I'm a 22 years old photographer based in Warsaw, Poland, keen on capturing the views of this city from the roofs of its highest skyscrapers. Warsaw has a tragic history - 71 years ago it was burned to ashes after the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Now, after all these years, it's becoming a proud and big metropolis.
A few months ago, I realized there weren't any good quality photos of Warsaw shot from above the city center or taken by night. It suddenly became my dream to be the first one to do this. I did some research and found out it was an area strictly controlled by many institutions, and you needed a special two-engine helicopter to fly here. After some time, I managed to find a sponsor to afford 1-hour flight (which is over 2500 US$). Then, a guy from one of the Polish crowdfunding sites Pomagam.pl invited me to start a campaign there. Thanks to 66 people willing to help me, sponsors Coca Cola Poland, InterLeones and Enigma SOI, I got the money for the next hour of flying only in 3 days!
I gained money for almost 3 hours of flying and the best photo equipment from Canon. I took two flights, one during the day and the second one right after the sunset. I was sitting on a deck of the plane with my legs on the skid, attached by special ropes. We were flying over my beloved city even at the height of 3000ft and I took photographs no one has ever taken before. It was a lifetime experience! The photos suddenly got very popular in Polish media.
Through my work, I try to show the people in Poland and all around the world the beauty of Warsaw, knowing that it wouldn't be as it is today without it's inhabitants, who always came back and built it again. I also try to break the stereotypes about it, because Warsaw is developing like never before, and as no other city in the region, though many people don't know anything about it. For me, the story of these photographs is also a story of making dreams come true, and the power of one single idea, which can affect so many people. I never believed it was really possible.
More info: Facebook | warsawonair.com
A few months ago, I realized there weren't any good quality photos of Warsaw shot from above the city center or taken by night
Zbawiciela (Savior) Square and Church
It suddenly became my dream to be the first one to do this
Plac Defilad - Parade Square
I managed to find a sponsor to afford 1-hour helicopter flight and got the best photo equipment from Canon
Old Town
I was sitting on a deck of the plane with my legs on the skid, attached by special ropes
We were flying over my beloved city even at the height of 3000ft and I took photographs no one has ever taken before
Plac Unii Lubelskiej - Union of Lublin Square
Through my work, I try to show the people in Poland and all around the world the beauty of Warsaw
City panorama with the Royal Route
It has a tragic history - 71 years ago it was burned to ashes after the Warsaw Uprising in 1944
Siekierkowski Bridge
It wouldn't be as it is today without its inhabitants who built it again
South downtown
I also try to break the stereotypes about it, because Warsaw is developing like never before
Palace of Culture and Science
Though many people don't know anything about it
John Paul II Avenue and the city center skyscrapers
For me, the story of these photographs is also a story of making dreams come true
Vistula river and 7 Warsaw bridges
It's the power of one single idea, which can affect so many people
Warsaw right bank and National Stadium
I didn't believe it was really possible
City center
Modern skyscrapers with communist blocks
Planet Warsaw
While capturing the breathtaking aerial views of Warsaw, I realized how language and expressions, much like cities, hold a wealth of history within them.
Just like my photographs unveil the hidden world above the buildings of Warsaw, exploring the origins of old sayings unveils the stories behind everyday idioms that we often take for granted.