Flash in museums

[Bsnapshot]

Just was thinking about something that always puzzled me. A lot of times when traveling you go to museums or in caves historical houses the guides always say you can take photos but you can not use a flash. when I ask why they say the flash is hard on the curtains, fabrics or in a cave it harms the rocks ect. But when touring them they are lit up with spot lights.

So does the flash from a camera really hurt or is it just a myth because that don't want you to take photos?

[Johnny Heinonen]

it's true allright, but what is really puzzling is when they don't allow tripods either. Apparently it blocks people from moving.. I realise that, but as I frequent museums quite often, there really is not that many people to get blocked anyway.. Well, nothing a hundred dollar bill would not fix (I took pictures in egypt in tutankhamuns tomb with a tripod and it cost me 60 bucks..)..

[Ellbee99]

Originally Posted by Bill_Clinton

it's true allright, but what is really puzzling is when they don't allow tripods either. Apparently it blocks people from moving.. I realise that, but as I frequent museums quite often, there really is not that many people to get blocked anyway.. Well, nothing a hundred dollar bill would not fix (I took pictures in egypt in tutankhamuns tomb with a tripod and it cost me 60 bucks..)..

Ahhh...the joys of bribery!
LOL

[Johnny Heinonen]

Originally Posted by Ellbee99

Ahhh...the joys of bribery!
LOL

well, it was the guards salary for 2 weeks, so who could blame him.. But I was scared as hell, 'cause they take those things quite seriously there (I had no intention of getting to know the egyptian jails any better)..

[mcbit]

Originally Posted by Bill_Clinton

well, it was the guards salary for 2 weeks, so who could blame him.. But I was scared as hell, 'cause they take those things quite seriously there (I had no intention of getting to know the egyptian jails any better)..

No need to worry, I've lived middle eastish for 17 years, they take their bribery far more seriously!

[Kosherpaparazzi]

If you use a flash in a dark cave it might ruin someone's night-vision.

[Douglas]

1 reason is the $$$

Why let you take a good picture, when at the end is a gift shop with post cards and photos for you to buy. This is more the case with today where anyone can get great shots from a point and shoot pictures that only pros with lots of good equipment could shoot.

And damn.....Wish I thought of doing that when I was in Egypt. I got yelled at for using a flash in the museum in Cairo (though it wasnt me. My flash was in the bag). Still got some nice pics doing hand held

[Jacco]

Originally Posted by Douglas

1 reason is the $$$

Why let you take a good picture, when at the end is a gift shop with post cards and photos for you to buy. This is more the case with today where anyone can get great shots from a point and shoot pictures that only pros with lots of good equipment could shoot.

$$$ are the sole reason!

And damn.....Wish I thought of doing that when I was in Egypt. I got yelled at for using a flash in the museum in Cairo

Standard M.O. to get foreigners' attention. Intimidation and theatrics are deeply ingrained. While all they wanted from you was bak$hee$h...

[Ed Shapiro]

Money and bribery are fun terms to bandy about but there are real scientific and archival reasons for prohibiting the use of electronic flash in museums.

Here in my city, we have the Canadian National Archives and the National Gallery of Canada along with many other museums which house valuable artifacts and art pieces. Most curators and archivists agree that ultra violet light is the arch enemy of paintings of various types, certain textiles and objects made of a vast range of materials and substances. Since museums displays and art, by their very nature, are for very long term public display, experts are of the opinion that cumulatively speaking over the long term, intermittent but ongoing exposure to sources of UV light will in time cause harm, fading and deterioration to theses artifacts and works of art. Electronic flash is very high in UV content.

The display light is many museums are high end quartz lamps with in fixtures having heat absorbent and UV absorbing glass. Theses lights offer both IR and UV protection. When visiting hours are over, all the display lighting is turned off.

For many years, I have done art reproduction on large format transparencies for Museums Canada and private galleries. I do use electronic flash but use special UV absorbent Plexiglas that is sued for agricultural purposes. The curators are not particularly worried about my blasting theses artifacts with 2400 w/s units when new acquisitions come into the various museums- that one big blast and it's all over. The are concerned about exposure to UV light over decades and even hundreds of years.

It is also interesting to realize that very old paintings and other artifacts are made with paints and dyes having organic pigments very unlike the metallic dyes and pigments that we have nowadays. Color sources such as berry juice, green leaves and other naturally occurring substances are very susceptible to damages by UV light, heat, certain gases and even air pollution.

Even of I could bribe someone to allow me to do flash photography of certain objects, I would not consider do so. I have enjoyed seeing many great masterpieces and interesting artifacts in museums and I would like my great grandchildren to have the same enjoyment of seeing all of theses wonderful things in good viewable condition. When I photograph theses kinds of articles for reproduction on books and the making or prints and posters, I feel good because reproduction enable more people to study and learn about the old masters and history in general. I also feel good that we are using every possible precaution in protecting what we are photographing.

Tripod usage is sometimes related to fire and safety regulations. If I want to make photographs in museums or galleries for my own use, I simple make all the arrangements well in advance and usually secure permission to come in at off hours and do my work.

Ed

[dch]

Originally Posted by Bsnapshot

So does the flash from a camera really hurt or is it just a myth because that don't want you to take photos?

It's a myth. If you say something long enough, people will actually believe it.

[after]

Flash does actually hurt artwork, and those other things you see in a museum. Our flashes on our lights are calibrated to the same temperature as the sun... Sun fades paint like it fades prints... and while you may not think of one flash causing harm... flashes by hundreds/thousands of guests daily will cause harm... I would like to post more on the subject, but I ran out of time right now... I'll try and get back later.

[dch]

Flash photography--Conservation DistList

[Eero Makela]

Long time ago at EXPO 86 (I think it was) In the French Pavilion they had one those super expensive paintings by I forget who.

The case had a very well protected glass cage and if I recall the glass was thick and it may even have been dual layer with something in between to protect the painting behind it. Also it was dimly light in the area as well.

[jfrancho]

It's their place, and they make the rules. Get a fast prime, and shoot away without the flash.

[mcbit]

Originally Posted by dch

Flash photography--Conservation DistList

from the above article

".......or as a disturbance to the act of contemplation......"

gets my vote too!

[after]

That's fascinating dave, thanks for the article.

Here's another take - very fascinating: http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/archives/02.../qq141202e.mp3 (linked from: CBC Radio | Quirks & Quarks | December 14, 2002) and slightly more up to date information.