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Museum Of Photographic Arts
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Balboa Park
1649 El Prado
(between Plaza De Panama & Village Pl)
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-7559
1649 El Prado
(between Plaza De Panama & Village Pl)
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-7559
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
31 reviews for Museum Of Photographic Arts
Being a photographer, I really wanted to check this museum out and... I was impressed. It is reasonably priced which is great. If you are a San Diego resident you can get in free one Tuesday a month (I think it is the second Tuesday).
There were three parts to the museum when I went.
-Beloved Daughters by Fazal Sheikh which united two of his projects. It was AMAZING! Fazal is a very talented photographer. He paired intense camera portraits with testimonies from his subjects. This pairing allows the viewer to hear the story of women of India who would otherwise not have a voice. This exhibit calls to the viewer with a truthful and powerful voice. You will be moved by these women.
-Through the lens: This exhibit was a collection from MoPA's Education Programs. The photographs were taken by students K-12. It is nice and refreshing to see photography through a child's eye. These were very good.
-Picturing the Process: The Photographer as Witness. This exhibit was more of a hand-on approach to seeing how photography has changed over the years and the different ways of looking at it.
I recommend this museum if you are interested in photography. It is a nice walk through and takes about an hour.
What can you possibly not like about a beautiful, quaintly-sized museum, in a historic and beautiful setting, that has free entrance on select Tuesdays for SD residents, and has an interesting and changing collection of great photography? Absolutely nothing. But it all adds up to Wonderful!
The enjoyment of your experience does depend directly on the artist(s) that are being displayed at the time, and my last visit, I was very pleased. India, mainly portraits of Indian women, was the focus, and these black and whites were mesmerizing and heartbreakingly great.
The photographs that they choose to highlight that are taken by San Diego kids are great! Some of these youngsters really have a great, budding talent, and it's wonderful that they can get the opportunity of such renowned exposure so early on (and put on display for us to appreciate).
The perfect size to appreciate everything. Enough to keep a visitor engaged for at least an hour, but not so overwhelming that you lose the great impact of the works.
I checked out this museum on a Tuesday afternoon picnic in the park. If you can stack your work schedule just right Tuesdays are the best days to hit up Balboa Park if you're a SD resident because it's free museum day. Note: all museums aren't free, there is a rotating schedule (http://www.balboapark....)
It was perfect for the time allotted after an 8 hr work day and eating. We spent about an hour in the museum, would have spent more, but the BFF and I don't care for bugs, despite any pretty colors they may have. The Ansel Adams display was great. You learn about his evolution as an artist, his work with the Sierra Club/Yosemite, Japanese internment camps and how he manipulated his negatives in the dark room. I also enjoyed the political pieces from the varied artists in the last room. I wish there would have been more of those.
The museum is small, and would have loved more, but just means I'll come back when they change exhibits... on a free Tuesday of course. ;o)
The Spanish style exterior of the building (which houses several other museums along El Prado) belies what's inside, a sleek and modern smallish museum. I'm a fan of minimalist design, so I LOVED this space, with its white walls, natural lighting, tall ceilings and cavernous rooms.
There were 5 distinct exhibits, which based on the dates listed in the program, rotate through every several months. It took just an hour to tour the entire museum (and we stopped and stared often).
Four of the five exhibits on display that day "did it" for me, artistically speaking.
I have a reciprocal membership from MCASD which grants me free admission to MoPA, but even if I didn't, I would still pay full price. It's great to know that MoPA is there (and it's fun to say "MoPA"), but I won't need to visit again until around May, when the next set of exhibits is put on display.
If you have an hour to spare the next time you're in Balboa Park, I highly recommend it!
My friend and I were dropped off here for a bit while our ride left to take care of a quick errand. So with time to kill we thought we'd check out at least one of the museums at the Prado in Balboa. We came across this place and thought, "why not check it out?"
