John Marshall

Artist Statement

I have always been a photographer. I may have experienced extended periods during which I made no images. But, I have always been a photographer. And, I have always struggled with liking the images I make. I'm not sure if my images lacked planning, intent, skill, purpose or some other illusive ingredient I was just plain ignorant of. All I knew was the struggle to make images that moved me. And by extension, others.

Then, a few years back, lightning struck in the form of Roland Barthes and his book "Camera Lucida". Now, there has most likely never been a book so difficult for me to read. It's a small book, but it's intense, and complicated. But, it changed my photography forever. That lightning strike made me realize I was previously concerned with only the Studium in my photography (the objects in the photograph), while totally ignoring the Punctum (a connection, feeling or emotion). So, while Punctum cannot be planned for or consciously created in an image, I now capture images hoping the illusive Punctum will appear for the viewer.

And so, the struggle to find and create Punctum continues.

Biography

I live in South Florida and that is where I most often make photographs. From the beaches to the swamps and sloughs to the interior woodlands, there is so much to photograph that it would take more than a single lifetime to cover. Florida has a very unique style of beauty that cannot be found anywhere else in the U.S. It is a wonderful place to live and create.

For me, photography isn't really a job because I enjoy it so much. And, it isn't a hobby either because I work at it full time. More than full time really. For me, photography is more of a lifestyle, with hints of an obsession. I live to make great photographs. The problem is that great photographs don't come easily, or frequently. I'll take a 100 pictures before I make an image I really like. That can be truly frustrating. So, it's a good thing that I like the actual process of making pictures so much. To me the act of making an image is as satisfying as nailing that great photograph. So, while the great photo is rare, the act of making an image happens every time I take a picture. And I think that is what keep me going.

I'm pretty selfish with my photography too. By that I mean I strive to make photos I really like. Does the image speak to me? Does the image evoke a pleasant feeling or emotion? Do I really just like looking at the image again and again? If the answers to those question is "yes", then I've met my only criteria for success.

I just hope that you will like these images as well.

My images have been exhibited at the following galleries:

Naples Art
Camera USA 2021 Exhibition
585 Park St, Naples, FL 34102

COCO Art Gallery
8074 Mediterranean Drive, Estero, FL 33928

Barron Park House Gallery
471 N Lee St, LaBelle, FL 33935

Lakeland Art Guild
49th Annual Melvin Gallery Art Exhibition
2607 Orleans Ave. Lakeland, FL 33803

Flagler County Art League
PICTURE THIS! Exhibition
160 Cypress Point Pkwy Ste A208, Palm Coast, FL 32164

The San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center
Southern California Open Regional Exhibitions
"Captured Through A Lens Exhibition"
PO Box 17192, Encino, CA 91416

16th Annual International Black & White Spider Awards
324 S. Beverly Dr., #266, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Exhibition History (CV)

Awards