2025

Current
project / series

ALEKSANDRA
BANKOWICZ

It's about a journey

A set of very random captures that portray the aura of cultures and surroundings. Come with me on this journey of accidental images.

Paradise lost

Tourists that fled Thailand in March 2020 left a scattered land of abandonment and uncertainty behind. Something that earned its name as a paradise was suddenly no longer. This photo essay is an attempt to capture those empty moments of hopeless awaiting for something to happen and for something to change.

Open to public

An attempt to capture the spirit of Shanghai parks where people spend their time in most captivating ways.

This photographic study underlines the importance of public spaces and community closeness.

I inherited this cave

A short series on one of the most isolated and rebellious tribes in middle eastern countries. Al Bedouns do not agree with governmental orders and insist on living in the caves of their fathers and grandfathers. They refuse to move to new and modern settlements saying their entire happiness is their herd of goats and the cave.

@bankowicz_photographer

This is the son of a man I mentioned in an earlier post. He’s taking such a pride in being Biak, one of the minority still maintaining their roots and ethnic awareness. He’s also proud to be a Papuan. The traditional way of living, ability in surviving in rough island conditions and dangers of the jungle made him the man he is now. It’s thanks to his father that he was able to learn of those things instead of running away from his heritage and catching a job in the city. He’s very grateful for the knowledge his father passed on him and his siblings. Now, being the eldest brother he passes on his experience on younger generation.

The region of Raja Ampat is constantly threaten with climate changes and over tourism. People like him play crucial role in guarding the environmental balance and not letting this idyllic archipelago getting ruined by global changes.

#natgeopeople
#mmagazine
#guardiantravel
#environmental
#portraiture
#womenphotographer

In a way they’re the lucky ones in comparison to their peers in the West. Playing for hours in the water, then rubbing their entire bodies in the sand and repeat. Everything in it is good for you, for your growth as a human, for your bounding with community, learning social skills, even getting tired. Healthy tired.

As always balance is crucial and there is no point in romanticising underdeveloped regions. If humanity could only learn how to develop without ruining the fundaments of humanity. Wouldn’t that be nice?

The photos is a part of the reportage on different aspects of social life and advantages in the Raja Ampat region in West Papua.

#natgeopeople
#facesweloveofficial
#reportage
#mmagazine
#guardiantravel
#newyorktimes

Twenty years ago he watched his sons and a daughter growing up amongst other teenagers in the village on Batanta island. He was concerned kids are too used to modern technologies, even though they weren’t that modern at the time. He decided to teach them how to survive in the jungle, how to fish using traditional method and how to free dive for rare sea creatures. Although at the time kids didn’t appreciate much their father’s original approach to parenthood now they all tell me how it helped them to become who they are. More independent, being able to survive rough island conditions on their own and also make their leaving from sharing their skills with a handful of visitors that come for an adventure.
He’s approach turned out to be right, his kids stand by his side even now and let him grow old with a peace of mind that his generational heritage won’t be forgotten.

#mmagazine
#womenphotographer
#reportagespolight
#peopleinframe
#theguardiantravel
#newyorktimesmagazine
#womenphotography
#stories_from_lens

These teenagers had a great time on their school day off. They arrived at the mangrove forest by a shared boat and walked through the jungle surrounded by dimmed roots of mangrove trees arising from the water. They reached the waterfall hidden couple kilometres into the island. It was pure and natural for them to visit this spot while everywhere in Asia mangrove has been threatened by uncontrolled wave of tourism. Tourism, while bringing economic opportunities, also exacerbates environmental pressures. Raja Ampat’s rising popularity as a diving destination has resulted in unregulated tourist activities, increased waste, and pollution. Anchors from boats damage fragile coral reefs, while resorts and infrastructure projects encroach on traditional lands. Indigenous communities, often excluded from decision-making processes, are left grappling with the dual pressures of cultural erosion and environmental decline.

Some sites could benefit just from local visitors, not everywhere mass tourism is needed

#natgeopeople
#mmagazine
#guardiantravel
#thenewyorktimes
#womenphotographers
#peopleinframe

The youngest generation of Raja Ampat archipelago have sort of a carte blanche. They won’t remember who the Dutch were, what the colonialism has done to their land and they will recognize Indonesia as their only motherland with only a vague idea there was once Papua.
It might be easier on them not understanding complexity of their past and just look forward to their future.

#natgeoyourshot
#peopleinframe
#mmagazine
#guardian
#womenphotographers
#culturesoftheworld
#environmental

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Women I talk to exhibition Defabryka Warsaw 12/03 - 13/04/2025

Current project / series

ALEKSANDRA BANKOWICZ