Each photograph had a story to tell. There were comedies and tragedies, dramas and mysteries; some were touching, others striking, a few absolutely illuminating. All were . . .
. . . windows into the ordinary, the everyday – people, places, things – all frozen narratives in which life had transcended mere description, and the relentless march of time had been halted in a fraction of a second. Life was now art, art that was sexy and sassy;
 "Inka," 2015, Bryan Kasm |  "Yellow," 2014, Jinsong Weeks |
art that was frivolous and fabulous;
"Road Trip," 2013, Amy Mikler
art that was soft and subtle and sweet;
"Fruit of the Vine," Erika Masterson
art that was poignant and powerful;
"Solitude," 2014, Patty Mangual
art that was kooky and catchy and colorful, coaxing a smile.
 "Santa's New Ride," 2013, Todd Bates |  Untitled, 2014, David Roark |  "Dirt Road," 2014, Brittany Borders |
and art that left me hungry for more.
 "Steak Sandwich, Outback Steak House" 2014, Douglas Johns |  "Guinness Cake," Douglas Johns |  "Cocktails at Whisper Creek Farms," 2013, Amy Mikler |
What can I say! Daytona’s Southeast Museum of Photography was downright yummy. Did I mention admission to the internationally renowned museum was free? Personally, I think all museums should be free to the public, leveling the playing field when it comes to cultural advantages.
This is Florida's only museum dedicated exclusively to photography.
This hidden gem, part of the Daytona State College campus, is home to 3,500 permanent pieces of art and 12 annual exhibitions. A handful of exhibitions were offered the day of my visit with travel buddies Joan and Jerry two months ago: Departures 2015, a juried exhibition that highlights photography by recent graduates of the Daytona State College photography program; Thesis 2015, a collection of art work from 2015 graduates earning a Bachelor of Science in Photography degree from the University of Central Florida; Alumni Focus, a biennial event dedicated to celebrating new work by distinguished alumni of the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies who have made Central Florida their home.
Sleek & modern, the Southeast Museum of Photography offered an afternoon of phenomenal photograph.
The Southeast Center for Photography, “dedicated to the advancement of photography through public exhibitions of all forms of vintage and contemporary photography, research, publications and public programming”, is a consortium with Daytona State College and the University of Central Florida’s School of Visual Art and Design. The program is one of the largest, most comprehensive photography programs in the southeast.
The Museum, dedicated to Farshad Babazadeh, was opened in 1992 after establishing its presence as the Gallery of Fine Arts as a public service of Daytona State College.
I couldn’t help but wonder as I wandered the quiet rooms filled with so much intellectual and technical talent what might have been had I walked these rooms, this campus, fifty years ago when my passion for photography was just a frightening, nebulous glob of doubt and destiny.
The Museum, dedicated to Farshad Babazadeh, was opened in 1992 after establishing its presence as the Gallery of Fine Arts as a public service of Daytona State College.
I couldn’t help but wonder as I wandered the quiet rooms filled with so much intellectual and technical talent what might have been had I walked these rooms, this campus, fifty years ago when my passion for photography was just a frightening, nebulous glob of doubt and destiny.
"Tear", 2014, Anna Helen Vinther.
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