Stephen's  father gave him an Argus A3 35mm camera when he was ten years old;  and so, the journey began.

At twelve, Stephen built his first wet darkroom and began teaching himself the rudiments of black & white photography;  technique and craft explored.

At about the same time, Stephen was introduced to the writings and photographs of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, as well as Minor White; they changed everything.

There were High School photographic classes, followed by college with a major in commercial photography, as well as a pilgrimage to Ansel Adam's workshop in Yosemite National Park;  technique, craft and vision refined.

Throughout Stephen's journey, there were photographic studios, stock agencies, books, magazines, exhibitions and many hours of darkroom work — thousands of negatives and transparencies -- constantly honing his inner eye.

There was an ever changing array of equipment and techniques as well:  Linhofs, Bronicas, Hasselblads, Mamiya TLRs, and of course, Nikon SLRs;  there was sheet film, roll film, bulk film rollers, Polaroid, wet rooms, dry rooms and chemicals.

Today, its digital cameras, high end computers, Adobe PhotoShop, Affinity Photo, Adobe Lightroom, Phase 1 Capture One, high-end digital printers, archival pigmented inks, archival papers, and HDR.

For over 60 years, an ever changing landscape of equipment, processes, techniques and business models;  however, in the end, it all boils down to this:  light, shadow, form and vision.

Stephen has gone full circle in his 60 year journey, returning to the western landscape, as well as the luminous, personally expressive monochromatic photographic print;  and so, his journey continues...

STEPHEN JAY LUNSFORD, MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER