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Photo taking in museum
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It seems more and more museums do not allow to take photos inside the museum (e.g. National Gallery, etc) so as to promote the sales of postcard / print.
Will V&A museum also follows the trend soon?
Posted at 2:41PM, 12 June 2008 PDT
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Possibly. But as cameras become smaller, and integrated with other devices, it's going to be harder and harder for them to stop you. Especially as they'll also continue to reduce personnel to save money.
Posted 48 months ago.
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We here at the V&A certainly hope that restricting photography is not a trend that will reach us. We are very keen to encourage the study and enjoyment of our collections in whatever form is appropriate; that might include photography, sketching, etc.
There are however inevitably some restrictions, for example in temporary exhibitions where some of the items included may be on loan from private collections or other institutions who do not allow photos to be taken.
That said, there are literally miles of galleries in the V&A within which are thousands of objects which everyone is free to photograph, so there should be something for everyone!
Posted 48 months ago.
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Glad to hear this, Mark. What would the reason be for some lenders of art to prohibit taking pictures? Usually the light is too low, tripods are not allowed, minders too officious (not in the V&A of course) for anyone to make an image and then sell it. As for keeping it on a computer, that shouldn't disturb the museums at all.
Posted 47 months ago.
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Well I guess different people have differing perceptions of the 'risk' associated with allowing images to be taken of things they lend to us.
In advance they cannot tell what uses some people may try to make of images of their stuff, so I think they err on the side of caution.
Plus the web is still a place of extremes to many, full of cool stuff like flickr and alarming stories of hackers, identity theft, etc. and that makes people nervous, and maybe to some degree it makes institutions more cautious about taking a risk.
We are lucky, our Director is keen to do anything he can, however 'risky', to promote awareness of the V&A's own collections and of course the museum was started to inspire British craftspeople by showing them the finest examples of designed and manufactured goods. We still keep Creativity, Knowledge & Inspiration as the key elements of our mission, you only need to look around this pool of photos to see all these things amply demonstrated.
Also and BTW, if you so desire it is possible to use a tripod in many parts of the V&A, although I should emphasise you are meant to email or write in first for a 'pass' - see here for more info: www.vam.ac.uk/your_visit/photography/
Posted 47 months ago.
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I confess to being a little annoyed when I was in yesterday - having been told (quite properly), that photography was not permitted in the new jewellery gallery, I put my camera away. However, my time in the gallery was spoiled by the people who were taking photographs, including using flash, with the security staff doing nothing to hinder them.
Posted 47 months ago.
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This is very frustrating *rosamundi*, and I entirely sympathise. If we're going to apply restrictions then we should be consistent if only to be fair to those who abide by the rules.
Part of the problem here may be that it is so common for people to be allowed to take photos in the Museum, that you almost have to force yourself to realise that the practice is not permitted in a very few areas. I'm speculating of course, I don't really know why this happened.
However I am sorry that you felt your visit to the gallery was spoiled. I think it is a fabulous space with amazing displays (and jewellery is certainly not something I'd have thought of as 'my thing') I hope that on another occasion you might have more of an enjoyable experience. I cannot promise that the Gallery Assistants will always be able to spot those taking photos but we will ask them to make every effort to apply the restrictions equably.
I'm glad to see that you still got some great photos in other parts of the Museum (I like this one in particular: www.flickr.com/photos/rosamundi/2710761543/ )
Mark
Posted 47 months ago.
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After some calm reflection, "spoiled" is too strong a word. It was an annoyance, especially when flash was bouncing off the glass (I take some comfort in the fact that those photos won't come out at all well!), but it was hardly the end of the world!
I had a look at the sign at the entrance to the gallery and it didn't say that photography was not permitted, so it's possible that unless the Gallery Assistants told people, they simply hadn't realised that photography wasn't permitted in the space. Perhaps making it a bit more obvious might help?
Originally posted 47 months ago.
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*rosamundi* edited this topic 47 months ago.
