Giuseppe Satriani

I had my first mentor, Luisella D'Alessandro, who was also the president of the Italian Foundation of Photography at the time. She introduced me to some photography "masters" like Larry Fink, Franco Fontana, and Joan Fontcuberta, and I had the chance to attend their workshops.

In Spain, I received training at PIC.A (Escuela Internacional Alcobendas Photoespaña) and CFC Bilbao. My constant guide and friend, Juan Pablo de Miguel, played a crucial role in equipping me with the tools and mindset needed to significantly improve my artistic skills.

I remember my first photo vividly because I really wanted to capture a special moment for my mom, to show her how much I love her and appreciate everything she's done for me. I took the picture by a window and used the curtain she had made herself to soften the light. It's a portrait with her turned slightly and looking downwards.

I consider my photography equipment to encompass much more than just cameras and lenses. At the moment, I'm using a Sony Alpha 7R paired with a versatile Sony 16-35 lens, as well as a Sony 200mm lens, a 12mm LAOWA, a Samyang 8mm, and a Zhongyi super macro lens. Additionally, I occasionally use a Lumix G2 along with lenses like the Leica D6 Macro-Elmarit, Lumix G Vario 7-14mm, Lumix G Vario 45-200, and Lumix G Vario 14-42.

In addition to these, my photography kit includes the Rollei C5i Carbon tripod, ND 64 and 1000 neutral density filters, and various software tools such as Photoshop, PTGUI, Topaz Gigapixel, DeNoise, and Sharpen. I also make use of Midjourney and Stable Diffusion techniques, a light-table, a light-box, an Epson Perfection V750 PRO Scanner, a BENQ 26” monitor, a customized desktop PC, pastel colours, a cork board, needles, pins, museum glue, and paper clips.

I'm not a professional photographer, so my aspirations are more about personal fulfilment than financial gain. I have a passion for creating photobooks and combining my writing with photography. My goal is to produce, edit, and publish several books based on my visual art and writing in collaboration with a reputable editor.

Currently, I've self-published one such book Fotopoesie and I'm actively working on another titled "Cosmos and Chaos."

I also contribute to the Dodho platform as a "photowriter" and I'm hopeful that this collaboration might open doors for me to work with respected visual arts publications. It would be a dream come true if I could be represented by a gallery owner who would assist in organising exhibitions of my artwork.

One day, my teenage son, who has Down syndrome, observed an image I was editing on the computer. It depicted a small isolated tree encircled by towering trees that appeared as if they were protecting it. In that moment, he remarked, "That's me when I'm with grandma."

I don't think there was just one singular source of inspiration for me. Instead, who I am as an artist and what I aim to express is the culmination of countless small influences that life has presented to me over time. I translate into my art what I've encountered both in the physical world and on a deeper, spiritual level.

I'm drawn to simplicity, depth, a deliberate pace, contemplation, and the act of savouring things while allowing superficiality to fade away. I also appreciate the company of spontaneous and laid-back individuals.

Emotional, visual and narrative!

I'm excited to share that all my entries in the 2023 European Photography Awards won accolades: 1 Platinum, 5 Golds, and even some honourable mentions. This was such a thrilling experience! It's a great motivator that'll keep me going, inspire me to find new ideas, and boost my confidence during any future moments of doubt.

Among all the winning entries at the 2023 European Photography Awards, I'd like to highlight two in particular: "Guggenheim Sunset" (Platinum Winner in the Architecture category) and "Hikari: the Metaverse and the Jellyfish" (Gold winner series in the Digital Enhanced category).

-Guggenheim Sunset: As a resident of Bilbao, it's only natural for me to draw inspiration from the Guggenheim Museum. The titanium plates covering it beautifully reflect the colours and light of the moment when I capture it in photos. This unique characteristic of the building is what captivates me the most, and I aim to capture it in my repeated photo sessions with the museum.

-Hikari: the Metaverse and the Jellyfish: This series recounts a poignant and brief love story I experienced in Japan, a story that left a deep impression on me. I didn't have many images from that time because I was more focused on living the experience rather than documenting it visually.However, I felt compelled to express what that story had imprinted on my soul. Using AI, I combined the available photographs I had with new images to bring this narrative to light.

I'm still uncertain about the impact of being a multi-time winner of the 2023 European Photography Awards on my journey as an artist. I admit that I may not excel in marketing my achievements but I'm confident that this award will boost my self-assurance and enthusiasm for future creative endeavours.

Additionally, I hope it opens doors for gallery invitations and representation. Furthermore, I aspire to catch the attention of a publisher who might be interested in publishing a book featuring my work.

Lary Fink.

Gianni Berengo Gardin.

Pilar Pequeño.

The most valuable piece of advice that I have received from my mentors emphasised that art encompasses more than just inspiration and aesthetics. It involves rigorous and persistent effort, often characterised as "dirty" work, which includes research, technical skill development, craftsmanship, trial and error, and the ability to cope with a lot of frustration.

Photography is going through a big change right now. It's like a turf war, where anyone who tries something new gets labelled as a profiteer or a cheat by those who want to stick to the old ways and protect their own interests.

Looking ahead, I think the key won't just be the image itself but the "concept" behind it. That's what will set photographers apart. So, if you want to be a photographer today, you'll need to branch out and learn about other things. You'll have to adapt to this new playing field where what we've always seen as reality will just be one of many possible realities, all equally real and valid.

My words of advice is not coming from being an artistic expert; they come from the wisdom of age and life experiences. I'd say, before we champion any particular truth, it's best to truly understand what we want to criticise or what makes us fearful. If we follow this simple advice, we'll respect others' viewpoints and ideas more, and we'll be more open to different ways of seeing and creating. This, in turn, will enrich the communities we are a part of.

I believe it's crucial to frequently pause and recognise the interconnectedness of all life forms, understanding their intrinsic importance. We shouldn't just passively hear the cosmic drama that surrounds these lives; instead, we should truly listen with our hearts. Through this deep listening, we can distil the essence of a fresh hope, directing ourselves towards a future where we take a leading role.

To achieve this, we need to be open to exploration, maintain a humble mindset, embrace trial and error, persevere through setbacks, and dedicate ourselves tirelessly, all while adhering to a guiding principle.

Dostoevsky once said that "beauty will save the world," and I agree with this sentiment. However, it's not just about beauty; it's also about having depth, elegance, and an open mind to appreciate it without fear. Art is a way for nature to express itself through our human experiences.