My interest in photography started in 1978 when I was attending Phoenix College. I took an introductory photography class and really enjoyed it. I've always considered myself to be a "visual" person (I prefer to watch a story rather than read it), and photography fed into that need to explore visually and to be creative visually. I decided to pursue photography as my career, somewhat naively in retrospect. My dream was to land a job working for Arizona Highways, or more ambitiously, with National Geographic and have them send me around the world photographing exotic locations. It turned out a lot of other people have the same dream. After Phoenix College, I continued my studies at Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in Photography. I did various odd jobs in photography including weddings and baby photographer, but my true love was landscape scenery and macro photography. After several years of trying unsuccessfully to make a living as a photographer, I came to the conclusion it was going to end up as my favorite hobby instead.

 

Years later, I ran into my Phoenix College photography teacher, Allen Dutton, when he was seeking assistance at the health insurance office I was working at. He wanted to know why he couldn't obtain a test he needed. I walked up to him out of the blue and told him it was because he was a bad photography teacher. After the initial shock wore off and he realized I was joking with him and that I was a former student we talked for a while. He told me that very few of his students ever made a living from photography. Wish I had known this back in 1978, but I have no regrets in the knowledge that I obtained in earning the degree. Photography is an eye into the world and everyone sees the world differently. I hope to gain new perspectives into the world from the friends I make here on Flickr.

 

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Photos of northwest explorer

Testimonials

Voi vi chiederete come ha fatto una persona che vive a 5000 Km di distanza a conoscere Steve? La risposta mi sembra ovvia ma attraverso le sue fotografie!!! Questo testimonial non vuole essere solo un tributo al fotografo ma anche all'uomo Steve per gli straordinari paesaggi e per le grandiose macrofotografie che ques… Read more

Voi vi chiederete come ha fatto una persona che vive a 5000 Km di distanza a conoscere Steve? La risposta mi sembra ovvia ma attraverso le sue fotografie!!! Questo testimonial non vuole essere solo un tributo al fotografo ma anche all'uomo Steve per gli straordinari paesaggi e per le grandiose macrofotografie che questa splendida persona realizza con tanto amore e sentimento per i suoi scatti, che io considero come delle vere e proprie opere d'arte fotografica, ma questo è solo il mio modesto parere, che le sue foto mi fanno realmente viaggiare anche restando comodamente seduto a casa. In un prossimo futuro vorrei davvero incontrarlo per poter scambiare con lui opinioni e idee circa questa grande arte che è la fotografia e che lui conosce così bene. Amico mio ti ringrazio con tutto il cuore per questo grande regalo che fai a tutti noi con la condivisione delle tue splendide opere... o dovrei dire capolavori. Ciao Steve che le strade del Sud-Ovest ti regalino sempre ottime foto d'autore da cogliere e mostrarci. :D Con stima e grande rispetto, Giovanni. :D You will ask how did a person who lives at 5000 km away to know Steve? The answer seems obvious but through his photographs. This testimonial don't want to be only a tribute to the photographer but also to the man Steve for the extraordinary landscapes and for great macro photography that this amazing person makes with so much love and feeling for his shots, which I consider as the real works of photographic art, but this is only the my humble opinion, that your pictures really do travel also remaining in the comfort of my home. In the near future I would really meet him for exchanging opinions and ideas about this great art of photography that he knows so well. My friend I will thank you with all my heart for this great gift that You make everybody us with sharing your beautiful jobs ... or should I say masterpieces. Hello Steve that the streets of Southwest will gift You always excellent photos of author to pick and show us. :D With esteem and great respect, Giovanni. :D

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March 29, 2012
ProudBear says:

Steve has a wonderful eye for photgraphy. I have enjoyed his landscapes and shots of nature. He really needs to get his work published in a parks and wildlife magazine or made into a coffee table book. I look forward to his postings.

September 21, 2009

First: Steve is quite an exceptional photographer! He is able to capture the austere beauty of the South West that escapes most people's eyes. Whether he is photographing flowers, rock formations, or his handsome self, he is able to find an interesting and unique perspective that often captivates and inspires me. Asi… Read more

First: Steve is quite an exceptional photographer! He is able to capture the austere beauty of the South West that escapes most people's eyes. Whether he is photographing flowers, rock formations, or his handsome self, he is able to find an interesting and unique perspective that often captivates and inspires me. Aside from photographic skill, Steve also is one of the few people that actually goes through my photostream and makes me smile with his witty comments. BUT most importantly, he is a damn awesome man! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him both through his photography in person. Thanks buddy! keep up the good work

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April 12, 2008
Jim says:

Steve's photography, like the man himself, is a wonderful blend of strength, simplicity and decency. His eye encompasses a natural world that ranges from the smallest amphibians to the grandeur and sweep of the mountains, deserts and canyons of the American southwest. His camera captures what his eye perceives with ac… Read more

Steve's photography, like the man himself, is a wonderful blend of strength, simplicity and decency. His eye encompasses a natural world that ranges from the smallest amphibians to the grandeur and sweep of the mountains, deserts and canyons of the American southwest. His camera captures what his eye perceives with acuity, clarity and a "balance" that could only come from deep knowledge of himself and the world he inhabits. One doesn't so much "view" his photographs as "live" in the successive moments they admit one to. In this, he works very much in the tradition of the best of landscape photographers, whose images don't so much "show" you something you have never seen before, as "remind" you of something that you have always known but haven't quite perceived. Looking at his photographs is like taking a long walk with a best friend -- a friend whose delight in the world can only be increased by the pleasure he takes in sharing it with you. Steve possesses a generosity of vision that is always informed by a spirit of friendship and wonder. He's a good man and there is no higher praise than that. I'm deeply honored to call him a friend.

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March 7, 2008
Richard says:

Steve's photographs are like having your own personal "Arizona Highways" photo magazine. He shows you the best of what's in his neck of the woods .... be it well known or hidden. In the less than 2 months that I've been on Flickr not only has he been a great source of inspiration/information for me from a photograp… Read more

Steve's photographs are like having your own personal "Arizona Highways" photo magazine. He shows you the best of what's in his neck of the woods .... be it well known or hidden. In the less than 2 months that I've been on Flickr not only has he been a great source of inspiration/information for me from a photography standpoint ... he's also a good, kind-hearted man that I've enjoyed getting to meet via the internet.

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March 3, 2008