Whether you are a amateur or pro photographer, this is a must see. It celebrates the best of photography. When I was there, there was an entire section on Pride and how photography has captured the pivot moments in the movements history. Absolute masterpiece. This is one of my favorite museums in Balboa Park. And its free for entry, but I would highly recommend that you donate to keep the place open for everyone to continue enjoying this place. Great for small kids, families, individuals.
Disappointing as a museum. It should be called a gallery dedicated to a single Artist. There is almost no history here, just a showcase of pictures for a so he person and almost all of it very recent.That aside, the photos were good and well laid out. More information about the trip and or processing would have been welcomed.
One of the most unique presentations of this medium I have ever experienced! As a photographer, I appreciate the range of what can be presented and MOPA goes way above what you might expect. They did have one of the three galleries closed, but the other two had amazing displays of photography that really made an impact.Please take the time to see this small, but intense museum while visiting Balboa Park & you will not be disappointed!
I come to this museum every time I visit San Diego. The exhibits are always professionally displayed (framing,matting?, lighting). Ive been afforded the luxury of seeing some of their more unique pieces, such as Moonrise, Hernandez by Ansel Adams. The layout is a simple loop, with a nice entrance that has a synopsis or introduction to what you will be seeing. The last time I was there they had an international exhibit for young teens.Definitely recommend this place if you happen to be in the area, it never dissapoints***Please check as they donchange shows and you dont want to be caught while they change*** if they are in between shows, the other museums offer excellent alternatives.
This was an interesting exhibit even for a 5 year old.
While the exhibits and activities themselves were very enjoyable, the highlight was talking to Gabriela, who worked at the museum and encouraged us to examine the photos more closely and engage in discussion about finer details of each work. As someone who usually goes through museums fairly quickly and doesnt give most exhibits more than a cursory glance, it was refreshing to look at the artwork longer and reflect on what the artist was trying to convey. Highly recommend!
Exhibiting work from a collection of over 7,000 images as well as new artists, the Museum of Photographic Arts is one of only three museums in the United States that is devoted entirely to the collection and preservation of photography, film, and video. Since it was founded in 1983, the museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical, and social issues through its exhibitions and educational programs. Its exhibits represent the entire history of photography, its aesthetic movements, and technological advancements. The museum’s collection illustrates the complex and varied history of the medium, focusing largely on modern and contemporary work, social documentary photography and photojournalism in particular. In addition, the museum houses a state-of-the-art movie theater that often holds international film festivals.
Fantastic Irving Penn exhibit and Deborah provided great information on his work. Discovering the Brain exhibit is fascinating how art and science come together.
Really awesome donation based museum with very interesting rotating exhibits. Would recommend to people trying to find motivation or creative ideas to help inspire them to go out and get photographs just as fantastic as the ones found here.
Cool place....some awesome galleries. Any place that displays Ansel Adams works gets my vote...the silouette display by Erica Deeman was interesting..
Lived in San Diego 25 years, first time at the MOPA...great experience, lovely museum...amazing exhibit of Irving Penn...
Wonderful museum. Very inspiring photography
It was a very enlightening experience and an interactive adventure. The staff were very kind and it has a very calming atmosphere. It was a great experience during my visit in San Diego and I would love to have the opportunity to go again.
We premiered the movie Brian Banks at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The theater held around 200 people. Following the film, we had a Q&A and then moved into the main room of the museum for a reception. It was a great place for an event. Highly recommend!
Well done exhibit and interesting interactive active photo images
The staff are nice and their exhibits change every now and then so your experience is different every time.
My favorite museum ever! Love the pics and original arts of work. I always learn something new.
Although small, the museum is quite interesting with many pictures as old as the very early 1900s (theres probably older ones that I didnt see). The museum is very calm and quiet so make sure to keep it that way when visiting to let others appreciate the art. Donations are not required but Im sure the staff appreciates them! Have fun here there is tons of awesome souvenirs!
Love this museum. They always showcase beautiful images. MOPA does a great job putting on member only parties. Fun!
We visit MOPA often. It regularly has new exciting exhibits. It is not an all day experience, but it is in Balboa Park which offers many other great places to visit. They are all in walking distance of each other. We usually do two and then walk the park.
Inspiring repository of photographs that reveal secrets of our world if only we have the skills to look in unlikely places. Though not a big museum, each exhibit here wakes me up to new perspectives of what LIFE looks like and means to a broad range of people. The walk here via the Prado is always an adventure . Particularly like the exhibits that are placed immediately left when entering this museum. This time The Brain and a souvenir photo booth made for good memories at the museum.
