I got kicked out of the Sistine chapel
Your not supposed to take pictures in there. I presume this is partly to protect the paintings from endless flashguns going off, but also to boost profits in the gift shop from postcards, posters and books. Anyway, I was there on an a-level art trip with school, had my SLR around my neck, no flash, so decided to try to judge the correct set up and shoot from the hip. Unfortunately, the security guard heard the sound of the camera and came marching over. Realising it was too late and I was caught, I raised the camera to my eye and snapped a few pictures of the increasingly angry guard as he marched over to me before he grabbed my arm and marched me out. Those are still my favourite pictures from the trip - I just wish I could have let rip very loudly at the same time though for the added amusement of my fellow students!
( more balanced than jeremy beadle It wasn't me..., Fri 2 Sep 2011, 9:23, 5 replies)

One of the most surprising things about the Vatican
is that you can take photographs literally everywhere, except for the Sistine Chapel. Pictures, art, feel free to snap away. Sistine Chapel, no, but please buy a postcard on the way out.

Didn't seem to be stopping many people though, there was plenty of surruptitious camera-work going on, like yours.

Incidentally, SOP in the V&A for people using cameras is to ask them once not to, nicely; ask them a second time, firmly; then ask them to delete the pictures or leave. When I was at the Sistine Chapel the guards were asking people to stop rather than escorting them out, so your extra snappage of the approaching guard must have taken him over the edge. Sounds like it was worth it for the resulting shots though :)
(richardm, Fri 2 Sep 2011, 9:33, closed)

Odd
When i was there everyone was taking photos I have a few myself.
( Terry Oblong There's nobody here but us chickens on, Fri 2 Sep 2011, 12:17, closed)

This was 12 or 13 years ago now
if that helps. As mentioned above, the Vatican itself is quite good about photos and arty types sitting about sketching/painting, it's just the Sistine chapel (or at least was a decade ago) that doesn't allow it.
( more balanced than jeremy beadle It wasn't me..., Fri 2 Sep 2011, 13:02, closed)

Everyone was taking photos when I was there too
But they're not supposed to be, and security guards were asking them to desist if they were being too blatant, and particularly if their equipment looked too professional. I was there seven years ago but it's still not allowed today. Perhaps you just missed the signs, easy enough if it was very busy I suppose.

Incidentally, apparently the reason for this is that a Japanese television company funded the restoration of the frescoes in return for photography and filming rights.
(richardm, Fri 2 Sep 2011, 14:09, closed)

I was there this summer, and while photography is banned (according to the signs) no attempt seemed to be made to enforce it. Mind you, the chapel was about as crammed as a London commuter train.
(Jack of Diamonds, Mon 5 Sep 2011, 16:02, closed)