Before establishing his current fine art practice, Steve Allison built a distinguished career as a commercial aviation and motoring photographer. His dynamic visual style and technical precision led to widespread publication, with his images featured in numerous industry and lifestyle magazines. Allison’s ability to capture motion, engineering detail, and the character of machines made his work stand out in both the aviation and automotive sectors.
During this period, he also served as a photographer for South African Airways, producing a wide range of imagery that highlighted the airline’s fleet, brand, and operations.
This earlier body of work not only honed Allison’s craft but also shaped the disciplined, observational approach that now informs his fine art exploration of social change and the evolving urban landscape.
Extra 330
This series originated as an air-to-air photo shoot for SA Flyer magazine, capturing the Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft, registration ZS-BUL, flown by Glen Dell. Seen against the vast backdrop of sky, the aircraft becomes both subject and symbol: a testament to precision, performance, and the artistry of flight.
South African Airways Technical
This collection was created during my time as a photographer for South African Airways, documenting the work of its Technical division. Behind the glamour of flight lies a world of precision, discipline, and quiet dedication. These images reveal the unseen side of aviation—the hangars, workshops, and teams whose expertise keeps aircraft safe and skies open.
World Superbike
This collection captures the intensity and spectacle of the World Superbike Championship, where speed, skill, and risk converge on the track. Beyond the roar of engines and the blur of motion, the photographs reveal the human drama of competition—the focus of riders, the precision of teams, and the atmosphere of global sporting culture.
South African Airways Cargo
This series was created during my time as a photographer for South African Airways, focusing on the Cargo division. Behind the movement of goods lies a complex network of logistics, infrastructure, and human effort. These images reveal the scale and rhythm of cargo operations—the aircraft holds, warehouses, and workers whose precision ensures that global trade continues uninterrupted.
South Africa Airways Aircraft
This series was created during my time as a photographer for South African Airways, documenting the fleet in flight and at rest. The aircraft themselves are more than machines—they are symbols of national identity, engineering achievement, and the human desire to connect across distance.
A1GP
This series documents the spectacle of the A1 Grand Prix, a unique motorsport championship that brought nations together on the track. Unlike other racing formats, the A1 Grand Prix was defined by its spirit of national representation, where drivers competed not only for victory but also for the pride of their country.
Flying Lions Aerobatic Team
This series captures the spectacle of the Flying Lions Aerobatic Team, whose precision and daring performances have become a hallmark of South African aviation. Flying in close formation, their Harvard aircraft embody both heritage and skill, linking the nostalgia of classic aviation with the exhilaration of modern aerobatics.
Airshows
This series brings together images captured at airshows for various magazines, documenting the drama and spectacle of aviation in performance. Airshows are more than displays of aircraft—they are cultural events where history, technology, and human skill converge in the sky.
Air-to-air
This collection brings together images from various air-to-air photo shoots commissioned by aviation magazines. Capturing aircraft in their element, suspended against the vastness of sky, these photographs reveal both the technical precision of flight and the artistry of aviation.
Red Bull Air Race
This series captures the drama and precision of the Red Bull Air Race, a global competition where pilots navigate demanding courses at high speed and low altitude. Combining athletic skill with engineering excellence, the event transforms the sky into an arena of risk, spectacle, and control.