> Photographer/Educator
> Researched. developed, and taught the first College-level Course in Night Photography, both black & White and color - 1979 to 1992. Also taught Design and Visual Concepts, Environmental Portraiture, Natural Light, Art Appreciation and Figure.
> 1979-1990 Academy of Arts College (University), San Francisco, CA.
> University of California, Berkeley Arts Extension, San Francisco 1990-1992
> ....."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.
________________________________
Equipment:
Mamiya RB6x7ProSD
Leica 35mm
iMacG5 - 10.5.1
NikonCoolScan9000
Canon5D
______________________
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.
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
_____________________________________________________
> 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!"
Sharper24's favorite photos from other Flickr members (496)
Contacts (307)
-
Dan Squires
No real name given
-
ScottThomasMartin
Scott Martin
-
GTIFreak
No real name given
-
MattGranz
No real name given
-
rchorneau
raymond chorneau
-
Gabe Overbay
Gabe Overbay
-
alkhodarev
No real name given
-
David Dasinger
David Dasinger
-
ahmadshakerin
ahmad shakerin
-
westonh
Weston Hutchins
-
Jeff Scott SF
No real name given
-
altcomix
Andy
Groups (50)
- Getty Images on Flickr 0 photos, 6808 members
- SF Bay Area Shooters (sfbas) 50801 photos, 2477 members
- Northern California Photographers 29718 photos, 1274 members
- California's Bay Area Group 30845 photos, 2067 members
- Aperture Nature Photography Workshops Contest 1665 photos, 3922 members
- Nightshift 1093 photos, 18 members
- Flickr Diamond - Invited Photos ONLY 105376 photos, 21032 members
- Against Chain Group Invites (SAY NO) 606 photos, 112 members
- Abandoned At Night 1525 photos, 220 members
- Night shooters 5114 photos, 289 members
- We say NO to VIDEOS on FLICKR 1194 photos, 25439 members
- Mare Island Nocturnes 443 photos, 78 members
- GOLD STAR AWARD {Invited Photos Only} - post1/comment2 274002 photos, 40875 members
- Night Shot - Invite only (Post 1, invite 1 - comment 2) 7229 photos, 3572 members
- Mendocino County, California 4029 photos, 288 members
- Inspire! INVITED High Quality PHOTOS ONLY! 85440 photos, 19459 members
- Mega Shot Post 1, fave 2 5227 photos, 8604 members
- Fine-ART photos (Invite only) 36496 photos, 11318 members
- Dragon Gold Award "You are the best" 204244 photos, 22474 members
- Top 20/25 Blue's Hall of Fame (INVITED ONLY!) 3444 photos, 2128 members
- "A" Class (Please,comment 2) / Sweeper is running again 367397 photos, 19654 members
- Trophy 22422 photos, 5465 members
- Creative Photo (Post 1 - Comment 3 or more) 371880 photos, 25504 members
- The Blues! 59183 photos, 7436 members
- *THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER(Quality Photos Only) - POST 1 AWARD 2 411419 photos, 42522 members
- Ultimate Shot ~Invited Images Only! POST 1/ Comment 1 51976 photos, 13078 members
- The Unforgettable Pictures ~ INVITES ONLY ~ Comment on 3 !! ~ 189856 photos, 27978 members
- PASSION PHOTOGRAPHY (COMMENTS PHOTO) 43660 photos, 14045 members
- Photographic Art Legacy - ADMIN INVITE only! 21146 photos, 5341 members
- flickr photo group 27986 photos, 2610 members
- *Free Nature* 597621 photos, 23065 members
- Better Than Good - INVITATION ONLY - Post 1 - Award 2 344715 photos, 46114 members
- Black & White Art Awards (Post 1 - Award 4) - VOTE NOW! 254874 photos, 21722 members
- Empyrean Land/Cityscapes-INVITE ONLY+15 FAVES OR ADMIN-INVITE 23515 photos, 3760 members
- Flickr's Legend - Invite ONLY! *~Quality Only! *~NO Video! 4367 photos, 2529 members
- We travel the World 291203 photos, 28275 members
- Shield Of Excellence - INVITED PICS ONLY 267189 photos, 38784 members
- Award Winner 37665 photos, 3316 members
- Colour Art Awards -=Post 1, Award 4=- Vote now! 279225 photos, 22649 members
- What a Wonderful World. (post 1/ comment 3) 111805 photos, 7977 members
- Fl♥ckr Extraordinary Capture - Post 1 Comment 3 106476 photos, 7563 members
- Wonderful world Mix ( Post 1 - Comment 5.) Please!!! 102135 photos, 6778 members
- Todays Best Award- Invite Only 2345 photos, 1340 members
- TheFinalCrown (Invite Only-Post1/Award3) 4798 photos, 2100 members
- Golden Photographer (Invite Only Images and +10Faves) 30583 photos, 6456 members
- Beautiful Earth 130974 photos, 6546 members
- Light STREAM___ 31875 photos, 5991 members
- *Magic EYE* 26783 photos, 3633 members
- Irresistible Beauty - Invited photos only 13781 photos, 3846 members
- Color Photo Award - PREMIER -- EOM Contests Open 113058 photos, 27152 members
Testimonials (11)
-
yushimoto_02 [christian] says:
""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!""
7th December, 2008
-
lee.mccain.photorama says:
"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"7th March, 2008
-
altamons says:
"A 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."
2nd November, 2007
-
Mitamada says:
"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"22nd October, 2007
-
fotofantasea says:
"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."
15th September, 2007
-
ƒreg / Fernando Gregory says:
"You are the best Night photographer I've seen around Flickr,
your photos are amazing!"6th September, 2007
-
VJ Spectra says:
"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."
5th September, 2007
-
n!b says:
"Steve 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!"
20th July, 2007
-
zpaperboyz says:
"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."11th May, 2007
-
BURИBLUE says:
"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!"17th April, 2007
-
Lost America says:
"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."
28th March, 2007











