May 17, 2018

Museum of Natural History to Open “50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic” Photo Exhibition on May 26

On Saturday, May 26, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will open the traveling exhibition “50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic,” which showcases some of National Geographic’s most compelling photographs. From Steve McCurry’s unforgettable Afghan girl to Nick Nichols’ iconic image of Jane Goodall and chimpanzee to Thomas Abercrombie’s never-before-seen view of Mecca, the exhibition includes some of National Geographic magazine’s most-remembered and celebrated photographs from its nearly 130 year history.

In addition to seeing the photographs as they appeared in the magazine, visitors to the exhibition will learn the stories behind the photos and more about the photographers themselves. For some images, visitors will be able to see the “near frames” taken by the photographer: the sequence of images made in the field before and after the perfect shot.

President and CEO Luke Swetland shares, “As the Museum prepares to open our newly renovated galleries, we looked for a summer show that would celebrate nature and our relationship with it. The National Geographic exhibit is visually powerful, rich in nature and thought provoking; all traits that our renovated galleries will manifest as well. It will make for an exceptional pairing.”

The exhibit opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 26 in the Museum’s Fleischmann Auditorium and will run through Monday, September 3. For more information, visit www.sbnature.org.

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a leading nonprofit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education. Through our grants and programs, we aspire to create a community of change, advancing key insights about our planet and probing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time while ensuring that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global understanding. Our goal is measurable impact: furthering exploration and educating people around the world to inspire solutions for the greater good. For more information, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.org.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Powered by Science. Inspired by Nature. Founded in 1916, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. The Museum seeks to connect people to nature for the betterment of both, and prides itself on being naturally different. For more information, visit www.sbnature.org.

High-resolution images available upon request.

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