Lisa Browder

Originally called the Tampa Gallery of Photographic Arts, this museum was born in 2001. It was renamed the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in the summer of 2006 and relocated to the Waterfront Arts District in Rivergate Plaza’s six-story Cube building, second floor.

I’m glad I took the time to drive over and check it out. However, my own expectations put a damper on the visit. Photography is a vast subject and I sort of had it in my mind that I would be meandering through a labyrinth of rooms displaying exhibits numbering well into the thousands. This exhibition took me half an hour and although interesting, I was disappointed there wasn’t more.

The exhibitions change on a regular basis so go to the website at http://www.fmopa.org to see what’s currently there. Today, they had an exhibit called “Suzanne Camp Crosby: The Art of Life.” It was fun but didn’t hold my attention.

On the other hand, I loved the exhibit titled “Through the Lens of Conflict: Vietnam Press Photographs from the Dr. Robert L. Drapkin Collection.”

The richest photographs, for me, are the ones that paint a picture. They depict raw emotions or make me curious about the backstory. What brought this particular expression to this specific time and place? If I know the circumstances, I find myself contemplating what my reaction might have been.

And sometimes, as in this case, they point out death and destruction half a world away. Where was I? What was I doing?

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts is located at 400 N. Ashley Dr., Cube 200. If you have questions, you can contact them at 813-221-2222. The entrance fee is $10 ($8 for seniors and military). Plan your sightseeing thoughtfully. They don’t open until noon.

They also offer photography classes. You can find the full list online, but some examples include Analog Photography, Photoshop Basics, Photo 101, Discovering Your Creative Photographic Path, Storyboarding, Events and Family Portraits, Wedding Photography Basics, and many more.