The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park opened a new exhibit on June 12 titled “Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock ‘n’ Roll Photography Selected by Graham Nash.” It’s a collection of 100 photographs — covering a span of more than 50 years — of famous rock stars and their bands, taken by 40 different legendary photographers. The exhibit was curated by Nash at the behest of the Experience Music Project (EMP), out of Seattle. MOPA is the first stop on a nation-wide tour. Jasen Emmons, the director of Curatorial Affairs for EMP, said this exhibit “provides a unique look at the musicians and photographers who captured the essence of rock ‘n’ roll and helped shape its image.” The exhibit includes pictures of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Johnnie Cash and Neil Young. Nash chose all the photographs for this exhibit, and some of his own pictures are included. He also wrote the commentary and narrates a smart phone tour. Nash is most widely known for being a member of the county folk rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash. He started his musical career with the Hollies in the mid-1960s and later moved on to help form Crosby, Stills & Nash, all the while pursuing parallel careers as a photographer, photograph collector and digital image pioneer. Nash said he is attracted to photography because “I sense the same energy in photography that I find in music. When I look at Ansel Adams’ ‘Moonrise Over Hernandez,’ I can feel the basses and the cellos in the shadows. I can hear the violins in the clouds. It’s all the same energy.” Nash believes that the rock photographic image, as found on posters, T-shirts and album covers, was a critical factor in helping shape the musical genre of rock ‘n’ roll. Nash said his chief goal for the exhibit is to “highlight the energy of rock ‘n’ roll from a photographer’s point of view, in order to convey the rock attitude of ‘Get out of my way, I have something to say.’” Some of the better photographs in this exhibit include a character shot of Joe Cocker in front of The Hague; an amusing color photo of the Buddy Holly Band with one of its members balanced on the side of an upright bass; Tom Petty in a long, lonely brick corridor; and Nick Cave and his eerie demonic shadow. All the photographs with Bob Dylan in them have an allure, as do the two shots of Janis Joplin. Karl Sharicz, who came to San Diego on business, visited the gallery. He thought the show had “amazing pictures.” His favorite photograph was the oversize blow-up of Charley Watts, the stoic drummer of the Rolling Stones. “Every little detail, every pore on Watt’s face, was revealing,” Sharicz said. The odd thing is that now, some years after their heyday, a little of the power and magic has gone out of the photographs. Once the images held more sway, had more verve, really struck you. They had the power to offend and to transgress; they were a mirror which reflected a sought-after counter-cultural identity. These images were desired because they entitled their owner to possess some of that counter-cultural identity. Now the photographs are more interesting as works of art rather than as cultural icons. For a preview of the show go to Youtube.com and type in MOPA 101 or see the MOPA website at MOPA.com. Bring your Smart Phone to hear the narrated tour. The show will continue until Sept. 26.