 3 years for a work in our own collection that we didn't have repro rights to -- this is not uncommon with major 20th century artists. As soon as the 3 years were up, sure enough we were contacted & told we could not use the image for any PR or similar use. This doesn't happen all the time, but often enough to be a hinderance to an open photography policy, at least with modern & contemporary art.Kamagra 100mghttp://www.medxpower.com/products/1-Sexual-Health/3-Kamagra/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-29974795289924748812012-05-02T15:36:42.291-07:002012-05-02T15:36:42.291-07:00I do not understand these policies? when has havin...I do not understand these policies? when has having a picture ever been the same as going to see a piece of art, if I want to see a picture of an artwork I can probably find one within 2 minutes online, art is about being there the subtleties of the texture etc.. So anyone should be allowed to take a picture if anything they will show it to a friend and they will come to see it too etc... Open your doors and policies.Kamhttp://www.kamagrasite.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-90546804938388219432012-04-07T15:47:23.901-07:002012-04-07T15:47:23.901-07:00I just think if you stick to not allowing flash ph...I just think if you stick to not allowing flash photography then you will not have these problems. Just an idea.davidhttp://buyherepayherescams.com/buy-here-pay-here-car-lotsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-81492941491719105052011-12-22T12:44:14.612-08:002011-12-22T12:44:14.612-08:00Oh wow, this got every one going - fascinating inp...Oh wow, this got every one going - fascinating input mixed with a good readMelvinhttp://www.vamptasia.com/tisot-leeilat-berega-aharon.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-14919185838628599152011-06-13T05:02:15.719-07:002011-06-13T05:02:15.719-07:00Oh wow, this got every one going - fascinating inp...Oh wow, this got every one going - fascinating input mixed with a good read.Dennishttp://tisot-eilat.com/arkia-le-eilat.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-74510649220953761262011-05-31T18:01:10.674-07:002011-05-31T18:01:10.674-07:00Bill: Flash photography can be particularly proble...Bill: Flash photography can be particularly problematic for some museums due to the amount of ultraviolet light put out by some types of flash.<br /><br />Museums that curate objects with delicate dyes, paints or fabrics that aren't completely "light-fast" can sometimes go to extreme lengths to try to eliminate stray u-v.Brighton Toy and Model Museumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18134485199464247727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-6769274149412524972011-05-30T15:05:20.691-07:002011-05-30T15:05:20.691-07:00Easy solution: turn the flash off! I know that the...Easy solution: turn the flash off! I know that the flash is what damages the paint filaments and such. Just my $0.02.nursing scrubshttp://becoming-healthier-now.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-58144201682012836692011-04-23T02:33:26.076-07:002011-04-23T02:33:26.076-07:00Jeg er bare at bringe dette op for at sikre, at al...Jeg er bare at bringe dette op for at sikre, at alle ved, at i det mindste med kunstmuseer, og især moderne og nutidig kunst, kan ingen fotografering politik være på plads på grund af disse former for restriktioner.apotek dkhttp://apotekonline-dk.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-76725819887459159702011-04-20T07:44:47.818-07:002011-04-20T07:44:47.818-07:00Whenever i visit a museum in a foreign country, i ...Whenever i visit a museum in a foreign country, i love to take photos of the things i see. Both b/c they are interesting and because i would like to remember my trip. I think its a shame when museum policy does not allow for such!Generic Viagrahttp://www.buysildenafilpills.com/viagra-duration.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-66266019937197792792011-04-01T06:06:51.096-07:002011-04-01T06:06:51.096-07:00These days you could do so many thinks with digita...These days you could do so many thinks with digital photos that you want to get your own. At least you could have them as a screensaver on your computer. Additionally, meuseum staff do not have to chase the visitors around trying to stop them taking pictures.a. companieshttp://www.autoinsurancequoteseasy.com/companiesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-68440493599637094542011-03-31T06:51:51.164-07:002011-03-31T06:51:51.164-07:00Great pose. Loved the photo. Thanks for the post.Great pose. Loved the photo. Thanks for the post.Buy Xenicalhttp://www.nobledrugstore.com/Weight-Loss/Xenical_340.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-36883156821649809172011-03-22T05:28:07.080-07:002011-03-22T05:28:07.080-07:00Hmmm why not just sneak a few quick pictures with ...Hmmm why not just sneak a few quick pictures with a cell phone camera with the flash disabled? If its a crowded location or you have a few friends with you, that makes it easy to get away with! Sometimes its just easier to quietly break certain rules than question or try to change them!pharmacyhttp://www.nobledrugstore.com/Men/Super-P-Force_495.htmlnoreply@blogger.com