Eugene W. Dillenburg wrote: > And there are extremes. Art museums in Australia seemed particularly restrictive (Queensland Art Gallery being an exception). The rules and regs at the main art museum in Sydney were so horrifically complex, the only piece I found I *could* photograph was an ancient Chinese vase in a darkened room -- with no flash. < How very strange-- the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney is the one I was thinking of most when writing my post to which Eugene responded--though I've signed similar documents in Germany and the US. I came out of both QAG and AGNSW with some good shots--there were some other things at AGNSW that I would have shot had I been permitted, but I understand the reasons--they were works by living artists, on loan to the museum. I don't recall anything unusual about the photo permission form I signed (would have to dig around to find it), but perhaps they've changed it since I was there. But then again, Ialmost never use flash anyway. I'm not sure whether museums prohibit it because the rules are holdovers from flashbulb days or whether conservators disagree about its effects. I just never seem to get a picture I like with on-camera flash, so if it's too dark I don't bother. David A. Penney Exhibitions Manager The Baltimore Museum of Art