FORWARD

Marcus Bell is one of those rare finds. We've all had an experience where a friend says, "Oh, you've got to hear this new band," then you take a listen and have to admit it—they're fantastic. That's what it was like the first time I saw Marcus's work, "Wow, this is unbelievable!" It's the real deal.

Marcus is not only good at photojournalism, but he's also first-rate portraitist and an accomplished fine-art landscape photographer. It is very rare that one photographer, and especially one so young, can be so well versed in three distinctly different disciplines. It is no wonder he's proven to be a major award winner throughout the world. But he is not about awards or celebrity. He is all about honesty and the human dynamic. Marcus seems to possess that rare ability to make a human connection on both sides of the camera and communicate feelings in some universal human language that cuts across cultural barriers.

His images also possess what art directors call "It." Many refer to "It" as impact, while others see it as style. I think the "It" that Marcus has is a combination of rare skills and personality traits. He connects with people readily and has the eye of a cinematographer, at once able to see the heart of a story, big or small, and present it within a framework of great design. What is equally impressive about Marcus is his unabashed humility. He once told me, "I'm not really known for my portraits." Yet his portraits exhibit a kind of innocence and complexity that make one keep staring long after the information in the image has been digest-ed. Marcus's pictures of people exhibit what people have called "the life force"-an effective glimpse into the soul.

I think Marcus Bell has many miles to go in his journey as an image maker and communicator. This book is just one small step in a lifetime that will produce some of the finest photographs we have ever seen..

BILL HURTER

EDITOR, RANGEFINDER MAGAZINE

BIOGRAPHY

Marcus's work is powerful and emotive, speaking to deep human connections—connections to nature, to each other, to the human spirit, and, importantly, to our own personal histories. His natural ability to capture the spirit and character of the people he photographs is deeply influenced by his own life experiences, moments that have shaped who he is and, in turn, shaping the stories he tells through his lens.

His images capture the raw beauty in people, places, and moments that might normally simply be overlooked. He has an eye for showcasing the beauty in the world around him. Marcus delves deeply into human experiences, from simple behaviours to profound, life-shaping moments. His work encourages viewers to reflect on their own challenges and see their own stories within the images.

Awarded the title “Grand Master of Photography” by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), Marcus is well-known globally. He holds a Fellowship from the MPA in the UK and a Masters from the WPPI in the USA. With over 25 years of experience, he has taught at workshops and conventions worldwide and shared his expertise through online platforms like CreativeLive.

Along with several solo and group exhibitions, Marcus’s work has been published in over 50 photography books and leading publications such as Vogue, Smith Journal, Rangefinder, CNET, Cosmopolitan and Popular Photography. Recognised as one of the top 10 photographers in the world by American Photo, he’s been recognized by industry-leading companies such as Leica, Epson, Calibrite, and Sandisk as their brand ambassador.

Beginning his photography career in Europe, Marcus developed his passion for art and street photography, his early works was heavily inspired by iconic storytellers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, Sebastião Salgado and James Nachtwey. His style was further developed by blending his studies of classic master painters such as Vermeer and Rembrandt, combining him with base to explore new ideas and techniques. Today his distinctive style, combined with his unique narrative has earned him international acclaim and earning him recognition as one of the photographers to watch.

LEICA AMBASSADOR

GRAND MASTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY (AIPP)

ILFORD TROPHY RECIPIENT

AUTHOR

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

SANDISK AMBASSADOR