Photos and El Greco

Museums, cathedrals, old building, ruins... they fall into one of two categories when it comes to photos and videos – allowed or not.

I can understand why flash photographs might be banned, and I agree photography during ceremonies and services isn’t appropriate. But photos without flashes and video cameras do no harm and have no impact whatsoever... so why ban them?

Now you might say “oh, but people will use their flashes anyway”. But here’s an interesting thing – almost universally they don’t! I observed this today at the El Greco exhibition. Cameras left, right and centre... but not a flash to be seen.

And in places where photography is banned, people take pictures anyway. Ever visited the Sistine Chapel? There’s more photography and video cameras in action there than in Hollywood.

So let people make their memories. Send them away happy. Save the overly officious rules for something that matters.

Below, El Greco’s St Bartholomew (with Dobby the house elf, bottom left), St Peter, and El Salvador (Jesus).