All Images Copyright - Steve Harper - 2010. All Rights Reserved. No images may be used in any format without written permission.
> Photographer/Educator
> Researched. developed, and taught the first College-level Course in Night Photography, both black &White and color - 1979 to 1990. Also taught Design and Visual Concepts, Environmental Portraiture, Natural Light, Art Appreciation and Figure.
1979-1990 Academy of Art College (University), San Francisco, CA.
University of California, Berkeley Arts Extension, San Francisco 1990-1992
....."Steve Harper - a guiding light for a whole generation of Night Photographers" - Michael Kenna
> "To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage" - Georgia O'Keefe
> From Wikipedia, under Night Photography:
In the late 1970s, Steve Harper taught the first college-level course on night photography at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. The legacy of this program has led to San Francisco becoming a center of night photography.
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Equipment:
Mamiya RB6x7ProSD
Leica 35mm
iMacG5 - 10.6.4
NikonCoolScan9000
Canon5D
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I will not be posting images daily. Night Photography production is limited compared to the posibilities of day shooting, particularly if your snapping away on a digital camera.
Until the recent acquisition a Canon 5D all of the images on my site are taken with FILM processed normally.
Images that are taken at night can appear surreal due to the transformation caused by the passage of time during a long exposure. Any change in the atmosphere, any motion, the fact that the earth is turning, any circumstance that happens in front of the lens during the exposure that is beyond the photographer's control etch themselves onto the film and become part of the illusion.
I mention this because in this age of digital manipulation, I wish to point out that these images are not manipulated and the effects that make them surreal are not caused by digital manipulation.They are just straight photographs taken at night instead of during the day.
Performances in front of the camera while the image is being etched is a separate artistic concept.
Web and Blog site: www.steveharperphotography.com
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> I will try to respond to all comments, invites and awards, but because of time, must favor member's work that causes my own imagination to spark - and - because of my background, I will pay particular attention to photography done at night.
>> I am highly allergic to bizarre PhotoShop and HDR manipulations, particularily manipulations that alter the reality of nature. It concerns me greatly that Nature is changing on its own unnaturally fast.
>>> And if you are religiously "macro flower" , please read my latest comments on a couple of '"lovely", "just georgeous" flower macro images below:
"What interested me immediately was that little red face in the background with its mouth angrily open and its ears erect!"
"I think 'lovely' macro images of flowers are some of the most bizarre images I see. Many of them are very hairy!" or.....
> Macros of the centers of flowers puts them out of context to me so I tend not envision the part that is missing and concentrate on what I am actually seeing, i.e., "How totally bizarre! It looks like an embryo on a nice pink cushion!"
- JoinedAugust 2006
- OccupationPhotographer/Educator
- HometownWewoka, Oklahoma
- Current cityColorado Springs, CO, 80918
- CountryUSA
Most popular photos
Testimonials
"It’s a true pleasure to write a testimonial for Steve. The discovery of Steve’s photography is definitely one of my personal highlights in Flickr and his stream is always full of inspiration and is definitely one of the finest on Flickr! Steve speaks a very personal and clear language in his pictures – his composition… Read more
"It’s a true pleasure to write a testimonial for Steve. The discovery of Steve’s photography is definitely one of my personal highlights in Flickr and his stream is always full of inspiration and is definitely one of the finest on Flickr! Steve speaks a very personal and clear language in his pictures – his compositions are technical perfect, always very artistic and precise, clean and balanced and full of elegance. But what I like best, is that his nightphotography gives such an unique perspective that it is like a gate to a previously unknown world. I am looking forward to see more of Steve’s work!"
Read lessI remember the moment in 1990 when my brother gave me the book Michael Kenna's Night Walk and looking through it in absolute wonder and amazement. When I discovered Steve's photostream I had that same feeling. Steve's work always captivates me. I think his work redefines the possibilities of photography and the me… Read more
I remember the moment in 1990 when my brother gave me the book Michael Kenna's Night Walk and looking through it in absolute wonder and amazement. When I discovered Steve's photostream I had that same feeling. Steve's work always captivates me. I think his work redefines the possibilities of photography and the medium in general. And to know Steve is to know a kind and giving man, a wonderful teacher, and ultimately someone who inspires you to do better. A personal thank you a million times over. Lee
Read lessA visit to Steve's photostream is an adventure into the math and science of photography, but in addition, it is an immersion into the true art of photography. I love to visit Steve's photostream. I can't wait to see his latest magic through the lens.
Genius Night Photographer. One outstanding thing about Steve is when you see his photo eve without athe name of his, you can tell that he is the photographer. There is a signature in all of his photos, the night, the blue, the serene yet moving. I admire your work
Steve is a patient and caring teacher. His stream is so informative on the technical side of night photography and his images are a wonderful example of this and of perfect composition and perspective. Also, every now and then we can get caught up in the world around us and forget to take the time to delve into our in… Read more
Steve is a patient and caring teacher. His stream is so informative on the technical side of night photography and his images are a wonderful example of this and of perfect composition and perspective. Also, every now and then we can get caught up in the world around us and forget to take the time to delve into our inner world. Thank you Steve for making me stop and appreciate a photograph for the emotions it reflects, both by the photographer and to the viewer.
Read lessYou are the best Night photographer I've seen around Flickr, your photos are amazing!
Steve is one of the most unique artists on Flickr. He is a true pioneer in the art of night photography. I admire the fact he has done all his photography on film - certainly a much harder medium to master. His skill in capturing an image without relying on software manipulation also highlights his talent behind the le… Read more
Steve is one of the most unique artists on Flickr. He is a true pioneer in the art of night photography. I admire the fact he has done all his photography on film - certainly a much harder medium to master. His skill in capturing an image without relying on software manipulation also highlights his talent behind the lens.
Read lessSteve Harper's stream is like a workshop, or maybe like a school for me. I feel lucky for finding his night photographs in Flickr. They inspired and tought me well...Thank you Steve, I am greatful!
All I can say is wow. Steve has so many fantastic shots on his stream it is amazing, especially because he's using film and not digital. I've messed around just a little bit with long exposures and I can only imagine the knowledge he must have aquired over the years to attain such images. I'm amazed and humbled by his … Read more
All I can say is wow. Steve has so many fantastic shots on his stream it is amazing, especially because he's using film and not digital. I've messed around just a little bit with long exposures and I can only imagine the knowledge he must have aquired over the years to attain such images. I'm amazed and humbled by his work. I highly recommend spending some quality time and looking at his photos.
Read lessSteve Harper's work is an inspiration in this age of instant gratification and Photoshop. He has a vast lake of experience and knowledge at his disposal, and his photos speak for themselves. On top of all that, he's a wonderfully nice guy and gives generously of his time and knowledge to comment on and respond to h… Read more
Steve Harper's work is an inspiration in this age of instant gratification and Photoshop. He has a vast lake of experience and knowledge at his disposal, and his photos speak for themselves. On top of all that, he's a wonderfully nice guy and gives generously of his time and knowledge to comment on and respond to his fellow photographers' work. I look forward to learning more from one of the night Masters!
Read lessSteve truly is the pope of night photography. The tiny cult of west coast night shooters of the 90s (who begat the tidal wave of current night shooters) can be directly connected to Steve's night photography classes at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. In a time when virtually no one was doing time exposures at ni… Read more
Steve truly is the pope of night photography. The tiny cult of west coast night shooters of the 90s (who begat the tidal wave of current night shooters) can be directly connected to Steve's night photography classes at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. In a time when virtually no one was doing time exposures at night, Steve was out there reinventing and teaching these old-school techniques. He's a giant.
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