Kacper Kowalski

Kacper Kowalski works as both a paragliding instructor and a pilot. This allows him to gain an aerial perspective of the world in which he channels into his photography. Taking a documentary style he covers a variety of different topics including nature, environmental issues, regional development and ecology. Capturing a variety of different issues from angles we would not normally take as humans.

Kowalski has received many awards including the World Press Photo Award and the Picture of the Year international POYi award. As well as having two books published, Side Effects (2014) and Over (2017)

'Distribution of ash after coal combustion at a thermal power plant in Belchatow'

'An aerial view of industrial waste at a thermal power station in Belchatow'

These photographs were taken from a series by Kacper Kowalski called 'Toxic Beauty'. A series of images displaying what has been done to the once beautiful landscapes by Sulfur plants, nitrogen plants, mines, power plants and landfill sites. 

The birds eye view of these places really helps you to see the full scope of the problem, which would be hard to accomplish from the ground. As humans it gives us a completely different perspective as it is allowing us to see the world in a different way. Making us look down on the situation and really taking it into account. 

I really like these images as they capture the severe pollution in detail, as well as being incredibly powerful and eye-catching as they force you to stop and think. They really are a form of toxic beauty.I really like these images as they capture the severe pollution in detail, as well as being incredibly powerful and eye-catching as they force you to stop and think. They really are a form of toxic beauty.