outsider Loc: Antelope Valley, California

I'm going to the Getty Museum in a week or two and I was wondering if anybody has gone there and could give me a heads up on the lighting conditions. Is it relatively bright or is it dark and I'll need a fast lens. I'm hopefully only taking two lenses, a wide zoom and a medium zoom, both with IS. My only fast lenses are primes and won't be taking them unless absolutely necessary.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

See if you can join a tour of the garden and the grounds - beautiful! If you wait until dark you can get some cool city shots. And, where you board the shuttle, walk around back to a 'hidden' garden. There is so much to see at every turn!

http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/faq.html#c12

Is photography allowed at the Getty Center?
Handheld and video cameras using existing light are welcome in the permanent collection galleries. Please check at the entrance of the changing exhibitions for any restrictions in those galleries. Flash photography, tripods, and monopods are not permitted. Any photography is for personal use only and may not be sold. Wedding and engagement photography is not permitted.

Any commercial or other unauthorized use of any transmission, picture, film/type, writing, drawing, or other depiction or description of any Getty name, mark, or logo is prohibited without prior specific written approval of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Please call the Communications Department at (310) 440-7300 for more information.

The Getty may photograph, film, or videotape visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Use of a ticket is implied consent for the use of the holder's likeness, voice, or video image for marketing purposes.

Event Calendar
http://www.getty.edu/visit/calendar/days/06262012.html

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Their web site has interior shots, and it looks fairly bright. Afterall, it is in "Sunny California."

outsider Loc: Antelope Valley, California

Thank you for the info and the link. Helps me a lot.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

I cureous....
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You said: "My only fast lenses are primes and won't be taking them unless absolutely necessary."
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Then Why did you buy them in the first place ???

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I shot there last year, and yes, it's fairly bright inside. However, the gardens and grounds are also beautiful and the building itself is well worth many shots. You are allowed to take pictures, but no flash and no tripods. There are guards everywhere, and some rooms have two or three. If you do anything you're not allowed, they will let you know right away. If in doubt, inquire of the guards. I took pictures in many of the rooms, but by far my best ones were of the building and the grounds. I found myself bracing either the camera or my body against door frames, etc. in order to keep the speed up to shooting without camera shake. The building has lots of glass, so interior shots are possible. It's a great place to take pictures, and one could spend lots more time there than I did, doing just that.

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

I too was there last year and you took all of my thoughts. So I second your comments.

Sidney Carton

Ditto. The bldgs are, themselves, quite light and reflective. We ended up with a ton of outside pictures that were lovely.

outsider Loc: Antelope Valley, California

I'm taking my daughter and a bunch of her friends, so I'll be busy with them and probably holding god knows what for them half the time. At last count there are six girls and me, so I'm not anticipating optimal picture taking conditions. So, what I'm taking will be minimal. I may take my 50mm 1.4 just because it's my favorite. When it's just me I take all my primes, if I need to change lenses, no problem. But with six 10 year old girls I don't see it being very convenient.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

There is a lot of construction on the 405 right now so plan a little extra time. Last I was there parking was $8 and unless you buy food or something from the store that is all you will pay. A lot of people bring their picnics and sit on the lawn to eat. Its nice!

You can either take the shuttle to the top or walk. In this weather I'd shuttle the girls although you'd enjoy the walk. Once at the top go to the counter on the left to get a map, see what exhibits are going on and if there are any tours that interest the girls. At times there are even things for kids that they might enjoy.

They should enjoy the grounds and the garden. If you find it there is a winding path that takes you from the top to the labyrinth below. Notice how each turn changes the look and feel of the stream. A docent on a tour can explain and at times the ducks play in the pond. From some of the lookouts you can even see the ocean on a clear day.

There is so much to see it could take an entire day, but you should be able to get amazing photos no matter how long you are there. Landscape, architecture, paintings and statues. Now I want to go!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Good answer. :) LOL