WERONIKA TROJANOWSKA,  Poland❧

"Under The Tree"

With the advance of techonology tools and the integration of "user friendly" features in image software packages, a host of sites offering virtual storage space and archival function for the amateur photographer can easily prove the current trend in the internet world these days - at one time it was Napster for free music downloads, now it's Flickr for free digital photo uploads - and we realise how the world and its people can not seem to get enough of images and the public displaying of them in the international virtual forum. The world has, indeed, become one's oyster and one's audience.

"Where Is My Mummy"

Photo-manipulation. Or "manip" among those creatives who actively employ the technique of image manipulation in their work is effected to bring out certain features, to enhance colour, or to brush out impurities, according to the taste and style of the artist photographer.

The art of manipulating images has been around for a long time, but what has changed with photo-manipulation is of course, the introduction of digital tools. In fact, these computer software tools are considered a "must have" programme on most youngsters' computers these days especially as they all can't seem to do without begging, from techno-phobic parents, for the latest mobile phones with in-built cameras capable of charging up for display an enormous amount of pixels so they can share photos with their like-minded peers.

"I See Everything In Blue"

Thankfully, the photo-manipulating software tool also does something positive in my books - it enables young people to spend time practicing and pushing their abilities in enhancing or contorting an image to their delight and that of their friends, instead of sitting planted in front of the television learning how to be young voyeurs and depthless characters from various format versions of Big Brother programmes.

If they find themselves lucky enough to encounter an incredible community of talents who produce work like Weronika Trojanowska, they will undoubtedly find that the images they can surround themselves with are ones that will fuel inspiration constantly.

"In The End Of Life"

What are the "cons" though?

There was a time when the title "professional photographer" meant the person was exceptionally good at not only taking any image, but that the image would be a work of art, captured in total sincerity. The worrying lament of these professional photographers these days is over the knowledge and awareness they have of how the world views photographed work, and how the work can be called to question.

This is, of course, the result of everyone knowing that digital images are malleable, changeable and fluid, unlike images previously created in the analogue process. Seeing would no longer be believing.

"Mr Maczyslaw"

These days, where would the line that separates be when it comes to distinguishing a professional photographer's exceptional work from that of a brilliant and gifted 17 year old from Eastern Europe?

Here are a selection of photographs worthy of the highest praise and encouragement, seen through the eyes of young Polish experimentalist photographer, Weronika Trojanowska.

I asked Weronika some questions about her photography:

What do you wish to convey when you take your photographs?

Weronika: I like to express what I feel. I would like people who look at my pictures to know my emotions, perhaps it may be simple, but when I feel good, I like strange, colouful composition, and when I'm sad or mad, I go black and white.

Who inspired you to take up photography?

Weronika: I just had the inspiration one moment. I thought to take my camera with me on a trip to the Canary Islands, and I photographed everything I saw, everywhere, even when I returned to go to school.

Did you find it hard to work with the computer to prepare your images?

Weronika: It was very difficult at first, but now it's very easy for me although some photos need time to look good enough for me.

What would you like to do with your work in the future and where do you see it going?

Weronika: I'm thinking only for the present! But if you ask me about the future, perhaps I would like to travel the world, prepare an exhibition of my work and exhibit it to people who may be interested in what I do. I feel I'm constantly improving my work all the time. Practice is really the most important thing in photography.

When I look at the photos I took two years ago I think they suck but two years ago, I thought they were the best photos I could ever take! It's really a development, I believe.

Weronika captures and manipulates like a pro. The images are aptly titled and, to me, all simply breath-taking. She is indeed worth watching.