First off, if you're expecting a huge museum, this really isn't that big. But hey, it was only $6 and there was a tons of photos to look at and enjoy. I think we spent a good 45 min there but could of easily stayed longer. This place had works from two exclusive photographers and a small section with permanent museum works.
This small section, for me, was pretty interesting and showcased the first works of photography. I especially enjoyed the process of how the early cameras captured motion, hence the early beginnings of videography.
Very cool stuff for those interested in any artistic medium. Wouldn't mind coming back to see other photographers showcased.
The Ansel Adams retrospective on display at MOPA right now is absolutely, fantastically stupendous.
Adams' work is great, of course. Seeing the progression from his wet plate work and warm, small prints to the giant, cold murals he produced later in life is fascinating and reveals a side of Adams few have seen. What made this exhibit truly special to me, though, was the curation.
It is obvious that whoever designed this exhibit has a true love and respect for the darkroom; the print that requires just as much work and creativity as the creation of the negative itself. Adams, besides being an artist (and if you doubt his vision, look at his work in the Japanese internment camps at Manzanar) is honored as perhaps the consummate darkroom craftsman.
The triptych of "Moonrise" is the by far the best part. Three prints of the same negative, made some years apart. The differences are subtle, but the meaning of the print changes entirely. Seeing these three prints, along with a backlit facsimile of the large format negative used to produce them was truly moving to me, as a person who works in the black and white darkroom myself. Before Photoshop, one had to be a chemist, an engineer, and an artist to create the elusive fine art print. Other art museums don't treat photography like the incomparable juxtaposition of art and craft it is, but little MOPA in the heart of Balboa Park has done Adams justice; no small feat in such a small space.
The small exhibit of scientific photography was fantastic, as well. As a person with a small background in photographic engineering, the amount of reverence shown to radiographs, high-speed photography and Apollo-era photo collages was heartening.
This museum has the highest "wow"-per-square-foot factor in Balboa Park, period.
For a small museum, this place does a really wonderful job. The curation is first-rate, and they have innovative programming. The Theatre of Insect exhibit was surprisingly beautiful. I have seen some really great exhibits here!
Lovely little museum...just enough photography for our little city.
It's not a vast, get lost in museum, but...if you've got anywhere from 30-90 minutes to immerse yourself in a wonderful collection...head over to Balboa Park's MOPA.
I was a bit bummed that the bookstore is closed for renovations...but it should reopen either at the end of April or beginning of May, 2009. (And what I recall is it needed a little renovating...so, as Martha would say, it's a good thing.)
If you go on the second Tuesday of the month, it's free. :-) AND...if you go for around 2 or 3 o'clock...you'll time it perfectly to hit The Prado's FABULOUS Happy Hour from 4-6pm. $3.50 wine, beer, margaritas...and yummy snacks at a great price, too! Have a great afternoon!
Balboa Park is the gem of San Diego, and this modestly-sized but lovely museum sits right inside. There was an Ansel Adams exhibition when I was there, and though Adams has been thoroughly investigated throughout the world, the sheer beauty of the large prints on display here made the exhibit fresh and very enjoyable. The gift shop was nice too. I hope to go back sometime and see another exhibit next time I'm in town.
I have seen some good exhibits here, though I wish it were a little bigger. It is a good deal for $6.
Probably the only reasonably priced museum at Balboa. Great if you're a photography fan, very nicely laid out and quiet. There was an exhibit on photography by junior high/high school students last time I went and I was very impressed!
Whenever I'm lacking inspiration or need some time to myself outside of the house, I throw on my ipod (which I rarely do in public) and head for the MoPA. The only reason this museum is not 5 stars is that I have been to better MoPas around the country. As San Diego goes, this is a great spot.
They show movies here occasionally, too. When there is a movie, they do a great job to pair it with the current exhibit. Fantastic! I saw Rear Window here and loved it.
