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My way as an artist is not to make a political or conceptual statement about the world, but rather use my photographs to let the land speak for itself, show its many faces, its character when left alone. The making of photographic images is one of the many ways in which the pulse of life in me resonates outward; it is my way of singing out to others of the visionary gifts our world presents." Steven Hays
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| Many of the black and white photographs of Steven Hays portray the stark beauty of the Western United States. The play of shadow, texture and form combine to shape the often surreal mood of the scenes he has photographed during his extensive travels. His photographic work of the West shows his deep passion for the land and it's wild, open character. Since the 1970's his work has been exhibited internationally as well as in Colorado and is in both private and corporate collections. | ||
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Hays has lived most of his life in Colorado and was first introduced to photography at the age of sixteen, when his family traveled in Mexico for a year. Needing to continue with his secondary education while traveling, he enrolled in correspondence courses, one of which was an introductory photography course. The independent study required for the class taught him the basics of self-discipline and perseverance instrumental in advancing his photographic technique through the years. |
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| Hays is primarily self-taught and has worked mostly in the black and white medium. He works with a 5"x7" view camera and prints his images in the platinum process, one in which cotton watercolor paper is coated with a platinum and palladium based sensitizer then contact printed using a negative the size of the desired image. Platinum prints are one the most archival of the photographic processes and known for their smooth, almost luminous tone and subtle presence resulting from the texture of the cotton paper on which they are printed. His work is also available as dye coupler prints on Fuji Crystal Archive paper in sizes up to thirty two inches. | ||
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In addition to expressing
himself photographically, Hays has been involved in other arts as well. For
eight years beginning in the mid 70's, he studied and taught Chinese
martial and healing arts. The discipline and high degree of concentration
required to practice these arts has facilitated the refinement of his
photographic technique.
Hays sees an interconnection between the various disciplines he practices. The fluid grace and beauty of the movements of the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan have impacted his sense of aesthetics in his approach to creating photographic images. Hays seeks balance and harmony in his work as well as his life. Hays has also involved in the culinary arts, having cooked professionally and taught cooking classes. He seeks the same refinement in his cooking and views it as another form of creative expression.
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In December 1998, Hays took
a hiatus from a nine year career in the printing industry to continue his
photographic work on a full-time basis. In May 1999, he left Colorado to
begin a six month journey to explore the West and Pacific Northwest
areas of the United States to further build his portfolio
of images.
During his journey, his photographic vision broadened as he worked in the dense rain forests of Washington and Oregon. After his return to Colorado, Hays began work on his first monograph completing a Japanese style hand-bound version of the book that will eventually be published as a more traditional hard bound book. Since 2005 Hays has been in the process of renovating an old 1930 brick house, which one day will be completed.
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