can we shoot in art galleries?

Jaraviss

what type of experiences do you have on shooting in galleries?
there are a few art galleries in town and i'm planning on going down to see if we can shoot in there.


before i go down, just wanted to know what your experiences were.
are people allowed to take pictures in there or does it vary from place to place?

i imagine if you take a picture of a piece of art, you should say who it's by?
i'm really there to capture the space...not just the art.


let me know what you think/have experience with, if you can,.


Thank you!!
-G

JenGrace

I've never tried, but I think most art museums do not allow photography... Good luck.

Moogle Pepper

Yeah, some are explicit with no cameras. But some are alright with it, as long as if you do not use flash! Flash will create really harsh light that will quicken the deteriation process of a piece of art.

ziggy53

Most of the "public" museums and art galleries (that I have been to) allow photography, but no flash or tripods/monopods. It's easy enough to ask.

It is never right to "copy" other's works for monetary gain or to claim as your own works. The rule is that if you intend to gain, you had better have permission in writing.

Moogle Pepper

I only shot a picture in a museum once, with no flash of course. There was this great graphics design image that I wanted to make into a tattoo for myself. But I got scared, and never got it tattoo'd.

Jaraviss

thanks for the quick replies
i called down there before we went on our way.
the guy said "no photography unless it's educational or for the press"
we went down anyway to survey the exterior of the building as it is an interesting piece of architecture....and i'm on that architectural photography jag righ now. heheh

anyway we perused the art, and the guy behind the desk was a younger/nice looking gentleman.

i asked "so no photography huh?"
he said no again...
i said "oh..it wasn't to take pics of the art...but more for the architectural details, i'm an architect and am learning to use my camera so that by the time my buildings are constructed, i'll have a better handle on my equipment"

he said that was fine...so we shot some stair details...nothing magical tho.


HEHE thanks for the replies!!

-G


Lessons learned:
even if denied, it's always a good idea to make a guest appearance (be prepared with equipment) in case they change their mind.



-G

pathfinder

I rather expected most art museums to refuse to allow photography, but I recently was in the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls Montana and they allowed digital photography without flash or tripods. I have also been allowed to shot in the Eiteljorg Museum of Western Art in Indianapolis with the same restrictions.

(I wonder if they really realize the quality of images one can capture with a 5D and a 24-105 IS L lens.) Or even with a modern P&S with Image stabilization.

I will not post my captures on the Net, but I will use them for my own educational purposes.

Jaraviss

did you like the museum?

pathfinder wrote:

I rather expected most art museums to refuse to allow photography, but I recently was in the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls Montana and they allowed digital photography without flash or tripods. I have also been allowed to shot in the Eiteljorg Museum of Western Art in Indianapolis with the same restrictions.

(I wonder if they really realize the quality of images one can capture with a 5D and a 24-105 IS L lens.) Or even with a modern P&S with Image stabilization.

I will not post my captures on the Net, but I will use them for my own educational purposes.

i'm originally from Montana and have been to that museum.
was it cold already in Montana? any snow?
we actually got to go home this summer for a mini-vacation..took the kids to see their gramma. it was nice to get home.
however, this was prior to me getting into photography..
next time...i'll be ready!!!

very cool that you got to see my home-state.



-G

pathfinder

We went the day before the ShootOut in Glacier began.

It was in the high 70s I believe and lovely. The CM Russell museum is spectacular - well worth a visit to Great Falls!! The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center was neat also. We did see snow one morning in Glacier as well.

Richard

Shooting works of art is interesting, when it is permitted. A straight shot of a painting or piece of sculpture will almost always be a waste of time, unless you are doing a catalog. The result will be a boring photograph no matter how great the work of art is. On the other hand, I have had some success shooting people reacting or interacting with works of art. Modern sculpture can also be a great subject if you limit yourself to shooting details, especially up close and/or from unusual angles. You can get some nice abstracts that way.

Regards,

jziegler

Jaraviss wrote:

what type of experiences do you have on shooting in galleries?
there are a few art galleries in town and i'm planning on going down to see if we can shoot in there.


before i go down, just wanted to know what your experiences were.
are people allowed to take pictures in there or does it vary from place to place?

i imagine if you take a picture of a piece of art, you should say who it's by?
i'm really there to capture the space...not just the art.


let me know what you think/have experience with, if you can,.


Thank you!!
-G

I've actually done a some shooting in the big art museums that I've been to in Europe. Most of those types of museums allow non-flash photography. I think many of the big museus in the US do as well (the Smithsonian run ones, the met, MoMa, Philadelphia, etc). I agree that striaght shots of the paintings don't make terribly interesting pictures. I feel that the sculptures can make great photos though. I've enjoyed shooting the sculpture galleriers at the Louvre, for example.

Lighting can be a big deal, the museums tend to be pretty dark.

Jim

jamesl

pathfinder wrote:

I rather expected most art museums to refuse to allow photography, but I recently was in the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls ...

It's pretty funny that you mention that museum! I was there a few years ago for one of my yearly trips back to Great Falls (I grew up there). I didn't know much about shooting in museums, and took my 10D with me to take pics of some of my favorite Russell works, just to have memories of them. No one said anything to me about it either. Knowing what I know about museums and photography now, it's pretty amazing that they are so lenient. However, I think it is pretty cool that they allow it.

James

claudermilk

rsinmadrid wrote:

Shooting works of art is interesting, when it is permitted. A straight shot of a painting or piece of sculpture will almost always be a waste of time, unless you are doing a catalog. The result will be a boring photograph no matter how great the work of art is. On the other hand, I have had some success shooting people reacting or interacting with works of art. Modern sculpture can also be a great subject if you limit yourself to shooting details, especially up close and/or from unusual angles. You can get some nice abstracts that way.

Regards,

Some stuff does give opportunities. I was kind of disappointed this weekend with a modern piece. I have a few ideas I wanted to try--even with just my wife's P&S. However, the museum did not allow photography...so no photos.

jonh68

Is the rule against tri-pods/monopods more for being obtrusive in carrying them around and also having the possibilty of an accident happening either with the exhibits or patrons? I wouldn't think the reasoning would to be limit the photographer so they would get bad shots.

Jaraviss

jonh68 wrote:

Is the rule against tri-pods/monopods more for being obtrusive in carrying them around and also having the possibilty of an accident happening either with the exhibits or patrons? I wouldn't think the reasoning would to be limit the photographer so they would get bad shots.

i would think that was the reason.
we were in SF and went up to the top of Coit Tower.
they said cameras are allowed, but no tripods.
i didn't understand why...but then when we got up there...there's not alot of room to maneuver around....with alot of people up there...it would be wrong to hog all the space with my tripod...

makes sense.

so now we know.. *maybe i'd sneak in a monopod next time* hehe
-G

jziegler

What about the small, folding, tabletop tripods? I have one that I travel with that's only about 6-8" long when folded, and has 3 section legs, making it about a 18-20" when extended and setup. It's no high quality tripod, but it can hold a relatively light camera. A large SLR with a big lens would be too much though.

Just another thought for you.

James