John Ellsworth Photo: Hamptons.com article

John Ellsworth: A Photographer and the Sea
R. B. Stuart

John Ellsworth. Photo by Alan Pearlman

In 1964 East End photographer John Ellsworth was considering college when he decided to join the U.S. Navy to develop the discipline he felt he lacked. “Once I had it, I knew how to apply myself,” admitted the former quartermaster who spent two years navigating a destroyer in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. When his term was up he headed to Florida, where his father resided, to return to the University of Florida. “At the time I ended a serious relationship, which served as a catalyst for my wanting to write and began publishing articles in boating magazines.” Ellsworth earned a degree in journalism and completed his first photojournalism course, but his real passion at the time was being on the water.

Ellsworth was introduced to boats at the age of five by his father, a former FBI Agent and attorney. “He always loved boats and had a 28-foot Cabin Cruiser. So from early on I always had an affinity for the water,” he said, remembering his childhood.

Although it was shooting and developing black and white photography that drew him and strengthened his appeal for photography, “My professor said to me, ‘Your photos are more artistic than photo journalistic.’ At the time I didn’t know what that meant,” he confessed. “I didn’t know I could make a living at fine-art photography, and I didn’t want to be a news photographer--so I just shelved being a professional photographer and shot for myself.”

His brother’s wedding brought the 27-year-old Ellsworth to Spain, whereupon his second visit to the country--the culture and Gypsies--awakened his desire to document his explorations through the eye of his lens. “It was a beautiful, dramatic, and spiritual place,” he recalled of his six weeks photographing the ancient Latin land that would call him back nearly a half a dozen times over the years.

When he returned to the U.S. he began working for a subcontractor at NASA’s Apollo program where he edited space-flight and computer manuals. “It was very exciting to be involved, but I was in an office writing things I really didn’t understand, I became bored and left.” Instead, Ellsworth found himself working the summer as a press photographer for the Maryland Department of Transportation before the sea called him. The water, photography, and writing would tug him in opposite directions throughout his life until one day they would all meld together.

He and three amigos decided that spring to set sail from Florida on a 45-ft. ketch to Central America. Over a three month period they visited ports in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. “I had a thirst for traveling,” Ellsworth said. “And wherever I was I took photographs. In fact, the images from that trip gave birth to my photographing water. I photograph what I love, and I love water, but didn’t realize it was a recurring theme till the mid-1990s.”

Ellsworth was always involved with boats but during the early 1990s became interested in Taoism. In the book, “Tao: The Watercourse Way,” by Alan Watts, he found metaphors of water that resonated within. “I’m attracted to the concept of what water is. It’s turbulent and strong; it’s peaceful and reflective; and it’s common and humble—always seeking the lowest levels,” he explained.

When he returned from his three-month sojourn, the desire to write resurfaced. He spent his early 30s writing and editing flight manuals for Pan American Airways and photographing aviation-related scenarios for training presentations. He earned an MA in Communications at Queens College, CUNY. He later added an Ed.D. in Communications and Education at Columbia University with a curriculum in education, photography, and film which expanded the scope of his visualization. “The curriculum was mind opening because It enabled me to see alternate points of view, to recognize there are many ways of doing and looking at things.” Ellsworth said. “I’ve tried to apply this concept to my photography whereby my most successful images are those that represent alternate points of view.”

"Winter Snack" by John Ellsworth

Ellsworth incorporated teaching Communications to his academia at Nassau Community College until 2001. He also spent several summers teaching sailing as an island skipper for Sail Caribbean Voyages. But it was while he was taking a photography course that his future wife taught him about love. “While in class I saw images in a tray and was captivated. I didn’t know whose they were or whether shot by man or woman,” Ellsworth warmly recounted. “When you look at someone’s photographs you’re looking through their eyes. I became enamored by how she saw before I knew what she looked like. We soon became darkroom pals and two years later married.”

A year later the 42-year-old Ellsworth earned a U.S. Coast Guard 50-ton Captain’s License for sailing auxiliaries. Being a maritime master was quite significant for him. “I may not have gotten that license for myself, but for my father, who had already died. He had always wanted to sail and always wanted to write…so I took on his aspirations and fulfilled his dreams.” Ellsworth’s close connection to his father overflows to the bond with his own sons. “That achievement gave me the competence to handle a large vessel, especially when sailing with my wife and two boys; and having the ability to teach them how to safely operate and navigate a boat.” On the the horizon he sees a family charter in the West Indies on a 40-foot sailboat.

Ellsworth’s articles on sailing and navigation have appeared in SAIL, Boating, and Small Boat Journal, and his published book, “Tiller and The Pen: A Collection of Sailors’ Stories.”

Over the last decade his Fine Art photography has canvassed its way across the East End to art shows in Sag Harbor, Montauk, Bridgehampton, Amagansett, and Westhampton Beach. When asked about his photography in the future he remarked, “I don’t always want to shoot water-reflections. I’d like to explore more macro (up close) and astro (distant) photography through a telescope. Shooting astro helps me transcend what’s happening on earth and tends to put what is really important into perspective.”

With over four decades of photographing outdoor images, certain shots grab him. He reflects, “Sometimes when I click the shutter it resonates within me, I’m enthralled…although it doesn’t happen every time I shoot. That’s the best aspect of my work. And like a Gypsy with direction, I’m living in the present…the eternal now, but still making progress.”

John Ellsworth’s work can be seen in upcoming shows from April to October in Sag Harbor, Westhampton Beach, Bridgehampton, and Montauk. For further information or to view his photographic or written work please visit the following sites: johnellsworth.com/photos and johnellsworth.com/writing.

R. B. Stuart is an author, freelance writer, and columnist whose first love is poetry and letters. She specializes in human interest stories, artist profiles, essays, and memoirs. In her two blogs she attempts to quench her search for truth: writingsbyrbstuart.blogspot.com and sistersoldier.blogspot.com. She can be contacted by email at rbsnywriter@hotmail.com.