In a little short of two weeks, from now, I start my full-time photography course. My feelings about my forthcoming studies are dual in that I am eagerly anticipating them and yet am apprehensive about my ability to wrap my brain around the theoretical aspects of photography.
I don’t fully understand why I am so drawn to photography but drawn I am like an incoming tide towards the shore. It’s certainly not the purely technical aspects of the medium nor the possibilities of post-production manipulation of images that excite me the most.
Even though I haven’t unravelled the skein of my pull towards a visual medium, which has the ability to still the world for a nano-second and narrate in the blink of a shutter a moment in the arc of the life of a person or place, I do know that I love looking at images taken by masters of the world of photography. So last Saturday I went to see a photography exhibition at IMMA (The Irish Museum of Modern Art) called, Second Sight: The David Kronn Photography Collection.
David Kronn is an Irish-born New York based pediatric geneticist who has a museum quality collection of photographs numbering around six hundred and apparently he has plans to double its size. He has generously promised the entire collection to IMMA and some images have already been donated. His collection includes work by: Irving Penn, Annie Leibovitz, Simon Norfolk …
The Second Sight exhibition showcases a portion of David Kronn’s collection. Sadly, but understandably, visitors are not allowed to take photographs so I have no visuals of it to show you. I found some of the images haunting: an infra-red picture of a child soldier in The Congo and a misty depiction, redolent of poverty, taken decades ago in Dublin of a child collecting coal (I think) from the gutter. All were beautiful in different ways, I could go on and on about it but the exhibition is best seen rather than described.
One of the good things about museums and public art galleries in Ireland is the no entry fee policy. And among the many good things about IMMA are: the beautiful 17th century buildings, modelled on Les Invalides in Paris, that comprise it and its charming surrounding grounds.
I would highly recommend the Second Sight exhibition. There is much else to see and explore at IMMA and should you feel hungry there is a cavernous basement café run by the ITSA people.
Just Add Attitude 
I can’t wait to hear about your photography class, I’m sure it will be such a wonderful experience! The museum sounds absolutely wonderful, and all for free?!
I am looking forward to starting the course and I think it will be a very positive experience. I love that galleries and museums here don’t charge for entry (there is usually a donation box at the entrance) it means it’s possibly to nip in just for half an hour and not worry about having to see everything all in one go. Obviously as Ireland is small we don’t have collections to rival larger countries. But still and all I love our museums and art galleries.
I am very excited for you, you are passionate about the medium and you will I am sure excel. David Kronn’s collection must be something to see. one day I hope to.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. There was a portion of David Kronn’s collection on display and that was pretty amazing. The whole must be spell-binding.
Hope you enjoy the course. Have fun with it.
Thank you.
Dear B
I do hope you enjoy the course – your pictures of Kilmainham where IMMA is based are wonderful and remind me to start using my membership of IMMA more often. I am so glad you are pursuing the photography – this is something you are really good at. Hx
Dear H,
Thank you so much for your good wishes for the course and for the compliment on the photography. They both much appreciated.
Bxx
Looking at your photographs I couldn’t help but think that I had seen this place. As I read the text it all became very clear. Last summer one of the last places we went to see was the IMMA. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and I did appreciate not having to pay to see the exhibit.
Hello, yes, the IMMA grounds are beautiful indeed, I am glad you got the opportunity to visit them when you were in Dublin. I think free entry to museums and galleries is such a good idea in terms of letting the greatest number of people access them.
Even if you couldn’t show us any of the collection, it was wonderful to see the IMMA grounds. Exciting (and a little scary) that the course is now so near.
I am sorry for the delayed reply. And as the start date of my course is now just five days away it definitely feels a little scary. 😉
Take heart! It will be wonderful.
Thank you. 😉
I know you will enjoy your course…it is so lovely when you can gain knowledge on something you have such a passion for.
Thanks for your comment Karen and I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I am looking forward to increasing my photographic knowledge but I am a little scared as I am not very tech minded and it takes me an age to grasp new concepts. 😉
You have some great photos of your own. I’m excited for you that you have the opportunity to develop your photography skills even more.
Thank you so much. I hope to improve my photographic skills but it may take a while before everything sinks in.