Poetic Photographs that Explore The Interplay Between Light and Shadows
Born in Romania, and American by adoption, Susanna Patras, susannapatras.art, describes her photographic style as inspired by minimalism, abstract expressionism and American modernism but filtered through poetry and storytelling.
With a background in literature and multimedia design, Susanna’s photographs can relate to poetry, in particular, haiku, “because they can operate with the same distillation of vocabulary.”
Susanna explores the interplay between light and shadows, “which can hide or reveal, inspired by the energy of the four elements, earth, water, wind and fire resulting sometimes in vivid colors, other times in subdued monochromatic tones.”
Banner image: Detail of Departures, digital photograph, 27″ x 17″. The full image appears on this page.
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Castle of Dreams (from Kaleidoscope – paper abstracts), digital photograph, 27″ x 17″
Whether Susanna chooses to focus on the poetry and simplicity of the sand dunes, the abstraction of a constructed space, or the beauty and mood of a natural scene that transports the viewer to a distant land, mysterious and exciting, her images reveal a world of quiet introspection and balance.
Susana believes that nature must be protected to allow ourselves to experience not only its beauty, but also its capacity for healing and revitalization.
Departures (from Kaleidoscope – paper abstracts), digital photograph, 27″ x 17″
Susanna is an award-winning photographer and a member of the American Photographic Artists (APA) and Visual Artists’ Union in Romania (UAPR-Iasi).Her photographs have been published in Landscape Photography Magazine, Dodho Magazine, Light, A Journal of Photography and Poetry, Daily Mail Newspaper, Art Ascent – Art & Literature Journal, and others.
One of her photographs was selected for “The Healing Power of Color” juried exhibition presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International.
Floral Abstract I, digital photograph, 27″ x 17″
Susanna states “I am a visual artist who draws inspiration from the beauty of nature, as well as from the principles of modernism, minimalism, abstract expressionism, and the aesthetic of film noir. Photography can relate to poetry, in particular, haiku, because it can operate with the same distillation of vocabulary.”
She adds, “A photograph can also resonate with a traditional Japanese ink painting, in which composition is not only about the careful placement of the subject in the frame, but also an experiment with the space between things. This is based on the concept of ‘Ma’, a Japanese word that means ‘space’ between two parts. I use my background in literature to create images that are striking and ethereal, ranging from bold, contrasty black and white compositions to soft, pastel-colored scenes.”
Floral Abstract II, digital photograph, 17″ x 27″
Susanna’s goal is “to transport the viewer to a place of quiet contemplation, where the essence of the scene is distilled to its purest form, much like the distillation of vocabulary in a haiku. In the same way that poetry aims to capture the essence of a moment in just a few words, I strive to capture the essence of a scene in a single image. Ultimately, my photographs allow me to observe the world around me and express my inner universe through metaphors, symbols, and stories.”
She adds, “Whether I am capturing the serenity of a seascape, the grandeur of a mountain, or the sleek lines of modern architecture, my goal is to create images that resonate with a deep sense of poetry and beauty.”
Tulip by Window, digital photograph, 17″ x 27″
Susanna shares this: “Through dynamic compositions, bold contrasts, and innovative techniques, my photographs create a visual aesthetic that invites viewers to interpret and connect with the images on a deeper level. It’s a medium where the camera becomes a tool for self-discovery, enabling the artist to communicate raw emotions and evoke a profound response from those who engage with the work.”
Visit Susanna Patras’s website: susannapatras.art
Join Susanna Patras on Social Media
Facebook.com/patrasfineartphotography
Instagram @patrasphotography
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Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful feedback. I am delighted to hear that my photographs resonated with you, particularly in the ways they integrate diverse sources of inspiration, such as poetry. I find that more and more photographers, such as John Paul Caponigro and Laura Valenti, find similarities between poetry and photography. I believe that poetry, in particular, cannot be separated from photographs since they both rely on signs and symbols to define one’s relationship to the outside world. As French poet Paul Valery famously asked: “what is Plato’s cave, if not an already dark chamber, and the largest ever made?”
Thank you again for your kind comments and a lot of success in your own creative journey!
This is WONDERFUL work! As both a serious poet and fine art photographer myself, I was particularly struck by the reference to the synergies blending other sources of inspiration which inform Ms. Patras’s work. I share the aesthetic expansiveness reflected in those references. Please share my congratulations and my appreciation for her work with her.