Left: Eric Sturtz self portrait. Right: Stony Point.

When looking at Eric Sturtz’s body of work, it’s clear the natural world inspires him. His photographic journey has taken him to the Grand Canyon and the hills of South Dakota, as well as out of the United States to places like Iceland.

Grand Marias

The largest part of his collection comes from right in his own backyard — northern Minnesota and the North Shore of Lake Superior. His work highlights Grand Marais, Jay Cooke State Park and Oberg Mountain. He brings in the reds, turquoise and shimmering blues. His palate takes us from the greens of the woods to the crystal white of the ice.

His work from Iceland tells stories.

“There were amazing waterfalls around every turn, rock formations, rivers, volcanic activity, and the ocean itself,” he said. “Somehow it was barren and lush at the same time.”

Gooseberry Falls State Park

“Part of me likes the idea of getting back into film photography at some point. But, I’m focused more on digital cameras now,” he said. ”It allows a lot of flexibility, and it is really easy to grab a digital camera.”

And the proof is in the work.

“With the camera in my backpack, I started exploring more of the local areas and started to enjoy hiking in all types of weather. I would ‘snap’ pictures of whatever I came across. Gradually, as my interest peaked, I started to invest more time in studying the fundamentals of photography and composition. Then I focused on the best way to learn: trial and error.

“The thing that I see most is tranquility, but there is excitement in it. It’s like a mix. When you’ve got steam and ice or waves, to me, these are perfect photographic conditions.”

Sturtz has been interested in photography since he was young. “I still have some of my dad’s original Nikon film cameras,” he said. That’s how Sturtz made his first connection to photography.

“When I was in the seventh grade, I took a school trip to Washington, DC, and I brought with me one of my dad’s Nikon-FM2 35-millimeter cameras and a single roll of black-and-white film.”

Badlands 1

Later, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he moved to Minneapolis and put together two darkrooms. The third time he moved, he switched to digital photography, and now that’s his preferred media.

And that’s how it began. Sturtz said the experience he had as a young teenager has grown. “It’s been more of a serious hobby for me in the last six or seven years.”

Badlands 2

He said he’s still on “an exploration of equipment as well as subject matter.”

Sturtz’s exhibit is up through December at New Scenic Café, where he works as a manager. The café is at 5461 North Shore Drive in Duluth Township, three miles northeast of Duluth.

Needles Highway and Wind Cave

French River

Coneflower seed head – Theodore Roosevelt National Park – May 19, 2018 – Ilford Pan F Plus B&W 35mm film

Cheryl Reitan is a freelance writer living in Duluth.