How could I not take a surreptitious photo of a black-booted stranger standing in a gallery of fashion photography at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, his hand lightly caressing the wall as he read an exhibit by-line, the back of his tattered jacket saying “You are beautiful” in black-markered letters?
Jan 4, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Hm, I guess there weren’t any MFA security police to catch you photographing…
Jan 4, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Actually, this wasn’t the Special Exhibit on fashion photography, so I wasn’t doing anything illicit…not that photo bans have stopped me before.
The MFA’s policy on drawing/copying works of art is actually more anal retentive than its photographic policy. The photo policy is pretty straightforward: “Personal, non-commercial photography without flash or tripod is permitted in the permanent collections (not in special exhibitions).” So since I was using a handheld camera without a flash, the guards didn’t bother me (although I was worried this guy would turn around as I was photographing him: he looks like he could easily kick my ass…)
The policy on drawing & painting in the Museum is much more complicated:
http://www.mfa.org/about/sub.asp?key=46&subkey=11#draw
One thing that surprised me is that you can’t draw on weekends! Apparently the Museum is too crowded to permit it?
Jan 4, 2007 at 10:41 pm
>(although I was worried this guy would turn around as I was photographing him: he looks like he could easily kick my ass…)
But maybe he wouldn’t have, although I love the jacket shot. There are some interesting barriers here: photographing in an art gallery – you’ve got that down, now you need to ask a complete stranger if you can take their photograph.
Jan 4, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Twice now, the “you are beautiful” message pops up, and peeling paint, too. This is when I think I’m incredibly silly to indulge my own sadness so often. Lovely blog, thank you.
Jan 5, 2007 at 5:45 am
He’s got quite a style of his own.
Jan 5, 2007 at 7:29 am
oh, i think he would have been quite interesting to talk to. the photograph is fascinating to me.
happy new year, by the way! my friend near you has complained that she has had no new england snow! amazing weather, huh?
Jan 5, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Jan 5, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Wonderful.
Jan 7, 2007 at 8:25 pm
I LOVE this picture! I think it is my new favorite one of yours.