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The word photography derives from the Greek φωτός (phōtos), genitive of φῶς (phōs), "light" and γραφή (graphé) "representation by means of lines" or "drawing", together meaning "drawing with light".

I photograph places, objects, things, people and moments meaningful to me. Sometimes people that look at my photos can translate into /  and feel my feelings, but some can not do that!

I try to paint with light!

"A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into." - Ansel Adams

My name is Arthur Mustafa, I`m a photographer and I LOVE!

I`m a Romanian photographer, born in a small town called Lipova, from the Arad county, and now I live in Bucharest.

I love this wonderful world I was born into, I love the country where I came into beeing, I love the people around me. But above all, I love nature, everything "that certain someone" has created for us, to always remember us that yes, we are extraordinary creatures, but there are many others on this planet that are as beautiful as people.

I used to travel for 14 years through all my dear little country, most often with a group of people as "crazy" about nature as me. I walked through almost all the mountains, hills, valleys and plains of Romania and I would go further 1,000 years from now. I'm glad to see how many Romanian photographers are publishing more and more wonderful images with beautiful places from our country.

I love everything about the nature and the people in this country who love nature! From this love for nature I appeard, a photographer. Since forever I prefer to be in nature, to be surrounded by flowers and insects, trees and birds, cool streams and shady valleys, the mountains and endless plains. I started to travel. Then I began to study nature and its biology, and for six years I was under the spell of Cluj teachers who taught me the secrets of the worlds around us.

I continued to travel. It was impossible not to notice, in all my travels, the creative power of light. So I remembered the gift made ​​by my father when I was about 14 years, a Russian camera, namely Zenit E, with Helios lens, from in 1971, but who is in pretty good condition. There may be many people reading this who remember this camera and I could see, in the corner of their mouth, a wistful smile ... I would say it was love at first sight ... As soon as I started to shoot with that camera, I was fascinated by how light can be captured and reproduced on paper.

"You don't take a photograph, you make it." - Ansel Adams

Light is what creates all, especially our photos. Without light, there would be nothing. Photography neither. Perhaps that's why I chose as my motto: “I`m painting with light and pixels, world`s beauty!”. I believe that photography is a form of painting, only that us, photographers, are not putting on canvas colors and designs, but try to capture a moment, a mood, an emotion, a fraction of time and light, and somehow to catch it and to immortalize it, thus being creators of our world history. I`m painting with pixels, so now, in the digital age, I left Zenit somewhere on a dusty shelf, and I shifted, shy at first, to the new wonders, richer in pixels, that modern technology offers us. The digital processing tools, really virtual photo labs, allow me to be the perfect manipulator and creator of the captured images. I always try to improve myself, to study light in all its manifestations. I try to use it to express myself as an artist, to physically manifest my own artistic views and ideas. Reality is often extraordinary, but not always enough for a photographer to express his full range of emotions and feelings. So you will see that I often use to alter reality to express myself more effective.

That does not mean that I forget the beauty of pure and unspoiled nature. No, on the contrary, the possibility of altering digital images have revealed the secret that "less is more" and it does not replace talent, perseverance and dedication that a passionate photographer must have.

From the beginning it was obvious my passion for landscape photography and nature, macro and wildlife. In time, I began to discover and love other aspects of photography also, with a special preference for abstract photography.

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." - Ansel Adams

What attracts me most, and that for which my efforts are most important, is and will always be landscape photography. The above quote says everything about my motivation and explains the love that I always feel for landscapes, mountains, hills, plains, rivers, clouds, rain, snow, sea, trees, flowers, animals and everything that this wonderful nature consists of.

Abstract photography is one of my favorite genres. Probably because it allows me to be creator of images on a higher level than other types of photography. In abstract photography we can play as we want and we can present our own version of a certain reality. And here we can choose large or small scale abstraction. I like a lot the patterns and shapes created by the natural-rural landscape of my dear little country (Romania) which offers us so many wonderful places. But even more, I love to spy with a photo lens the smaller worlds, hidden or not easily observable worlds, worlds that we walk on or we pass by. I find it a continuos challenge to look to find beauty where we least expect to find it.

I am passionate about nature photography, landscapes, portraits, snapshots ... and abstract photography. That is why, when I do photo trips, I always think on multiple levels, on the photographic levels that I most care about, and when something appropriate appears in front of me, my sight, thinking and imagination must automatically switch in the right photo mode. It`s like when you switch between various Dial modes on a camera, or between different lenses, each fitted for a distinct situation. So I cannot help to stop and spend an hour, or more, bent and focused in the funnies positions, over a frozen water pond or in front of a frozen tree branch, waiting for good light, searching an unusual perspective or just admiring the perfection of a such short-lived creation as the water in a frozen state.

