Photographer Stephen Wilkes Closes 2025-26 Eliasoph OVF: Espresso Sequence

Art and Environmentalism

A big focus of Wilkes’ profession has been to doc our surroundings, notably bringing to mild the hazards of local weather change. From photographing pure disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, to air pollution on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, he makes use of his artwork to attract consideration to those points.

“Using my ability to tell stories, I wanted to show what was happening with beauty: to make you look at it,” Wilkes mentioned.

As he shared vivid reminiscences of his experiences within the discipline, Wilkes’ beautiful images had been displayed on a big upstage display screen, eliciting appreciative and amazed responses from attendees.

The Art of Photography

Following his speak, Wilkes fielded viewers questions, diving into his artistic course of and his views on technological advances within the discipline of pictures and past.

He inspired lecture attendees—made up of photographers, college students, neighborhood members, and even his circle of relatives—to embrace uncertainty: “Being lost is a great way to find something,” and to reframe setbacks: “You don’t fail, it’s about an experience.”

“Photography has given me a unique window into the world,” Wilkes mentioned in closing, “and reminds me of the importance of being engaged and being present, especially today.”