American photographer Stephen Shore launched his professional career as an artist earlier on than most, fine tuning his craft with photography and darkroom kits from family members, and presenting his works to Edward Steichen of The Museum of Modern Art at the tender age of 14. Shore held a solo exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art at age 24. Shore’s work is celebrated alongside William Eggleston’s as laying the groundwork for the place of color photography in the art canon. He has published several books of his dual explorations of America and the photographic medium, including Uncommon Places: 50 Unpublished Photographs and Essex Country and The Velvet Years. Shore lives and work in New York, and is the director of the Photography Department at Bard College. artnet News chatted with the prolific photographer about his current projects and inspirations.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I knew when I first understood what an artist is.

Stephen Shore, Gun and Locksmith 3rd Ave., Ashland, WI, July 10, 1973
C-print
Photo courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers.

What inspires you?
Clarity

Stephen Shore, Hamburger Steak Dinner, Redfield, SD, July 13, 1973
C-print
Photo courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers.

If you could own any work of modern or contemporary art, what would it be?
An Anselm Kiefer from his Morgenthau Plan series.

Stephen Shore, Room 110, Holiday Inn, Brainerd, MN, July 11, 1973
C-print 24.6 x 28.9 x 1.5 in. (framed)
Photo courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers.

What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve been fascinated with Instagram.

When not making art, what do you like to do? 
Garden and fly-fish.