Patricia Dinu: The Desert of Souls

All images by Patricia Dinu. Used with permission.

Years ago, ancient shamans used to make claims of communicating with the land and translating its tongue into a language that most of us humans could understands–and that’s sort of what Patricia Dinu has tried to do with her landscape photography.

I found “The Desert of Souls” on Fotofund, and immediately fell in love with her work. She lives in Milano, Italy and says that she “lost her heart and soul in America’s deserts of the Southwest.” You see, Patricia at first tried to be a model, but instead switched to the other side of the camera. Good thing too–she’s the creator of some of the absolute most jaw dropping black and white landscape photography I think I’ve ever seen.

“The Desert of Souls is a research and a personal interpretation of these unique landscapes.” Patricia tells the Phoblographer.

Phoblographer: Talk to us about how you got into photography.

Patricia: I discovered the love for photography only 6 years ago. But from then: I am living for photography – “Drawing with light” is wonderful.

Phoblographer: What made you want to get into landscape photography?

Patricia: The love for nature. The desert, wherever speaks to me. I love the desert, it’s light enlightens me.

Phoblographer: Many landscape photographers usually relate an experience of complete awe and amazement when they encounter a scene that they want to photograph. What’s it like for you? I’m sure you’re stricken but how do you the go about turning that amazement into a captured creative vision?

Patricia: To do that, I try to be one with the landscape–the only way to find out if it resonates with my soulscape. That’s when I take the picture.

Phoblographer: Much of your work is in black and white, but even when it isn’t, there seems to be a big emphasis on using white and very few colors. Why? Do you feel colors can be distracting?

Patricia: I’m using black and white–yes, because sometimes color is a distraction and because I want to share to the viewer the real soul of the landscape.

Phoblographer: Have you ever sat there and wondered about what makes your work different and unique from another photographer’s? It’s quite beautiful, but what do you think you do that makes your work signaturely yours?

Patricia: Mmmm…This is an important question. Thank you for “unique” comment. What I’m doing? Sincerely; nothing, I try to be myself.

Phoblographer: Where do you typically draw inspiration from?

Patricia: Inspiration? You can find inspiration anywhere. But in general: I’m looking forward to have my own style.

Phoblographer: With your love of black and white also comes the specific color choices for your website. Is this intentional too?

Patricia: Everything is intentional and everything has a why.

Phoblographer: Talk to us about the gear that you use. Why do you choose it?

Patricia: I used to photograph with Canon cameras converted to infrared and I love to use best of lens.

Phoblographer: How much of your time is spent shooting vs doing all the business tasks that a business owner needs to do?

Patricia: Beh…all my time…like I said I’m living for photography.”