While looking at my photographs, I sometimes have an impression that odd, otherworldy, bizarre, unexplained, ambiguous, or ghoulish occurrences happened or can happen before or after I took a photo. My pictures live in my imagination.
Does it mean I am paranoic? I do not think so. I believe the power of imagination often rules my contemplation world. It is taking place not only while watching my street photos but also many other works of art with Magdalena Abakanowicz’s magnificent “sculptures” or Hieronymus Bosch’s paintings. Even if something is frozen, like my pictures or other artworks, with paintings or sculptures at the forefront, it does not mean we cannot revive these works in our minds. I believe that evoking feelings and visions via works is one of the most fundamental aims of art. I think it is one of the reasons why I prefer to read, contemplate, and analyze books and listen to music rather than watch movies.
In the latter, the film’s director imposes a vision on the audience.
Of course, there is always room for imagination. Still, much more place for playing with our psyche while reading, watching static works, or listening to music. The more I write about all these things, the more my imagination imagines many of the pictures I remember, and many scenarios come to mind while doing this mental exercise for fun. I see them as a living picture in which something odd happened or can happen.
Am I identifying with my images?
Of course, I am. Without it, I would not do what I do – playing with my imagination via observing, analyzing, and contemplating the most mundane reality humans can experience. Thanks to doing it, I enjoy and cherish each day because, thanks to taking pictures, I know each moment is totally different, and there will never be the same moment in my life. Speaking briefly, I try to live here and now without analyzing the past and planning the future too much. That’s how street photography inspires me to live. I cannot wait for other images to be taken on Warsaw’s streets. Undoubtedly, I will enjoy watching them. After all, my pictures live in my psyche.
