About Steven W. Binder
Artistic Background
At an early age, I had an appreciation for the visual arts. I contribute much of my artistic ability (“creative eye”) to my parents who were both artists. My father was a commercial artist and my mother was a gallery owner and fine artist, specializing in oil and water color paintings. My father would teach me illustration while my mother would teach me how to draw, paint, cut mats and build frames.
By the time I attended university, my creative interests expanded into the media arts including 3D animation and film. I was inspired by the early short films by Pixar. This led me to pursue a degree in design with an emphasis in digital media. Although my concentration was computer graphics, some of my favorite classes studied traditional photography. It was during this time I was introduced to the darkroom. I was fascinated with the entire photographic process from learning new techniques to processing negatives and printing onto photographic paper using an enlarger.
Outdoor Enthusiast
As a passionate nature enthusiast and advocate for environmental conservation, I find joy in every moment spent outdoors. Whether hiking through the wilderness, capturing the beauty of scenic landscapes with my camera, or simply breathing in the fresh air, I am constantly inspired by the natural world around us. Through the lens of photography, I set out to share my excitement for the great outdoors, while also raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet for future generations.
Not just a Landscape Photographer
I believe a talented photographer, one who truly understands the importance of light, composition, and storytelling, can capture visually engaging images of a variety of subjects. With that being said, one should focus on what they know and are passionate about to do their best work.
Although my focus is landscape photography, I enjoy other photography genres including sports photography. I see sports as a powerful shared experience that brings people together and presents an opportunity to capture unique moments of human connections and emotions, from the excitement of winning to the misery of defeat.
I’m drawn to the emotional element of photography, whether it comes from the subject or the emotional response elicited from the photo.
My Kind of Town
I'm originally from the Chicagoland area. Go Cubs Go! Da Bears! Thankfully, the Cubs and Bears won a championship during my lifetime. Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my blog post on my top ten things to do in Chicago.
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