Noisy Grain

minimalist photoblog by Practical Sander

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About the visuals

It might seem that, as a declared author of a photoblog, I should devote some space for describing the sources of my visual inspirations — especially since I’ve already paid so much attention to the written word. Yet, I find it hard to squeeze out more than a few sentences on this topic. Why?

Is it a matter of differences inherent to the medium itself? Or maybe because in photography I don’t really follow others’ models? Perhaps I’m just a self-absorbed amateur who cares about no other creativity than his own? The truth is that it wasn’t photographers who inspired me the most, but people who deal with photography as a side passion or part of other activities.

Wild worlds of Tony Halik

Alongside Wojciech Cejrowski, Tony Halik is one of my earliest associations with travel photography. Overgrown jungles, agile monkeys, a smiling resident of Yucatan, or a worn-out jeep. As a traveler and reporter, Halik mainly photographed the everyday life of indigenous communities, which he then brought back to the civilized world to spark curiosity, that was his main mission. Already at that time I felt that photography was primarily a medium of communication, not an end on its own.

The aerial dance of the bird-people from the city of Papantla
Photo by Tony Halik

Snapshots of Mark Sutton

As for the first professional photographer who really earned my admiration, Mark Sutton definitely stands out. Sutton is one of the most famous names in motorsport photography, documenting key moments in Formula 1 history for over 40 years. There was a time when my pastime was browsing his works on Getty Images. I even printed a few and framed them, decorating one wall of my room. Schumacher, Hill, Hakkinen, Villeneuve, Senna—I created my own wall of champions.

Schumacher wins the rainy Spanish Grand Prix '96
Photo by Mark Sutton

Fantasy echo of Zdzisław Beksiński

A beautiful painting won’t hold me for long unless it’s from the brush of Zdzisław Beksiński. I can absorb these for hours without restraint. Whenever there’s an exhibition of Beksiński’s works in the city, I spend 2-3 hours there, lingering for several minutes at each piece. This probably comes from the intricate precision visible when you look closely. Sometimes, I feel like individual elements seem to step out of the frame or pulsate. They appear tangible and change their appearance depending on the viewing angle.

Morning walk with a dog, A.D. 197x
By Zdzisław Beksiński

However, I must emphasize that I am very selective regarding Beksiński’s work. The corpses from his late period tire me, even though they are said to evoke the strongest emotions. I prefer to return to his fantastically surreal landscapes from the 1970s. Additionally, I interpret some of the painting as illustrations of everyday life back then. Beksiński himself always denied that his paintings were anything more than paintings. Still, deep down, something makes me think that this was how the PRL (Polish People’s Republic) looked like. Whether it’s the painting of a daily journey in a crowded bus or a nightcrawler on its way home after party, reinterpreting Beksiński’s vision is always a delightful experience.

Line melody of Janusz Grabiański

If I had to illustrate how I want to remember early childhood times, the result would resemble Grabiański’s illustrations. I don’t know if it’s those subtle strokes or the harmony of shapes and colors — there’s something in his work that grips the heart, and surprisingly little is said about him publicly. Yes, he has his square near Chmielna street in Warsaw, but compared to other names, it seems buried by the sands of time. Not some Fangor or Świerzy, but Grabiański deserves to be remembered. He is a quiet hero of the Polish poster, who didn’t seek acclaim, didn’t follow trendy fads but just did his thing with grace that withstood the test of time. And yes, he created commercial materials — postcards, postage stamps, and children’s books. An artist has to make a living. Two reproductions of his promotional LOT airline posters proudly adorn one of my rooms’ walls, reminding me of his legacy and the need to keep his memory alive.

June 1st, International Children’s Day
By Janusz Grabiański

A photograph speaks for itself

Let’s return to declared photographers, about whom I rarely mention but who are present in my world. I can easily name several whose work I appreciate and who are particularly close to me. Among them are classics of the genre and some of more niche names, closer to the earth. Do I have something specific to say about them? It’s hard to say. I certainly hold their work in high esteem. Some might even find actual inspirations for my photos there. However, I would prefer that the images speak for themselves. That’s why I’ll simply leave a few links below with brief comments:

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