
About me
I am a freelance Photographer and Web Designer. Below is a link to my website.
Elf Design
My passion for photography was awakened when an old photographer gave me his Nikkormat FT along with 3 manual Nikkor lenses - a 35mm, a 50mm and a 105mm - back in 1996. These lenses were pretty much a perfect setup to start off with, but in practical use the 105 was my favourite focal length. Being able to express myself through photography felt entirely natural, unlike my attempts at playing the violin and the piano... Since 2005 I've been shooting entirely digitally.
The most important part of any photographer's equipment is an eye for detail, lighting and composition. The second most important piece of equipment is the lens. Unfortunately new consumer-grade lenses very rarely live up to the sheer quality and resolution of the older, manual ones that are often available at a similar price level. The current demands for speedy autofocus, extreme focal lengths and massproduced 'kit' lenses tend to lead to a loss in sharpness, 'atmosphere' (however you define that) and definition in modern photography. Colours are usually well rendered, but pictures often end up looking like 'snapshots'. If I had the time and patience, I would use my old manual Nikkor lenses a lot more - in particular the 50mm f/2 H. Due to the 1.5 crop factor on my D200 it can turn into a very moderate telephoto - and it has been named by experts as one of the sharpest lenses ever manufactured. However, quite often I don't have the time for non-autofocus lenses.
With the D700 I feel I have returned to my roots again... having spent years with the 1.5 crop factor it's so refreshing to see my lenses work as they were originally intended. A new perspective opened up with the D700, one that will no doubt complement that of my beloved D200. It's strange how attached you can grow to some cameras, and while I was eager to upgrade I found myself unable to sell the D200. I am however looking forward to a lot of available-light photography with the high ISO capabilities of the D700!
My style and intent as a photographer is to isolate the essence of each scene that I capture. A particular colour, shape, pattern or path through the frame should provide a distinctive character to the photograph. I don't shy away from post processing; on the contrary, I often welcome the creative potential it provides. However, getting it 'right' directly in the 'decisive moment' produces pictures with something eternally different about them, and scoring such a shot always brings me a smile. That's what it is ultimately all about. Recently I read an essay called 'Abstracting the Landscape' about this at Luminous Landscape. Read it; it puts everything very well.
Everything I capture is genuinely from my life and the life of family and friends. I like to capture everyday things and situations in interesting ways. Hopefully this 'authenticity' comes across in my photographs. Enjoy!
... and now for something completely different:
(You know you needed to know this about me!)

Stefan Elf's favorite photos from other Flickr members (14,275)
Contacts (2,742)
-
hobbydave
Dave
-
-911-
No real name given
-
xlightbrightx
Jessica Gilfillan
-
Arkalo
Martin Ark'alo...
-
p i c a
No real name given
-
FábioFutigami
No real name given
-
Zach !
Zach Buchanan
-
Яicci the "Dude"...
No real name given
-
jefffriesen
Jeff Friesen
-
chris honiball
No real name given
-
Morganshev
morgan shevett
-
Lori Paulson
Lori Paulson
Groups (50)
- Life is the question - Love is the answer 4620 photos, 888 members
- Self Taught Photographers 412940 photos, 20148 members
- Old School Digital 23705 photos, 2132 members
- Autumn Sunlight 262 photos, 68 members
- The Colours of: Winter 125155 photos, 9244 members
- Train Stations 15010 photos, 1642 members
- Noir et Blanc | France 1047 photos, 430 members
- British Cars 1945 - 1975 6033 photos, 585 members
- Nikon D700 50614 photos, 5363 members
- HBW (despite twenty feet of snow, still we are open for you) 10410 photos, 1937 members
- Foggia e dintorni 3558 photos, 658 members
- Nikkor 85mm F1.8D 9931 photos, 1517 members
- DoF 382602 photos, 37528 members
- Polaris (Post 1 - Award 3) 6931 photos, 1120 members
- Simply Silhouettes. 653 photos, 206 members
- Butterflies' Elegance (invite only) 7835 photos, 2404 members
- Motorways 127 photos, 44 members
- Motorway 455 photos, 146 members
- Head-Shots 1787 photos, 1154 members
- !★ Creative Photographer on Flickr ★ Post 1 , Award 1 !!! 19901 photos, 4469 members
- Camping UK 1978 photos, 271 members
- Mallard ducks 782 photos, 158 members
- Mallards 87 photos, 21 members
- Manky Mallards 78 photos, 38 members
- FlowGraphic Flickr Group 484 photos, 129 members
- Award Flickr Best 6927 photos, 1181 members
- Wedding Photography 103312 photos, 22333 members
- Art is a Woman (post 1- award 2) 15808 photos, 3158 members
- Malmö - Elusive 989 photos, 97 members
- Explored Beauty ! 31341 photos, 3609 members
- # Bokeh Photography 515 photos, 241 members
- Mikytz's wOrLd 27186 photos, 2231 members
- AA Ubercool 12110 photos, 1549 members
- Mer än tusen ord - pick of the week 2951 photos, 258 members
- Violet Hill 531 photos, 338 members
- Abandoned Apparel 1054 photos, 335 members
- Riisli Gallery / "Contest Open" 3589 photos, 906 members
- Hotel de Glace | Ice Hotel 154 photos, 16 members
- Kiruna (Jukkasjärvi and Abisko) 781 photos, 258 members
- Wonderful World!(New contest open!) 78628 photos, 5018 members
- Nikon Digital Learning Center 305740 photos, 47638 members
- "LEGENDARY PICTURES" 1640 photos, 1618 members
- Project worldwide (pictures of places around the world) 84752 photos, 11911 members
- Mercedes-Benz - Through the Eyes of the World 61 photos, 26 members
- Catchy Colors 1690818 photos, 74570 members
- Semana da Fotografia São Paulo / Photo Week São Paulo 2334 photos, 1725 members
- Free Photos ☮ 38611 photos, 2189 members
- ***SCREAM OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER*** 417904 photos, 19873 members
- My beautiful photostream-Best Pix here!! 4795 photos, 685 members
- Digital Fine Art 2884 photos, 420 members
Testimonials (3)
-
413times2 says:
"Stefan's photos never cease to amaze me. Whether it's the colors, the subject matter or the composition, I am simply in awe. Håll gör det du gör, och världen kommer att bli en lyckligare plats. Great works, Stefan!"
11th June, 2008
-
Sarah's Photographs says:
"Stefan Elf. I have so much respect for his work. So many things I would love to say, but I can't find the right words. So, these words may be few, but please take them to heart. Stefan is an amazing photographer using light and colours to his advantage. He is so artistic and his work is amazing. Stefan's photos are stunning. They leave me speechless many times. I have found no fault in any of his work. Commendations to you, Stefan! Cheers!"
11th July, 2007
-
Achiam says:
"I am a huge fan of Stefan's work. I love all of his shots. His skill leaves me speechless. I am mostly inpressed by the vibrant colors and the clarity of the pictures which comes with great composition.
Stefan truly inspires me.
I've got so much to learn from you, Stefan!!"10th July, 2007











