Steve Blinder to Share Travel Experiences through Photography By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
Author and photographer Steve Blinder will present photography showcasing his recent trip to the Arctic on Jan. 12 at Fred Hesse Community Park.
This trip is just one in a long string for Blinder, whose many ventures include photographing locations, cultures, landscapes and people around the world. However, Blinder, a local to Inglewood and Torrance growing up, originally started out in business. He did not take the conventional corporate pathway, instead opting for inventing his own items such as the plant shoe, which was an old tennis shoe dipped in surfboard resin that could serve as a planter.
“I was always attracted to the entrepreneurial,” Blinder says. “I was a little bit of a misfit, so getting a job in a regular corporate environment repulsed me. I thought I kind of wanted to do my own thing.”
Blinder spent years pursuing ventures in the business world and eventually entered real estate. However, he also wanted to pursue his artistic side. This passion led him to write two books, “The Last City,” a novel that addresses a racially-charged murder during the 1992 L.A. riots, and “Panga,” which discusses immigration through the lens of immigrants arriving in California on panga boats.
When Blinder taps into his artistic side through writing and photography, he draws upon his experiences and his curiosity as tools to compel the audience. He focuses his books on relevant social issues and aims to explore the nuances of the issues through the characters.
“Through the dialogue with a character, I try to develop both sides of an issue and my goal would be to let the reader perhaps think of something they never thought of before,” Blinder says.
Blinder channels this same desire to share something new with the viewer in his photography. Since he has been able to travel across the world to capture images, he views his photography as a way to connect his audience with the faraway regions he has experienced in real life, such as the Arctic.
“It gives me this amazing fulfillment and sense of energy to share a picture or a story of a place where a person might never get to [go],” Blinder says.
When Blinder takes photographs, his eye searches for a story. He is interested in how people have reached a certain point in their lives or ended up in specific situations. He explores contrast in his art, like poor and rich or two different cultures juxtaposed in his frame. Unexpected blends of people or cultures pop out to him, and he enjoys incorporating them into his art. Blinder’s natural curiosity comes into play as he seeks out the stories behind the people in the regions he photographs.
“People excite me — the different paths they get on, the different choices they made that led to the place they are at,” Blinder says.
As Blinder moves forward, he plans to continue to build upon his photography with many upcoming trips, including travel to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Honduras, Belize and Greenland. He is also at work on a third novel concept to address another major social issue impacting the U.S. on a large scale: the homelessness issue.
To see some of Blinder’s work, attend his lecture Jan. 12 or visit his website.
Emily McGinn: A Dedicated Journalist
Fueled by passion and curiosity, Emily McGinn is a fervent journalist whose heart beats for truth and creativity. As a graduate of California Baptist University, Emily’s academic voyage is adorned with rich interests in environmental science, political science, and graphic design. Her portfolio is a mosaic of hard work and dedication, evidenced by a repertoire of content that stands as a testament to her journalistic commitment and academic pursuits.
Emily doesn’t just chase stories; she seeks the truth with a thoughtful blend of accuracy, respect, and diligence. Her journalism transcends mere reporting, reflecting a meticulous effort to maintain integrity and excellence in every piece. Inspired by a profound respect for her craft, Emily is unafraid to push boundaries, perpetually aiming to enhance the quality of her work.
Experimentation and innovation light up Emily’s journey, especially in the realm of design. With an artistic flair, she loves exploring the vibrant intersections of journalism and graphic design, continuously experimenting to breathe visual life into stories and publications.
In Emily's world, journalism is not merely a career choice, but a calling—a space where passion meets purpose, and stories are crafted with care and conscience. In the garden of journalism, she continues to cultivate a bouquet of skills and experiences that resonate with her dedication to truth, creativity, and excellence.
