Interview with Alicja Brodowicz | MONOVISIONS - Black & White Photography Magazine

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025

I combine the two images, looking for converging lines, textures, similarities in layout and analogies in composition between the microcosm and the macrocosm. I look for unity between the human body and the nature.

The series of photos is the visual re-enactment of my ever-increasing desire of being close to nature. The older I grow, the more intense this desire is. It is also the expression of my growing concern for the environment and the human impact on it. By combining images of the human body and elements of nature I am trying to show that we are inter-connected and that our separate existence is impossible.

– How and when did you become interested in photography?

I started photographing my daughter a couple of years ago, when she was four years’ old. I enjoyed it immensely and I consider it the beginning of my passion for photography. I registered for a photography course and then I passed the entrance exams to the Institute of Creative Photography in Opava (Czech Republic).

– Is there any artist/photographer who inspired your art?

I am a great fan of classic black and white photography. When I started taking photos and photographed my daughter a lot, my greatest inspiration was Sally Mann. Later I discovered Anders Petersen – I love all of his works. I am also a big fan of Josef Koudelka, especially the photos of Gypsies. I also greatly admire Jacob Aue Sobol and Pentti Sammallahti – the simplicity and elegance of his work.

– Why do you work in black and white rather than colour?

Around 90% of my photos are black and white and the rest is colour. I find Black and white easier. It is quite rare that I see such combination of colours that would call for a colour photograph.

– How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph/series of photographs?

This series was different than my other projects because it was conceptual. I usually just take the camera and wander about and take photos without thinking too much about the process. In the case of this project, I usually had the idea in my head in advance, before I started photographing and even though it changed a number of times in the course of my work, the initial concept had to be there first.

– Where is your photography going? What projects would you like to accomplish?

Well, I would like to promote „Visual Exercises” a bit more and possibly see if I could have it published in a some sort of a book form.

Website: alicjabrodowicz.com