photography chair profile

John Marshall

Chair, Photography
MFA, BFA University of Minnesota

Teaches
Alternative Photographic Processes and Introduction to Photography

What do you hope to teach a CVA student?

For the non-majors, a taste of traditional black and white camera work and printing. For majors, skills with small, medium, and large format cameras, black and white and color analog processes, lighting and studio work, digital camera, scanning and printing skills, a background in photo history, and exposure to the various conceptual strategies used in the past and present by both photographers and artists using photography as part of their practice.

What do you love about the discipline that you teach?

Everyone has shot photographs so students start off with a lack of fear. Once they see an image loom up in the developer they get hooked on the alchemy of the print and supply their own energy and enthusiasm to gain control of the medium.

How would you describe your discipline to an
incoming student?

Using cameras and an array of analog and digital technologies to create a type of literal image that can perform a variety of functions both fine art and commercial. We are all about providing a wide array of technical and conceptual choices for solving visual problems.

How do you prepare your students for their
professional practice?

Through internships, visits to and from the best fine art and commercial photographers in our area, keeping track of and visiting many gallery and museum exhibits, through classes like Professional Portfolio Development that directly address the specific professional needs of the emerging creative artist, and all of the other classes that incrementally morph the student into a functioning member of their communities.