Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Stidham.
Jim, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, my interest in photography started right around 10 years old watching the Stones & The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in black n white, I was immediately intrigued by the drama & shadows, and the music had such an impact on me. Growing up in Long Beach, I became a regular at the Long Beach Arena in my late teenage years seeing bands like The Grateful Dead, and most of the 70’s classic rock acts touring at the time. My first time shooting bands were with pocket instamatics, using photo mat to develop the film, I remember the agony of waiting a week to get the film developed! I eventually got into a few various 35 MM cameras and started shooting landscape, street & concerts but still a novice at best knowing that one day I would improve my skills & learn the functions of my cameras.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, my career took me into the Ironworkers local 433, which led me to bringing my camera on various job sites shooting high-rise buildings and the scenery around them. It was an exciting time to experience the growth of the 80’s & 9o’s in Los Angeles, especially looking down on the city taking photos. I went along with technology threw the years and eventually got my first digital camera in early 20004 or so, loving the instant images, too. Deleting or keeping the photos was a game-changer for me!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well, about 2015 or so I started to really up my photography game with a few new cameras & lens. Still shooting street, portrait, landscape & concerts I could really see my photos coming to life along with learning a lot more about post-editing and really getting into the features of the cameras. To this day, I use DSLR bodies & more recently getting the Mirrorless game. I would say I specialize in being an all-around photographer that captures entire events including everyone there, and obscure details of everything around me.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Well, my main risks were climbing the iron with a camera in my work belt, risking my life, way before the modern-day safety measures of today’s construction industry. I try to do different things every time I use a camera, so there is a big risk factor there.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jim_stidham_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roadkingjimmy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jimstidham
