American Photographer Stephen Baumbach
For 45years, Stephen Baumbach has pursued the thing that has captivated him since High School…the art of photography. He has taught in classrooms, workshops and been exhibited in numerous shows nationwide. His images range in scope from rodeos to national and international architectural icons. Now settled in Palm Springs, CA since October 2014, Stephen’s eye is on the surrounding desert…the off-the-grid and outlier areas… that yield extraordinary beauty he captures with his artists’ eye and his trusty Canon.
Stephen ventures out in the middle of the night, in the midst of sands storms, wind storms, when the sun is coming up and when it is setting. He is on the lookout for images that are transformed by the angle of the sun, weather patterns and time of day. These shots lay bare the everlasting beauty of the desert that lies just beyond the more populated areas surrounding it. People who view his work never experience the desert the same way they did before viewing it through Stephen’s eyes.
The years between 2005 and 2008 were the turning point for Stephen as he spiraled into the use of digital imagery. Today all his photographs are produced digitally and he personally finishes each print himself. He approaches everything as though he was looking at it for the first time, producing an energy that explodes in his work. His love of the desert has him exploring the surrounding including the Anza Borrego, Algodones Dunes and Slab City among others. He plans his sojourns through the use of satellite and weather maps, looking for the areas that will yield the treasures and hues he is aiming for…the browns, reds, blues, pinks and yellows, which reveal themselves at different times of day or night. Looking at his images it is hard to imagine that all that beauty lays so close enough to the populated world yet seemingly light-years away. People who experience his work will never view the desert the same way after seeing it through Stephen’s eyes. He refers to some of the images as being the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and there are many who would agree with him.
Stephen’s studio work is just as important to him as this gives him the chance to command his lighting and try new things such as photographing fire, smoke, water and yes, the very light itself. The studio to many has come to known as The Lab because you never know what he will be doing next.
To earn the elusive dollar, Stephen became an accomplished portrait and real estate photographer earning him several magazine covers from New England Distinctive Homes and rave reviews from portrait customers. Some of his portrait customers have come from the East coast just to have new images made.
People are Talking About Stephen's Work
“As much as I am in awe of his studio work, I love it when Stephen Baumbach turns his lens towards the outside world”
“Wonderfully evocative works...”
“Truly awesome. What a cacophony of images! THX”
“Beautiful!”
“Dancing flames. So very beautiful.”
“Absolutely amazing!!! Kudos to the creative genius!!!”
“Off the charts interesting.”
“Steve- whenever I see your work, it takes my breath away...you truly have a gift and are a talent.”
“Magnificent.”
“Wow.. this is art!”
“Nice play of light and shadow”
Shows
Community College of Los Angeles where Stephen taught photography as well
Appell Gallery - Sacramento
OKW Clothing - Boston
Harriet Tubman House - Boston
MCCA - Boston
South End Open Studios for 5 years, Boston
Fidelity Communications and Advertising, Boston
Pure Hair Salon - Boston
Standard Oil - Denver, Colorado
Tunbridge Library - Tunbridge, Vermont
Lee Kimball Design Studio - 4 shows and artist in residence for 5 years. Boston
STUDIO VIDEO with Andrew Swaine (view at Vimeo.com)
BNN IT’S ALL ABOUT ARTS Television Show
Harbor Arts Festival, Boston
Neiman Marcus, Fashion’s Night Out, Boston
TAJ Hotel fashions night out teen Vogue event, Boston
CFA gallery Thos. Moser Boston
TAJ Hotel, Boston
Mariana Dubois fashion event, Boston
U FORGE group show, Boston
ANE art in residence, Boston
29 Newbury, Boston
Panorama pop up show, Boston
Art New England Topnotch Vermont
Suzanne Schultz Gallery Chelsea, NYC
Illuminations Show for Mass General Cancer Wing
Gallery 446
Gerald Patrick Studio and Gallery
Fusion Art, Palm Springs
Turning Art, Boston
Depict, San Francisco
Palm Springs Public Library
Studio 214, Boston
Palm Springs Artist's Council Show University of California Riverside
2016 Artists Council Exhibit - Palm Springs Art Museum
Photosythesis Witching Hour Group Show, Manchester, CT