Meet John Post
John became a photographer in 1974 to share with others the amazing things he had seen and experienced for himself. Whether photographing exotic India, or hovering above Manhattan Beach in a helicopter, he has captured and shared with his audience many unforgettable images.
After serving in Vietnam, he went on to receive an Associate of Arts Degree in Photography and a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology. He has stocked his ANTHRO-GRAPHICS® (man and his environments around the world) with striking images of distant lands, familiar beaches, quiet geographic studies and soaring athletes. John has been published throughout his career and his images have appeared in advertising, corporate offices and individual homes of all sizes.
Known mainly for his captivating beach scenes, John sold his first ANTHRO-GRAPHICS® in 1975 and today, thousands of prints later, he has an established reputation in the photographic field.
We recently had the chance to ask this local gem a few questions about the MB10K.
Our Q & A With John
How did you get involved with the MB10K & join the committee?
I was somewhat involved from the beginning. In 1976 my brother Mark and I started photographing 10Ks and marathons around California under the name ACTION PHOTOS. Since we were pretty much the only ones taking photos of the runners, we knew all the runners and they all knew us. When Russ Lesser and some other locals formed a group to have a Manhattan Beach 10K run we naturally got involved. My brother was initially part of the group and one of our photographers (Gordy Cusick) designed the first MB 10K shirt. We continued photographing 10Ks and marathons thru 1981.
How long have you been a member of the committee?
I think I officially became a member of the MB10K Committee in 1982.
When did you start designing the MB10K shirts?
I have been on the MB10K Shirt Committee for almost 30 years and have designed the shirts for the past 18+ years. I also did the re-design of the logo this year.
*The image on this years shirt I photographed in 1984, one of the last times the MB10K finished on the pier.
Can you tell us about your design process for the shirts?
First, I try to get input from the 10K Committee. With that input I then do up several layouts and show them to the Shirt Committee to review. I then take their comments and revise and refine the design until everyone likes it.
What do you love most about the MB10K?
It’s just fun! I have always enjoyed watching runners and the flow of the human body in motion. The excitement and challenges of the run and the expressions on the peoples faces of both the runners and spectators and the laughter, anguish and elation is all fun stuff as folks push their limits. Also the community appeal and bonding experience of such an event is great for the city.
Have you ever had the chance to run or walk it?
In the early years I ran some of the 10K runs (when I wasn’t photographing them). The last time I think was in 1986 when the MB10K run still finished on the pier, I have a photo that shows me breaking 40 minutes, those days are long gone.
Some may not know this, but you also arrange for the bands to play along the course. Can you tell us more about this?
For the past 30 years I have been responsible for the official music on the course of which there are a minimum of 6 music groups. Over the years I have tried to provide a good mix of music style from Rock & Roll to Tubas. A couple years ago I got our newest group, a Klezmer band that now plays at Valley and 1st Street during the run.
Some of the groups have been playing for us now more the 25+ years and the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders have been with the run since the beginning.
Visit John's Gallery
808 Manhattan Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 376-6982
Gallery Hours
Wednesday through Sunday
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
You can also check out his website by clicking here.
John has a booth during the Hometown Fair, be sure to stop by and check out his beautiful works there too!
Image Credit: John Post
THE MB10K IS A NON-PROFIT EVENT AND THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FITNESS-RELATED CAUSES & SCHOLARSHIPS. THE RACE COMMITTEE ORGANIZERS AND RACE STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
Save the Date
COME CELEBRATE OUR 40TH BIRTHDAY WITH US AND RUN OR WALK - OCTOBER 7, 2017 AT 7:30 AM!
Sign up below and we'll send you valuable information about the Manhattan Beach 10K Run.