For Immediate Release:
March 15, 2001
Mansfield Ohio

Photographer Recognized for Prophetic Image

Local artist Mark Bohland, was recently recognized by the Professional Photographers of America, for a complex photographic image, depicting the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Bohland, who owns Maranatha Photography, created the prophetic image entitled, "Born to Raze Hell" from multiple images, created at different times and in a variety of locations. The images were then combined, using state of the art digital techniques, to express the artist’s concept of the triumph of Christ over Satan.

Bohland who has photographed weddings as well as child and family portraits since 1978, has a unique way of approaching a portrait. "Most people have a picture taken and then decide whether or not they like it, and where it will go in their home. I think that’s really a backwards way of looking at artistic portraiture," said Bohland. "The purpose of a portrait is to reveal something of the spirit of the subject. A truly artistic portrait begins in the mind, and is the result of a collaboration between the artist and the subject." Bohland believes that "a portrait is actually created before the camera even clicks. Both the subject and the artist should know enough about what the finished portrait will look like to know ahead of time, that they will like it."

Bohland approached the creation of "Born to Raze Hell" the same way. He said, "Bits and pieces of the image, along with the title have been flying around in my head for several years." The idea for the image came from an Old Testament account of an incident in the Garden of Eden. In this account (Genesis 3:15) God talks to Satan, and predicts that one of Eve’s offspring will be wounded in the heel by Satan, but will in turn wound the head of Satan. "When you are trying to express spiritual ideas through a visual medium, you must be able to see the final image, even before the first exposure is made. This is true for both portraiture and prophetic art. It is especially true when you are making a final image out of quite a few other images, which we can now do with both portraits of people as well as with images that are more symbolic in nature."

"Born to Raze Hell" was awarded a blue ribbon for excellence at the recent Mid-East States Regional Photographic Competition, a six state competition sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America. The PPA is the world’s leading certifying agency for imaging professionals and the world’s largest not-for-profit association for professional photographers, with more than 14,000 members in 64 countries. PPA offers consumers free referrals to photographic professionals, as well as providing continuing education opportunities for its members.

Mark Bohland M.Photog.,CPP, is available to speak to photographic and other organizations on Prophetic Art. He may be contacted at 1-800-669-8512 or via e-mail at MarkBMPhoto.com

The Professional Photographers of America is the oldest Photographic Professional Association in America. It exists to assist its more than 14,000 members in achieving their artistic and professional goals, to promote public awareness of professional quality photographic images; and to advance both the art and science of visual imagery.

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 Original Photo © Deborah Bohland

Photographic Craftsman	Ohio Certified Professional Photographer