Why do many museums and aquariums ban tourists from taking photos?

It is easy to see that many places of interest such as museums, aquariums, historical places have signs prohibiting visitors from filming or taking pictures with flash lights, or even sometimes even ordinary photography is prohibited. Usually the reason given is because the flash is too strong and can damage artworks in galleries and museums. Besides, it also affects the animals in the aquarium. If so, why is photography alone sometimes banned, what's the reason behind that?

The ban on photography applies not only in a few countries but actually in most countries around the world. You can't take pictures in places like the Sistine Chapel in Rome, the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, Buckingham Palace, etc. Although some major art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston has changed its policy, and now allows visitors to photograph certain pieces of work in their permanent collection. However, these museums post high-resolution photos on their websites of the same artwork that visitors are not allowed to take.

Flash problem

Does flash really damage artwork?

Flashes with high light intensity are said to be able to damage structures and cause chemical reactions with works of art. Because of concerns about the intensity of light as well as the ultraviolet energy from the flash, the managers at the museum and art gallery agree that it is not recommended for visitors to take pictures with flash here. .

Regulations prohibit photography in the museum.

This suggestion stems from a study by the National Museum of London in 1995. Research has shown that repeated blinking of a flash can cause color changes in the color samples tested. This result has led to the reason why museums and galleries ban photography with flash, to reduce the risk of damaged paintings and save expensive restoration costs.

However, another study by Martin Evans at the University of Cambridge found that flash photography did not actually cause significant harm to most of the works in the museum. In this experiment, he used 2 high-power flash lights, one with a UV-blocking filter removed to get the highest energy level, and the other to stay the same. The lights are placed in front of a 1m stained cloth. At the same time, a similarly dyed canvas was placed in the standard lighting conditions of a gallery for comparison. For the next few months, the flashes were fired every 7 seconds.

After more than 1 million flashes, the resulting UV-unblocked flash causes a slight fading of the dye layer, visible to the naked eye. Meanwhile, in UV-shielded flash, the drug layer fades as if there is no difference if seen with the naked eye. However, the special feature here is that the changes in the color of the UV-blocking cloth are similar to the dyed cloth placed under standard museum lighting conditions. In reality, the flash from a visitor's phone is just a light with a small intensity, fired at a few meters away from the work, it takes billions of times to cause damage, Evans said. Products.

In reality, the flash from a visitor's phone is just a light with a small intensity.

While the flash isn't the problem, museum curators and directors have made themselves believe this for so long, that it has become a belief they dare not do otherwise.

Evans' research also points to a rather contradictory case, when the museum banned photography of Pharaoh relics for fear that the flash would destroy it, while those relics already existed under the rays of the sun. The UV or harsh sun of the desert is more than 3000 years old.

Flash and effect on aquarium animals

Many people and even us love to capture the moments of creatures diving in the water, or their lovely gestures. And the smartphone is a great tool to do that. However, unlike works of art, living things are more influenced by this light.

 The flash will cause the animal to be stunned and disoriented.

Many studies have shown that flash from a phone or camera cannot cause permanent damage to the eyes of animals or people, even at close range. However, these erratic sudden light changes can cause considerable stress for fish species, especially those accustomed to low light conditions. Flashing will cause the animal to be stunned and disoriented and lead to unnecessary incidents. In some more severe cases, the flash can even make the animal feel threatened and jump out of the tank or bang its head against the glass in a panic.

The clip recorded the scene where the flash caused the tuna to panic and crash into the glass window at the aquarium

Fish, like mammals and humans, experience many stress responses. An increase in adrenaline in the blood only lasts for a few seconds, after a few minutes, cortisol will be released. Both of these hormones initially help the body adapt to stress in a number of ways: the heart rate increases, and blood flow to the muscles and vital organs increases to prepare for the situation. upcoming situation. But if the stressor is constantly present, the organism will always be in a state of alert, negatively impacting their reproductive system and life.

However, not all fish are affected by flash light, because different fish species require different habitats and lighting conditions. Therefore, the safest and easiest way that the aquarium chooses is to ban flash photography.

Visitors' experiences

Banning the use of cameras also improves the visitor experience. It's hard to enjoy a picture when people keep gathering in front of it to take pictures. In the long run, this will lead to a crowd of people standing in line to take photos, and visitors who really want to enter the exhibition will feel affected and uncomfortable when coming here. Since then, profits have also decreased.

It's hard to enjoy a picture if people keep standing in front taking pictures.

Besides, allowing photography can lead to many other problems. For example, because a photo is beautiful, many people will try to climb out of the balcony to angle the photo, or try to get close to the work. If this happened in major museums, the scene would be very panicky and out of control.

Guaranteed source of income

In addition to ticket sales, a significant revenue of museums lies in the sale of souvenirs.

The biggest reason for this ban is financial problems. It is understandable that museums must find ways to keep visitors interested in returning in order to get funding to fund their collections. If the videos and photos are spread on the internet, few people will want to visit anymore. In addition to ticket sales, a significant revenue of museums lies in the sale of souvenirs. By preventing photography, the museum will have more opportunities to sell exclusive photo gifts. Because if photography is not allowed in a museum or historic site, gift shop books, posters, and postcards are the only legitimate source of high-quality images of the painting, statue or place.

Security

The photography ban is also said to increase security, by deterring thieves or terrorists with the intention of taking pictures to identify weaknesses in alarm systems and surveillance cameras. While there are actually relatively few major art thefts, for every theft that occurs, it's what makes news and headlines. But no manager wants their mistakes to be marked like that.

Copyright protection

Photography is prohibited to ensure that authors receive a fee any time someone wants to make copies of their works.

Copyright was born to protect authors, artists, creators, to ensure they get a fee anytime someone wants to make copies of their works. Copyright usually lasts for the lifetime of an artist, and for an additional 70 years after that. This means that most of the collections in the museum date back to the Greek Renaissance, which had lost its copyright many years before that. However, this is a big problem for works of modern art, especially when works are on loan. The museum does not own the copyright of the loan paintings or sculptures as it belongs to the original owners or artists.

About the museum itself uploading photos of works online

It is thought that posting digital photographs on the internet enhances the security of the museum rather than compromises it. The more recognizable a picture or object, the harder it will be for thieves to sell them after they've been stolen. This also makes illegal buyers more afraid to spend money to buy.

Museum innovation

The museum allows paid photography is also a good solution.

The photography ban is proving less and less effective as high-quality cameras become more compact and easier to wear. It is not impossible for tourists who want to carry out the intention of sneaking. So, instead of resisting and putting yourself in a battle with the thieves, some museums have a better idea. For example, some places ban tripod photography, to prevent visitors from bumping into the tripod and falling on the artwork. Or like the Natural History museum in Rwanda that charges visitors to take photos, they can take as many photos as they want as long as they pay in advance to enjoy the privilege. This also helps the museum to control the number of visitors taking photos, and possibly earn some extra money.