A profesional/artistic statement:

Brief overwiev of my photography:

For a better part of my photographic life I did it uneducated, but with some guidance from my father, who spent better part of his money on travels and photography. In my high school friends referred to me - "the camera" due to the fact that I never was without my trusty old Nikon FG-20. That little thing was - in my opinion - the best ever entry camera - lightweight, simple and with a heart of a Nikon.

At that time I was shooting black and white. I do believe that black and white is a necessary method of entering into a higher realms of understanding photography. The simplification, purifaction built into it lets photographer to understand light and shadow... and meaning of them in an unparalleled way.

Eventually though I did move to Louisiana, where I spent five years studying architecture at LSU, and at the same I studied photography with professors Meek, Neff and Book. There I acquired skill in both black and white as well as colour photography. Also at that time I discovered colour for my artistic work. At the same time I ahd an opportunity of traveling across US, and Mexico.

Now, back in Poland, I have less time for darkroom work... but I still shoot a lot. Mostly color, but also black and white, while slides are reserved for travel

Photographic education:

I do believe that education in photography is important. As well as education about photography. One teaches individuals techniques of the medium, as well as trains an eye. The requirements of looking for photographs allows an individual to see images in places where others might not even stop to think.

The other may eventually teach the viewers what is, and what is not art. However they shall perceive it.

Equipment

Well, equipment is of importance too. It does matter to the extent, that some cameras are better suited for some work than other. My main interest areas are nature, landscape, and portraits. Of course I work with architectural photography as well - especially castles.

What do I use... not being as yet able to afford a medium format camera.

NIKON (well, I do count myself as one of the seven out of ten... as they would say it)

I have used Nikon FG-20 (my first one), Nikon N4004 (my worst one), Nikon N6006, Nikon N2002 (I think that was the number), Nikon N8000... But now my arsenal consists of:

• Nikon F-3
• Nikon N6000
• Nikon FA
• a hand made 4x7 View Camera

With following lenses:

• Nikkor AF 24mm f/2.8
• Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
• Nikkor 135mm f/2.8

As you can see only manual focus cameras, and no zooms... Simple is excelent!

Why three cameras?

• One is for black and white - Kodak TMX 400
• One is for colour negative - Fuji REALA
• One is for colour slides - Fuji VELVIA

Of course a good flash (Nikon SB-24), and an excelent lihgtmeter, plus some filters, although I generally don't use a polarizer now (unless I really need it). And a tripod, or two - one for a camera, the other for flash. These are the standard items on most assignments... when the need calls for something special I use something special.

Recently I added a Nikon Coolscan III, so, now I have something of a digital darkroom at hand

Darkroom

For last two years I have been building my own darkroom. And now it's up and running. For now it's black and white, since after such a long break I have to work from the basics. But the enlarger is a Sounder dichroic enlarger... so colour is on the way too.