Steve Barth - Photographer

Steve's Bio
Artist's Statement
Steve's Work

I was born in New Jersey in 1954, the second eldest of eight children. My family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1968. My love of photography began when I was 17 and working as a student assistant in the Library of Saguaro High School. Picture of Steve Barth I was handed a Pentax camera, a short instruction manual and a series of photo assignments. Looking back, the resulting photographs were dismal, but I was exhilarated. I’d discovered my passion!

By 1974, my enthusiasm for 35mm Kodachrome slide photography gave way to an interest in medium format black and white landscape photography. Largely self-taught, I continued my education by hacking my way through the original Ansel Adams Photography Series books and becoming a Zone System adherent. This exercise was extremely frustrating but ultimately rewarding.

From 1975 through 1982, I did a tour in the U.S. Air Force and afterward, with the assistance of the GI Bill, I studied engineering. By this time, I’d progressed to large format black and white photography. My love of photography continued to grow and it was during this time that I made my first truly enduring pictures. In October of 1982, I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and for the next 28 years, continued to pursue photography as much as possible while working full-time.

I recently retired from a career with the city of Salt Lake City and moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. Now, I can finally devote my full attention to doing what I love and dedicate my remaining years to full-time photography.

Although I was initially resistant to digital imaging, I now fully embrace digital capture and maturing pigment ink printing technology. The efficiency of digital workflow has made the last three years the most prolific period of my life. In addition, the amount of control now available in color printing has renewed my interest in color work. In the past, I shot mostly black and white because it offered the highest level of printing control. Now there is an amazing amount of control in both color and black and white. This control makes it possible for me to achieve more expressive prints, and the desire to create truly expressive prints is the source of my motivation.

Just as digital capture and print technology have greatly enhanced expressive print control, internet technology has enhanced the distribution and presentation capability of photographers. ClearLightPhoto.net allows me to quickly and easily present my work to a large and diverse audience, a feat unthinkable only a decade or so ago. It is exciting and fulfilling to finally be able to share my work with others via the internet. I’ve also recently begun displaying some of my photographs at The Artists’ Gallery in downtown Flagstaff. In spite of current global uncertainties, I am filled with hope and anxious to see what the future holds.

Thank you very much for taking the time to view my photos!

-Steve Barth

Why do I do it? This question is often asked, but is seldom adequately answered. Making art is more a compulsion than a choice for me. It is absolutely centered on feeling. Feelings are notoriously hard to put into words, unless, of course, you happen to be Bill Shakespeare.

For me, creativity on demand is often impossible. It happens when it happens - and it is wonderful when it does! I try to capture the beauty of the ordinary. I have to see it before I can capture it. When in a hurry, or caught up in thought, I don't really "see" what is all around me. As I age, I am learning to switch off the blinding mental noise. In a calm and quiet state, I often realize that what at first appeared ordinary, is actually extraordinary! Capture becomes compulsion.

What some would call bad weather tends to enhance the beauty of the ordinary as well as the extraordinary. I keep an eye on the weather charts and try to anticipate optimal conditions. Sometimes the elements come together and astonishing beauty presents itself for capture. These rare moments are what I live for.

Moonset at Sunrise, Lomaki Grainery, Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Photo of Lomaki Grainery