Mircea Stoian

VM: In your opinion, what transforms an ordinary picture into a truly powerful photograph?

Mircea Stoian: The message it can convey.

VM: Name three photographers whose work has inspired you and whom you admire.

Mircea Stoian: Ansel Adams, Georg Gerster, Cristian Lascu.

VM: You live in Constanța. Having the Black Sea so close, it is hard to ignore it visually. How often does the sea appear in your photographs?

Mircea Stoian: Yes, I live within the perimeter of the ancient Tomis Fortress, 600-700 meters from the Black Sea (the old Pontus Euxinus). It appears in my photographs, but it does not hold a privileged status. I haven't had photographic projects strictly related to the Black Sea.

VM: Constanța seems to be two different cities: the summer crowds and the winter tranquility. Which of these two atmospheres inspires you more when you photograph, and why?

Mircea Stoian: I have photographed in the city during all seasons. I am constantly looking for subjects and angles. Touristic Constanța has few landmarks left: the seaside promenade and the Casino, a few museums with a provincial flair, the Tomis Port, places of worship of various denominations. They are all concentrated in the peninsular area of the city. The only important celebration remaining is Navy Day, celebrated every year on August 15th.

VM: Is photographic art promoted enough in Romania?

Mircea Stoian: No. Photographers should promote it through their projects and activities. I highly appreciate the initiative of launching the online magazine vemenmagazine.com.

VM: If you could give a single piece of advice to a photographer at the beginning of their journey, who is struggling to find a unique style, what would it be?

Mircea Stoian: After studying the History of Art and Photography, they should experiment and stop at those "slices" of the vast photographic field where they can express themselves freely.

VM: What is next for you? Are you currently working on a project? Do you have exhibitions or new themes planned that you can't wait to explore?

Mircea Stoian: Photography everywhere! I will enrich the "DOBRUJA – Illustrated Leaflets" series started in 2011. These are tourist mini-guides designed as original products that can be likened to souvenirs. The 12 illustrated leaflets contain unique photographs (nature, architecture, cultural heritage, tourism) and engaging information (Romanian/English/German) that has been carefully verified.

For over 30 years, I have been gathering aerial images captured during countless flights over Dobruja. I want to bring them together in a photographic album titled DOBRUJA SEEN FROM ABOVE. Obviously, an exhibition of unique aerial photographs will follow.

I am a member of the "MAGRIN 1878" Cultural Society and, since 2023, we organize an annual Photography Contest aimed at youth. The initiative is meant to be a tribute to the French-born photographer Anatole Magrin (1858-1928). He lived in Constanța for 50 years and is rightfully considered the first photographer of Dobruja and Constanța. We are at the fourth edition, and we aim for this contest to run, as the President of the "MAGRIN 1878" Cultural Society, Mr. Gabriel Nicolae, recently stated, "à la longue" (in the long run).

For Mircea Stoian, photography is far more than a mere capture of a moment; it is a rigorous pursuit of light, truth, and historical preservation. Discovering the art form as a child, he transformed a technical mindset into a profound dedication to documenting the rich, multiethnic tapestry of Dobruja. From sweeping aerial landscapes to the quiet ruins of forgotten villages, Stoian’s portfolio exemplifies a strict respect for visual grammar. In this interview, he discusses his creative journey, the enduring power of physical prints, and his ongoing mission to keep local history alive through the lens.

VM: How did your journey in photography begin? Do you remember the moment you realized it was more than just a simple hobby?

Mircea Stoian: At the age of 11, I took a few photos with my classmates. From the very beginning, everything fascinated me: the moment of capturing a frame, followed by the entire process through which the photograph was obtained on paper.

VM: How would you describe your visual style to someone who has never seen your work?

Mircea Stoian: I have approached photography with rigor.

VM: What was the biggest frustration or challenge at the beginning of your journey?

Mircea Stoian: I experimented a lot to master photographic technique. Four or five decades ago, these aspects were a bit more complicated.

VM: Inspiration often comes from unexpected places. What is your greatest source of inspiration outside of photography (e.g., cinema, literature, music, everyday life)?

Mircea Stoian: I like to place everything I observe in everyday life into a "photographic equation." In 99.9% of situations, without the help of a camera.

VM: We know you have completed many photographic projects over the years. What do you consider to be the main difference between creating an excellent individual photograph and building a coherent visual series?

Mircea Stoian: A photographic project requires prior documentation, selecting an approach, establishing the purpose of the final images, etc. I believe this is how one can complete a coherent, unified, and as comprehensive a work as possible.

VM: What is the photographic project closest to your heart? And why?

Mircea Stoian: Dobruja: history and archaeology, nature, aerial photography. The Danube, the Black Sea, ancient ruins, the Danube Delta, a multiethnic mosaic... What more could a photographer wish for?

VM: How much of your work is carefully planned and how much is left to pure spontaneity?

Mircea Stoian: I carefully prepare every photo shoot. I have also encountered unforeseen situations, but over time, I have developed a sort of ability to anticipate what is going to happen. It's a shame to lose such moments.

VM: Let's talk a bit about equipment. Do you believe the camera and lens dictate the soul of the photograph, or are they just simple tools?

Mircea Stoian: Good equipment helps, but the photographer is the one who sees, feels, and immortalizes. They are the artist!

VM: Every artist faces creative blocks. Have you ever gone through one, and how did you manage to find your visual voice again?

Mircea Stoian: Yes, I know what that means. I owned a good camera and wanted to photograph, but I wasn't able to set a direction for myself. An artist from Constanța specializing in engraving, Ion Tițoiu, helped me. He suggested a theme: "Old Houses of Constanța." It was my first photographic project and, after almost 30 years, many of those photographs have a tremendous documentary value.

VM: Does physical print still make sense in an era where most people consume images on phone screens?

Mircea Stoian: Yes. Photographs can only be presented well when they are printed on a paper or cardboard medium. Screen devices have a different role; they do not help photographic art.

VM: If you were to be remembered by people for a single photograph you took, which one would it be? Please tell us the story and the emotion behind it.

Mircea Stoian: The photograph is titled "E ziuă și ce întuneric" ("It's daytime, and yet so dark"). The image is from an old settlement located in the center of Dobruja—Colilia—a village inhabited by ethnic Germans (1880-1940). In 2004, only the church was still standing, used as a stable by the locals. I was very drawn to this solitary structure, and I photographed it countless times during that period. Now, on that site, there is an Orthodox monastery.