Photography is the most intimate way of portraying the world

Robert, 22 years old, student of European Studies in Krakow, Poland. He is passionate about ‘urban photography’ . We talk in Krakow at Dynia, one of the nicest bars in town and later we walk around neglected areas of the city.

Robert describes himself as an ‘amateur’, but he is very passionate about what he calls ‘urban photography’. He wanders around his home town city of Krakow looking beyond what is obvious an expected and searching for more hidden expressions on ‘urban life’. Later he contributes to http://www.skyscrapercity.com/, a website dedicated to urban development.

At the moment he is very passionate about revitalising the neglected area behind the railways station in Krakow, Poland . He supports the idea of transforming this into new, fresh public space, an alternative to historic old town. When I ask him why he needs camera in all his explorations the answer is really quick.

I could not do without. If you have camera in your hand you are forced to look at the world differently. If I do not have camera I pass by. If I have one I almost touch things around, I stop my sight – I am aware. Even if I actually do not actually take a picture.


Insight: With camera in your hand you are more aware of the world around.


Robert takes photos to document the urban life around him. But it is not a trial to catch what is objective. There is no ‘objective’ photographic world around you. It is always immersed in your subjective point of you.

Your role is to take a shot the way, that it underlines the most intriguing elements from your point of view.

In his view creative documentation expresses a desire to catch the world how it is in the glimpse of the moment. But the fact that it is your personal contribution that makes it what it its . It is your personal view, your choice of moment that makes it very individual.

Insight: Photography is the most intimate way of portraying the world.

Ideal camera reads your mind ...

Photography seen this way leaves indeed a huge role for the camera. And its role is double fold as we realized. First, the obvious one is about all the functions and tricks it has. While not diminishing the importance of equipment, Robert is certainly not the one that would have the fanciest camera. He has a digital Fuji with manual zoom, but the lens is not replaceable. Its good enough for the moment where I am - he says. It has the mechanic zoom and that’s whats’s key for me.

But the second point he makes is really an illumination for me. In his view camera’s role is not only to make sure that photos are ok from technical point of view. Camera’s role is also to make sure that your creativity is not limited by the equipment. Camera’s role is to make sure that your personal view comes through.

Robert sees the camera as his friend in expressing the world the way he sees it. Not that the emotional connection is deep. We spend a lot of time together – he explains. You need to get to know your camera to feel it and to make sure it listens to you.

The ideal camera feels me, the ideal camera knows what I want to express.

Insight: The role o great camera goes beyond its functionality. The great camera reads your mind.