Richard A. Steidell
Light, Weather, and the Landscape in Motion
Richard A. Steidell is a fine art and aerial photographer who captures the ever-shifting relationship between light, landscape, and weather. A U.S. military veteran and active first responder, Steidell brings a unique perspective to his art — one grounded in discipline, observation, and an instinctive respect for nature’s unpredictability.
His body of work spans sweeping mountain views, luminous horizons, and powerful stormscapes captured through both ground and aerial photography. Each piece reflects his deep fascination with the atmosphere: clouds building in quiet formation, sunlight piercing through turbulence, and color folding across the horizon. Whether approached from the safety of open plains or from above the earth, his images reveal both the serenity and intensity that coexist in nature.
Storm chasing plays a distinctive role in Steidell’s process. Driven not by spectacle but by reverence, he pursues the moments when weather transforms into raw beauty — when the sky tells a story of energy and renewal. His photography conveys both awe and stillness, inviting viewers to see power and peace in the same frame.
Drawing on his experience in emergency response, Steidell approaches each scene with precision and care. His work balances spontaneity with control, turning fleeting light and volatile weather into enduring visual compositions.
Steidell’s fine art prints are collected and exhibited for their clarity, depth, and emotional resonance. His work speaks to a rare intersection of art and service — a quiet meditation on observation, courage, and the natural forces that shape our world.
Artist Statement
My photography is about capturing the quiet moments when light, motion, and atmosphere converge — when the world slows enough to reveal its own rhythm. I’m drawn to the raw power of weather, the layered textures of landscapes, and the shifting patterns that appear only when viewed from above. Through both ground-based and aerial perspectives, I explore how environment and emotion intersect.
As a first responder and U.S. military veteran, I’ve spent much of my life observing the world through calm and chaos alike. That background shapes how I see: with respect for precision, awareness, and timing. Storm chasing, for me, isn’t about danger — it’s about listening to nature’s energy and translating it into stillness. Each image becomes a study in balance: between intensity and peace, control and chance, sky and earth.
My process is guided by light — its direction, character, and fleeting presence. Whether I’m photographing a thunderstorm rolling across the plains or the last quiet glow at sunset, I try to create images that ask for reflection rather than reaction.
Ultimately, my goal is to transform observation into presence — to share that feeling of standing in open air, watching nature breathe and realizing that even in motion, there is calm.
