“We went out into the city and took photographs. But I got the greatest pleasure from working in the darkroom: developing photographs and making prints,” Jarosław Sawicki says about the workshops. During the documentary photography classes, the Bolesławiec resident photographed old railway tracks. “Railways are my passion—visiting places where trains once ran,” the workshop participant admits. Jarosław Sawicki’s own exhibition will, in fact, be devoted to this subject; its opening will take place on 5 April in Lwówek Śląski.
Jarosław Sawicki’s talent was noticed by Leszek Żukrowski and Grzegorz Sidorowicz, who lead the workshops. Both considered him a promising photographer. However, he himself believes that the work of the other workshop participants was just as good. “The most important thing for me was that someone who works professionally in photography could look at my pictures and say whether they were any good or not,” the Bolesławiec resident adds.
“I came to the classes out of pure curiosity. I had not planned anything for the winter break,” says Aleksandra Dul from Zebrzydowa, a student at I LO and the author of the photograph featured on the poster announcing the exhibition. The high-school student does not rule out pursuing a future in photography. She most enjoys photographing people. “They are a rewarding subject; you can capture their emotions and show their lives,” she adds.
“My adventure with photography has helped me develop a lot. Perhaps I will pursue this direction,” says Martyna Żyń from Wierzbowa, who is a student at II LO. – “I like elemental photography most.” Martyna likes photographing simple objects that accompany people in their everyday lives. But she presents them in an unusual way.
“It is good that the workshop participants want to take photographs at all. They have a sharp eye. I am very pleasantly surprised by the standard,” admits Leszek Żukrowski, a photography enthusiast who has been recording important events in the history of our town on film for 40 years. – “I explained the basics to them, including the mistakes they should avoid.” That does not mean, however, that the class participants did not surprise him. “Aleksandra Dul revolutionised my view of photography,” the photographer jokes. “It is good that BOK organised these workshops; thanks to them, we know that photography will not disappear. Photography is an art, just like painting or sculpture. We need to discover talent,” he adds.
The exhibition can be visited until 28 February.