Watched the film showcase of Options For All and inclusion films with Joey Travolta in the beautiful starlit theater.
This was a single artist gallery with a small informative section. Not a museum.
This is a great museum. It won’t take long to see everything but come back often as it changes frequently. Sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get info on film festivals, learning opps, and receptions. Great staff too!
The pictures are very beautiful in person. They have a few unexpected things but overall if you are into photography of any sort it is a must see!
We caught the last 30 minutes on a free Tuesday afternoon, but we still were able to see the famous and varied paintings, sculptures and exhibits. Worth a second look as you could sit there all day checking everything out.
Well worth the visit. Admission is not a set price, its more like by donation. You decide how much to pay at the front desk. Its a great exhibit, and there were only a few people inside, so it certainly wasnt crowded.Theyre also handicap accessible.
This place is truly amazing, and free to enter if you dont wish to donate.
A fascinating lecture series about performances done at public sites to create a shared culture among all of our diverse communities!
All of Balboas museums are amazing. Recomend going on free Tuesdays if you are a San Diego resident. But even if you are just visiting it is still a good place to stop by. Its definitely a place where you can waste a day and its so close to the zoo that you can just walk to the zoo which is something I personally like about it.
Very nice place. Pictures are from different eras. Theres a cool Self Portrait Kiosk where you can take selfies and use sound waves to distort the pic. Then, after three pic you get to print them for free and take then home.Admission is a donation. Just ask for an entrance sticker, then place donation in the box after you enter.
Great museum with a lot of precious photos
This place is always amazing. They change the exhibit fairly regularly and I always am able to take my time and really enjoy the photos. This past time they even had a free photobooth which I thought was really great of them. Especially because they are donation based. Cant get enough of this museum.
New exhibit at the museum featuring Australia. I always enjoy visiting this place because it usually has something for everyone. My husband even likes going!
Loved it alot of interactive things to do
Kind of too less covered, but loved the live photo booth, you can print the photos as well(size of strips)
Museum of Photographic Arts is a great place to learn the arts. It seems to be a good place for both beginners and experts. With that being said, it can be a bit pricey. However, just look at taking ONE class at UIC in the arts, and you will feel like youre getting a pretty great deal!Overall, I would definitely recommend taking classes here; although I feel like the general awesomeness of each class mostly depends on the instructor you receive. All instructors are great at making you feel comfortable with your craft!
Love this museum! This is a must-visit stop every time we go to the Balboa Park. The exhibits get updated quite often, and the collections are always fun and diverse. They are also very involved with the communities, as there are always students / kids exhibits on display.
A little small but there is no fee just a suggested donation for the museum. It is a nice opportunity to see some photography and the gallery is set up very nice.
A very nice museum to visit if youre in San Diego. They had several exhibitions to view and a train museum in the lower level. No specific admission fee, based on donation only, for the photography exhibits. The train museum is separate and does have a set admission fee.
Absolutely incredible exhibit. Was able to attend a conference about early Russian photography 1920s such an incredible experience
Great place to view pictures and designs. Love this place.
Love this place
My Mom took a photo of her mother here to be rescued. The did a beautiful restoration of the portrait.Thank you so very much.
The only place in San Diego with a Camera Lens Mug!!! If you need a gift for a photographer their gift store is the perfect place to go!!!
Saw an incredibly inspiring Irving Penn retrospective. Wonderful. Learning about his printing techniques gave me a deeper sense of awe at Penns expertise.
The second Tuesday of each month MOPA is free for San Diego county residents. Always well-curated. Some exhibits are not for young children.
Scavenger Hunt for December Nights was super fun! The Museum was free for a few hours on Friday. And we love their Italian Film Festival offerings.
It’s a tiny small space, but it packs a lot into it. The exhibitions were varied, each working well together but very diverse. The price is fantastic; pay-what-you-can, which does deserve a few bucks for what it offers. The curators are worthy of a larger space, to pack more of their great selections into a space.
This best thing is being able to take you picture in a picture device.
Very nice museum of photographic arts on the ground of Balboa Park in San Diego. Many photos from famous early photographers like Ansel Adams and a description of how early photography was done, along with rotating exhibits. No entrance fee, but donation suggested. Worth a stop.
