Who?
My name is Damian Chrobak, I was born in 1977 in Jastzrebie Zdroj, Poland.
I got my first camera when I was 24 years old and started making photographs immediately in the streets of Warsaw. Photography became my passion and I decided to develop and study it further. That is when I started learning more about it at Academy of Photography in Warsaw. I didin’t know many people in Warsaw at that time and I would spend most of my time observing everything through a viewfinder. After one year and with encouragement of my professor I decided to move to London to study and work.
I came to London in 2004 and since then I didn’t stop enjoying to observe and document, what I think is valuable. From 2010 I joined Polish Association Art Photographers, where I am still teaching street and documentary photography. In 2011 I launched Polish street collective Un-Posed together with many talented and ambitious polish photographers working in Poland and abroad.
Where?
Most my work is made in London. I always carry a camera on my neck and I try to use every opportunity to take a photograph. Every place is good for images; you just need to find your vision and interest. Wherever I travel I take a camera with me, it became a must have everywhere I go.
When?
Always! On my way to work, while meeting friends, going to shop, everywhere where I know can take picture. I take an image, when something inside tells me to do it. After shooting for 16 years, I feel like I developed some kind of instinct for shooting. I often use my intuition in photography.
What?
People and everything that is connected with them: their environment, activities, and behavior. I was always an observer and photography helps me to put it in a shape of a photograph. I want to document daily life and how people go about it. For me this type of documentary tells a lot about our society.
Why?
As I remember I was always a quiet person and loved observing everything that surrounded me. Now I’m enjoying capturing those moments on film and putting them together. I don’t think I will ever stop taking images and I want to leave as many as I can, documenting the period I live in. Photography is such a valuable medium if used in a suitable way, it helps me to understand our times and get to know people better. Photography is also an incredible document for future generations.
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