Stephen Robeck

"Capturing images out in the world is one of the most pleasurable solitary pursuits imaginable, no matter where or when. But it gets even better when you first look at what comes out of the camera back in the studio. This is when images begin to gel (or not). From there the creative work keeps me wrapped up until a photograph is finished.

Because I spent so much time in the mountains, my early work was focused on landscapes. But my eye was often attracted to the abstract forms, colors and textures that abound in nature. This attraction is still at the core of my work, but I enjoy creating images whose origins may not be entirely clear. When you take a landscape and crop out the horizon, it becomes something very different. This kind of abstraction often leads to photographs that are intriguing, but also mysterious. I want to make a peaceful and relaxing connection with viewers through color, composition, texture and motion, to keep their eyes moving and engaged. If they ask, “What is that?” I feel I’ve succeeded in some way."