My name is Giuseppe Satriani but I’m known as Photosatriani in the photography industry. I'm a naturally curious person with an idealistic streak and a fighting spirit. I believe that shadows are essential to make the light shine even brighter. I always strive to align my life with my emotions.
I was born in Potenza, a charming town in the southern region of Italy called Basilicata. My father, who was an elementary school teacher and a hobbyist photographer, mostly captured moments of our family and his students using a Ferrania Elioflex 2 camera.
Little did I know that this early exposure to photography would plant a seed that would later grow into a lifelong passion. While I was at the University of Pisa, my good friend Lello gifted me a Voigtlander Vitoret camera. Together, we ventured into the fascinating world of the darkroom, experimenting with developing and printing slides using the Cibachrome process. Currently, I live and work in Bilbao, in the Basque Country of Spain.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guggenheim in Bilbao is covered with titanium plates that make it a chameleonic building because it captures the ... (Read more at European Photography Awards)
Milan is certainly the most European Italian city and Piazza Gae Aulenti is a truly futuristic area of Milan. I took ... (Read more at European Photography Awards)
San Vitale in Ravenna is a place where it is easy to understand why the 1% of the tourists who visit it, suffer ... (Read more at European Photography Awards)
Giuseppe Satriani, who is recognised as Photosatriani within the photography realm, embodies natural curiosity, idealistic inclinations, and a resilient nature. He firmly holds that shadows play a crucial role in enhancing the radiance of light.
Read more about Photosatriani’s interview for the 2023 MUSE Photography Awards.