Please introduce yourself: What is your name, where are you from, what do you do?

My name is Kamil Salanyk, I am from Wrocław, Poland. I work as a Product/UX/UI Designer; however, I graduated as an architect and worked in this field for several years. This has definitely shaped me the most and the way I see and perceive things.

What is your relationship with photography and how did you get into it?

I view reality through images and frame it with my eyes. Photography is the outcome, enabling me to preserve fragments of my surroundings for later. Occasionally, it intertwines with cherished memories, yet that's not its primary purpose. I simply enjoy the active engagement - moving around, observing, and framing scenes - as well as the subsequent reflection or storytelling. Additionally, it serves as a profoundly meditative process, aiding in my presence and countering overthinking tendencies.

I got into photography thanks to my old friend Dzidek, quite some time ago. As teenagers, we ventured out with cameras and tripods to capture images of old buildings, monuments, churches, cemeteries, and more. During our studies, we conceived the concept of ‹towning› (by then, we were already familiar with ‹clubbing› ;-) where, with cameras slung over our shoulders, we explored various cities (primarily in Czech Republic and Germany, besides Poland) without a fixed plan, simply to wander and discover their unique essence. This photo stems from one of those spontaneous journeys.

What do you think triggers you to photograph in a certain moment? Is it planned or solely driven by intuition?

I mainly rely on intuition and the feeling that what I see is compelling enough to warrant pressing the shutter button. Yet, occasionally, upon peering through the viewfinder, something that initially captured my interest loses its appeal. Emotional resonance also plays a role, as I may feel a connection with a subject, prompting a deeper engagement.

What is the story you want your pictures to tell?

It's a non-linear, ongoing narrative of diverse worlds that each shot unveils, sparing me the need to verbalize it. It often revolves around the intricacies, ordinariness, fleetingness, and beauty of the world, qualities that I believe resonate within my work.

Which city would you like to visit the most, and why?

I don't have a single dream city in mind, but if I were to narrow it down, I've never been to Rome. Beyond the obvious attractions, I'm drawn to the south, with its sun-drenched streets and vibrant atmosphere, which I hope to experience there. Additionally, I have a fondness for the movie La grande bellezza by Paolo Sorrentino, which is set in Rome.

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What is your personal relationship to cities and how do you perceive them as places in general?

I was born in a small town and later relocated to what I consider a medium-sized city (although it's the third largest in Poland). Generally, the dynamic energy of urban environments propels me into action; it's both inspiring and demanding. Despite occasional yearnings for the tranquility of nature, I can't envision permanently residing outside the city.

What is the driving force behind creation?

I'd say the fundamental aspects of human nature—emotions or feelings like excitement, anger, or simply the desire for pleasure derived from photography. It's a form of energy exchange.

Which project did you never finish?

Let's be honest—the only project I've ever started is this ongoing endeavor of going out and capturing photos whenever inspiration strikes. It's a project I've never truly completed. While I don't want to impose rigid structures, there are moments when I contemplate being more deliberate, having a concrete plan, perhaps creating a book or staging an exhibition (I know some are anticipating it), so the time for that may well come.

What is that «one thing» you have never managed to photograph and is now gone for good?

The house where I lived from birth until the age of three. It was demolished due to poor structural conditions.

If you could travel back/forth in time, what advice would you give your younger / older self?

Trust your instincts and avoid overthinking. I wish my future self could offer advice to me now, and I'm eager to discover what it would be.

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What do you prefer saying: To «take a photograph» or to «make a photograph», and why?

«To take a photograph» sounds fitting to me. Even with a bit of planning and some editing afterward, I just don't feel like I'm creating it.

What is the most interesting experience you have had while photographing?

I can speak of the most exhilarating experience, and it's when the feeling of flow emerges, when you're taking photos and just know they're going to be good.

If it wasn’t for photography, what would you be interested in doing instead?

It would definitely be music. I could join these guys as a guitarist or produce something like Fred. Actually, in the second place it would probably be art direction. I like to combine images with music. For instance, I once made a short mini clip for one of my all-time favorites, Low.

How would you describe one of your pictures to a blind person?

Parallel and diagonal lines of varying lengths and widths intersect the cracked, rough surface in a random yet geometric manner. When the sun sets, it all fades away.

What are you currently working on, and—if there is—what is your next project or journey?

Currently, I'm focused on getting back on track with taking photos. In the future, I plan to create a website, perhaps offering prints or even T-shirts with prints (I made one sample, and it looks quite cool). I also have a lot of archival material on my hard drive, but I'm unsure if there will be time and space to revisit it.

Thank you, Kamil.