So it happens that I start on my knees by photographing some huge ice crystals, which remind us of some Paleozoic conifers, then I continue by observing close to me the ice fingers of the ice cloak that covers a stream`s shore, then finally you`ll see me flat on my belly, lost in contemplation in front of a frozen pond, in which, at the right moment of the day and in the right light, I admire the air spears formed by the air trapped inside the frozen water. This kind of photographs suggested me the idea of frozen macro-universes term, that we can call also "photo-macro-lyrics", because, indeed, their design reminds of a certain lyrics, there is a harmony and elegance in their aspect, which fills us with admiration if we are open enough in front of the nature wonders.

The more we look closer and focus our attention to the world at our feet, the more we discover more details and interesting things. With little imagination, anything can be transformed in a photography subject. Even some humble grass blades, frozen of astonishment in front of the cold beauty of the winter.

Water is the source of life, byt, in the same time, for me it`s an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the abstract photography and the photographic graphics.

Amazing is the word that comes to my mind when I think about water and reflections.

For me, to photograph water reflections and refractions represents first the therapeutic effect of a meditation and observation session, in front of the wonders that surrounds us all the time, of the wonderful life that we often forget to enjoy as we should. It`s unbelievable good for me to stay still and admire the water surface and shine, the reflecting shapes, the way that wind, waves and the light angle deforms and abstracts these shapes. Often I lose and forget about myself, contemplating the infinite abstract forms and millions of colors, shades and tones that are born and live just a split second, without anyone to have no idea, and then disappear as quickly as they appeared, giving birth to other and other thousands of shapes, colors and strange creations. Admiring them and learning to take pictures of them, I realized that I can turn myself into a painter and illustrator, with the camera.

I like to photograph most autumn. Especially in cities. I don`t know why, but from October to late November, over the cities floats an atmosphere of romance, mixed with a tiny daily and always growing restless. Although this is the time of year when the cities are the busiest, although now begins again the activity which was so lazy after the long summer holidays, I think that this is the time of year when the cities are the most beautiful. Maybe people are more relaxed after holiday. maybe temperature is more pleasant for long walks, maybe days are too short and people too eager to enjoy the faded rays of an autumnal sun, maybe I moved to the big cities in an autumn and that special atmosphere imprinted in my soul. Or maybe this is the truth: big cities are more romantic, more alive, more melancholic, more colored, more dinamic and more lazy, more pleasant - in the autumn!

I was always fascinated by this wonderful decay of the green nature facing the coming winter, cruel and ruthless. In nature, be it in cities or elsewhere, everything dies beautiful. Trees, plants, repudiate the clothing that they wore all year, in a splendid manor, offering us an amazing show, in front of which every photographer feels the need to take of the camera and press the button.

I like to photograph in autumn anytime: in the morning, evening, at night, during the week, in week-ends, during work time and in breaks, when I`m happy or sad, when sun shines or it rains ... It`s a season when light is always beautiful, at any given time of day, in any weather conditions.

I often walk, stop from time to time and look down. For a time now I trained myself well and usually I immediately spot if there is something interesting there. I`m always amazed how trivial things can be transformed in interesting photos, with some training, attention and a drop of talent. I observe details, natural compositions that are waiting to be framed by a professional eye, I observe intertwining of colors and then I carefully control the light angle, to obtain reflections and special colors. No matter how often I do it, I`m always fascinated by the idea that at my feet lie wonderful photos, which are waiting to be harvested.

I like all seasons. Each has its charm and each offers something special. I like as much winter, as any other season. Winter is pure, simple and full of surprises. Winter light is unreal.

I often go to the mountains in winter and most of all I like it when the weather conditions are favorable, with clear sky or partly covered. This is because I like a lot to play with light and it`s shades, with the different intensity of the natural light, with shapes that are present only during winter time, when snow covers everything and transforms the world in something completely different; s covered with a clean, shinny coat, with which sun amuses itself and, throwing lazy, distant rays, paints unusual angles and curves, abstract shapes, ephemeral worlds of darkness and light.

Most times, I go alone or in very small groups. I visit more open mountain areas, with wide valleys and many hills that are lost slowly in distant plains. I like these because they offer a large variety of landscapes and many possibilities to capture unusual photos. I accommodate in a hostel or a chalet and then, gradually entering my special condition that I have when I go on mountains and I photograph, I take a deep breath and let my steps take me to unknown destinations. I do not plan in detail my photo tours, because I like to be surprised at what I find on the spot. That is why, most often, I`m wandering for several hours on the hills and mountain slopes, dressed in diamonds, glittering in the sunlight. I also love on the mountains that everything is always changing, scenery and weather, sky and clouds are constantly changing, at the pleasure of the wind, bitter more or less.

