![Steve Wolfe hiking in Utah, posed on a ladder with his tripod](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3320a4_fb34c9775f264707ade40d8b003b2269~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_347,h_231,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Mark%20Bilak.jpg)
Approach
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I've been fortunate to see and photograph incredible sights all across North America. While there are many beautiful scenes, more is required to create a meaningful photograph. In 2004, I began transitioning from large format film photography, that required 100 lbs. of gear, to digital photography. The older I get, the more happy my body is about this change. My architectural photography background has contributed to my careful compositional skills which often involves moving my tripod just an inch to get the optimal viewpoint.
It's easy to point a camera at a mountain or waterfall and get a nice photo, but when the subject, appropriate lighting, and composition all align, then you really have something special. Working on the edge of weather, daylight, ecosystems, and technique is what I always strive for. I usually prefer dramatic weather and skies. There have been many frustrating days when I'm in a special place with cloudless, blue skies. My camera usually stays in my backpack on these days while I complain constantly to my wife about the "too nice weather". Shooting in rainy conditions helps control contrast and bring out more vivid colors. In post processing, I don't use Photoshop extensively and I stick to standard formats and proportions. When editing, it's sometimes difficult for me to be objective. If one photo of a subject was taken right next to the car and another after hiking miles up a mountain, which do I prefer?
Personal
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Since 1976, when I took an interest in photography, I've learned to see the world through varying proportions of rectangles. After earning a BS in professional photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology, I began a successful 38 year career in architectural photography, shooting interiors and exteriors of universities, commercial properties, hospitals and other sites for architects, builders, and manufacturers. Whenever possible, I traveled to natural areas of the US and Canada to photograph landscapes and wildlife. Now retired, I'm able to travel more often to both old and new places. My photos have appeared in multiple national calendars including Sierra, Audubon, and many Browntrout publications. They are also displayed in various homes and businesses.
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I can't thank my wife and daughters enough for all their patience during our family trips over the years. They would always encourage me to finish my shooting sessions rather than head back to the hotel after a long and tiring day. All of my work is dedicated to them.
![Steve Wolfe shooting photos in Valley of Fire State Park, NV](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3320a4_ac72b5d3a3044897a38ab4277fef2560~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_271,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/_MG_1700.jpg)
![Steve Wolfe posed atop a rock formation in Alabama Hills, CA](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3320a4_503c2373388f43de929af481c70a0d48~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_348,h_231,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Alabama%20Hills%2C%20CA.jpg)
![Steve Wolfe on a hike with a tripod over his shoulder](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3320a4_e3e66f363e3c4737b2aba7c4ebb504b9~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_729,h_971/fill/w_227,h_304,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/thumbnail%20(3).jpg)