Meet Edward F Smith III
Known for his masterful use of shadow, tone, and atmosphere, Edward creates images that go beyond documentation — they are interpretations, visual narratives drawn from the back of life’s envelope. Fine art Collectors, art publishers, and galleries recognize Edward as an artist whose work lives where history, memory, and human nature converge.
Since first stepping into the fine art arena, Edward’s vision has resonated far beyond his studio walls. His photographs have been featured in respected national and international art magazines, juried into prestigious exhibitions, and acquired by collectors who value both their artistry and emotional depth. His work has appeared in celebrated venues including Decode Gallery in Tucson, the Abandon Exhibit, and the Black Box Gallery in Portland. In 2025, his growing reputation culminates in a solo exhibition at Sfumato Art Creatives in New York, featuring his much-anticipated series The Fisherman.
Whether exploring the haunting stillness of abandoned places or the quiet dignity of overlooked moments, Edward’s photographs invite the viewer to linger — to find meaning in the spaces between light and shadow, past and present, truth and memory.
The Magic of Photography as a Meaningful Fine Art Medium
My Story
Today, for me, photography is more than a craft — it's an expressive art— it’s a way of interpreting the world’s overlooked corners, translating what I feel into something you can see. It is the same sense of wonder I felt with my very first photographs, now informed by decades of visual and imaginative exploration, experimentation, and life.
From the moment I received a Kodak Brownie camera as a young child, the magic of photography captivated me. The process was simple yet enchanting: press the shutter, send off the film, and eagerly await that yellow envelope of black-and-white prints. At first, it was just a way to share family moments — but even then, something in the act of holding those images hinted at a deeper connection.
A move from upstate New York to Tucson, Arizona, just before my teenage years, brought me face-to-face with the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Its vibrant reds and oranges, its sharp contrasts, and its endless textures became my first true muse. I didn’t yet think of myself as an artist, but the desert scenery began to change that.
My career in science sharpened my sense of observation and curiosity, and photography became the bridge between the analytical and the aesthetic. Over time, my lens turned toward the quiet stories in landscapes and structures — the whispering tales of abandoned mining towns, the resilience of fishing communities, and the weathered dignity of abandoned places like Bodie, California.
“A Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.”
— Ambrose Bierce