The 6th edition of the Warsaw Photomarathon is coming: 8 photos in 8 hours
For the sixth time, Green Caffè Nero invites photography enthusiasts – including amateurs using only their phones – to take part in the Warsaw Photomarathon. On September 6, participants will take on the challenge of creating eight photos on eight topics within eight hours. The best works will be awarded, with the grand prize of 5,000 PLN. A significant element of this year’s edition will be the commemoration of the 100th birthday of Zbyszek Siemaszko, a distinguished Warsaw photographer.
The Warsaw Photomarathon, organized since 2018, combines street photography with a city walk: participants, each with their own starting number, are tasked with producing a set of eight photographs that creatively interpret the thematic categories. This formula not only unleashes creativity but also encourages a fresh perspective on the capital.
This year’s photomarathon will begin at the Green Caffè Nero café on Plac Konesera and conclude at a unique, historic location, which will be revealed to participants on the day of the event. As always, the individual thematic categories remain a secret until the start, but the main theme of this year’s walk has already been announced.
“We aim to select topics that reflect current social and cultural trends, encouraging participants to reflect on the world around them. This year’s theme is ‘A Frame Worth a Thousand Words’, which calls for looking deeper and finding stories where others might see only the background,” says Ewelina Karpińska, Head of Brand & Marketing at Green Caffè Nero.
Observation skills and original interpretation of the themes are more important than technical proficiency. Anyone can register for the photomarathon, regardless of experience or preferred equipment: a digital camera or a smartphone.
Another tradition of the WPF is that the jury includes distinguished representatives of the photography and art world. This year’s panel includes, among others: Marek Grygiel, curator and photography critic; Beata Łyżwa-Sokół, photo editor and lecturer in press photography at SWPS; Kinga Łozińska, activist and entrepreneur; Tomasz Lec, designer, architect, and exhibition organizer; photographer Marek Fogiel; photographic artist Zbigniew Furman; as well as photographers Bartosz Pussak and Larissa Baldovin, who specializes in photographic collages.
Among this year’s jurors are also Anna and Filip Siemaszko, representatives of the photographic family of Zbyszek Siemaszko, whose 100th birthday is celebrated this year. To honor the famous documentarian of everyday Warsaw life, the organizers decided to establish a special award in a dedicated category: for the best Warsaw reportage in the style of Zbyszek Siemaszko.
In total, the jury will grant 12 awards, with the grand prize worth 5,000 PLN. In addition to the special Zbyszek Siemaszko award, three participants will be honored for complete series of eight photographs, while eight others will receive recognition for the best single image in each thematic category.
The organization of the photomarathon is made possible thanks to partners and patrons. The main partners of this year’s edition are Fotoforma Pro Partner Canon and DashWater. Technology partners include Intelligent Technologies S.A. and Im2be, while other partners are: the Palace of Culture and Science, Mastercard, Eurocash Gastronomia, Centrum Praskie Koneser, Motorola, and Hotel Belotto. The honorary patrons are: Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski, Le Guern Gallery, and FOTOTAPETA, with media patronage by Radio Kolor and the portal Nowa Warszawa.
Registration and ticket information are available on the organizer’s website: https://warszawskimaratonfotograficzny.pl/
News and updates can be followed on the event’s social media profiles: Facebook and Instagram.
