Bring your DSLR to the museum?

[Muse]

I'm a little gun shy after being chased out of the first place I brought my new Pentax K-x (I had my 55-300mm kit lens attached, with lens hood ). It was a public place (Stern's Grove, donated to the City of San Francisco, in the 1930's, I believe, and maintained by S.F.), but the big security guard shooed me out of there. I'm told (since) that I had the right to shoot there, but that's water under the bridge.

Well, can I bring my camera (I'd use the 18-55mm kit lens in there) to a museum, say the Oakland Museum of California? Or other Bay Area museums? I haven't been to a museum in so long I don't remember if there are people wandering around with cameras around there necks or not. :\

 

[mmntech]

Well, you did have the right in public. Just as long as you're not shooting kids. Museums are a bit different though.

Call ahead and explain to them that you're a hobby photographer and you're not taking pictures for commercial purposes. As long as the exhibits are copyrighted, they shouldn't have a problem. Offering to provide them some copies of your shots sweetens the pot if they're reluctant. Most organizations are nice, and like positive publicity.

 

[Muse]

Well, you did have the right in public. Just as long as you're not shooting kids. Museums are a bit different though.

Call ahead and explain to them that you're a hobby photographer and you're not taking pictures for commercial purposes. As long as the exhibits are copyrighted, they shouldn't have a problem. Offering to provide them some copies of your shots sweetens the pot if they're reluctant. Most organizations are nice, and like positive publicity.

Thanks. It's true, I have no intent to sell the pictures. I do have my new K-x set up to embed my name as the photographer and to specify me as the copyright owner of photos taken with it. Don't know if that's the thing to do, but figure it isn't stupid to do that.

PS - What did you mean about the statement "as long as you're not shooting kids?" I'm no pedophile and certainly have never dreamed of taking pictures of kids for profit. Did you mean as long as I'm not seeming to be focusing (whoops, unintended pun) on people's kids? Seems perverted, I guess.

 

[MotF Bane]

PS - What did you mean about the statement "as long as you're not shooting kids?" I'm no pedophile and certainly have never dreamed of taking pictures of kids for profit. Did you mean as long as I'm not seeming to be focusing (whoops, unintended pun) on people's kids? Seems perverted, I guess.

That's it. Because there are people who will accuse you of being a pedophile and taking pictures of kids, and you certainly don't want that kind of trouble.

 

[996GT2]

I'm a little gun shy after being chased out of the first place I brought my new Pentax K-x (I had my 55-300mm kit lens attached, with lens hood ). It was a public place (Stern's Grove, donated to the City of San Francisco, in the 1930's, I believe, and maintained by S.F.), but the big security guard shooed me out of there. I'm told (since) that I had the right to shoot there, but that's water under the bridge.

Well, can I bring my camera (I'd use the 18-55mm kit lens in there) to a museum, say the Oakland Museum of California? Or other Bay Area museums? I haven't been to a museum in so long I don't remember if there are people wandering around with cameras around there necks or not. :\

I brought my 5D into the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and they had no issues with it whatsoever. The only rule was no flash photography, but the full-frame sensor and fast lens took care of that little tidbit

 

[virtuamike]

Each museum will have different rules. Ditto for each exhibit. Cameras were prohibited at the YSL exhibit @ de Young but fine at Chihuly. They're usually posted somewhere. Check ahead.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Bring it. I've seen lots of photogs hit up museums. Just be aware of the rules, or they'll tell you ahead of time. Don't worry about your 18-55mm lens. People get intimidated by my 17-55 all the time

I think the hood always says "I'm a monster"

 

[darom]

When we were in Seattle, we visited a local art museum. I was told right away to put away my Pentax ist camera.

In Paris, I had no problems taking pictures of the art collection (Louvre). In Saint Petersburg's Hermitage they just asked not to use flash.

The United States so far have quite strict rules re: the photography (per my personal observation).

 

[Muse]

Bring it. I've seen lots of photogs hit up museums. Just be aware of the rules, or they'll tell you ahead of time. Don't worry about your 18-55mm lens. People get intimidated by my 17-55 all the time

I think the hood always says "I'm a monster"

You're suggesting, I take it, that I leave the hood off? Is the hood useful in a museum or just outdoors?