I came here last night to watch a movie on the Salton Sea. The line was ridiculously long and my wife and I were the last ones to get in. There were still about 200 people in line behind us, so we gave them the finger and went to sit down.
The movie was great, very interesting, but it was the theater that made it special. The ceiling has lights which makes it look like the night sky full of stars. Someone told me that there is also a bar somewhere inside where you can watch the movie while having a beer.
The museum side I had seen before when we came to a wedding here a few years ago. The theme at the time was poverty in 3rd world nations which was depressing but the pictures were taken nice!
This place is definitely cool and well worth the admission.
I'm a huge fan of photography. This museum usually has very nice collections on exhibit.
The museum is rather small, but for $6 admission, it is totally worth it!! (And only $4 for students with ID!)
I paid my $6.00 admission and I'm happy I did. I'm supporting the arts in San Diego damn it and I'm proud to say so.
The current exhibitions are:
Flesh: Portraits by Gary Schneider- through 9/14
Humanitas: Images of India by Fredric Roberts- through 9/7
Picturing the Process: Landscape Through Time and Space- through 2/1
I loved it. The Flesh exhibition is all at once wildly disturbing and totally humbling. The artist captures life from perspectives that are wholly unique. I definitely recommend it. One problem I did have though, was the fact that the nudes were sequestered to a small dimly lit room so as not to offend the conservative church-goers because we all know vaginas and penises are yucky.
The Humanitas exhibition held a special place in my heart. The subject is portraits of rural Indians. My wife and I spent six months traveling through India last year and it brought back many fond and not so fond memories. The colors in the photos were absolutely stunning.
Go before these exhibitions close. You won't be sorry.
Not bad, if you go on the Tuesdays that it is free (second tuesday of the month, for those keeping score.)
Otherwise, paying for this place will leave you pretty much disappointed. Not that the photos are terrible nor is the space offensive. But there is just not much there.
The current installation, Flesh, is interesting and such as.
But overall, the selection is both pedestrian and limited.
Do yourself a favor and take one hour next month and visit it. Don't pay, but make a token donation to the museum. You'll feel better about it in the morning.
I really like this MOPA.
i'm one for quality, not quantity.
I have visited museums across the states...wherever I travel I usually do stop in a museum!
For those who complaint that this museum is so small? well I've never felt disappointed by it. I believe they select their pieces and exhibitors very carefully.
they also have a theater there where i've seen a good foreign film once, and if i recall correctly they hold the annual girl film festivals there too.
check their site for more info: http://mopa.org
Peace~
This is a great place to experience the photographic arts no matter who you are. There's something for everybody.
For the Photo nerds: This exhibit has surprsingly rare and great photos from the likes of Diane Arbus, Ansel Adams, even some early works of John Szarkowski.
For the Ladies: Even if you don't know about photography its a great place to hang out and appreciate culture. Don't worry, no creepy photographer will ask you to pose for him. That's after you leave.
For the Guys: It's a great place to show that you are cultured. Great to place to hang out and you can peruse the Friendship gardens afterwards, ask your girlfriend out to prom at the fountain, then later propose to her at the pond. If you're hurtin on the cashflow then it's free on the 2nd tues of every month.
For the single guys: There's pics of Bewbies. Oh, and it's free on the 2nd tues of every month.
The only drawback is that the exhibit is too small. Otherwise it's a great experience.
Now although I have been here many times before, I felt compelled to write this review after yesterday. The exhibits just seem to be getting better and better- and my favorite part was that they have a section for the younger san diegans to express their photographic talents, which I must say is pretty impressive. I was just bummed they didn't have the store open, I love taking the old school black and white strip photos in the that booth they have
Going along with the apparent theme of past reviewers..
Yes, the museum is small. But I think there are currently TWO exhibitions! One of them, The Roads Most Traveled, is powerful and very moving in documenting the migration of people across the globe, often juxtaposing photos of life in two very different, but inextricably linked, parts of the world.
I was there for the December Nights event, so we got into all the museums for free between 5p-9p, yay!
