Why dont some places allow flash photography?

Question

Why dont some places allow flash photography?

Answer 1

There can be many reasons that flash is prohibited.  

1). In theaters and live performances it is very distracting and annoying to the performers, and disturbs the mood for people who have paid to attend the performance and is considered RUDE and INCONSIDERATE of others.

2). It may interfere with or trigger security systems that use photo sensitive devices as part of the monitoring process.

3). It may temporarily blind or distract someone doing critical tasks.

4). In museums and historical sites it can be damaging to artwork and historical documents.

5). In religious ceremonies, fraternal orders or designated "holy" settings it may violate or disrupt the solemnity or reverence of a service and possibly violate the religious laws or codes of conduct governing the activities permitted.

6). In some circumstances, where potentially volatile substances could be present, their is a very remote but nevertheless real possibility that the flash could trigger an explosion or fire.  Note that gasoline pumps warn users to turn off cell phones and leave electronics in the car while pumping gas for the same reason.

7). Where paid performances or other privately operated activities are held the operators may prohibit flash photography to insure the privacy of those attending or performing at such events and to protect intellectual property rights (Copyrights, etc.)

8). Government bodies may prohibit flash photography (or all photography) in an attempt to preserve security in sensitive locations.

Finally, some people do it just to demonstrate their "right" or authority to control something on private property or in their area of control.

Answer 2

There are many reasons

it depends on the place..

It is a big distraction to the other people in the place.

At concerts, a lot of artists hate flashes,

again, it's distracting to both the audience, and the performers,

You're trying to relax and enjoy the perormance, and all these lights are flashing,

and it can be dangerous, on some stages.

If you're close to the edge, a flash can temporarily blind you, and musicians have stepped off the edge, when they couldn't see where it stopped.

Most museums don't allow flashes, for 2 reasons,

it's VERY distracting to the others,

and the light from thousands of flashes, can affect the artwork, over time.

Vegas, and some clubs have been notorious for NO photography at all,

security, and secrecy issues there.

Answer 3

Flash photography can be disallowed for many reasons, but the most common that I can think of are as follows:

Flash photography can distract people greatly, especially in a darkened environment. So for example, in a performance of a play or dance, a sudden flash of light from the audience could greatly distract the performers (enough of them going quickly enough could even cause a seizure I'm sure).

Some things are very light sensitive. Many items stored in a museum could fade and lose their value when hit with the intense light of a flash, especially if where they are stored is dimly. Examples of this could be historical documents. Not to mention, generally when using your flash somewhere like this, most items are displayed behind glass, reflecting the flash right back in your own face and giving you a horrible shot. But enough light could get through that it sometimes can be detremental to the artifacts.

Beyond that, some places may opt to request no flash photography simply to keep the effect of certain things there (some rides or performances may have things like black light to give more of an effect, your flash essentially destroys the magical effect that has).

Hope that answers that question for you.