This visionary photographer-journalist merges technical innovation with profound psychological exploration. Now contributing to B&W Magazine UK, her work spans:
"My cameras are psychological tools first, technical instruments second." - Burnstine to NPR
Susan Burnstine has redefined contemporary fine art photography through her deeply personal exploration of subconscious landscapes. Over two decades, the Chicago-born, Los Angeles-based artist-journalist has developed a singular visual language that merges technical innovation with psychological depth, earning recognition as one of photography's most original voices.
This haunting exploration of paternal loss marked Burnstine's transition to elevated perspectives, symbolizing her father's posthumous gaze. The series' technical mastery lies in maintaining emotional rawness despite using complex homemade equipment. Critics praised its "alchemical fusion of mechanical limitation and emotional truth" (PhotoEye), establishing Burnstine as a master of photographic metaphor[2][5].
Her debut monograph's 45 images from three dream-based series demonstrated unprecedented camera-building ingenuity. The Gold Medal winner at Prix de la Photographie Paris revolutionized perceptions of analog photography's creative potential, with B&W Magazine UK calling it "a manifesto for intuitive image-making"[1][4].
Burnstine's first color series examines national identity through road trip recollections and landscape symbolism. This technical pivot maintains her dreamlike aesthetic while addressing socio-political themes, described by Obscura Gallery as "Ansel Adams meets Carl Jung in the Instagram age"[6][9].
Burnstine prioritizes stories about analog photographic innovation, particularly handmade equipment. Successful pitches should detail unique camera-building techniques or alternative process developments. Her 2024 Mississippi State University exhibition catalog emphasizes this focus, showcasing 24 custom medium-format cameras[9].
Pitches connecting artistic practice to mental health or trauma processing resonate strongly. Her NPR interview revealed how camera-building functions as therapeutic practice, making stories about art therapy modalities particularly relevant[1][8].
With her ongoing national parks project, Burnstine seeks stories about landscape photography's role in cultural memory. Pitches should connect specific locations to historical narratives or collective unconscious themes[6][9].
"Burnstine doesn't just capture light - she bends it to reveal the architecture of dreams." - Jonathan Blaustein, A Photo Editor
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Photography, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
