One of the best ways to get inspired and improve your photography is to look at the work of other photographers. The best place to do this is at a photography museum. There are thousands of photography museums all over the world. Therefore, figuring out the best ones to visit can be a challenge. Let’s look at a few of our favorite photography museums across the world.
International Center of Photography Museum – New York, USA
The International Center of Photography Museum (ICP) was founded in 1974 and is dedicated to social and political photography that can educate and change the world. Photos in this museum often tell a story that depict a political or social issue. The ICP contains over 200,000 photographs in its permanent collection, and regularly updates their exhibits with fresh new photographs.
In addition to printed photographs on display, the ICP also has a large collection of photographically illustrated magazines, especially ones published between World War I and II. In addition to recent works, the magazine also contains older forms of photography, such as daguerreotypes, gelatin silver, and digital chromogenic prints.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum – Tokyo, Japan
The Tokyo Photographic Art Museum opened in 1990, and was one of the first galleries in Japan that was dedicated to showing the work of multiple photographers. This museum contains over 36,000 photos and videos, and features the work of Japan’s greatest photographers both of the past and present.
Many different types of photography are housed inside of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, ranging from fashion and political photography all the way to landscape photography. Most of the works inside of this museum are original prints. Tokyo Photographic Art Museum does its best to preserve these fine art prints.
MOMus – Thessaloniki Museum of Photography – Central Macedonia, Greece
The only photography-specific museum in Greece is a must-see when visiting. The Thessaloniki Museum of Photography prides itself on collecting photographs — specifically those of Greece — to collect and display, as well as publish books on photography. The museum has worked with multiple Greek and international bodies to organize Photo Synkyria, which is the longest and most important photo institute in all of Greece.
In 2018, the museum merged with MOMus, which is the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki.
Museum of Photography – Berlin, Germany
Those interested in fashion photography should not pass up Berlin’s Museum of Photography. This museum is focused on fashion photography, including the work of the late Helmut Newton. The museum contains many rotating exhibits, in addition to the permanent collection of “Helmut Newton’s Private Property.”
This museum not only contains the works of many famous photographers, but it also includes some of the equipment they used to create the images you see. The museum has been open since 2004 and is one of the Berlin State Museums that is administered by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.
Lianzhou Museum of Photography – Lianzhou, China
This Chinese Museum dedicated to photography was built on the site of a local sugar mill to help bring business and tourism to the city of Lianzhou, which is a remote city in South China. The museum functions as an art village, as well as an open living hall where visitors can meet locals and be a part of their traditions.
The Lianzhou Museum of Photography has been open since 2017, and is the only museum in China dedicated to contemporary photography. The museum was built sustainably and has many eco-friendly features. The museum is made from two interlocking buildings, one old and one new. The building of the museum itself is just as much of an art as are the works inside.
Portuguese Centre of Photography – Porto, Portugal
The Portuguese Centre of Photography opened its doors in 1997. The museum was built from a building that was used to hold prisoners until 1974, and was then turned into a museum to house photography. This museum specializes in contemporary photography by Portuguese and Brazilian photographers.
Not only does this museum have photography, but it also contains an astounding collection of cameras dating back to the 19th century. In the Portuguese Centre of Photography, you can expect to find both permanent and temporary exhibits in various genres. Ultimately, the photographs help to tell the story of Portuguese and international photography.
The Photographers’ Gallery – London, UK
This photography museum is located in the middle of Central London and considers itself home to an international community of photographers. Not only does The Photographers’ Gallery have photo prints on display, but it also has a variety of rotating exhibits, events, talks, workshops, and courses.
The Photographers’ Gallery aims to be a photographic gallery that has an international impact, as well as be the leading photographic gallery in the UK. When you visit this museum, you’ll find a nice balance of the works of famous international photographers as well as UK photographers. The Photographers’ Gallery has been open since 1997, and moved to it’s current home in May of 2012.
Sala Canal Isabel II – Madrid, Spain
Located in the capital and largest city in Spain, the Sala Canel Isabel II is a photography museum containing some of the world’s best contemporary photographs. The museum building is an old water tower that was converted to a museum in 1986.
The Sala Canal Isabel II also has a small hall where they show films, along with a variety of other audio-visual exhibits. If you can’t physically visit the museum, you can use their online tours to see the museum from the comfort of your very own home.
Les Douches la Galerie – Paris, France
The Les Douches la Galerie is a photographic museum that features both contemporary and past photography in a common theme that they refer to as “documentary style.” When you visit, you can expect to find photographs that truly push the boundaries of photography as a medium. This museum has been open since 2006 and offers works from as early as the early 20th century, all the way to present day photographs.
The Galerie helps both museums and private collectors to establish their art collections. The Galerie has helped numerous living artists to enlarge their audiences both in France and abroad. The museum is located in Paris, in a former bath house that was built in the 1930s.
Fotografiska Museum – New York, USA
Fotografiska sits within a registered landmark building originally named “The Church Mission House.” It was renovated into the museum in 2010. It now features world-class art and host events, dining, and retail space. Many of the photographs in this museum are contemporary works, often showcasing celebrities and political figures. But the museum also has rotating exhibits from both establishing and emerging photographers.
Next time you’re traveling, check and see if any of these photography museums are along your path. While walking through a museum can be incredibly interesting and give you a glimpse of the past, these photography museums will help inspire you to take more meaningful photographs.
