Masterclass with Piotr Jaxa 

How is a portrait created that truly tells a human story?
How can light be used to build the dramaturgy of an image — as in cinema?

These questions will be explored by Piotr Jaxa — cinematographer and photographer, a long-time collaborator of Krzysztof Kieślowski and the author of stills from the iconic Three Colours trilogy: Blue, White, Red.

Jaxa has spent decades working on film sets across Europe and worldwide, shooting both documentary and fiction films while documenting the work of some of the most important filmmakers. His photographs are created on film sets, in studios, and in spaces where the image is shaped primarily through light.

At the same time, he has been developing his long-term project Cinematographers, in which he portrays directors of photography from around the world. So far, he has photographed over 140 filmmakers from dozens of countries, creating a unique portrait of the cinematography community.

Masterclass at poleczki.art

During this full-day masterclass at poleczki.art, Piotr Jaxa will share his experience of working with light — both in photography and on film sets.

The focus of the workshop is the environmental portrait — a form of documentary photography in which the subject, space, and light come together to create a coherent narrative about a person.

• Participants will explore how to:
• use available and artificial light in documentary photography
• build a portrait through space and context
• work with a subject in their natural environment
• make conscious technical decisions that shape the character of the image

The workshop combines analysis of the instructor’s work, practical shooting sessions, and a collective editing and discussion of participants’ photographs.

 Practical Information

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 9:00–19:00
Location: poleczki.art, Warsaw

Fee: 1000 PLN

The workshop is held in a small group format — a maximum of 10 participants — allowing for individual consultations and direct work with the instructor.

Places are limited. Participation is confirmed upon registration and payment, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Detailed program and registratio >>> TUTAJ

Piotr Jaxa

Photographer, still photographer, and cinematographer. A graduate of the Cinematography Department at the Łódź Film School (PWSFTviT). His body of work includes cinematography for dozens of documentary and feature films produced in Poland and internationally. His work has been presented and awarded at festivals including Cannes, Mannheim, Kraków, Los Angeles, and Berlin.

He is a member of the Swiss Film Academy (SCS) and the Polish Society of Cinematographers (PSC). In 2009, he received the Lohn-Ammannseg Award for lifetime achievement. He was invited to join the Swiss Film Academy and regularly conducts photography and cinematography workshops.

He works as an independent photographer, specializing in still photography on film sets and editorial photography. He is the author of several photographic books, including L’esprit de Genève (1988), Oh! Barcelone (1992), Poschiavo, un mondo di valle (1998), and Cinematographers — a tribute to some of the greatest cinematographers in the world.

Contact

 Poleczki.art Foundation

kontakt@poleczki.art

+48 501 011 342

+48 601 088 088

Poleczki 58 Str.

02-822 Warsaw

KRS 0001130100

NIP 9512607365
Regon 529940966

POLECZKI.ART