Customer Reviews

Journal of Light: The Visual Diary of a Florida Nature Photographer

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This is the most beautiful visual book regarding Florida I've seen on the
market. The photography, by Jon Moran, is world class. Florida is my home
and when I want to send information and want to give a glimpse of this
lovely state that I live in, to friends around the world, this is the book
that I send to them. Everyone has appreciated the historical notes, the
factual information about the places where the pictures were taken, and
the visual memories of the authentic natural Florida, unfortunately
now not always seen by visitors.

I, too, am a Florida nature photographer: but my case is far different, as I'm a student with a limited budget and have only been shooting for two years. This book is especially close to my heart and experience, because, like Mr. Moran, I delight in travelling North and Central Florida in search of that perfect shot--it was great to turn the pages of a beautiful, glossy *professional* book and see all my old haunts, compare my experiences with Mr. Moran's (his passion for the state and the art is so evident), and, when I go back home to Colorado in a month, have someone else's take on Florida's beauty with me. I'll never tire of looking at this book.

I have known of John Moran's photographic work since I was a student in Gainesville, working in local camera shops. That was 20+ years ago now. Of all of the Florida imagery out there, John manages to present his own unique vision of his Florida. His love of these places and creatures shines through in a way most photographers dream of achieving. In his book, he offers insight into his photography techniques, and the challenges he faces capturing each image.

"For 20 years Moran has traveled the Sunshine State with his cameras, capturing natural Florida as it must have appeared to Ponce de Leon and other early strangers in paradise. Narrating a slide show of his remarkable collection of landscape photography, Moran reflects on his quest to capture the soul of one of the most photographed states in the country." (review from the Florida Humanities Council)
Before moving to Florida, I only had a vague idea of its natural landscape gleaned from television documentaries on the Everglades. This book brings the wide range of Florida natural beauty into our living room. Enjoy!

You may have to hurry - rush - to get a copy of award-winning John Moran's beautiful photographic and textual essay, "Journal of Light." If not, you may miss experiencing his record of this rich, lush part of Florida few visitors have viewed compared to the millions who stream into the state to recreate at beaches peppered with high-rises, or to seek thrills under neon lights. This is because there are few copies left of this popular book available at amazon.com. In another sense, you may have to hurry - hasten - to chance a personal visit to gain even a careful, delicate glance at only a few of the scenes that Moran brilliantly captures through his lens. That's because through that lens, he details a Florida that is all too rapidly disappearing, impacted by the seemingly relentless, steady march forward of columns of buildings and other constructed space that intrude to blot out the very beauty we seem to love and desire.

The author shares with us not only his pictures, but how the capture was accomplished. Well done.