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CROCODOPOLIS world of crocodilians TM SCIENCE · CULTURE · INDUSTRY · NEWS · COMMUNICATION · CONSERVATION
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FEATURES
September 24, 2007
Florida's 'Photographer Laureate'
Editor/Publisher
I was strolling through a small shopping plaza in one of Gainesville, Florida's cultural districts when I chanced upon a gallery of photography in a humble, sunlit arcade.
I was transfixed by the images, all scenes of Florida, and they renewed my appreciation for the beauty of a State in which I have lived all my life.
The photographs were by John Moran, photographer, lecturer, University of Florida graduate and former photojournalist.
His works have appeared worldwide, and in some of the most well-known of publications like National Geographic, Life, Time, Newsweek and Kevin M. McCarthy's book, Alligator Tales. His art has landed in museum galleries as well, featuring images of Florida with an emphasis on the region's ecosystems born of water - most of them home to the American Alligator.
Among Moran's photos are extraordinary shots of the great saurian- not menacing, but empathetic to the reptile's beauty, a beauty it seems, is rarely noticed outside of conservation circles, contrary to the horrific descriptions of the reptiles in the mainstream media.
His photograph of alligators at dusk at Paynes Prairie State Park was selected as the top-placing American photograph in the United Nations Earth Summit photo contest.
Moran speaks of attempting "a picture of beauty beyond words." If this ambition sounds like hyperbole, just take a look at his work "River of Dreams," dreamlike, iconic, mesmerizing.
His works, all of them, touch the metaphysical, capturing a transcendent quality of Florida's nature without special effects or self-conscious artiness. Moran knows that all he has to do is wait for the right moment, in the right place, with the right framing and camera settings, and the "Living Planet," as he describes it, will do the rest.
He's not just an artist of the lens, but an environmentalist who orates with a camera.
The photographer says he lies awake at night thinking about Florida's natural water systems - not just their beauty, but his concerns for their preservation as well.
"If Florida had a Photographer Laureate, John Moran should hold that title," said Gary Mormino, co-director of the Florida Studies Program, University of South Florida, quoted on Moran's website.
Moran generously allowed Crocodopolis to publish his photograph, "In the Beginning."
This is a sublime shot of a thrilling moment for even the most work-weary crocodilian specialist: An alligator breaking from its egg; It is gaping at the sun, that fiery star that warmly bore the youngster from it's nest and will sustain it for a lifetime. You'll find this picture on the portal page of Crocodopolis.
Want to see more of Moran's images? Go to John Moran Florida Nature Photography and sit a spell perusing the site. There are essays, galleries, and some free goodies, as well.
You'll also enjoy a slideshow preview of his picture book, Journal of Light, a volume that makes an excellent gift for anyone who works with crocodilians, or with any aspect of biology/nature. Well, for anyone who appreciates beautiful photography.
John is available for speaking engagements, so those of you affiliated with herp societies, conservation groups, and other related organizations may want to consider booking him for a presentation that promises to complement the inspiration of his photographic imagery.
Thanks, John, for sharing with us.
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Moran's book, Journal if Light: The Visual Diary of a Florida Nature Photographer.
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