You have a beautifully edgy style of photography, especially in your street photography and portraits. Who or what have been some of your influences as a photographer?

You might be the first person to describe my work as edgy, which I appreciate and agree with. I think it’s important to mention that I’m not seeking out conventional beauty, but rather finding beauty within moments. My inspiration comes from the work of Gregory Crewdson, Saul Leiter, Fred Herzog, Walker Evans, Francesca Woodman, and many others. Cinema has also been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life, heavily influencing how I see the world. I often refer to what I do as “daily cinema” while walking through my neighborhood or looking out the tram window as I pass through the city.

Your work on Instagram, tagged with the location “My Imagination,” caught our attention, especially for this season’s Halloween spirit. Skulls, solitary figures, and some monsters. Can you tell us more about that?

It’s a blend of the heavy metal music I listen to and my lifelong fascination with horror and creatures. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been drawing monsters and eerie figures. During art school, I honed my skills in drawing and painting, often using horror as my subject matter. I’m attracted to work that carries a sense of tension, and much of my photography and AI-based art reflects that. I have a vivid imagination, filled with mysterious stories, which I credit to being a voracious reader—especially of dark fiction.

AI has definitely become a part of your creative process. How has that experience been for you as a photographer?

Everything I’ve learned throughout my life has fed into my photography. Art school taught me about composition, color, and perspective—principles I still use in my work today. When it comes to AI, it’s about figuring out how to craft and approach a piece, as well as knowing what I want from it in the end. But I also love the surprises that AI throws in. Sometimes, my AI work is based on my photography, and sometimes it’s not. Just like the camera helps me express and understand my world, AI allows me to visualize my imagination and untold stories.

Is there a particular part of the city you live in that inspires you most?

I’ve lived in the Ochota area since 2018, and my neighborhood is a huge source of inspiration. As I go about my daily errands, I find myself drawn to the “ordinary moments” that I try to capture in my work. I always carry my camera with me, and it’s not unusual for me to spot a scene on the way to Biedronka. Having an intimate connection with where I live is important to me, and I nurture that by walking everywhere, often multiple times a day. Sometimes, I photograph the same things repeatedly over the year, and other times, I take different routes to reach the same destination. I’m always amazed at how the same street can look completely different at various times of day, revealing new characteristics.

You live in Warsaw—what’s your opinion of the city as a photographer?

Yes, I do live here! I think Warsaw is very photogenic, but maybe in unconventional ways. I’m always looking for how the city impacts me, how it makes me take a second look, or challenges what I think I know. There’s what you see on the surface, and then there’s the “hidden” Warsaw that reveals itself over time. That’s what I’m after, and I especially enjoy the rough edges. Warsaw offers everything a photographer needs—beautiful cityscapes, a strong sense of history, bustling streets, and plenty of people. I encourage others to look beyond the obvious, past the gates, to discover the beauty just off the main streets.

For more of Erik’s work check out his instagram and give him a follow

https://www.instagram.com/ewitsoe/