Is it just me? I get so disappointed when I go on vacation, visit the major attractions only to find signs that say "NO PHOTOGRAPHY". I understand the damage a flash can do and therefore turn it off, but no pix at all burns my butt. Maybe I just don't understand why.

What signs?

LOL Kal!

That is rare in my experience. I have seen "no flash" signs. Perhaps a sign in a manufacturing plant where they may be concerned about propriatary processes? What major attractions are you talking about?

I've been in dozens of "castles" or museums where it clearly states no photography (and I don't just mean "no flash") so I understand what you're saying. That's where I buy a few postcards which will be far better pictures than I could get anyway -- especially without a flash. Meanwhile, I find it refreshing to put the camera away and experience a place first hand for a change, instead of constantly seeing everything through a viewfinder.

To paraphrase your previous post on another thread:

If not being able to take pics at a particular tourist site is the biggest problem you have in life, you've got it awfully good!

Seriously, it's just not that big of a deal to me. If I can't take a picture, I don't take a picture. I either buy a postcard, or I just remember it in my mind. There are plenty of things on any vacation that you CAN take a picture of!

What really bummed me was being told I couldn't take pix in the produce section of Whole Foods last weekend!

Most of the no photos signs I remember seeing in Europe were in places where I questioned the propriety of my taking photos anyway. I swear, the worst job in Paris has to be trying to enforce the no photo policy in Sacre Coeur.

(You post twice, I'll post twice.)

I subscribe to the experience-it-firsthand, not-through-a-viewfinder idea, although I do get a few to prove (yes) that I was there, for about 2 weeks after I get back.

Otherwise:
Reasons for no photography:
1. Light does damage the delicate chemical makeup of ancient pigments. Maybe one single micro-second of a flash wouldn't do much, but imagine that bright light going on for hours -- as is the case with thousands of flashes -- and it's a problem, truly.

2. Some places are, indeed, protecting their own sale of images -- sometimes we're talking about postcards, sometimes we're talking about reproductions of fine art.

3. Many people feel that flashes disturb the peace or sanctity of a holy place. I would be truly upset if a wedding, funeral, unction service (oil for the sick), etc. for my family were interrupted by flashes and camera clicks from roving tourists treating the church as just another sightseeing venue, like Main Street Disneyland.

4. Some fellow tourists are disturbed by random flashes from other people's cameras. I admit, the ones that most tick me off are the ones from people with point-and-shoots trying to get a long shot at night (e.g. at a place like the Colosseum) -- the flash is going to do NOTHING to help their picture, just highlight the foreground, and all they're going to get is the backs of some heads and a lot of dark.

It does not bother me. If I cannot take a picture, then I buy a postcard. Those are always better than my pictures anyway, lol!

Beachbum--That is too bad about the Whole Foods incident. When we were in Portugal I took several pictures in a grocery store because it was so different from here. The eggs sat out warm next to the onions and other produce. The kids still remember that.

To jlm mi - Touche'. I deserved that.

Beachbum, in Seattle's Safeway I took a picture of my dad arguing with his friend at the cash register who'd pay! 2 people came out running screaming at me, I thought they'll take my camera away

Yes, sometimes I do get disappointed, so what? Just count your blessings, be grateful you can afford vacations, and buy postcards.

you more than deserved it.

Maybe you are going on vacations to the wrong places. Try the National Parks and the great outdoors. I haven't seen any outdoor parks that say "NO PHOTOGRAPHY"!

Utahtea

Never gave it a second thought. There must be a reason for whatever it is so just respect the rules.

Why would you take your camera to the Safeway?

I gave up trying to get good pics long ago - I always buy postcards. I take photos of people I'm with, etc, but leave the 'real' shots to the pros. One thing I started doing several years ago was to send postcards to myself from the trip, a 'snapshot' of my thoughts of a particular place at the time. I especially enjoy looking back through cards from the hotels inwhich we have stayed...room 302, near the pool, beautiful armoire...that sort of thing.

I love signs that say NO Photography. They level the tourist playing field for people like me who A - take lousy pictures, B - never develop the film, C - never remember to take the camera out of the suitcase, and D - almost never remember to take the camera on vacation in the first. Just have to rely on my increasingly shaky memory.