 

[Muse]

When we were in Seattle, we visited a local art museum. I was told right away to put away my Pentax ist camera.

In Paris, I had no problems taking pictures of the art collection (Louvre). In Saint Petersburg's Hermitage they just asked not to use flash.

The United States so far have quite strict rules re: the photography (per my personal observation).

OK, I've lived in the USA my whole life, and I think I shouldn't presume to pronounce upon it regardless. But I have to think that the rule freaks have eaten away at its soul. It's enough to make a guy paranoid. :|

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

You're suggesting, I take it, that I leave the hood off? Is the hood useful in a museum or just outdoors?

Well the hood serves 2 purposes. Flare, and physical protection. I use it in clubs all the time cuz drunkards crash into me all the time. I havea few suffs on my 11-16 hood cuz of that.

But you have the 18-55 no? The hood shouldn't be very big. The 17-55mm lens is a pretty big lens to begin with. Throw on the hood and it looks even bigger.

If they allow cameras which I believe you should be ok for, then you shouldn't really worry. Bring a nice white lens if you want in those cases If there's those stupid 3" lens rules like at stadiums, I would toss the hood. Anything that makes your lens look larger than it is will cause trouble in those cases.

 

[Muse]

Bring it. I've seen lots of photogs hit up museums. Just be aware of the rules, or they'll tell you ahead of time. Don't worry about your 18-55mm lens. People get intimidated by my 17-55 all the time

I think the hood always says "I'm a monster"

Jim Morrison : When you make peace with authority, you become authority.

I'm sure I'll be pushing the limits/rules with my DSLR. I've always tested authority, within legitimate reason.

I'm a real noob with my DSLR. I'm trying to think of places to go have a field day. Don't want to start with obvious wimp places like Muir Woods, not to say I don't love trees. I'd like to kick up some dust, as the saying goes, although I don't want people grabbing my camera!

 

[Ballatician]

You should be ok at the California Academy of Sciences. Saw plenty of people with dslr's there when I went to one of their nightlife things.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

You should be ok at the California Academy of Sciences. Saw plenty of people with dslr's there when I went to one of their nightlife things.

No problem at all. I was there with multiple lenses and swapping. In some of the places like the Rainforest exhibit I swapped to my telephoto to get some shots of the butterflies.

Yes and there's multiple people with DSLRs. I don't know about nightlife though as I've never gone. But alcohol. Adults. DSLRs. Sure why not?

 

[Munky]

It varies depending on the place. I just visited a few museums in Sydney, and some galleries were no photo, but most were ok without flash. A fast prime lens helps a lot.

 

[alkemyst]

That's it. Because there are people who will accuse you of being a pedophile and taking pictures of kids, and you certainly don't want that kind of trouble.

QFT...some dude was just testing out his super zoom at our dog park and about a dozen women rallyed together to call 911.

He was just taking pics of dogs.

 

[Silenus]

Each museum will have different rules. Ditto for each exhibit. Cameras were prohibited at the YSL exhibit @ de Young but fine at Chihuly. They're usually posted somewhere. Check ahead.

This.

Many museums will let you take photos, but may restrict FLASH use. But also keep in mind that although they may allow non-flash photography in general...there may be certain exhibits where no photos at all are allowed. So just keep your eye out for those signs!

 

[shortylickens]

The National Gallery of Art in DC lets you bring a camera. Specific exhibits do not allow photography, but they are always clear about which ones.

 

[Imp]

It's been a while since I read up on policy at my local museum, but if I recall correctly, you are allowed personal photography. No "professional" cameras (e.g. DSLRs) are allowed.

If you don't bring a telephoto lens and a tri-pod, security may look the other way.

 

[shortylickens]

It's been a while since I read up on policy at my local museum, but if I recall correctly, you are allowed personal photography. No "professional" cameras (e.g. DSLRs) are allowed.

If you don't bring a telephoto lens and a tri-pod, security may look the other way.

Which is funny cuz I could bring a Leica M9 and those morans wouldnt know the difference.