Michał is a photographer and filmmaker based in Poland with a passion for portrait photography and finding new ways to express himself. He has been awarded with several international prizes such as WPJA, AGWPJA, ISPWP and Fearless Photographers and IPA. In 2006 Michał founded WhiteSmoke Studio and his work is regularly published in magazines such as Rzeczpospolita, Zwierciadło, Wprost, Sens, Gala, Viva, Joy !, Samo Zdrowie and many others.
Q&A
- How did you start with photo/video?
I am self-taught. I started with portraits and street photography. I attended a photography course, but I didn’t finish it. However, I started to get assignments for press agencies, newspapers, magazines and advertising agencies. I started my own company and quite naturally, I became more interested in filmmaking. It combines my journalistic passion with endless creative possibilities. - How would you describe your style?
This is a difficult question, I have a photo and film ADHD. I love the entire creative process, whether I am involved in a documentary project, a commercial photo shoot or a studio portrait. I like challenges and I always look for new ways of expression. - What inspires you?
Life itself is quite inspiring. People, travels, movies, music, food, walks in the woods, watching albums and exhibitions, not only photographic ones, communing with pictures, conversations, books, light, big and small moments. There is a lot of it. - What is your dream shoot or project?
Every little project can be exciting, it just depends on how I approach it. - What is your best advice to others that want to develop as photographers?
Collect experiences, not only equipment. Ask yourself a question: why are you reaching for the camera?
What is in your bag?
- What is the most important in your bag?
The most important thing is my head obviously, then the light and the lenses. I change the bodies too often to get attached to one. Recently, I especially like the GFX Fujifilm series, to which I can attach a lot of interesting optics. I base my light on Nanlites Forza 500, Forza 300, Forza 60B, Pavotube 30 and 15 and the smallest 6C that fits in the gear bag. - What bag do you use?
I use TinkTank Mind Shift for filming equipment, I carry my photo equipment in my Filson Magnum bag.
Discover more about Michał Warda
Instagram: @whitesmokestudio
Facebook: WhitesmokeStudio
Vero: Michał Warda