I learned to use my cameras as a tool in advertising, and whatever I pointed my camera at, it had to look beautiful, whether it was or not. Having been trained to use large format and medium format cameras mostly loaded with transparency film or black and white film photography is my language. I use the camera to address my concerns or show my point of view.
Since I came from the beauty side of advertising photography, what I do meanwhile doesn't have to be pretty, in fact sometime it helps if it isn't.

Stephan-Maria Aust lives on the Isle of Harris. As a photographer he aims for capturing scenes that remain unrecognised in everyday life.

He has exhibited in national and international solo and group shows including: Hulabhaig Baile na Cille Church (2021) · Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre (2019) Scotland · North Lands Creative (2018/19) Scotland · Photoweekend Düsseldorf (2018) Germany · Duff House Banff (2018) Scotland · DIE GROSSE Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf (2017) Germany · 'watchout' Kiel (2017) Germany · StAnza St Andrews (2016) Scotland · Athens Photo Festival (2016) Greece · Les Rencontres de la Photography Arles (2016) France · Feira do Livro de Fotografia, Lisboa (2016) Potugal · urbEXPO Bochum (2016) Germany ·  Landtag NRW Düsseldorf Germany · SITTart Galerie Düsseldorf Germany · 17. Große Kunstausstellung Gerresheim Germany · Ravensberger Spinnerei Bielefeld Germany · Merchant City Festival Glasgow Scotland ·  Mid Wales Art Center Caersws Wales · Gas Gallery/Oriel Nwy Aberystwyth Wales · Rhondda Heritage Park Gallery Wales · Paderborner Fototage Germany