INSIDER: Your drone photography often captures Warsaw from striking and unexpected perspectives. What initially drew you to this unique approach to photographing the city?

Konrad Maślankiewicz: It came about quite naturally for several reasons. First and foremost, due to my love for photography, which has been a part of my life since childhood, but also because of my fascination with urban architecture. When you add to that an interest in gadgets and all kinds of technological innovations, it was almost certain that sooner or later I would become interested in drones. In my case, it happened five years ago when I realized that the perspective of photos taken ‘from the sidewalk’ was no longer enough for me, and I wanted something more creative and out of the ordinary. So I found a place where I could get a license to fly legally, and then I bought my first drone, and that’s how this chapter of my life began.

When planning a drone shoot, what factors influence your choice of location and timing? How do you ensure your shots convey such powerful compositions?

It really varies. Sometimes it’s just luck that I’m in the right place at the right time of day and my involvement is just choosing the right frame, correcting the basic settings in the drone or camera and pressing the shutter button, and the rest is the merit of the place and the light, but it also happens that the process of taking a photo is much more planned.
Let’s take the example of taking photos of Warsaw in the fog. From my experience, I know that the best fogs are usually in October. During this period, I keep up to date with more advanced weather applications that allow me to predict, based on specific charts, that a given morning or night will be foggy. Since I can’t be in several places at the same time, I also check the image from live cameras that show Warsaw from different points, so based on what I see, I am able to choose, in my opinion, the best place to take a photo at a given moment.

Your photos have a narrative quality—how do you think Warsaw’s architecture and urban layout contribute to the stories you want to tell?

Warsaw as a city full of contrasts – whether historical, architectural, social or visual – plays a key role in the narrative of my photographs. The architecture of Warsaw is like a multi-layered story: on the one hand, we have monumental traces of the past, such as the Palace of Culture and Science or pre-war tenements, and on the other hand, dynamic, modern buildings that symbolise development and constant change. The urban layout of the city, often somewhat chaotic, becomes a background that highlights human stories – moments of everyday life lost in this space.

This diversity allows me to tell stories of identity, memory and adaptation. For example, empty spaces and brutalist architecture can symbolise loneliness, isolation or understatement, while modern skyscrapers can speak of aspirations and the future. I try to capture these dynamics and create a narrative in which architecture is not just a background but an active participant in the story. Warsaw inspires the exploration of both the relationship between space and people and the very spirit of a city that is constantly changing.

How do you hope your viewers feel when they see Warsaw through your lens? Are there specific emotions or reactions you aim to evoke?

I would like viewers to feel its complexity and diversity when they see Warsaw through my lens. I try to capture both its energy and moments of calm, showing that this city is not one-dimensional. I want viewers to feel as if they were looking at Warsaw through my eyes. I want them to notice details that often slip away in the daily rush, and feel a connection with this city. But I also want viewers to see something personal in my photos – maybe an association with their own memories. I want viewers to feel closer to the city – both as locals who will see it in a new way, and as people who may never have been here, but will feel an emotional connection.

Drone photography comes with its own set of challenges, from navigating airspace regulations to weather constraints. How do you overcome these obstacles, especially in a busy city like Warsaw?

Working with a drone in a big city like Warsaw really does require proper preparation and flexibility. First of all, it is crucial to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the applicable legal regulations regarding air zones, flight altitudes and required permits. I also try to choose the places where the drone takes off and lands to avoid crowded areas, although it is known that this can be difficult in Warsaw.

When it comes to weather, safety is always a priority, so I monitor forecasts for wind strength, precipitation and visibility. If the conditions are unfavorable, I postpone the flight to a more favorable time.

What do you think makes Warsaw a compelling subject for drone photography? Are there aspects of the city you feel are underappreciated until seen from above?

Warsaw is a city full of contrasts that gain a new perspective when viewed from a bird’s eye view. Photographing from a drone allows you to capture a unique combination of modernity and history – the view of skyscrapers in the city centre next to the historic buildings of the Old Town creates an amazing mosaic that you don’t see every day from street level.
One of the most underrated aspects of the city is its greenery and the Vistula River. From above, you can see the huge role played by the parks, forests and recreational areas that surround the city. Warsaw is not a concrete jungle as it is sometimes perceived – it is a surprisingly green city, with the Vistula River’s extensive shoreline wild and full of natural beauty.
The drones also reveal the geometry of the city – the symmetry of the communist-era housing estates, the layout of modernist squares or the interesting architectural arrangement of roundabouts and traffic arteries. These patterns only become visible from the air and can be extremely inspiring for photographers.

Are there locations, themes, or ideas in Warsaw (or beyond) that you haven’t yet explored with your drone but are eager to capture in the future?

As for Warsaw, I have a few ideas in my head that remain unfulfilled, but this is mainly due to the limitations of geographical zones and the maximum allowable altitude of drone flights.
If we are not talking about Poland, my dream is to take photos in the largest cities in the world, such as Tokyo and New York. I like large agglomerations, skyscrapers, so I would like to capture these cities in my photos.

BIO

I have been living in Warsaw for seven years – a city that inspires me every day. Photography is my greatest passion, which has accompanied me since childhood. I love to capture fleeting moments in frames, especially those that capture the beauty of architecture and details of the modern world. Outside the lens, I am interested in new technologies that are constantly changing our reality, and motoring – I am passionate about both classic lines and innovative solutions. My daily life is complemented by my love of perfume – I believe that scent can tell a story just as well as photography. Each of my passions allows me to rediscover the world and see what others sometimes fail to notice. I photograph, admire, create and am inspired by what surrounds me.