1. Lose yourself
Take time to observe and study the exhibit before you shoot it. Think about the framing and composition, and what details you want to emphasise. Only then should you take out your camera. So enjoy the experience! You’re not there only to take a snap to prove you were there.
2. Be a good visitor
This means not hindering other visitors from viewing the exhibits. This is the main reason why most museums ban the use of tripods. Some may allow monopods though, so check in advance if you’re allowed to use it. Be courteous and don’t hog the display – a camera is not a licence to have the exhibit all to yourself.
3. Avoid the crowd
It’s alway easier to get better shots when the museum is less crowded. This gives you more time to study the subject and not get in the way of other visitors. The best timings are usually on weekdays, shortly after the museum opens, or just before it closes for the day.
4. Read the signs
Respect the restrictions – these are usually announced in notices at the entrance. However, it never hurts to check with the staff. Sometimes a “no photography” sign really means no flash photography. If photography is strictly forbidden, keep your camera (and your camera phone) in your bag. Do not try to sneak any shots!
5. What to bring
Call the museum in advance to ask if you are allowed to use your camera, flash or tripod. Bring only what you need. A good spare lens to bring would be a 50mm f/1.8. It’s cheap and it can let in loads of light – useful when you can’t use a flash. And keep your bag small, or you risk having to deposit it at the entrance.
6. Working with dim light
The low light in most museums means that you may need to use a high ISO (800 or higher), a small f-stop number (f/4 and smaller) and a slow shutter speed (around 1/30s). To prevent blurry pictures, use a wall or display case to steady your camera as much as possible.
7. Pain in the glass
This is a common problem when shooting in museums. To avoid seeing your reflection in the glass, shoot at an angle – not straight on. To see “through” the glass, try using a circular polarising filter. However, note that using such a filter will also cut quite a lot of light, so you may need to increase your ISO or change to a smaller f-stop number. Keep a piece of cloth handy to wipe away finger marks on the glass.
