New rules: Italian State Museums

Having been to several of these museums in Florence, I really can’t see how one could get a descent photo without being completely obnoxious to the other visitors. It was hard enough just getting a good look at most of the works… I was happy to purchase the guide books for their professional photography. It was a small price to pay to help fund these amazing museums AND get pictures that were much better than I could ever take. Just my 2 cents...

This started on the first of July. Everyone under 18 will still get in for free but there are no longer free tickets for those 65 and older.

The free Sunday might not be the best time to visit. You must still make reservations at places such as the Borghese but once the free tickets are gone, they're gone. Also, you won't be able to book entry times for free Sundays at venues such as the colosseum. You must go and wait in the line to get your free ticket along with everyone else who wants to enter that day. It's much like the free Sunday for the Vatican museums. You show up, wait in the hours long line and get in with tons of other people. I also believe they are not conducting tours on free Sundays.

Donna

I agree with Todd. Most postcard or guidebook photos far surpass what a dslr or smartphone can do.

No, I'm not recommending visits on the free days, nor going wild with the cameras at the museums. Just passing along the info as a useful heads-up.

I find it odd that more museums are allowing photography now. It only adds to the traffic jams and crowds gathered around the most famous artworks and encourages rude behavior by some guests wanting to get a photo. And discourages people from buying books and postcards of the art in the shops. And many people inevitably forget to turn off their flash, which is very distracting.

Having said that, I personally love taking photos of art (I try to be polite and aware of others when doing so). With a DSLR, I can get very detailed images that show things like brushstrokes and details that often don't show on a postcard or in a book. But by far the average photographer is just using a smart phone cam to take a snapshot or selfie.

FYI - The NYT just ran a story on overcrowding in European museums. It focused more on the potential damage to artwork but gave a good overview of the issue.

I don't think allowing photos at these sites is a good idea at all. If you've ever tried to get close to the Pieta you'll know what I mean when I say that people can be rude and downright pushy when they want to get a photo. I can see this happening at lots of different venues with the new rule changes and I don't think it's a good thing at all.

Donna

And let us not forget all the people who insist that the rules regarding not taking photos in places where you are asked not to (i.e. the Sistine Chapel) do not apply to them.

This is wonderful news. While my preference would be a high-quality image in a book or even a postcard, I seem to be drawn to paintings that don't qualify for that exposure. Even a less-than-optimal photograph helps me remember and re-experience the painting.

Good conversation!

I can see both sides of the issue, and have a feeling that they got so tired of trying to police sneaky snaps with cellphones that they just gave up. It's those cellphones and pads - held over the head - that tend to block my view more than traditional lenses so I'm not sure how I feel about this.

At the same time, I've made a rotating slide show of museum snaps for our living room TV that turns a boring black box into something more visually interesting when we have company. Like you, Douglas, I always try to be respectful of others when I take them, never use flash, and never, ever elbow anyone aside.

I guess we'll see what sort of chaos this causes, and if they might have to rescind the privilege if it's abused? Those free days are apt to cause another sort of chaos!