Steve Raley’s first camera was given to him at around age 2 or 3, but it wasn’t an encouraging experience. “I was given what was supposedly a “toy” camera but it was actually a working model. It was taken away from me shortly after I received it because I kept taking photos without advancing the film, resulting in multiple, multiple exposures. Not an auspicious beginning I’m afraid.”
photogrunt – red poppies against a wall
photogrunt – early spring
His big turning point came in high school when he enrolled in a photography class, and his father subsequently gave him his Argus C44R 35mm rangefinder camera; he didn’t look back. After finishing school and joining the Marine Corps, he spent much of his 20 years there working as a photographer – official portraits, accident investigations, photo spreads for print publications, award presentations and whatever else was needed. After leaving the Marines, his interest in photography dwindled, until one day he realised that it was actually an important part of his life, and he missed it. So he bought himself another camera, and got started again.
photogrunt – dr seuss flowers (clematis seed heads)
photogrunt – Marie
Despite the wide ranging subject matter (everything from delicate blossoms to urban architecture), there are many aspects that tie his style together. Images may be sometimes bold and majestic, sometimes tender, but always there is a sense of strong composition, often with striking diagonals and/or steep perspective. Texture and light are essential components in his images. Black and white photography is his preferred mode, and when colour is used, it is purposeful.
He looks to luminaries such as Ansel Adams for inspiration. “I don’t try to emulate his work but his images have always inspired me. A second photographer would be one most people would not be familiar with. Josef Scaylea was a photographer with the Seattle Times newspaper for many years. He did news photography, of course, but was primarily noted for his feature and landscape photography. I have always admired his “eye” and his technique.”
photogrunt – rotary grocery
photogrunt – engine no.529
Steve still has a normal “day job” in Information Technology as a Systems Administrator for an independent school. He started his Etsy shop with his wife’s encouragement, after she saw other photographers having success there.
When I asked Steve if there was something curious or quirky about himself that he would be willing to share, he replied, “I asked my wife that question and she said, “Well, I love it that I can just look at you and laugh, so there must be something quirky about you.” No word on what exactly that quirky something is, but it must be funny.”
photogrunt – west valley barn
photogrunt – mt rainier looking east
photogrunt – edison slough
His best piece of advice? “There are so many, but the one that pops immediately to mind is, “Always look both ways before crossing a street.” It’s good advice and on the face of it quite simple, but with a little imagination it can be applied to so many other things in life besides avoiding oncoming vehicles.”
You can find lots more of Steve’s photography in his Etsy shop, PhotoGrunt, and on his own website, www.eyepiphany.com.