There are middle grounds that can be taken regarding control of public photography in museums. At The Baltimore Museum of Art we allow visitors to photograph objects in our collections, but not those that belong to other institutions or individuals. We allow only hand-held cameras, and do not prohibit use of electronic flash--our conservators don't think it is an issue at 1/10,000 of a second duration or so. We do not allow unshielded flash bulbs, though, because of the possibility of shattering (not that anyone has flashbulbs anymore) .Allowing flash is worth considering if you wish to allow visitor photos at all, because many small cameras do not allow the user to turn off the flash. We keep printed copies of our photography policy at the front door for visitor and guard reference. It is so difficult to get publication-quality photos of artwork in a museum using a hand-held camera that we don't worry much about copyright issues with the general public, where our own collections are concerned. Anyone requesting to use a tripod or other special equipment must make arrangements with PR or the curatorial department concerned, and requests are evaluated based on the prospective use of the images. Any request to use continuous lighting must be vetted by our conservation staff and closely supervised by us--this mainly happens when TV crews are taping, and they are usually both careful and understanding of limitations. Hope this is of some help. David A. Penney Exhibitions Manager The Baltimore Museum of Art A common tactic that I've encountered (I almost always carry a camera when visiting museums) is to be asked at the front door to sign a form stating that I will not make commercial use of my photos and that I have read and will comply with the institution's conditions. Usually there is a little sticker or tag that I then display to guards as I move around the building, showing that I have permission to photograph.