The Curious Case of People Who Only Take Photos in Museums: Art That’s Being Selfied
In the past, taking photos of artwork in museums was strictly prohibited. Using flash? Absolutely unthinkable — even today, it’s still off-limits. Back in my university days, one of my art history professors shared a story. In the era of film photography, he once found himself in an Italian church, desperate to take a photo of a particular piece of art. So, he used flash. Naturally, a guard immediately came to stop him, but my professor, ever quick-witted, claimed, “It’s the light of God,” and somehow got away with it. A story for the ages.
Fast forward to today. With the rise of smartphones, selfie culture isn’t just a trend — it’s deeply ingrained in how we interact with the world. People snap photos of everything, but I can’t help wondering: do they actually look back at those photos often? And in museums, this has created a bizarre phenomenon that, honestly, feels a bit warped.
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People Who Only Take Photos in Museums
I’m someone who loves art. I go to museums at least once a week, mostly to find inspiration — motifs, techniques, things I can incorporate into my own work. But more often than not, I encounter a certain kind of visitor. They photograph every single piece in the exhibit.
They follow a ritual: take a picture, glance at the artwork for a split second, check their smartphone screen, then move on to the next piece. Repeat. It’s almost mechanical. And there’s quite a lot of them.
Especially at special exhibitions, these visitors often cause photo traffic jams at the entrance. It’s such a waste of time. Watching people cluster around an artwork with their phones and cameras, snapping away, just feels odd.
Is this unique to Japan? Our museums tend to focus heavily on temporary exhibitions, showcasing a single major piece on loan for just a month or so. That “limited-time-only” urgency draws crowds who don’t want to miss out. Meanwhile, permanent exhibitions, even if they house masterpieces, are often eerily quiet. And here’s something that shocked me: Japan’s newest national museum doesn’t even have its own collection. It doesn’t preserve or acquire artwork — it’s basically a rental gallery. How does that align with the fundamental purpose of a museum?
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Why Do We Go to Museums?
Why do people go to museums? Isn’t it to look at art? (Okay, maybe a few people go just to take pictures.) If someone wanted to capture the intricate brushstrokes of a piece using a macro lens, that would make sense. When I take photos of art, it’s to study techniques or striking compositions. I also snap a single photo of the museum sign outside to remember where I’ve been. And that’s enough for me.
So, I want to ask those photo-focused visitors: why prioritize taking a photo over experiencing the artwork directly? If you’re not even in the shot, and you’re just going to scroll through photos of the artwork later, wouldn’t it be better to buy the museum catalog?
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A Digital Solution
Here’s the thing about museum catalogs: they’re incredible. Professionally taken photos, optimal lighting, expert commentary — it’s all there. But, let’s face it, they’re also heavy and expensive. As much as I love art and often buy these catalogs, it’s not practical to do so every time.
That’s where digital catalogs come in. Imagine this: high-quality images, 3D data, audio guides — all in a lightweight, portable format. It’s a win-win. It’d be cheaper, accessible to those who can’t attend in person, and available worldwide. Plus, museums could use it as a new revenue stream. Think about it: art lovers around the world downloading a digital catalog to study from the comfort of their homes. Sounds amazing, right?
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Reflecting on the Museum Experience
Every time I see these visitors snapping photos in museums, I can’t help but wonder: why are you here? What purpose does this mountain of digital data serve?
A museum isn’t just a photo spot. It’s a space to engage with art, to feel the unique aura of an original piece, to experience something that only the real thing can offer. Isn’t that what truly makes a museum visit worthwhile?
