I think the mentality is- "if you let them take pictures in one area
they'll want to take pictures in other areas" which then makes the
staff have to go the extra mile and inform visitors when and where
they can take pictures.  Rather than going through that extra work,
it's just easier to control the visitors by imposing a no photography
rule.

Our museum has had a dilemma with this same issue.  We are a
children's museum with no objects.  We have imposed a no photo-taking
and video-taping policy throughout the gallery.  Even if it's a parent
swearing that they're only going to take a picture of their own
children we have to stop them.  There is a fear that one day some
stranger will go up to a child and take their picture without the
parent's permission for a purpose other than just filing it away in a
photo album.

We have been accused of paranoia by angry parents who want photos of
their children at the museum.

Are we being paranoid?  Is there a real need to protect the child's
image?



>Hey, Museologists...
>
>I have long wondered about the alleged damage photo flash is supposed
to
>cause in museums.  I could understand that some damage to paintings
or
>other such art works may occur over time, but why are flash photos
>prohibited in rooms with only stone or metal sculpture?  Surely there
>could be no damage to these.
>
>Ron
>
>Robert T. Handy wrote:
>>
>> Unless it is for our promotional purposes, we do not allow anyone
to take
>> photographs in our exhibits.  Besides the progressive damage the
flashes
>> might have on artifacts, our exhibits contain material that we have
been
>> given permission to use.  To allow someone else to photograph those
items
>> would be a breach or our promise to protect the rights of the
donor(s).
>>
>> ------
>> Robert Handy
>> Brazoria County Historical Museum
>> 100 East Cedar
>> Angleton, Texas  77515
>> (409) 864-1208
>> museum_bob
>> [log in to unmask]
>> http://www.bchm.org
>>
>> ----------
>> From:   Verlag Dr. C. Mueller-Straten[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent:   Saturday, January 16, 1999 9:36 AM
>> To:     [log in to unmask]
>> Subject:        Re: Taking pictures in museums
>>
>> Verlag Dr. C. Mueller-Straten, Kunzweg 23, D-81243 Muenchen,
>> Tel/Fax: 089-839 690 43, http://WebMuseen.de/VERLAGCMS
>> MAGAZINES AND BOOKS IN MUSEOLOGY (GERMAN/ENGLISH)+ GERMAN THESAURI
>>
>> I am wondering if there are any recommendations regarding picture
taking in
>> Museums by visitors or photographers, including aspects of
copyrights and
>> conservation.
>>
>> If this question has been treated recently, I apologize in advance.
>>
>> Best regards and thanks for your help
>>
>> Dr. Chr

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