Medium format in Los Angeles museums

[esp1126]

Hey! I´m planning to visit LA in a couple of months , and I want to take mi Bronica with me, I haven't found any information in the webpages of the museums about medium format cameras
Are they allowed , or its better if I leave it at home?

 

[Bill Burk]

I shot 4x5 at the Getty in Malibu, I used a rangefinder, no tripod.

 

[btaylor]

I would think other than using a tripod you would be okay. And no flash of course. Since just about everyone has a camera in their phone now I think they stopped the “no photography” rules as long as you don’t cause a problem for other museum goers. At least that’s what I’ve seen.

 

[Bill Burk]

You definitely do not want to make it seem like a professional shoot, no models/props.

 

[esp1126]

Yes , I wouldn't use any tripod or models, keeping it simple
The bronica isn't that big

 

[albada]

A Photrio-friend and I visited the Mission San Juan Capistrano a few days ago. It's not in LA, but it's not far from LA (and it's closer to you). Their rule was: No tripod. The girl said nothing about flash, but maybe she forgot.

 

[Timo Schön]

I have used an RB67 in a museum in vienna before. A few weird looks by security and other visitors but that was about it. I think most museums have a section about taking pictures on their website. Maybe you will find some information there

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Tell the museum guards you're an artist shooting film.

 

[MattKing]

Tell the museum guards you're an artist shooting film.

They will think you are making a movie.

 

[BrianShaw]

A Photrio-friend and I visited the Mission San Juan Capistrano a few days ago. It's not in LA, but it's not far from LA (and it's closer to you). Their rule was: No tripod. The girl said nothing about flash, but maybe she forgot.

They are okay with monopod, but will ask repeatedly if you are a professional as they charge pros more than just the entrance fee. I entertained them once with a demonstration of a Speed Graphic on a monopod. The gatekeepers were satisfied that I was just a kook with a big old camera and at least one other visitor was fascinated.

Likewise, Getty (Brentwood) didn't balk at a monopod.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have been allowed to shoot in a museum in Los Angeles because I only shot photographs of the room with may works but not so that they could be made in to useful ways to view individual photographs. I now just do not bring a camera to a museum or if I have, I check it in and pick it up when I leave. The J Paul Getty Museums allow indoor and outdoor photography.

 

[BrianShaw]

Galleries with visiting collections generally have photography prohibitions.

 

[MattKing]

Galleries with visiting collections generally have photography prohibitions.

The Vancouver Art Gallery usually encourages it, provided you follow their rules which prohibit flash and other things that may disrupt the experience enjoyed by others. Not Los Angeles of course, but some excellent travelling shows stop here.

 

[Pieter12]

Photography in museums is generally allowed unless prohibited by the lending institution. At the recent Cy Twombly show at the Getty Center, there was only one piece that was prohibited from being photographed. Generally flash photography is prohibited across the board. Tripods and even monopods are also generally not allowed. The Getty also has prohibitions on what might seem to be professional shoots (crew, lighting gear, etc.) in the gardens. Seems like some have tried to do wedding photos there. I have also run into problems pulling out a big SLR outside at the Skirball Center.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I hand-held shots in, out, and around the Getty with no problems.

Here's me demonstrating Manet's brush stroke. Of course, my wife took the picture and would have been the one in trouble had they objected.

 

[Pieter12]

I have taken a medium-format camera to the Getty quite often, no one has ever objected. Of course, no tripod. I don't photograph the art on display, just the buildings, scenes inside the galleries, the gardens and the city views from the fabulous location.
(MF cropped to panoramic ratio):

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I have taken a medium-format camera to the Getty quite often, no one has ever objected. Of course, no tripod. I don't photograph the art on display, just the buildings, scenes inside the galleries, the gardens and the city views from the fabulous location.
(MF cropped to panoramic ratio):
View attachment 321085

Pieter, That's a Van Gogh you photographed.

 

[Pieter12]

Yes, but that's not the subject, just part of the scene. I mean photographing the art to have a picture of it. I would rather buy a postcard, book or other reproduction if I feel the need to have an image of the art.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Yes, but that's not the subject, just part of the scene. I mean photographing the art to have a picture of it. I would rather buy a postcard, book or other reproduction if I feel the need to have an image of the art.

I understand. My point is that even if you do photograph the painting, the Getty museum doesn't object.

 

[MFstooges]

How are you going to prohibit flash use when all the mama bears, papa bears and their cubs have iphone yet don't know how to turn it off.

 

[Pieter12]

How are you going to prohibit flash use when all the mama bears, papa bears and their cubs have iphone yet don't know how to turn it off.

The guards will tell you. Not how to turn it off, but that flash is not permitted. I suppose if one asks, they or another visitor might be able to show you how to turn it off.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have been allowed to shoot in a museum in Los Angeles because I only shot photographs of the room with may works but not so that they could be made in to useful ways to view individual photographs. I now just do not bring a camera to a museum or if I have, I check it in and pick it up when I leave. The J Paul Getty Museums allow indoor and outdoor photography.

That includes the Annenberg Photography Space https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/

 

[Pieter12]

That includes the Annenberg Photography Space https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/

Unfortunately, they closed permanently a few years ago. A shame, I really like the talks there. Elliott Erwitt, Melvin Sokolsky, Ruth Ansel's talks were real stand-outs. The space itself IMO was less than ideal as a gallery. It was originally designed for a restaurant.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Unfortunately, they closed permanently a few years ago. A shame, I really like the talks there. Elliott Erwitt, Melvin Sokolsky, Ruth Ansel's talks were real stand-outs. The space itself IMO was less than ideal as a gallery. It was originally designed for a restaurant.

I did not know.

 

[Aidan Sciortino]

Bring the camera! Check out Huntington gardens in Pasadena, great spot with a wide variety of architecture and botany to photograph