The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti Tuesday, January 12, 2010, was the strongest quake to hit the area since 1770 (USGS). The epicenter was located 15 miles WSW of Port-au-Prince in Leogone at a depth of 13 km (8.1 miles) recorded at 21:53 UTC (1:53:10 PST). Considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere before the quake, Haiti suffered 316,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries after the quake with 1.3 million being displaced. Relief from around the world poured into Port-au-Prince, but soon became a political and distribution quagmire as governments and NGOs failed to find common ground in a mutual effort. Today, despite a now contained cholera outbreak that killed 580 people and hospitalized over 9,000, Haiti continues to struggle for a social and political foothold. --SS
Author Archives: gary
Africa
Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent after Asia with some 2000 distinct ethnic groups and 54 separate countries, not including several disputed territories. At about 30.2 million km² (11.7 million sq mi) including islands, Africa covers 6% of the Earth’s total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area. With 1.0 billion people (2009) in 61 territories, it accounts for about 14.72% of the world’s human population. Africa has over 2000 languages spoken with Arabic being the highest number of speakers with over 170 million, mostly living in North Africa and the Horn of Africa. It is the most compact of all the continents in terms of shape and comprises the oldest rocks pertaining to the Pre-Cambrian Era. The Sahara desert, the largest expanse of dry land in the world, is over 10.4 million square kilometers. South Sudan is Africa’s newest country officially born July 9, 2011. Continue reading
Portraits
A portrait can be many things. It can be deeply personal and non technical or highly orchestrated and commercial. It can be a fleeting moment or a 30 minute session, which can be eternity for both subject and photographer. I tend to work simply and seldom use more than two strobes to facilitate expediency and spontaneity. These editorial portraits are a selection from over a 20 year period. They include newspaper, magazine, and corporate assignments from around the world. In an editorial sense the portrait should set a tone, introduce a topic or theme, and compliment any accompanying text. Existing light is usually leveraged, but in many cases strobes are used to help create a mood. Through framing and lighting, and many times luck, the portrait evolves. It is never a "one shot" session.
Natural World
A personal vision from around the Pacific Northwest with a few favorite images thrown in from Italy. Having grown up around water it's a reoccurring theme. I'm drawn to water and its many manifestations as it is life sustaining at all levels of our ecosystem and Natural World. Whether it's a melting droplet, fiery clouds, or a steaming volcano, such as Mt. St. Helens, water feeds, rejuvenates, and replenishes. Much of this work was done on my down time when not on assignment. I carry my camera like most of us carry a phone. It's always at my side. It won't be long until my camera is my phone as our technical revolution stops for nobody. Signed archival prints are available in sizes up to 30x40. Assignment and licensing inquiries may be sent to: steve@stevesheltonimages.com
Health Care
The United States healthcare system, serving some 308,745,538 people (2010), is the most expensive health system in the world. Care costs more per person, and consumes a greater portion of GDP per person each year, than all United Nations members except for East Timor (Timor-Leste). Additionally, the United States ranks last in the quality of health care among developed countries when considering infant mortality and life expectancy--the most widely collected healthcare data globally. On March 23, 2010, President Barak Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in addition to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (March 30), producing in sum the health care reform efforts of the Democratic 111th Congress and the Obama administration. Citizen rights, access, quality and affordable healthcare remains contested.