Stefan Czurda is a Vienna-based street photographer whose work centers on emotional and melancholic moments in everyday urban life.
In his signature style Urban Ghosts, he uses motion blur and abstraction to transform passersby into ghostlike figures—capturing the fleeting emotions we often overlook.
His photographic style is defined by contrast, subtle tones, thoughtful color choices, and clean, distraction-free compositions.
Influenced by Alexey Titarenko’s City of Shadows, the poetic color work of Saul Leiter, and the introspective minimalism of Olga Karlovac, Stefan’s images seek to evoke more than explain.
Urban Ghosts earned three Honorable Mentions at international competitions: Paris International Street Photo Awards (2023, 2025) and Black and White Photo Awards (2024).
His first solo exhibition, Street Melancholy, opened in Vienna in early 2024. The series explores themes of emotional isolation and fragility in the fast pace of modern urban life, and has become a central expression of his artistic vision.
In 2025, Stefan released Her Journey, a project inspired by Antonio Vivaldi. Blending short fiction with a year-long series of street portraits of a female character named Marjetta, the work reflects a more personal, introspective approach to emotional storytelling through photography.
Stefan’s work has been featured in international publications, including Dodho Magazine, About Photography, Edge of Humanity and other platforms that highlight emotionally driven, artistic photography.
In addition to his photographic practice, Stefan is the author of Conceptual Street Photography — a reflective guide to developing a personal visual and emotional language in street photography. Alongside his own work, he is also engaged in fostering a local photography community, organizing monthly street photography meetups in Vienna to connect fellow photographers.
More information on press and awards can be found in the Press and Awards section.
Selected works are available as limited edition prints on request.