Museum of Photography

Museum address:

Raekoja street 4/6, Tallinn 10146

Entrance fee 1 EURO

Museum open during operating hours 18:00 - 23:00

Program

Shutter Chorus – sound traces of the process of photography  

Although photography is primarily linked to visual perception, camera operation has always been accompanied by specific mechanical sounds. These are such an integral part of the shooting process that modern silent digital cameras and smartphones artificially add shutter sounds to provide users with necessary auditory feedback on the action.

A camera’s sonic profile directly depends on its construction. Inter-lens spacers in objectives work almost silently, while film curtains create characteristic sweeping noises depending on material and direction. Mirror cameras dominate with the mirror’s rapid up-down “clack,” making them louder than other types.

Beyond the exposure moment, other mechanical stages shape the camera’s sonic character: shutter cocking, film advance gear rattling, and timer buzz for slow exposures. Shutter speed determines sound duration too, turning each shot into a temporally measurable audio event.

The Museum Night theme Night of Voices prompted the Museum of Photography to record sounds from its collection cameras, presented here for the first time in May.

Colour Tickle Vote
On the experiential exhibition “Colour Tickle” dedicated to colour photography, vote quietly by feel. View Estonia’s oldest colour photos and cast your supportive vote for the most appealing colour filter pattern used to shoot them. Museum Night reveals which century-old colour process still resonates with the strongest today.

22:00–23:00 Hour of Silence

How does silence sound?
At the end of an evening saturated with sounds and as a counterpoint to the Eurovision echoing across the city, Tallinn City Museum branches will turn off all sound installations during the final hour of Museum Night. This allows visitors to listen to the natural sounds of the historic buildings.
We also invite visitors to turn off their devices, speak more quietly, and be considerate of those sensitive to noise.

Accessibility information:

Access to the Museum of Photography is by stairs only. Please note that the internal staircases are narrow, steep, and uneven.