Floridian John Moran presents his work during a recent DBC museum lecture.

Nature photographer 'wows,' offers wisdom to students

By: Chelsea Denkins

Posted: 5/2/08

Bringing to life the natural beauty of Florida, nature photographer John Moran shared his works with Daytona Beach College photography students on April 11. Throughout the lecture, Moran previewed numerous photos that have been featured in National Geographic, Life, Time, Newsweek, Smithsonian, The New York Times Magazine and on the cover of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. His pictures included monochromatic and swimming alligators, fireflies, ancient trees flooded by hurricanes and 10,000-year-old Native American rivers in the Sunshine State. "My goal is not to 'wow' you, but inspire you to keep your passion alive," said Moran of his intended outcome of the lecture. Professor Gene Bednarek, a longtime friend of Moran's, arranged his visit as a part of his Editorial photo class. In addition to showcasing photographs, Moran talked about his latest book, "The Journal of Light" and his journey toward becoming the noted Florida wildlife photographer he is today. At 18, Moran picked up his first camera and began working on the student newspaper at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The 23 years following graduation he worked as a news photographer and quit only five years ago to begin an independent career. He decided 10 years ago, when experiencing art shows, that he too could do it alone. When Moran quit as a news photographer, he thanked his employers for paying him so poorly over the years to make it easier for him to give up. Now self-employed, he makes a living selling his works and showing at art festivals. "Sometimes you just have to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down," said Moran about his decision to become an independent photographer. Why does Moran focus his work in Florida? "I have no interest to compete with great photographers all over the world, I just wanted to photograph my own back yard." Tools, material and a plan, he says are all that's needed to make photography happen. Moran loves taking pictures in the dark of celestial events and once captured a shot Venus shining close to a crescent moon, a picture titled "Venus kisses the moon." Entranced by the dramas and histories of Florida's skies and rivers, he often photographs nature. "If there is magic to be found on this planet, it is in the water," said Moran, "To dip a paddle into the Suwannee River is to touch a piece of Florida's soul." Despite increasing problems in recent years of overpopulation and pollution, Moran says "You tend to find in life what you are looking for." On his walks and adventures into the wild, he never fails to discover another beautiful shot to be taken. With a sense of the past and concern for the future, he hopes that we as a culture will recognize the importance of honorng the sanctity of nature. Published in 2004, Moran's "Journal of Light: The Visual Diary of a Florida Nature Photographer," compiles a 20-year collection of photos and essays. In 2005 it became a major traveling exhibit for the Florida Museum of Natural History. A preview of the book can be found on his Web site www.johnmornaphoto.com.