Mini-Flood 10: International Photography Hall of Fame

photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis

The International Photography Hall of Fame has moved to St. Louis, and the iconic, 48-year old institution is now open. Begun in Chicago, the Museum houses more than 30,000 prints and 6,000 pieces of historically significant photographic equipment. Photo Flood Saint Louis was graciously invited to photograph the Museum before it opened to the public.

photograph by Amanda Krebel

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Ann Aurbach

photograph by Kara Schoen

photograph by Jason Gray

St. Louis has a long and storied history with regard to photography, spanning from the work of famed daguerreotypist, Thomas Easterly, to the contemporary kallitypes of Yvette Drury Dubinsky. It is a great fit then that the International Photography Hall of Fame should relocate here.

St. Louis Public Radio’s interview with IPHF’s Executive Director, John Nagel:

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis

photograph by Ann Aurbach

Began in 1965, as the Photographic Art and Science Foundation, the institution compiled a modest collection of prints and antique cameras while still located in Chicago (alongside its founding organization, the Professional Photographers of America). The Brooks Institute of Photography offered the opportunity for public exposure to the expanding collection, and so the Foundation moved to Santa Barbara, California in 1977. By 1985, the since renamed, International Photography Hall of Fame, had outgrown the facilities offered by Brooks, and sought out a larger space at the Science Museum Oklahoma, in Oklahoma City. Today, the International Photography Hall of Fame boasts an impressive collection of 30,000 prints and 6,000 historic objects (of or relating to photography). Its decision to move again was precipitated by a transition in focus for the Science Museum in OKC, which left apparent little room for housing an important art collection.

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Ann Aurbach

photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Captured N Time

photograph by Ann Aurbach

Video by Hannah Radcliff of the IPHF collection unloading in St. Louis:

Our visit to the about to open Museum unveiled a novel marriage of thoughtful renovation (to a historical building) and clever exhibition design. The space emphasizes strong lines bisecting a rectilinear orientation that lead the visitor up from the lobby and then guide them through the Museum. This design feature also serves to create areas of distinction, despite the mostly wide open layout, enabling unrelated bodies of work to be on display simultaneously. Certainly though, most of the focus is on the artwork, and the ceiling, floors, and walls all fall away to the viewing experience, which is very well handled.

On display during our visit was an exhibition entitled, The Past, Present and Future of Nature Photography (October 4, 2013-January 25, 2014). This exhibition included exquisite color work from the IPHF Inductee, Peter Dombrovskis, as well as images by Missouri resident, Nappadol Paothong, and photographs lent by the National Geographic Young Explorers and the North American Nature Photography Association High School Scholarship Students. Additionally, several images by other International Hall of Fame Inductees, including Ansel Adams, Eadweard Muybridge, and Yousuf Karsh, were on view. The Museum is the only such institution in the world to recognize the significant contributions of image-makers in a dedicated Hall of Fame. Currently, IPHF honors nearly 70 photographers, inventors and other persons with this distinction. Some of the names not previously listed include a veritable “who’s who” in photography, ranging from Eugene Atget to Minor White, Manuel Alvarez Bravo to Diane Arbus, and Bill Brandt to Roger Fenton. A collection of this depth and breadth does not often come newly to any city, even one as culturally rich as St. Louis. However, the International Photography Hall of Fame is not merely an exhibiting venture; it exists as an educational and social platform too. In fact, its mission statement outlines many focuses: “To educate the public about photographic history, preserve historical items and images, and honor significant contributors to the evolution of the art and science of photographic imaging.”

photograph by Kara Schoen

photograph by Jason Gray

photograph by Captured N Time

photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis

Welcome to STL, IPHF, Photo Flood Saint Louis and the larger photographic community of the region are very pleased to have you here!

photograph by Jason Gray

Map: