In June 2024, I went to Warsaw with my friend Michał to document Warsaw Pride. We met up with some friends, then split up to hunt for colorful shots. And there was certainly no shortage of color.
The Shots Were Practically Making Themselves
As a street photographer, form is everything to me. A composition has to be strong, and for me, that strength comes from color (I’ll admit, I struggle to compose in black and white, relying on light alone). It’s even better when there’s strong geometry, an interesting subject with that special “something,” or a moment that truly stands out – a clear emotion, a unique gesture.
Warsaw Pride had it all. The shots were practically making themselves.
To keep things simple and stay in the moment, I set my 28mm lens to its hyperfocal distance at f/11. I then locked the shutter speed to my camera’s flash sync of 1/250s, connected a flash with a sync cord, and essentially shot the entire event with that one, unchanging setup.
Flash, Heatstroke, and a Feeling of Safety
Speaking of flash, I was amazed that no one there had a problem with it. That’s highly unusual in Poland. I’ve gotten some unkind comments at antique fairs for using a flash, but here? Nothing. In fact, I felt incredibly safe and welcome, which is another rarity. Everyone was smiling and simply enjoying life. It was a fantastic experience.
I have this personal rule: I only use flash at events. On the street, it feels too aggressive – it’s outside my comfort zone, and I have to assume it’s outside the subject’s comfort zone too. And let’s be real, I’m not Bruce Gilden. I’m not trying to be the flashy one.
On a less positive note, I almost had a heatstroke that day. It was hot as hell, and like a complete idiot, I didn’t bring any water. After two hours of intense frame-hunting, my vision started to go black and I felt weak. Fifteen minutes in the shade and several trips to a water barrel finally got me back on my feet.
The event was secured by the police, and to be honest, there weren’t any major incidents. While previous years saw counter-protests, this year they were small, if they happened at all. The only real disruption was a truck that drove by blasting a message from its loudspeakers, claiming Prime Minister Donald Tusk is Satan and an ‘abortionist,’ or something along those lines.
My focus quickly shifted to environmental portraits. I wanted to capture the people in the midst of this vibrant, joyful atmosphere.
The “Creampuff” Incident on Warsaw Pride
Here’s a funny story from the day. I approached a drag queen and asked if I could take her picture. She answered very flirtatiously, “But of course, Creampuff.” I even got her social media info and phone number.
The reason? To blend in a bit, I was wearing a pink T-shirt with the word “Ptyś” on it, which is Polish for “Creampuff.” As soon as my friends heard the story, they started calling me “Creampuff,” and the name has stuck. I don’t mind at all.
The Photographic High and the Creative Hangover
I’ll be honest with myself: I got some really solid shots in Warsaw. I’m very happy with them. I feel like I captured the essence of the event in a nutshell: the color, the joy, the smiles, the dancing, the friendship, love, and desire. I truly think I managed to get it all.
But unfortunately, this success has come at a cost.
Since the event, I’ve been struggling to get back into my usual street photography groove. I still go out to local events and take photos, but when I get home, I can’t help but compare them to the ones from Warsaw Pride. And that comparison just doesn’t hold up.
There’s still a long way to go until next June, and I’m not sure if I’ll make it. (Update from the future: I didn’t.) I feel like I’ve been captivated by the allure of a more vibrant world: a big city, a huge event, a riot of color. It’s like a drug for a street photographer. On the other hand, it would be worth going just to keep polishing my skills. We’ll see.
Warsaw Pride but for the Gear-Wankers
And finally, some information for the gear-wankers like myself. My setup for the day was:
- Camera: Leica SL
- Lens: Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 (a lens only a year younger than me, and I’m 40!)
- Flash: Godox TT350 on a sync cord.
A fantastic and beautifully simple setup.
