ENTRY DESCRIPTION
Shortly before the outbreak of the pandemic, Poles across the country had begun to embrace winter swimming as their favorite pursuit. In fact, I would go even further. Previously a niche activity, winter swimming became the ‘it’ thing to do among the Polish middle class. This was evident, for example, on social media, where once it was flooded with selfies of people standing in cold water. The pandemic brought about the belief that winter swimming might contribute to fighting the virus, especially at a time when fitness clubs, sports fields, and other venues were closed. As a result, the banks of various water bodies were teeming with people both during the day and at night. A number of winter swimming clubs were set up or expanded their activity, and the entire ‘winter swimming industry’ sprang up, along with national ‘cold water gurus’ and ‘winter swimming-friendly’ hotels. Now this “run for winter swimming” stopped, and not only because of the summer.

I’ve been practicing winter swimming for several years now, usually in Lake Czerniakowskie in Warsaw’s Sadyba district. The place is quite extraordinary, not least because of the massive chimneys forming the skyline.


Through this photograph I show unique feature of this place. What I mean is the swan which had been accompanying winter swimmers for years, regardless of the time of day or night. The swan was like a guard resolutely watching over its outpost. Majestic and beautiful, and always ready for action – the Lord of the Toxic Lake. The bad news is, the Lord has gone this year (…)

AUTHOR
“Photography connects the real world with the universe of emotions. It reconciles the mind with the soul. It allows me to walk the path of continuous development. Per aspera ad Astra (…)”.

Photographer holding the international title of Artiste Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (AFIAP) and the title of Artist Photographer (AFRP) and an actual member of the Fotoklub of the Republic of Poland.

Radek’s photography has a universal quality, with a distinct focus on people, understood in an exceptionally broad sense. His open-minded approach allows him to blend various forms within this artistic field, for example, by creating narrative portraits or nudes in different worlds and dimensions. Occasionally, he delves into landscapes and saute architecture. He tells stories, describes emotions and sometimes is solely interested in form. His creativity you can see in award-winning projects Desolate Beauty and Connected to Nature. It is impossible to pass indifferently by the Portraits he creates and how Radek sees the World.

He works both digitally and analog (including, among others, his favorite Nikon FM2 and Pentax 645NII). At times, he combines modern cameras with vintage lenses, (including, for example, his beloved replica of the 19th-century Petzval lens). He is an enthusiast of natural light but occasionally combines multiple types of light. Follow his rapidly expanding portfolio – it’s worth it.

Radek’s lens captures a diverse array of subjects, including movie stars, models, and public figures, as well as ordinary individuals who often become… extraordinary. He photographs in modern spaces, as well as in the ruins of castles or abandoned factories. Occasionally, he also works in the studio. He expresses himself in both black and white but does not shy away from a full color palette. His embrace of diversity reflects an open mind and is an expression of his creative freedom.

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