John
Pfahl
Presented by
Atanas Bosakov
For Photography
120, Online
Class at Napa
Valley College
Biography
BORN February 17, 1939; New York, New York
Raised in Wanaque, New Jersey.
EDUCATION BFA. Syracuse University, School of Art, 1961
MA. Syracuse University, School of Communications, 1968
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1968 – 85 School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, Rochester
Institute of
Technology. Resigned as full Professor to pursue photographic
career.
1983-4 Visiting Professor, University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque.
1986 – Present Adjunct Professor, University of Buffalo, Buffalo,
NY.
John Pfahl is an American photographer mostly known for his
Landscape work. His style is directly related to nature and the
environment. Pfahl’s work is an unique combination of
classical landscapes (reveling the beauty of the nature) and
discreet remainder of the human intervention in nature. His
unique style masterly provokes.
“I want to make photographs whose very ambiguity provokes
thought, rather than cuts it off prematurely. I want to make
pictures that work on a more mysterious level, that approach
the truth by a more circuitous route.”
John Pfahl
Power Places
This landscape image from
the Power Places series is a
great example of the
photography style of John
Pfahl. The author of the
image doesn’t emphasizes
directly on the power place.
Instead, he places the
chimneys using the rule of
third to achieve his message
of indirect alert. The result is
a provocative combination of
pure nature and human
intervention. Great choice of
cloudy condition and defuse,
soft light for the image.
Missile /Glyphs
,
This photograph, named Fat Man Atomic
Bomb(that was the name of the bomb
detonated over Nagasaki), is from the
Missile/Glyphs series. The image is
absolutely outstanding and it speaks in a
such a deep way. The photograph is
designed on the diptych technique. I really
like how John Pfahl masterly uses color,
light, and shadows to create this
composition. The image is very urgent and
loaded with tension, and reminds us about
the danger of the nuclear weapons. The
bomb placed above the images of humans
is a great way to express the destructive
power . The motives of culture,
technology, and environment are present
in this masterpiece of photography.
The Very Rich Hours of a Compost Pile (Watermelon Ruts)
The Watermelon Ruts is an
beautiful directorial, still life
image. Complementary Color
Contrast (green and red) and
unique combination of
texture is what catches my
attention. I admire the idea of
using remains in a way that
shows some beauty. The
layout of the elements is very
dynamic. I get the idea of
transparency and hidden
meaning of ongoing purpose.
The decaying organic matter
will eventually be completely
“dead”, but it will provide
nutrients for the soil. The
image conveys the purpose of
harmony and balance.
 John Pfahl’s photographs are very influential for not
only photographers, but for environmental activists
and political agendas as well. I learned from Mr. Pfahl’s
work that photography is more than simply taking
pictures. It’s a way of expression, it’s passion, it’s a tool
for sending a message. I also learned that beauty
appears in different forms. His indirect way of
conveying a meaning is what I like the most about his
photographs.
 http://www.janetbordeninc.com/biographies/Pfahl.pd
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http://www.mocp.org/collections/permanent/pfa
hl_john.php ( The Museum of Contemporary
Photography Website)
http://www.environmentalartblog.com/2009/04/j
ohn-pfahl-early-work.html (The Environmental
Art Blog)
http://johnpfahl.com ( Mr. John Pfahl’s Website)
Altered Landscapes, book by John Pfahl, June 1, 1981
Picture Windows, book by John Pfahl, October 1, 1987