Kraków o świcie potrafi zniknąć. Mgła, niczym cicha złodziejka detali, skrada się cicho w uliczkach. W takich dniach mam wrażenie, że aparat nie fotografuje miejsc, tylko ich ulotną obecność. Na wilgotnym bruku zbierają się odbicia jak rozsypane metafory. Czasem w kadr wejdzie człowiek i natychmiast znika, jakby miasto zaciągało własną kurtynę sceny życia.
Lubię te chwile. Każą patrzeć wolniej i przestać udawać, że w życiu wszystko musi być oczywiste. Każde zdjęcie z tej serii jest jak krótka notatka „tu byłem”, lecz bez pewności, gdzie dokładnie. Ja też nie mam pewności, bo Kraków codziennie wygląda inaczej.
At dawn, Kraków has a way of disappearing. The fog, like a silent thief of details, creeps softly through the alleyways. On days like these, it feels as if the camera isn’t capturing places, but merely their fleeting presence. Reflections gather on the damp cobblestones like scattered metaphors. Sometimes a figure steps into the frame and vanishes instantly, as if the city were drawing its own curtain across the stage of life.
I love these moments. They force me to look slower, to stop pretending that everything in life must be obvious. Each photo in this series is like a brief note – “I was here” – yet without the certainty of where exactly. I’m not sure either, because every day, Kraków looks different.
There is a small detail in the old cameras, the absence of which begins to annoy when you use 3 or 4 cameras at the same time with different negatives. I am talking about the pocket for the negative package leaf, which is on the back of some models. The Olympus OM-2 has it, but the Mamiya C3, Pentacon Six, or Agfa do not. Recently, the absence of this thing became a problem when I had to rewind two medium-format films. This is not a difficult procedure, but it is better to avoid it. In connection with the fact that a friend of mine recently bragged about his new toy – a 3D printer – I decided to help him test it 😉 I won’t write about the design process here because it’s not a tutorial, but I will show off the result, i.e. the finished project and product.
As promised on Mastodon, I am giving the plans away for free – the links are below the pictures. There are two files to download because the pocket consists of two elements: the main frame and the slide-in plate. Due to the specifics of 3D printing, it is impossible to do it differently, but I think this variant is optimal.
The pocket came out perfectly. Of course, the plate should be glued to the frame, and the package leaf slides in and out smoothly but with little resistance, guaranteeing that it will not fall out. However, the question of attaching the pocket to the camera without damaging the veneer remains. As soon as I find a solution, I will add it to this post.
Jest taki drobiazg w starych aparatach, którego brak zaczyna doskwierać jeśli używa się 3 lub 4 aparatów jednocześnie w dodatku z różnymi negatywami. Piszę o kieszonce na opakowanie z negatywu, które w niektórych modelach usytuowane jest na tylnej ściance. Olympus OM-2 ją ma ale Mamiya C3, Pentacon Six czy Agfa tego drobiazgu nie posiadają. Ostatnio brak ten urósł do rangi problemu kiedy musiałem przewinąć dwa filmy średnioformatowe. Nie jest to procedura trudna niemniej jednak lepiej jej unikać. W związku z tym, że mój przyjaciel pochwalił się niedawno nową zabawką czyli drukarką 3D postanowiłem pomóc mu ją przetestować 😉 Nie będę tu pisał o procesie projektowania bo to nie tutorial, pochwalę się natomiast rezultatem czyli gotowym projektem i produktem.
Jak obiecałem na Mastodon plany daje za darmo – linki pod zdjęciami. Do pobrania są dwa pliki bo kieszeń składa się z dwóch elementów: głównej ramki i wsuwanej płytki. Inaczej tego zrobić się nie da ze względu na specyfikę druku, ale myślę, że ten wariant jest optymalny.