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Sleepy Moon [deleted] says:
i've alway's enjoyed my time wandering through the museum,being mindful of where i am,and whether or not photography is permitted.
cheer's to those of us that act responsible,and are mindful of any restrictions.those who choose to ignore the posted sign's only make it worse for us in the long run,where the museums eliminate allowing photography all together...i'm looking forward to my next visit in early november on a layover flight,where i'll be splitting my time between the V&A and the British Museum.
thank's for allowing us to photograph there...such a marvelous place !!
Posted 44 months ago.
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Silly prohibition really from a mission-based and marketing point of view - ask any Mktg/Comm/Advertising person & they will tell you"word of mouth" simply can not be beat by any other outlet....
So - easy math - take the loss of a $1.00 postcard, let us share our experiences with our friends online, and save $1,000.00 on marketing.
(Plus it never fails that the museum only has the "blockbuster" postcard and not the one I'm interested in, so I walk away without.)
Posted 44 months ago.
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Nice to see the results of your visit in the pool Sleepy Moon.... Thanks.
As for word of mouth, I couldn't agree with you more cjn212, it's my favourite way to discover somewhere new, be it museum, gallery, restaurant, etc...
Originally posted 44 months ago.
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MarkH V&A edited this topic 44 months ago.
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Hello Mark, I have to add to this stream that exactly because your musée promotes photography, and sharing that photography, I am excited to schedule another trip back to the V&A to improve some of my previous shots, and to continue to have material for example for "closer" and the new thread "theme elements." Keep up the great work.
Posted 35 months ago.
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Hi Mark. I was just wondering, has the V&A ever considered displaying visitors photos from Flickr, as a slideshow in the Museum, e.g. projected on a wall in the Foyer area?
It would take some setting up, but would enhance the interactive experience for visitors, might encourage more return visits ( as they come back to see their photos displayed), and it could gain press coverage if it hasn't been done before.
Obviously photos would have to be approved, and a restriction like one photo per person per day, but that can be done with Flickr groups anyway.
Was just an idea....
Posted 18 months ago.
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I know that last year the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC had some sort of large ad in the New York Times promoting a campaign where museum-goers sent in their shots...I think it did mention their Flickr page. I agree that it is a good idea.
Posted 17 months ago.
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Hi Strt2, sorry not to have replied sooner. The idea of displaying users photos within the V&A has been considered although I don't imagine it is something we would necessarily do on a large scale in any long term way. We might be more likely to do it for something based around an event, or series of events, or around an exhibition or temporary display.
It has been done before, by the Tate among others, although I agree it may encourage some visitors to come again, or to participate when they may otherwise not.
Personally I'm more interested in getting the potentially enormous web-based audiences to become aware of how creative our visitors have been, and finding ways of getting people to look at this pool of photos, especially if this is their introduction to the V&A. What better way to find out about us than through the eyes of our visitors?!
Posted 17 months ago.
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I love the V&A's policy, and in a slightly cheeky move, I've made a Flickr group for a less enlightened museum: www.flickr.com/groups/russell-cotes-museum/
Also, I was annoyed at the weekend for being (rather feebly) told off for taking a group photo of my family in a theatre - IN THE INTERVAL!
Posted 17 months ago.
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OK thanks Mark, it's good to know the museum ( and other museums) have considered the idea.
I still think it would be really cool to see a 15ft high display of visitor photos as you walk in the entrance! I guess I'll just have to imagine it for now.
Originally posted 17 months ago.
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Strt's Photos edited this topic 17 months ago.
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The V&A is a shining beacon of enlightenment in this country for allowing photography throughout (almost) the whole museum. It's good to see it continuing the ethos for which it was devised.
Easily my favourite museum / gallery - I just wish I was able to visit more often.
Envious, from the provinces,
Dajavous.
www.flickr.com/groups/873118@N24/
Posted 13 months ago.
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And the V &A has the best Flickr group of any museum, as far as I can tell.
Posted 12 months ago.
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Thank you uncoolbob, Strt2, dajavous and christopherlevy for your gracious comments, it is very rewarding for us when people give such positive feedback :)
Of course the only reason we have such a great Flickr group is because of contributors like yourselves and all the other visitors who take such great pictures then share them with us all.
Long may it continue...
Posted 12 months ago.
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Thanks to the V&A, I now have a rapidly growing set. I have put a few of them onto the pool. Enjoy and feel free to comment.
Posted 5 months ago.
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