John Post — Five Decades of Manhattan Beach Photography

From the Manhattan Beach Pier and the South Bay to six continents, explore more than 1,300 photographs spanning over 50 years.

For more than 50 years, John Post has documented the changing beauty, character, and spirit of Manhattan Beach and the surrounding South Bay. His photography captures the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, spectacular sunsets, powerful surf, local events, wildlife, and everyday moments that have become part of the community's visual history.

"A famous artist once said he never needs more than an acre of land in a lifetime to never run out of good subject matter and good art. I chose the area around the Manhattan Beach Pier and the South Bay as my 'acre of land.' I first photographed the pier in 1969. The pier has been the backbone of the community and the story of my photography."

While Manhattan Beach and the South Bay remain the heart of John's work, his photography reaches far beyond Southern California. A lifetime of travel has taken him across six continents and throughout much of the United States, uniquely documenting people, cultures, landscapes, wildlife, and the relationship between humanity and the environment.

From his lifelong personal project documenting India to the remote Australian Outback and other far-away places, John's "Anthro-Graphics" images reflect a lifelong fascination with how people live, work, celebrate, adapt, and connect with the places they call home.

Today, the John Post Gallery photo files contain thousands of photographs spanning more than five decades of fine art and documentary photography. Explore selected collections featuring Manhattan Beach landmarks, the iconic pier, California seascapes, panoramic landscapes, wildlife, travel photography, and memorable moments from around the world.