“A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.” - Ansel Adams

You might recognise this famous photograph of an Afghan girl (left), taken by Steve McCurry for a cover of National Geographic. The word “haunting” has been used to describe her eyes, eyes that had seen too much horror for a young lady. The photograph on the right is the same woman, 17 years later.

At the 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic exhibition, I came in touch with photographs that were engaging, compelling, and insightful, revealing the inner lives of people and animals across the globe.

Below is a series of photographs, made up of panoramic shots, of an underground cave in the Bahamas. It’s amazing what professional photographers will do to pursue their passions, including exposing themselves to a certain degree of danger. Apparently, these underwater caves had never been explored before this expedition.

This is a photograph of a sleeping Tuareg family in Sub-Saharan Mali. The photographer, Joanna Pinneo, had actually travelled to Mali to see how the drought was affecting Tuareg nomads. The trip led to her meeting a local family, and she was actually invited into their home. This was how she managed to capture this intimate moment.

This photograph of some wandering, lost camels shrouded in fire and darkness was actually taken in the day-time. But the smoke and fumes from the destruction of war make it seem like it was taken at midnight!

This photograph of a polar bear was taken blind. The photographer simply rowed his boat closer to the bear, and put his camera into the water and clicked. Amazing how even such “accidental” photographs can be so beautiful.

What I really like about the exhibition is how it gives a better understanding of the way people and animals lived in their original habitats, and also how humans and animals interact or impact on the other.

This one below of Jane Goodall, a British primatologist, bowing to a chimpanzee named Jou Jou who was seeking some attention and affection, was particularly touching.

We also had a chance to make our own photograms! This simple workshop aims to imparts basic darkroom techniques to participants, and allows visitors to create their own photograms using traditional print photography methods.

Here is my photogram composition (left), and how it turned out on the photographic paper (right). It was quite fun for me to experience the darkroom again (having gone through a photography module once). It would definitely engage the older kids aged 6 and above.

This 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic is running at the ArtScience Museum until 27 October 2013. If you prefer a guided tour to learn about the stories behind the iconic photographs on display, tours are provided complimentary every Sunday, 11:30am-12:30pm, on a first-come-first-served basis.

The ArtScience Museum is also running a “What’s Your Story” contest, on Facebook. Do check it out, as you’ll stand to win a S$500 shopping voucher and a 1 night’s stay at Marina Bay Sands!