[Photos] British Museum

[dancefloorlandmine]

Back in October, valkyriekaren was at a loose end in London, and so pir and I joined her at the British Museum. I took my EOS-400D and pir took his G9 (with monopod, which resulted in some interesting discussion with the security -
Guard: "Is that a tripod?"
pir: "No, it's a monopod."
Guard: "You're not allowed to use tripods, because they trip people up."
pir: "But it's a monopod. It's only got one leg, so it won't trip anyone up."
Guard: "You're not allowed tripods"
Guard2: "It's a monopod. Only one leg. It's fine.")

We had a wander around the entrance gallery, and then headed up to China and India. The Museum staff deserve credit for the polished state of their cases - but it did make for some challenging reflections. Also, possibly the first time that I'd been since they roofed over the central court, which is just daft (me not going, not roofing over the courtyard). And then we headed off for food.

Here is the gallery of the better(ish) photos from the Museum.


The courtyard roof








Yamantaka Vajrabhairava, manifestation of Bodhisattva of knowledge opposed to evil and death


Hell Money, used for making offerings to the underworld for the souls of relatives


Shamanistic statue of laquer


In the Chinese garden


Bamboo in the Chinese garden


Philosopher's rock in the Chinese garden

Comments

[origamitiger.livejournal.com]

I can imagine Pir's low monotone that is oh so reasonable but brokers no argument.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Heh. I think that's the one he was using ... although there was a slight touch of bafflement at the failure to understand the difference between "monopod" and "tripod" ...

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Fortunately a second guard intervened to confirm that it was indeed 'fine'.

[pir.livejournal.com]

Who? me? :)

Unfortunately it doesn't work, people argue anyway. When I was in the V&A taking pictures a few months ago they still wouldn't let me use the monopod which I'm sad about, meant I had far more trouble taking many pictures in low light.

I think in future I'll take my teenytiny tripod as well as the monopod (the tiny one is good for taking pictures through glass cases as well as in general).

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

in future I'll take my teenytiny tripod
Ah, but that is a tripod - "people could trip over it" ...

[pir.livejournal.com]

:)

Mostly they don't notice that one, since I'm normally using it against a wall or against the glass.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Heh. Sneaky!

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

I'd like it noted that I have resisted making any jokes about tripods or size thereof.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Noted. [grin]

[pir.livejournal.com]

No comment :)

[solace-aderyn.livejournal.com]

How about a Gorilla?

[pir.livejournal.com]

I've got one and don't particularly like it. It's not solid/stable enough for using under pressure against a wall or glass and if you wrap it around something you'll usually still get harmonic motion in the tripod.

The two small ones that I've got and like are a Manfrotto tabletop which is great for using against vertical glass with my G9 and a noname cheapass more traditional tiny tripod.

[omnisppot.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I took m camwera and tripod to the British Museum last year and no-one said a word. Having said that, it was slung over my back 99% of the time, and just a nuisance to carry. Group photos on the timer are still the only real use I've found for it. http://www.eidolon.co.uk/omnisppot/v/Places/BritishMuseum
if you have any interest.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Cheers for the link. According to their website, you need advance permission for a tripod. pir was using the monopod to help brace the G9 for some photos, to save having to crank the ISO.

I've mostly used my tripod to a) support flashes triggered by photocells for portraits, b) take long exposures of fiery idiocy on the beach at Whitby and c) take a night-time shot of Whitby Abbey from the far cliff - although I've yet to have a good look at that one.

[billyabbott.livejournal.com]

I've found that if you turn up and ask the information desk nicely then they'll charge you £2 for a tripod permit and you can trip people up to your hearts content.

I didn't bother and just used the wheelchair lifts in the Elgin/Pathenon marbles room, which got me told off by a security guard for stopping people in chairs using it, even though there was noone around who needed it...

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

if you turn up and ask the information desk nicely ...

Ah - thanks for the tip!

which got me told off by a security guard for stopping people in chairs using it

Naughty naughty! [grin]

[girfan.livejournal.com]

Love the big head in the second photo!

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Which? The stone one, or the disembodied face? There are a couple more of the face in the gallery - it was verging on the uncanny valley - it was very odd.

[girfan.livejournal.com]

The disembodied face. I'm reminded of the sculptures in the film Scanners.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

D'oh - of course! Damn you, there may be some shopping ahead ... although admittedly from 7dayshop.com ...

Thanks for the reminder!