Some of National Geographic’s most iconic images are currently on display at the Imagine Exhibitions Gallery located inside the front door of The Venetian® in Las Vegas. The exhibit, “50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic,” features a comprehensive exploration of images long associated with the organization, such as Steve McCurry’s mysterious “Afghan Girl” and a Nick Nichols’ image of Jane Goodall and a chimpanzee.
Just imagine the editors’ daunting task of picking the 50 photos in the publication’s 125-year history especially when you figure they had to select from 50,000 images published in the last 50 years.
The compelling and sometimes haunting photos are exquisitely displayed with a behind-the-scenes explanation under each image along with a map marking where the photo was taken and the year. In some cases you get to see the sequence of “near frame” images made before and after “the perfect shot.” Additionally, there are documentary videos throughout the exhibit that tell the stories behind the photos and photographers like Michael Nichols’ amazing redwood tree.
The photo exhibit created in 2011 replaces “Da Vinci: The Genius” in the 6,800-square-foot gallery. When you leave some images will be seared into your brain such as the one by a photographer on assignment on a northern Hawaiian island capturing the autopsy of a dead bird that when he was opened up was full of plastic that the mother had brought back for the bird to eat. Another is the precious children all with the same environmentally induced deformity. This exhibit will leave a lasting impression.
Exhibit hours are daily from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 6 p.m. Tickets are: general admission $18; senior/military/Nevada residents/students $15; and children 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Taxes and fees not included.
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