Kieszeń wyszła jak dla mnie idealnie, płytkę należy oczywiście przykleić do ramki, listek opakowania wsuwa i wysuwa się bezproblemowo ale z małym oporem co daje gwarancję, że nie wypadnie. Pozostaje kwestia przymocowania kieszeni do aparatu tak aby nie uszkodzić okleiny. Jak znajdę rozwiązanie to dodam do tego wpisu.
There are places that just seem right. Places where art finds its natural rhythm and the viewer can feel at peace, surrounded by beauty and tranquillity. This is the Bocho Gallery, where my photographs and my passion have found their place in Krakow. It is an intimate place, full of warmth and good energy, created by people sensitive to beauty, creating a space full of inspiration.
Although many things today are viewed on screens, there is something about photography – like all art – that requires physical presence. It is only when you look at a printed photograph, a frozen fragment of reality, that you can perceive all the details and subtle tonalities that disappear on a screen before they have had time to resonate fully. It’s a completely different perception – more tangible, more complete, more intimate; you can really feel the depth and emotion involved, which is what every artist is trying to convey.
I’m delighted to share this space with you, and if you haven’t had the opportunity yet, be sure to check it out! Who knows, maybe we’ll even meet there!
Są miejsca, które od razu wydają się właściwe. Takie, w których sztuka naturalnie odnajduje swój rytm, a widz może poczuć się swobodnie, otoczony pięknem i spokojem. Taka właśnie jest Galerii Bocho, gdzie moje zdjęcia i moja pasja znalazły swoje miejsce w Krakowie. To miejsce kameralne, przepełnione ciepłem i dobrą energią, tworzone przez ludzi wrażliwych na piękno, tworząc przestrzeń pełnną inspiracji.
Choć dziś wiele rzeczy oglądamy na ekranach telefonów to fotografia – jak każda sztuka – ma w sobie coś, co wymaga fizycznej obecności. Dopiero wpatrujac sie w wydrukowaną fotografie, na ktorej zatrzymano fragment rzeczywistosci można dostrzec wszystkie jej detale i subtelne przejścia tonalne, które na ekranie umykają, nim zdążą wybrzmieć w pełni. To zupełnie inny odbiór – bardziej namacalny, pełniejszy, intymny; można naprawdę poczuć głębię i emocje z nią związane czyli to co każdy artysta stara się przekazać.
Cieszę się, że mogę podzielić się tym miejscem z Wami i jeśli jeszcze nie mieliście okazji, koniecznie tu zajrzyjcie! Kto wie, może nawet spotkamy się na miejscu?!
It’s been an exciting year in terms of photography just to mention another exhibition of my works or the release of the “4xKungsleden” photo album. This year is not over yet so it’s not the time for serious summaries and writing about plans for the next one. What can be summed up today is the annual Calendar 2025 project, which motivated me throughout the year to seek inspiration in every possible place. One such inspiring place was the forest, and since the mushroom season this year was exceptional, I took many good photos. The summary of my forest inspirations is the first calendar for 2025 dedicated exclusively to mushrooms. This year I planned only digital versions, which are downloadable on Creative Market: 12 cards plus a title page, in 300 dpi resolution in A4 ready-to-print format (pdf and tiff).
Why print it yourself? You have full control over the quality on the spot, and there are no risks and costs associated with international shipping. This way you are also supporting your local business and helping to protect the environment by reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping and supporting sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
It’s been a hot week in Krakow for the third week in a row, so when the weather forecast said there might be thunderstorms yesterday, I decided to go to the Main Square to take some pictures with my new equipment. I recently switched from a Canon 6D to a Nikon Z6. But let’s leave the technical stuff behind. I had an incredible amount of fun watching people enjoying these cooler moments while I took shelter under the umbrella of the Cloth Hall. Three thunderstorms passed over the Main Square, and people ran, walked or just stood in the rain, letting the drops fall on them as if they wanted to stay cool for longer. A moment of relief for some and pure joy for others.
