Stefan Hofer

My passion for photography began during a 40 day tour throughout Europe in 2007. Wielding a Canon Powershot SD800 point and shoot, I ran down narrow medieval passageways, through piazzas, and around ancient ruins to find unique and interesting perspectives to capture through the lens. Although just a novice at the time, I was able to successfully translate my direct experiences with the camera, even if my initial success rate was very low. I became hooked on photography, and with a better understanding of the art and science, I knew practice and execution would develop my skills even further to create emotional images with higher probability.

Borrowing my parents Nikon D100, I began learning the Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR). I learned the science behind photography, absorbing as much technical information as possible. By testing my equipment in the field, I solidified my understanding of how the camera records scenes and how I can use its functions to produce photos unique to my personal vision. Shortly after, I realized it wasn't necessarily about how technically perfect the photograph is. What mattered most was an amalgamation of science and art. It took time to learn that a great photo is not achieved by just technical perfection. What separates an excellent photo from a bad photo is the artistic interpretation of the experience the photographer has, and how they can translate that to film to create an emotional response with the viewer. This was the art of photography, and I wanted to learn more. I started studying composition, perspectives, and inclusion vs. exclusion. The learning process opened my eyes to new dimensions of photography, and expanded my creative vision of the scene I was photographing. After ongoing studies and continual refinement, I've incorporated what I learned into creative photographic expression.

Currently I am photographing every chance I get. I wake up early in the morning before sunrise and commute to a specific destinat