John’s creative spirit was evident from the beginning, but it took years of study, practice, and experimentation before he developed his signature black and white style. He absorbed and applied the principles of photography as espoused by Adams, Weston and other photographers he admired, first emulating their techniques, then incorporating what he learned into his own artistic vision.

 

In his crisp and defined black and white photographs, John interprets the images in tones ranging from dark to light and all the hues in between. “I chose black and white photography because it emphasizes the images. Sometimes color creates noise, competing with the image for the spotlight.”

 

For his new color photographs, the principle flips. His soft and fluid images are enhanced with a full range of muted colors.

 

John has been experimenting with digital imaging for many years, but he didn’t embrace color photography until digital printing technology met his standards. “This technology opens new doors, new possibilities, giving me the license to create outside the parameters of traditional gelatin-silver black and white photography.”

 

John’s photographs began winning awards in high school, encouraging him to pursue photography as the medium for his creative expression. He continues to gain recognition at the annual Piccolo-Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit in Charleston, South Carolina, including two first place ribbons and the Mayor’s purchase award.

 

It’s no surprise that John chose to photograph Charleston’s historic buildings and the low country landscape. He grew up in a Southern California town that revered its history and Victorian structures.

 

In 1989, he moved to Charleston two months before hurricane Hugo devastated the city. The dedication of Charleston residents to rebuilding their city inspired John to make a long-term commitment to photograph the Lowcountry.

 

He was commissioned by the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society to document the island’s fading historic structures. These photographs were featured in the Society’s museum gallery and the Colleton County Museum gallery in Walterboro, South Carolina.

 

Working with medium and large format and digital cameras, John personally completes every step of the printmaking process. His gelatin-silver and giclee photographs are produced, mounted, and framed using archival processes and materials. Current prints are offered in editions of 45 or less.