John has photographed widely in Asia, Europe and Mexico, as well as in his long-term home state of New Mexico. His work typically has social or historical interests as a primary motivation. He works in all camera formats, but favors infrared and very high-speed films for interpretive images. His current photographic work is all black and white, printed in his own darkroom. Featured work includes mystic places in Japan, China, Mexico, and England. New projects since arriving on Whidbey Island focus on local history and scenery, as well as forays into the Cascades and beyond.

John displays at Penn Cove Gallery in Coupeville, an artist-run co-operative on scenic Whidbey Island.

John has six years experience as a commercial photographer in New Mexico and Colorado, doing mostly architectural and product work. Since 1984 he has installed ten darkrooms for himself, resisting the lure of digital systems for a more hands-on relation with his images.

Please send him your comments and opinions at john.olsen337@gmail.com.