About Slav Ziaja Photography

My journey with photography began in Poland in the 1980s, when as a young child I reached for my first cameras – simple East German Beirette and Certo models. I mainly worked with ORWO 35 mm black-and-white film, as Western colour films such as Kodak were impossible to obtain, and ORWO colour rolls were only occasionally available. These cameras required manual focusing, estimating the distance to the subject “by eye” and adjusting it on the scale marked on the lens. It was my first lesson in patience, observation, and seeing the world through a lens. Later, a more advanced Smena appeared, and eventually my first SLR – a Soviet Zenit, an exact copy of the East German Praktica.

The next stage was digital photography. My first digital camera was a Samsung Digimax 230 with just 2.3 megapixels, followed by a more advanced and feature-rich Minolta, and eventually I fell in love with Canon cameras. Today, I still work with Canons, combining modern technology with the skills I have developed over the years.

Although photography was once mainly a hobby for me, I took part in courses led by professionals, including Adam Gryczynski – a Polish photographic artist and member of ZPAF (Association of Polish Art Photographers) – as well as courses in reportage and journalism at the Catholic University of Lublin. One of my portraits – my daughter among apple-laden trees – won second place in a local photography competition.

Extensive travel has greatly shaped the way I see and capture the world. I love photographing people, especially capturing authentic moments and emotions by surprise, without posing, and sometimes discreetly from a distance, so that the frame becomes a true record of life unfolding in real time. My favourite subjects also include landscapes and short reportage – from sports to travel. Each image is an opportunity to tell a story, convey an emotion, or preserve a fleeting moment in time.

Seeking new opportunities, inspiration, and guidance to grow as a photographer, I recently joined the British Guild of Photographers. It is a chance to connect with experienced colleagues, benefit from their insights, and continue developing my skills while sharing my own perspective and passion within the photographic community.