Stephen Wallace, M.D., J.D

I’m Stephen Wallace. I live in Tucson, Arizona, USA. I started in photography in college. A lab partner showed me his Nikon and I was hooked. I now go to exotic places all around the world. Ethiopia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar are my favorites. I am a Getty Contributor and Smithsonian Photo Contest Finalist.

The picture I entered was taken near Bagan, Myanmar. It is a photo of two novice monks studying a Holy Book of Buddhism. The two novice monks live in a monastery. My guide and I took the two to a darkened room and lit some candles. The novice monks starting reading and reciting and I got down on my belly and took the image.

I was after a pleasing image that shows the devotion the people of Myanmar to their religion. I wanted a peaceful image. When you look the photo you hear silence. I placed the camera right above floor and shot f/2.8. I took a dozen images so I could get a least one sharp photo.

I try to enlighten the viewer about people, religions, and customs in other parts of the world.

My photography is inspired by my guide Myanmar, Mya Min Din, whom takes me places that inspires creative photography. I like to thank Karl Grobl, photojournalist, for helping me see outside the box.

Winning the Golden Shot Photography Award is an honor. It means a lot to me.