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southwest explorer's photostream
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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.
visited 25 states (50%)Create your own visited map of The United States or determine the next president
Photos of southwest explorer (20)
southwest explorer's favorite photos from other Flickr members (89)
Contacts (219)
Groups (38)
- Nikon - D7000 Users 38,602 photos, 1,776 members
- F L E U R 1,819 photos, 827 members
- A Day In Hand 131 photos, 207 members
- Morton Arboretum - Public Gardens 123 photos, 125 members
- Sunglasses around the world 102 photos, 42 members
- Beard, Goatee & Stubble appreciation group 10,547 photos, 2,208 members
- National Geographic: Are You Good Enough? Post 1, Nominate 3 917,299 photos, 67,947 members
- Discovery Photos: Post 1, Vote for 3 485,228 photos, 26,993 members
- I shoot them where they lay. 28,014 photos, 1,318 members
- Phoenix Eats 1,010 photos, 81 members
- Architect: Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter 294 photos, 36 members
- Something not quite right 198 photos, 88 members
- Arizona Elite 2,455 photos, 113 members
- People who Love Boxers-Dogs Contest!! 9,110 photos, 906 members
- Boxer Place 18,923 photos, 1,978 members
- 4 The Love Of Boxers 15,192 photos, 1,147 members
- Breathtaking {add 1, award 3} 290,904 photos, 18,837 members
- It's All About the Boxers 17,388 photos, 1,872 members
- Creative Photo Group_ BASIC (P1-C3) 452,583 photos, 29,173 members
- *Simply Perfect* / Invited Photos Only 5,748 photos, 1,303 members
- O'Keeffe Country (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu and area) 620 photos, 93 members
- You Think this is Art 1,068,032 photos, 53,636 members
- Walking In Beauty - Nature's Pathways ( Post 1 / Award 2) 38,328 photos, 2,673 members
- The Best Flower Shot's (post 1,comment 3) *VOTE NOW* 22,817 photos, 3,679 members
- Roof 3,223 photos, 664 members
- CreativeClouds 1,344 photos, 386 members
- Æ ARTISTIC EXPRESSION at Admin invitation (pls aw 1) 7,824 photos, 10,753 members
- Man Ray 15,968 photos, 4,185 members
- We travel the World 514,437 photos, 33,407 members
- Cactus 34,477 photos, 5,620 members
- The American Southwest 80,460 photos, 3,040 members
- Macro Decay 10,365 photos, 1,122 members
- Geometric Beauty 123,408 photos, 8,863 members
- Valley of the Sun (Phoenix Metro) 23,670 photos, 1,218 members
- manhole cover 14,301 photos, 1,249 members
- TRUCKS-OLD-RUSTY-TRUCKS! 6,827 photos, 751 members
- Arizona Discovery 46,056 photos, 2,320 members
- Arizona Wonders (up to 3 in a row guidelines) 67,991 photos, 4,253 members
Testimonials (3)
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L1v32tr4v3l says:
"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"
11th April, 2008
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NH woodchuck 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 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."
6th March, 2008
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handlebar_moustache57 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 photography standpoint ... he's also a good, kind-hearted man that I've enjoyed getting to meet via the internet."
2nd March, 2008
- Joined:
- November 2007
- I am:
- Male and Taken