Shoot the Breeze: Max Marshall

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Max J. Marshall’s series of photographs satisfy our voyeuristic fascination with other living species and their behaviours in so-called natural settings. This satisfaction is accompanied by an onset of questions: Where did he take these photos? How did he encounter these creatures? His use of intriguing angles, cropped framing, and a strong pursuit of detail produces a body of work that is a visual delight as much as cause for extreme curiosity. Occasionally, Max will turn his lens towards humans, and here too his work is distinct. His portraits zero-in on atypical subgroups: men in the army, orca whale trainers, and lab researchers, figuring them as curious animals themselves. The theme of research extends to his work as curator for his blog, Latent Image, where he thoughtfully researches and selects inspiring photographers to feature. Additionally, Max runs Deli Gallery in New York, which exhibits sculptures and paintings as well as photography. – Cerian Phillips 

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1. How would you describe your photos?
Living in New York City, the photographs are shaped by the ways nature is present within an urban environment- gardens, zoos, bodegas, street corners, waterfronts, and grocery stores. The work employs a pulled-in view and omission of background information, an existing vernacular established by illustrated scientific journals and explorer’s diaries.

2. Do you carry your camera with you everywhere you go?
No. Cameras are heavy! And sometimes you just want to enjoy what you’re looking at.

3. What celebrity would you like to shoot most?
E.O. Wilson – the world’s leading expert on ants.

4. What animal would you like to be, if not a human?
I’ve always been told lobster or Doberman Pinscher, but I always thought it would be interesting to be a jellyfish.

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fish

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5. What’s your current obsession?
Hip hop and rap music – A$AP Mob, Bryson Tiller, ILoveMakonnen, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Roy Woods, Travi$ Scott, Yung Thug. I can’t stop listening!

6. Would you like to live forever?
No. It would be too sad to see all the people you love die, not to mention watch the Earth crumble.

7. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Robert Gober said “You say no to something over and over, once in a while it becomes interesting to say yes”.

8. What do you do in your spare time?
Take care of plants and pet cats.

9. Do you like having your photo taken?
I somehow have gone this long without having my portrait made by a friend or professionally. Until last weekend when a friend, David Brandon Geeting, made a portrait of me. It was super fun – he dumped water on my head.

10. Which photographers do you like right now?
TOO MANY TO LIST. I like every photographer that I post on my blog. ☺