The year 2020, a frosty December morning, fog envelops the city, the Krakow’s Main Square is completely deserted. The pandemic has reached everywhere, even more so here, under the Cloth Hall. It was as if someone had stopped time just before people left their homes. The heart of Krakow, which beats 24 hours a day, has stopped. Silence. Only birds can be heard. Perhaps they are the legendary warriors of one of the dukes of Krakow, turned into pigeons?
The photo won a bronze medal at the Px3 photography competition in Paris in the Street/Special category and has also recently found its place in one of Krakow’s art galleries. If you happen to be in my hometown, be sure to stop by the intimate Bocho Art Gallery on St Thomas Street, where you can see and also buy this print. There are only a few limited editions with certificates.
“I have this amazing photograpy taken by Tomasz, and since Krakow holds a special place in my heart, this photo has great meaning to me. This is a beautiful shot of my beloved Krakow Market Square with its inseparable pigeons in flight. The depth of this photograpy takes me back to my childhood. This is an amazing shot, full of warmth and joy. I can definitely say that I identify with the author feeling his reaction and the way he captures interesting moments. Tomasz, thank you very much for allowing my memories of Krakow to be with me every time I look at this photograpy.”
I had the honour of presenting my work at the exhibition “Review of Photography in Old and Alternative Techniques” a year ago. I’m happy to announce that this year, my works will be on display at the Art Exhibition Office in Kielce again. The exhibition presents artists from all over Poland who work with a variety of techniques. My three works, shown below, were done in argyrotype.
The exhibition runs from 26 April to 16 June 2024, and you are warmly invited!
The publication of a photo book is not just about showcasing photographs; it’s about commemorating the human experience, celebrating the beauty of the world, and preserving memories that will endure for a lifetime.
Let your imagination soar as you flip through the vibrant landscapes of the far north. From sunrise to sunset, every page in this book whispers tales of wanderlust and adventure, and each photograph tells a story worth a thousand words.
Does nature’s beauty inspire you? Immerse yourself and reconnect with the tranquil serenity of the great outdoors!
I’ve been working for some time now on a photo album with my best photos from 4 expeditions on the Kungsleden trail. It includes photographs from my portfolio, from an exhibition I had in 2023 and a few that I haven’t published yet. It is primarily a photo story but also weaves in thoughts found on the trail.
Work is still in progress, so I am releasing only the cover art as a teaser. The album will be first released as an ebook on the Apple Books platform. If there is enough interest, a print version will follow. There are also plans to make a small print limited handmade edition.
I will keep you updated on the progress here and the Mastodon platform!
I will also have some codes to give away for a free copy, so stay close!
Sometime between 2013 and 2014 I decided to commission a review of my photographs, looking for confirmation of whether the way I was photographing made sense, what mistakes I was making, where and what I could improve on. I had been photographing for about a decade by then, although I would describe that period as an intensive photography course, with the occasional intuitive slip-up when I was doing something at a decent level. I was mainly taking tight shots, searching for interesting details, looking at the world through focal lengths greater than 50mm. I sent out about 12 images for judging. My first portfolio ever. I expected criticism, of course, because that’s exactly why I decided to do it, but something more happened, I opened my eyes very wide. I found that the world was just as fascinating from the 17mm perspective, and the space allowed me to breathe deeper and gave me a sense of freedom. Landscape became my favourite subject from then on and I decided to start entering competitions with it. The first photo to win an honourable mention in an international competition is also one of my favourites, ‘One’.
Then there were further competitions including:
Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
ND Awards Photo Contest
International Landscape Photographer of the Year
International Photography Awards (IPA)
MonoVisions Photography Awards
Monochrome Photography Awards
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
In the years that followed, in addition to landscape, my photographs were recognised in the categories of fine art, nature, conceptual and architecture.
All these awards and recognitions are very important to me because I am constantly aware that my artistic intuition has not gone astray and that what I am doing is still world class and improving.
So, after this long introduction, let me present all the awarded and recognised photographs with a final comment: the most honoured photo is “Flow” and the highest rated photo, i.e. the bronze medal at the competition in Paris, is “Only Birds”. Enjoy!
