Diana Ardelean’s (@diana_ardelean_photography) composite images could be described as otherworldly. While she captures images of beautiful landscapes and attractions that do actually exist in this world, she adds in her self-portrait along with her own special touch to create a scene that otherwise would only exist in her imagination. We came across her Alpha Universe Profile and connected with her to learn more about her photography and her creative process. Read more below and create your own Alpha Universe Profile HERE for a chance to be featured on AlphaUniverse.com.

"Aurora Borealis" Photo by Diana Ardelean. Sony Alpha 6300. Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6. 1/125-sec., f/4.5, ISO 400

Learn more about multi-disciplinary artist Diana Ardelean’s process for creating dreamy, composite images in her Alpha Profile Spotlight.

Career Snapshot

I'm a Romanian multi-disciplinary artist with a life-long background in fashion design, specialized in bridal and evening wear, painting and photography. I started studying photography over five years ago at Pasadena City College. It has always fascinated me how every photo is as unique as the person that takes it, how subjective and interpretative photography as a form of art can be. My fine art photographic artworks have a dreamy, feminine sentiment and come from a place of personal exploration and manifestation of imagination that channel the delicate equilibrium between my own fragile, poetic nature and the overwhelming harsh reality of the world I live in.

My Process For Creating Composite Images

The settings of my photo shoots are always beautiful landscapes and attractions that I travel to around the world. I use Photoshop as a medium to composite images that have a surreal, fantastical feel, illustrate my point of view and make others see the world the way that I see it. I use fabrics and dresses that I make myself, to bring a fashion element into my images, while I place myself in those settings, pushing my emotional and physical boundaries by becoming both the subject matter and the materiality.

The process of creation starts with the photo shoots. I use the Sony Alpha 6300 and since it does not have a built-in intervalometer, I use a remote. The regular remotes do not have a far range, therefore don't work for me at long distances, so I have to use a radio remote. I always have it in my hand when shooting, which means I have to composite a hand free remote later in post-process.

"Escape" Photo by Diana Ardelean. Sony Alpha 6300. Sony 55-210 f/4.5-6.3. 1/3000-sec., f/4.5, ISO 100

Another challenge would be shooting the subject out of focus. Sometimes I get the shots that I want and later when I see them on the full screen I realize the subject is out of focus. Then I would have to redo the photo shoots, which takes away the magic of spontaneous creativity.

The post process is always very tedious and takes long hours as I am aiming for perfection. Every detail of an image is closely analyzed. Photoshop is my canvas and it's digital brushes the unconventional mediums I use to paint my imaginary worlds.

I like to add textures into my photographs, I believe they bring life, drama, vibrance and dimensionality to images. Through the use of rich colors and contrasts my intention is to direct the eye of the viewer to the center of interest in the image, the subject being strengthened as a result. 

Why I Shoot With Sony & My Go-To Gear

I've been using Sony for over five years. I love it because of the flexibility and lightness of the camera. I travel so I don't like to carry heavy cameras with me. The Sony Alpha 6300 is so light, yet it provides great quality photos and it has been my go-to camera since 2016. I have been using the kit lenses that came with the camera all this time, the Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 and Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3. Only recently I've purchased a Sony 20mm f/1.8 G Lens and started using that to shoot my latest composites. I chose a full frame lens because I'm looking to upgrade soon to Sony Alpha 7R III.

"Labyrinth" Photo by Diana Ardelean. Sony Alpha 6300. Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6. 1/30-sec., f/4.5, ISO 2500

What Photography Means To Me

I daydream all the time. I never liked reality so I created my own imaginary world. With my eyes wide open I see the things that I want to see not the world that is around me. Photography and creating art is a way of coping with reality for me. It is therapeutic. I use the process of creation to heal and patch up my hurt soul and quiet the constant noises that overwhelm me. All reality is a perception, different for everyone. When I create my own reality maybe I will eventually get to live it. I imagine a peaceful, utopic, harmonious world and an eternal, perpetual peace of mind. Being a part of the Song Alpha community has been so inspiring and challenging in the meantime as I constantly strive to better myself and keep up with the amazing photographers that I look up to and admire.

See more of Diana Ardelean's work on her Alpha Universe Profile and on Instagram @diana_ardelean_photography.