Planning A Trip To The Museum? Not With That Selfie Stick You're Not

Photo By Ton Schulten

When it comes to selfie sticks, there seem to be two kinds of people: those who love them and those who despise them. Maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but seeing as how you’re here on a photography website, I’m willing put my money on you not being too fond of them. And, if I’m right, then we’re both in luck. Museums across the United States are beginning to enforce a selfie stick ban that prohibits visitors from using the obnoxious arm extenders within the museum’s walls.

As much as I’m convinced museums want to admit they’re enforcing the ban to “respect artistry” (thanks Kanye) and the actual artists whose work is being exhibited, most museums are taking the politically correct route and citing the inherent safety concerns of carefree tourists recklessly parading around priceless art exhibits with an 3-foot long stick protruding from their persons. Fair enough, I suppose, but it doesn’t make it any less painful to report that many museums and galleries actually promote the taking of selfies (sans selfie stick, of course), especially if you’re a celebrity like Katy Perry or Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, The Guggenheim, Hirshhorn Museum, and the Getty Center already have a ban in place. The Metropolitan Museum of Art will also soon be following suit. Sree Sreenivasan, the Met’s chief digital officer told the New York Times,

“From now on, you will be asked quietly to put it away. It’s one thing to take a picture at arm’s length, but when it is three times arm’s length, you are invading someone else’s personal space.”

Who knows, before long the rest of the world may follow South Korea’s footsteps and ban selfie sticks in all public places. In November of last year, the South Korean government threatened anyone caught carrying an unregistered selfie stick a fine of $27,000 or face three years in prison.

[ via New York Times | Photo By Ton Schulten ]

Damien Sim

As a school photographer in Thailand I find selfie sticks annoying. When I was taking the Grade 12 graduation photos recently, I had issues with taking the photos as well as ducking a couple of girls armed with a selfie stick. And the funny thing is, they were oblivious to the danger that they pose to other people
Don Smith

Great, that means monopods will get banned with them because of clueless staff.
Alecio J Evangelista

I would not use a selfie stick, but whenever I see people using them I see they are having so much fun. I think overall people should stop being bitter about stuff. It makes no difference in my life if someone is using a selfie stick, that doesn’t make me feel worse or better about my photography or about myself. Photography is a world full of people with huge ego and not so much to show about good photography. Leave people alone with their selfie stick!
Joshua Probert

Classists
Adeptus

Wow, what bitterness. Is that really “concern” or rather the fact that these people “lack respect” for the “pros” with their expensive equipment? But if we really go down that route, please let’s ban tripods, monopods, selfie-sticks and cameras in general. Because for me it doesn’t matter if somebody blocks my view of a masterpiece with a 3$ Gadget or a 6000$ camera, honestly.
Ralph Hightower

In July 2011, I asked total strangers to take my photo against the congratulatory wall. The guy that said “Yes” and I handed the camera to didn’t know how to use a manual focus camera; fortunately, his friend did (somewhat) and this was the result:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ralphhightower/6042309935/in/set-72157627308321417
Arthur_P_Dent

You misinterpreted the article on South Korea’s selfie stick law. It is not directed at the users, but the manufacturers since they consider them communications devices because of the Bluetooth shutter trigger. Please do some more research, and can we get back to more DIY projects?