In this exclusive interview, photographer Paweł Długokęcki (@keckiphotography) shares his insights on what makes Warsaw unique, his favorite spots to capture, and the evolution of his craft from mobile to drone photography. Learn how his images reflect the city’s ongoing transformation and why his lens is a witness to Warsaw’s dynamic changes.
Compared to other European cities, Warsaw has nothing to be ashamed of. The capital is diverse, architecturally combining the old with the new. The panorama of Warsaw is changing dynamically, new buildings are being built, both office buildings and skyscrapers, as well as cultural and public use institutions. It is in a completely different place than it was 10 or 20 years ago, and certainly in another 20 years it will not be in the same place as it is now. The landscape of the city shown in photographs quickly becomes obsolete, and the photographs become a good witness to history and evidence of the changes taking place. This makes the city unique. What bothers me is the ubiquitous advertising, which, visually, certainly detracts from this city.
I like the center of the city, especially the high part of it, which adds variety to the skyline. Visible from afar, it serves as a signpost and reference point for other parts of the city. The center is also a mix of different architectural styles, with modern skyscrapers adjacent to historic buildings. These contrasts make a very attractive space for photographers.
I would like viewers to appreciate the composition, colors or play of light in my photos. I would like them to see in my photos that they are not randomly taken, and that viewers stop for more than just a moment. It’s nice how photographs become an inspiration for others, and it makes me very happy when I witness this.
I started my adventure with photography in 2017 and my photos were mainly taken with a mobile phone. It was mostly architecture photography in a minimalist edition. As the appetite comes with eating, then came the time for a professional camera. For the past few years, however, as a drone owner, I have been devoting most of my time to photography presenting a bird’s-eye perspective. My photographs mainly cover urban (with the definite predominance of photos of Warsaw and the Tricity) and natural landscapes (mainly the Baltic coast and Masuria lake district). Despite the increasing number of drone owners and, consequently, the growing number of drone photos appearing on the web, the perspective of high-altitude photography still seems to be very attractive. One can see much more than from a sidewalk perspective.
Apart from the elements such as light or composition, from my point of view, the moment in which the photo was taken is very important. How many times have we witnessed some unusual situation? A beautiful sunrise or sunset? Something that captivated us? Having a camera in such moments sounds like a good idea. Dedication and planning are crucial in photography, especially in drone photography. Checking the weather conditions, the position of the sun, the possibility of flying in a particular location, etc. will definitely help you take a better photo. The more factors we analyze, the greater the chance that the photograph will be successful. That’s how the photo awarded in the Varsovians’ poll as the best in 2023 came to be. It has been planned for a long time and taking this single shot required loads of patience while waiting for the right date with cloudless sky during sunset.
Follow Paweł Długokęcki on Instagram: keckiphotography
