Indoor Michelangio works of art photo's (Page 2): I photograph a lot of art in my travels (Italy last March), while enjoying the art in crowds. Speed, simplicity, courtesy, and quality...

jefren Loc: Montgomery, Alabama

I photograph a lot of art in my travels (Italy last March), while enjoying the art in crowds. Speed, simplicity, courtesy, and quality are important to me. I always use my 24-70 f/2.8 G instead of my 50 mm or 85 mm. I even get good detail when cropping. This lens is also great for interiors of the museums, cathedrals, etc. and for many street shots in cities. Immediately after photographing a painting, I photograph the placard showing the title and artist. I find the Op/Tech Pro padded strap (or something similar) very helpful for carrying the camera all day. I supplement this lens outside museums with a long telephoto (70-300), but usually use the 24-70. I hope that your choices work well for you. Have a wonderful trip!

NJLen Loc: Freehold, NJ, USA

When we visited a few years ago, photography wasn't permitted in the Sistine Chapel. (I was surprised by how small the Chapel is.) Churches that permitted photos forbade flash, so bring a fast lens.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

sb wrote:

Ditto what Jerry said - the fastest lens possible. Due to the crowds you will not be able to use a tripod, and many places prohibit them. For many things you will have to fight to get to the front of the crowds to get an unobstructed photo.

I have a beautiful premium quality art book taken professionally of all the great art works of Michelangelo. I would go and enjoy the experience personally.I would take many exterior photos and photos of color of the environment. It is a waste to try the indoor shots you will never get a worthy shot like the ones done with set lighting etc. no matter how good your Nikon is.
Enjoy the space and quit fighting for a spot to take a photo. Just buy the interior shots I guarantee you will remember the space far better that way, this is from experience as a person intimately experienced with structures.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Architect1776 wrote:

I have a beautiful premium quality art book taken ... (show quote)

...while this is good advice, I'd say take your photos anyway, it's good practice on all levels. I would use my trusty 24-70 f2.8 and my D800 and in the end have 'em all nicely tucked-away in my 'puter...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

chasgroh wrote:

...while this is good advice, I'd say take your photos anyway, it's good practice on all levels. I would use my trusty 24-70 f2.8 and my D800 and in the end have 'em all nicely tucked-away in my 'puter...

Yes, take photos but that should not be the "focus" of being inside there.

williejoha

Most museums do NOT allow photography. They want to sell their art prints. A lot of the famous churches no longer allow photography with or without. So be prepared, otherwise you will be very disappointed. Have been there many times.
WJH

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Architect1776 wrote:

I have a beautiful premium quality art book taken ... (show quote)

From what you say it would seem that you do not appreciate what hobby photographers are about. There will always be better pics taken for tourists and non-photographers, where all the circumstances are at there best. But there is nothing quite like our own pics. Our albums are made up of our own experiences - not by some pro who has been provided with every convenience to do the job. It is not a "waste" to "try the indoor shots" it is a challenge, which in itself is worthy of the hobby.

allanj Loc: New York City

virtualman wrote:

I am traveling to Italy and obviously with the history in that country I want to capture the best photo's of the paintings in the museum's. What is the best lens to shoot with along with filters flash( if possible at times) using the Nikon D810 for now. Is there a specific portrait lens perhaps?

I do not understand why you want to take photos of the paintings. Last time I was in Italy (admittedly many years ago), the museums were crowded. It would be challenging to get a good photo, especially of the better-known paintings. At the same time you can purchase books or sometimes go online and obtain photos that were carefully taken under ideal conditions. To me, taking photos of the city, normal tourist attractions, etc, helps preserve your reactions and feelings when you were there. I just don't see how your photo of a painting, compared to a purchased one, serves the same function. Am I missing something -- perhaps something obvious? It won't be the first time!

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

Delderby wrote:

From what you say it would seem that you do not ap... (show quote)

As both an art lover and photographer, I've been disappointed at not being able to enjoy works of art on display because my view was blocked by a photographer holding up a camera to get a photograph and especially by people using tablets to get them. I'm happy to enjoy those churches and museums where photography is not allowed.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

allanj wrote:

I do not understand why you want to take photos of... (show quote)

Please see my reply to Architect1776

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Delderby wrote:

From what you say it would seem that you do not ap... (show quote)

You are absolutely right. I have no passion for any hobby. I enjoy a large variety of activities from flying, photography to shooting a large variety of firearms. I enjoy the moment and memorize that for me. No I will never be great at any hobby, don't care to be great either. I do it for pleasure and once it becomes "work" then screw it. I guess I try to encourage others to not live through a viewfinder at the expense of living. Like the other OP taking a raft trip similar advice. And yes I do travel and do take snapshots for reminding me of something.
All are different but some become so obsessed with taking photos they lose all else of the event. If you want to live that way just fine, but there is such a great loss from not spending hours talking with the local people and learning, feeling the sun on your face feeling the ocean or desert breeze etc.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Architect1776 wrote:

You are absolutely right. I have no passion for an... (show quote)

Thanks for reply. Yes - we are all different - but if I (and loads of others) did not enjoy our hobby as I describe, then we could all collect published albums of photographs. I do have a few myself - but most of the pics are of places and sites I didn't manage to get to.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Delderby wrote:

Thanks for reply. Yes - we are all different - but if I (and loads of others) did not enjoy our hobby as I describe, then we could all collect published albums of photographs. I do have a few myself - but most of the pics are of places and sites I didn't manage to get to.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

virtualman wrote:

I am traveling to Italy and obviously with the history in that country I want to capture the best photo's of the paintings in the museum's. What is the best lens to shoot with along with filters flash( if possible at times) using the Nikon D810 for now. Is there a specific portrait lens perhaps?

I am sure you will get some helpful suggestions on this forum regarding shooting paintings at the museum. I have a question for you, why do you want to photograph other peoples artwork when there are beautiful, professionally put together
catalogs and books available to purchase and keep. I'm just interested, that's all, as doing such never crossed my mind. I do love exploring museums, but I've never had the inclination to photograph paintings, unless they were my own.

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

I have been photographing in museums for professional purposes (professor of ancient art) for a long time. I have done it without flash or tripod, except in museums where I knew I would get permission to use both. The greatest challenge is the many sizes of works of art and the lack of adequate light. As many have suggested, a 24-70/2.8 would be an excellent choice. Even better would be three prime lenses: 28mm/1.4, 50mm/ 1.2, and 85mm/1.4; these could give the best results. If painting is what you like best, try photographing medium size canvases in 4-6 shots, larger ones in 9-12 shots, then merge them in PP and you will achieve much better color and less distortion than taking a single shot. Sculpture is more difficult to capture b/c of its 3-D form and you will have to shoot from several angles and sometimes close-ups to show the details, some important sculptures require as many as 36 shots. You might regret not having with you a macro (micro) lens for extreme close-ups that usually demonstrate much better the quality of a work of art.