Small but interesting photographic museum. You can check what they are cuttently exhibiting online. Small gift shop. You can donate what you want toward keeping the museum ongoing. They suggest $10 as of this review.
A number of galleries & rooms of interesting photos by theme or subject. Also has a theater with guest speakers & movies.
Not my thing but I can see what they were trying to do.
Very nice little gallery some interactive fun exhibits.Some of the art was redundant but art is art so go check it out and post a review.-1star bathroom was stinkyI would recommend this to friends and family.- 1 star Not a good value!!!Little pricey
Fascinating displays. Very well put together.
My last visit here was well over a year ago. It seems they change their exhibits, so it was a different experience from the last time I was here. Currently they are featuring Irving Penn.
Uninterested staff, small and few images.....good collection of photography from Australia. No well known California photographers from the past. A few photos with a political point of view. Cannot recommend. New exhibit in preparation.
I attended a screening of The Is Home as part of the International Documentary Film Series. The theater was very nice with comfortable seating. One critique is with the temperature - the place was freezing. I encourage you to bring a jacket.
The Admission: Flexible pay what you wish admission price through 5/29/2016It is a small museum. There are a few good photos but the exhibit is just okay.There is a gift shop inside the museum as well.
Enjoyed it. Was there for Italian film festival. Looked at exhibition before and after.
It was ok if you like obscure pics its for you
Informative, intimate collection. Plenty of information on each series, excellent curation.
Great exhibits. Good variety. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Always great I went here to watch a movie and hear a talk from the filmmaker after always attracts a smart and engaged crowd.
Small but great exhibitions
Get there before February 17, as the Irving Penn exhibit, Beyond Beauty, is beyond anything else you will see in Balboa Park. A stunning exhibit by a true legend of photography.
Great movie as part of the Italian Festival.
First rate exhibitions if you havent been to it you should. Free second Tuesday admissions to San Diego residents.
I love this place, always new exhibitions
Saw a very good temp exhibition of Irving Penns work, well laid out and lit.
Very interesting museum in Balboa Park. Donation entry. Will be very interesting for photographers
Extremely well done, gift shop has a good variety, exhibit currently thought provoking and well laid out Liked fact they involved community as well.
A quick, interesting and free stop within Balboa park.
Small museum with interesting exhibitions by lesser known artists, especially women and people of color. A large portion of the gallery was closed for setting up a new exhibit while we were there. $5 recommended donation seemed a little high for the size of the place but the curation is good so no real concern.
One of the smaller museums but absolutely worth visiting. Suggested donation, and no admission fee means that you get a lot for your money. The museum/gallery is small but the work on display is excellent. Do not skip on this if you enjoy photography.
Great park. Small museum with a unique collection.
I was expecting less multi media art, and more traditional photography
A really nice place!
Very nice museum nice layout and easy to move through. Unfortunately I dont appreciate photography like I should. I just wasnt in to it.
This is a vital and underrated art institution. Solid rotation of exhibits.
This museum is donation-based - I wouldnt pay a ton to visit, but worth a couple of bucks if youre strolling along in Balboa Park. Amazing gift shop.
Great youth art display!
They have great exhibits and are located in beautiful Balboa Park.
Nice museum in Balboa Park. Exhibits change regularly.
We went there for a conference dinner, very original idea. You will find very interesting artwork.
Beautiful collection and wonderful staff makes for a great experience.
I loved this museum, it was my favorite that I visited in Balboa Park. The donation-based admission was a sigh or relief for my broke hostel-jumping self. Many museums in Balboa Park I had to pass on due to admission prices. I loved all of the exhibits and the layout of the space. Very easy to maneuver and take everything in. Some of these other reviewers complaining of repeated artists should maybe learn what an exhibition is.
I visited the second Tuesday June 2018. I was impressed with the variety of exhibits and the quantity within each. Great job, MOPA!
For such a small space, this museum is excellent and only a suggested donation of 5$ which you can choose to not pay.
The Museum of Photography has several beautiful photogalleries, and several interactive art exhibits. The museum accepted a donation as an entrance fee, and had 3-4 rooms to walk through.
The staff is knowledgeable and kind. We had a great time exploring this little bit of San Diego history.
Another great museum at balboa park!
Lot of great exhibits
It was very inspiring and I really enjoyed the different work that was presented.
Definitely check it out! Its free and you can donate whatever you like for entry.
Very nice experience! Definitely worth visiting again.