A winter sunrise over my favourite roadside tree — always different, no matter how many times I visit
There’s a small stretch of countryside I ride through often — open fields, a wide horizon, and a quiet group of trees guarding a little roadside shrine. I never plan to stop here, but somehow I always do.
I’ve photographed this tree in fog, in summer heat, in autumn wind, and in deep winter stillness. I even spent a whole year capturing it across the seasons — the story became my four-seasons study of this very place. And still, every time I return, it surprises me.
Early snow and a quiet November sunrise — the first sign that winter arrived ahead of time
This year, winter didn’t bother knocking. It simply walked in — quietly, unexpectedly — on a cold November morning.
The first snow arrived much earlier than anyone around here was ready for. While last year I waited until the end of December to see even a dusting of white, this November greeted me with a thin, crisp layer of snow softening the entire landscape. The air felt different, too — sharper, stiller — as if the world was holding its breath before the true start of winter. Even the sound seemed muted, wrapped in that familiar snowy hush, with only the faint crunch of my boots breaking the silence.
A quiet moment of late autumn — a tree mirrored in still water as the last light of the day fades
Late autumn photography has its own quiet charm — calm, muted, and fleeting. Many November days are wrapped in fog, the fields soaked by rain, and sunlight is rare. But every now and then, the clouds part for a few hours. That’s when I take my camera, get on the bike, and wander through the nearby fields, hoping to catch a glimpse of light before it disappears again.
Golden light along a quiet road in Warta-Widawka Landscape Park — a reminder that even the roughest paths can lead to the most beautiful views
Sometimes the best detours happen when you least expect them. On this autumn afternoon in central Poland, I set out for a short bike ride — nothing ambitious, just a chance to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the fading warmth of the season. There’s a road I usually avoid: uneven, cracked asphalt, not exactly friendly to bike tires. But that day, I turned onto it anyway.
A quiet forest road framed by golden birch trees — a final burst of autumn color before winter
Each season brings its own beauty to photograph — from frozen mornings to vibrant spring greens — and I truly enjoy capturing them all. In winter, when the world slows down, I build my fitness on the indoor smart trainer, but I still take my camera for walks, searching for quiet, muted tones.
Golden autumn light after a late-evening ride through the forest — a calm moment of warm tones, mist, and soft golden-hour glow captured on a quiet countryside path
It was one of those quiet late-evening rides on my winter bike — the road bike season already behind me, and the forest paths becoming my go-to escape. The air was cool and calm, with a hint of fog. After riding through a dense patch of trees, I suddenly rolled out into this open field — and this view just stopped me. The low autumn sun painted everything with warm golden light, cutting through the haze and setting the trees on fire with color. I simply had to capture it.
Golden birch tree in front of a forest of red, orange, and green hues — a perfect example of autumn color harmony
The golden birch tree immediately caught my eye — glowing in the soft evening light, it stood out like a beacon against the darker autumn forest. Behind it, layers of red, orange, and deep green foliage created a rich and classic fall color palette that perfectly captured the essence of the season.
A quiet forest path glowing with golden and red hues during Poland’s autumn
As part of my “From the Road: Stories & Photos” series, I often look for those fleeting moments when nature seems to pause — when color, light, and stillness align just right. This time, I found it on a quiet forest path during Poland’s golden autumn, where every shade from deep red to glowing yellow created a perfect seasonal harmony.
Wildflowers and a limestone ridge reflected in a turquoise pool — a scene reminiscent of Mediterranean summer landscapes
During a quiet summer ride, I came upon a small, turquoise pool reflecting wild shrubs and vibrant pink blossoms. Behind them, a flat-topped limestone ridge stood steady, like a giant’s table overlooking the valley.
A small countryside church rising above fields and forested hills — a quiet landmark blending seamlessly into the rural landscape
Nestled among rolling hills, a small countryside church rises gently above the rooftops and treetops. It stands as a bastion of tradition within a vibrant, living landscape. From this vantage point, the view unfolds across golden fields and meadows before giving way to dark forest ridges that fade softly into the horizon. It’s one of those rare rural places where architecture doesn’t dominate nature but instead seems to grow from it, blending seamlessly into its surroundings.
Two horses side by side in the summer sun, framed by a rustic fence and stacked logs — a quiet moment of strength and stillness
Some scenes have a quiet strength that doesn’t need embellishment. On a warm summer afternoon, two dark horses stood together by a fence, their coats catching the light in just the right way. Behind them, stacked wooden logs and a stretch of green pasture formed a rustic backdrop that felt authentic to the countryside setting. It was a simple composition, but one that captured the natural calm and presence of the animals.
Vivid oleanders in the foreground, Roman arches in the distance — a natural frame linking past and present
There’s something timeless about ancient ruins that have stood for centuries — silent witnesses to civilizations long gone. On a recent trip, I came across an ancient Roman aqueduct, its majestic arches stretching across the hills as if still carrying water from distant mountains. In the foreground, bright pink oleander blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, offering a vivid contrast to the weathered stone. Together, they created a natural frame — the fleeting beauty of the present embracing the enduring architecture of the past.
Shutter and Saddle 