Museum of Art Entrance at Balboa Park

How’s that for an incendiary title?  I suppose I should backtrack slightly and explain myself: during a recent trip to southern California, we stopped by Balboa Park. Great place, and it happened to have some wonderful things going on for children.  Acrobats, stencil drawing (Persian-style) on tile, block-painting (very lithographic).

My daughter loved it all, so therefore I loved it.

Until we hit the SD MOA, that is. We were greeted at the door by a cheerful woman, welcoming us in.  “Entry is free,” she informed us, “but no cameras and no drinks. You have to leave your bags at the front.” With this, she gestured to a side room where there was a check-in service.

Mind you, I was carrying my SLR with three lenses. Full replacement cost would have been near $4000.  I’m not leaving it with some clerk, so out I go.  Denied an opportunity because of a senseless policy.  What, I’m going to take pictures of their works?

Don’t get me wrong, I understand why they make the rule.  Flash photography hurts older paintings, and water can cause great damage. I’ll give them that 90% of people have no idea how to turn off their flash, but I’m not one of them.

So here’s the thing: just like with DRM, the rule is punishing the honest. I have an SLR – it’s easy to turn off the flash.  A pocket camera that they couldn’t see?  Much harder to turn it off, which is why so few people do. Add that people won’t give up their camera if it’s small enough to sneak by, and the rule effectively sets them up for *only* flash photography to be taken inside. By amateurs, who won’t care about the effects. The people who care, who might actually support their cause?

Out on the street.

To add insult to injury, I then went to the Museum of Photographic Arts, which also houses sensitive works. Get this: they *trust* people to not damage the work.  Walk in with your bag, no prob.

So in my opinion, I have to say: the management of the SD MOA blows chunks.