The famous photographer Ansel Adams said, "You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, and the people you have loved." Our Southside neighbor, Steve Grantham, is a fan of Adams and embodies that spirit in his personal photographic practice.

Steve, who has lived in Sarasota with his wife Donna for 43 years, first became interested in photography as a kid. His first camera was the renowned  Kodak Brownie. As he refined his art form, he progressed to single-lens reflex cameras, having shot with Canon, Nikon, and Minolta. Eventually, Steve upgraded his equipment with new technology and incorporated digital cameras into his arsenal. At this time, he primarily uses his cell phone for photography.

Steve is also quite an adventurer. He has traveled to many places, including Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nepal, New York, and Montreal, capturing stunning images of the natural beauty that he encounters. Grantham even trekked to Everest Base Camp and memorialized the journey on film.

Steve says, “ Photography has enriched my life, mainly with memories and the scenery that I've been lucky to be able to take.”  Even though he has never had formal training, Steve has worked hard to master his craft over the years and now specializes mostly in shooting landscapes. He has always been a fan of Ansel Adams and Clyde Butcher's works and has recently focused on capturing high-contrast scenic photos. Not a fan of photoshopping his images, Steve elects to present his work without enhancements other than converting them to Black and White.

He believes that the true beauty of a photograph lies in its natural form, and he wants to preserve the authenticity of the scenes he captures.  Steve's passion for photography is evident in every image he captures, inspiring us to find joy in our own hobbies and interests.

Steve, ever the humble artist, enjoys photography primarily for his own use and as a vehicle to capture and record his memories. His personal connection to each photo is palpable, making us appreciate his work even more. We are grateful that Steve shared some of his beautiful photos with us!