Why does nobody talk about how bad museum lighting is for actually seeing stuff?

I used to just walk through exhibits and think I was seeing everything, but last year at the British Museum I realized I was missing half the detail on a Roman mosaic because of those dim spotlights. Now I bring a small LED flashlight with a warm bulb to get a real look at textures and colors, especially on pottery and bones. Has anyone else had to cheat the lighting to actually see what's in front of you?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarc537d ago

Museums just follow the same dim trend as grocery stores hiding the ugly stuff on bottom shelves.

the_derek7d ago

Well, I see it differently, Oscar. Museums actually put their best stuff front and center to grab your attention, not hide it like a secret. The less flashy items are usually stored away for preservation or rotation, not because they're ugly or unwanted. If you look past the main galleries, you'll find plenty of hidden gems that are just as important, just less photogenic.