So I wander and let the spirit of photography enter me, enjoying the wonders of nature at every step.

Winter is a season of peace and reflection, of lazy thinking and movement. Everything seems to be static. But, closely following what happens around me, I surprise with pleasure all abstract shapes created by the sun light, which throws nice shadows and contrasts on the snow. When I encounter a subject that I like, I study it and try different approaches.

Summing up and simplifying everything I said before, love - nature - simplicity, I realized that the photo that most represents me, to the present moment, can only be one:

I think this is the picture which is closest to my heart because it manages to combine harmoniously the three issues that represents my philosophy as a photographer.

Never, a second never seemed to be longer, than when I photographed it, in front of calm and natural harmony. Some see in it a picture of birds, but I see a painting of the perfect nature.

Moments like these are not rare for the photographer who loves, think complex but shoots simple, and who humbly recognizes his role as a component of this world, not it`s master.

All people are beautiful. It depends only if the photographer is capable to see it. I love the way that light can make us more beautiful or uglier. I love the way that I can use the light to emphasize the beauty of people. It is difficult to see their souls. And I was always afraid to get too close to the people. Maybe that is why I rarely succeed in seeing their souls and capture their inner beauty.

“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph." – Matt Hardy

My photography is always subjective. I photograph what I feel. I photograph when I feel. I photograph to feel. I always photograph what inspires me, what moves me, what touches me, what makes that little voice inside of me to say "Get your Nikon and shoot! Yes, that is something worth photograph, that means something to you. You have to take this image with you and create a photo of it!". And I can only submit to my instincts and inner voice, which is the voice of my feelings. Most times it is the voice of pleasure feelings. Because I choose to see only the beauty of this world, the beauty of people and places.

I choose to see only beauty.

And this beauty I want to reproduce and present to others as I perceive it. I don`t know how much I succeed in doing that. I don`t really care about being appreciated for what you feel. I care about being appreciated for what I feel. and if you can feel what I feel, then you can be glad because you are able to see the beauty of this world and to drift away from the harsh every day realities. Let your mind rest. Let your eyes see. Le your soul vibrate. Let your heart feel.

When I photograph I place myself in a special mood of calm, depth and even meditation. Maybe that is why photography is the most relaxing activity for me. Maybe that is why nature and landscape photography are those that I`m most passionate about. But I love light in all it`s manifestations and that is why sometimes I like to play with other photography genres also.

I am a being that loves beauty in all it`s forms and seeks for it with stubbornness and perseverance. I think that is why I chose photography as a way to express myself. I love nature and I like to represent it in pixels not the way I see it, but how I feel it with my retina, heart and soul. I love mountains, I love to feel my blood rushing in my veins, I love the thin air of heights, filled with the smell of conifers and mountain flowers, i love to reach the peaks and the strong winds blow me away, as well as the beauty of the world that I can see from above. I get chills when I think of all these things, because then I feel free, I feel the creative force within me, I feel free to climb the tree of life and search for answers.

I studied biology out of this passion for mountains and nature, but people or maybe faith have not agreed to follow this path ... So a big transformation took place in me, born out of disappointment and disillusion, a big explosion happened, I freed the creative artist and the light lover. Faith made my father to give me that first camera and thus show me path to the light.

Contrasts represent me and this is how I express myself in photography. I portray nature - ethereal, beautiful, mysterious, eternal and unconquered, rough and perfect; but I also portray abstract shapes, human shapes and men`s creations. My photos are bitter sweet – bitter cherries with which I spoil you under the gentle light of an endless summer day, lost in admiration and contemplation, in the sublime silence of mutual adoration.

I don`t want you to like my photos! I want you to loose in them, to abandon your senses and to transpose yourselves there, on the mountains peaks, in the valley washed by the sunset light, in the endless plains of my searches and through the inner heaven`s clouds, in the shade of the flowers that are refreshed by the foggy morning`s dew, in the abstract shapes, in the plays with lights and shadows, in the faces of the people you encounter, in every image I present to you. I want you to feel my perpetual search and to understand that we are all one - but we are not aware of this!

I am persistent in my attempts to see beauty in the world and the people.

Beauty exists everywhere, just pay attention and you will find it!

I don`t take a photo and then show it to you, instead I create a world or I show you the world as it is / as it should be, but the ignorance prevents you from seeing it.