Great new bookstore and terrific exhibitions! The Ansel Adams summer exhibition is great and Jo Whaley is really interesting - who knew that photographing insects could be so gorgeous! They've got great lectures, workshops and special events too.
I think this is one of the must-sees of Balboa Park.
The style of work exhibited was broad- ranging from modern pieces to historical treasures. Pretty cool stuff. The place is well designed and the size is understandable considering it's limited to photography only.
In my opinion this is a perfect Sunday date. Combine it with the Botanical Building and a picnic by the Natural History Museum... the ladies will love it.
Of all the museums on El Prado, I'd have to vote this as the one with the most inviting space befitting the works that usually grace its walls. Good gallery spaces, good lighting and generally good presentation. But it is small, thereby severely limiting the creativity and depth with which any curator could assemble a show there.
Still, I've seen some really good work on display here, despite a very lukewarm most-recent visit. In most cases, you'll probably not need any more than a half hour to appreciate all of the museum's exhibits, even with special attention to a number of pieces. It's that small.
And should you be one to judge a museum by its shop, heaven help this one. It has the sorriest collection of photography books I've ever seen, shelved like clearance merchandise.
MOPA's great. I've been a member on and off for several years now.
Exhibits change every few months. Right now, there's a show by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Don Barletti that will blow your mind.
The permanent collection includes works by heavy hitters (everything from Weston and Steichen and Doisneau and Bourke-White to Arbus and newer stuff). I still remember standing there at December nights 2003, mouth agape when I saw one of the Robert Capa prints from the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day.
Tip: If you're on a super-tight budget, go on the second Tuesday of the month in the afternoon for free. (http://www.mopa.org)
They also do films in their theater. I saw "To Kill a Mockingbird" last fall and remembered why Atticus Finch is the bomb.
http://www.mopa.org/
A small museum, the current exhibition is Breaking the Frame: Pioneering Women in Photojournalism til September 24th. Today's Pioneers: Women Photojournalists in Iraq and Afghanistan: through September 17, 2006
Shooting in 35: The First 35mm Photographs: through September 17, 2006
$6 entrance
Above the Railroad Museum.
No photographs allowed.
I love photography...so naturally, I really liked this museum. I went on a free day, and the museum was exhibiting those photos depicting the journey and life of migrant workers and immigrants. It was really interesting and well done...the museum was a lot bigger than I thought, so my friends and I accidentally spent more time in it than we had originally planned to. I think we were in there for over an hour!
This museum is worth your wild if you get in for FREE :) It is not very big, one floor to be exact. They have tons of amazing photography and fun little cell phone video clips that are crazy and fun to watch. I like how the museum incorporated local artists. The gift shop is cool and has fun books that are worth taking a look at! If you really go through and critique every piece, you can see the whole museum in about 1 1/2. ENJOY!
Went here for a quick spin as it was free for the month. It's nice for stopping while you're going from main museum to main museum, but honestly I wouldn't pay to see this. It's small and I think the gift shop was 1/3 the size of the gallery
MOPA is a cool museum in Balboa Park. The space is small, but the exhibit I went to was very thought provoking. I think I will go back when they have a new exhibit.
The museum is small, and the current exhibition is great. It breaks down into three categories: Newsreel invention, women photojournalists, and the first 35mm photos. It is a great exhibit. It is so interesting to see the transition from the Graflex with no stop-action option to the light weight 35 mm camera through the two juxtaposed exhibited models. The photojournalists' pictures are very moving, and they illustrate turning points in world's history. Newsreels are projected onto the entrance room's wall and are fascinating to watch.
i do wish the museum was a little bigger, but i will gladly take what i can get. the exhibit rotation seems to be often enough to make it worth getting a years membership instead of forking over $9 a visit. the two or three halls, however you want to look at it, do all flow nicely from one to another. making it easy to just casually stroll through at your own pace.
