Photography with a monopod in Italian Cities

Ryan,

In most Museums, Art Galleries and other facilities, Tripods are usually prohibited, along with flash photography. I've never seen anyone using a Monopod, so I'm assuming that would fall into the same category. Security Guards may allow visitors to carry a Tripod into a facility, but those found using it inside will probably find some "unwelcome attention" from the Guards very quickly.

Regarding Backpacks, there are some locations that won't allow these at all. One example is the Borghese Gallery in Rome where Backpacks, Purses, etc. must be checked during the visit. On my last visit, they also required my dSLR to be checked! While they may allow a P&S into the gallery, there's no way I'd try to "sneak" a photo as there are Guards in every room and numerous CCTV Cameras.

Many locations have airport-style security, so your Camera Backpack will have to go through the scanner before being allowed inside.

Happy travels!

My first trip to the Borghese, I didn't bring a camera at all. Second trip, I did (for things before/after), and kept it in my pocket as it is a small P&S. No one said anything because I don't think they knew it was there. Otherwise I'm fairly sure I would have been forced to check it.

I travel with a medium-size photography backpack. I bought a small luggage lock & put it through the zipper pulls when in crowded places. Therefore no one could help themselves to my equipment when I was wearing the backpack. In smaller towns the lock wasn't necessary at all but in Rome, Florence, etc. the lock gave me an added piece of mind. When sitting down somewhere, I put the backpack on the ground & put my foot through one of the shoulder straps so that no one could easily grab & run with it. Just be aware of your surroundings but you should be fine. Have a great trip!!

I am not sure how dead set you are on bringing a monopod but I can tell you I lugged around a tripod for 2 weeks in Italy and didn't use it once. I had a pacsafe bag for all my camera gear, lots of antitheft features but almost all "tourist spots" make you lock up stuff in a locker or check it at a desk. I am also a serious photographer and used other surfaces such as benches, mailboxes, statues etc to lean my camera on for low-light shots. I would recommend a gorrilla pod, if anything since it can adapt to so many situations.

Some of the "higher end" or special museum and church sites will not allow you to bring a camera (flash or not), nor a backpack, much less a tripod (monopod) inside. In these places you will have to check your belongings (Uffizi, Borghese, St. Marks, etc...). Each has it's own rules.

As stated, most places won't allow you to use your monopod and most won't let you take your camera inside with you. The monopod will be of the most use outside. I have never taken one with me on my visits to Rome and have not found the need for one with so many surfaces to use to brace my camera.

Donna

I bet you wouldn't have any problems with the guards if you had a string tripod on you :)

http://www.instructables.com/id/String-Tripod/