Sebastian Piatek
Info
Sebastian Piatek was born in Poland in 1982 and raised in Düsseldorf, Germany. A self-taught photographer, he works primarily in street photography and has been traveling full-time for the past few years.
Sebastian Piatek is a self-taught street photographer from Germany, born in Poland in 1982. He has been traveling and photographing extensively for many years, with a particular focus on Asia and Africa. India has been an important part of his photographic journey, while Ethiopia has had a particularly strong influence on his recent work and way of seeing. Sebastian’s photography is about being present, observing what is happening around him and finding images in everyday situations. His approach has evolved over time from busy, colorful scenes towards a more minimal and quiet way of seeing. He works with light, composition, color, timing and storytelling, but above all, he believes that good street photography starts with being open to what happens in front of you. A part of his workshops and photowalks is learning to overcome the fear of photographing in public. Approaching strangers, getting close to people and making photographs in unfamiliar situations can feel uncomfortable at first. Sebastian encourages participants to step outside their comfort zone while remaining respectful and aware of the people they photograph. His experience shooting in very different environments allows him to adapt his approach to each place and situation. Whether exploring the streets of Düsseldorf, which he knows intimately, or photographing in the very different environments of Asia and Africa, Sebastian's goal is to help photographers become more confident, observant and spontaneous. His photowalks are less about following a fixed formula and more about exploring, experimenting and discovering each photographer’s own way of seeing.
Services
Join Sebastian for a photowalk and discover your surroundings with new eyes and a fresh perspective. Together, you’ll explore the streets, look for unexpected moments, work with light, composition, color and timing, and learn to see photographic possibilities in everyday situations. A big part of the experience is also getting comfortable photographing in public — approaching strangers, getting closer to the action and overcoming the hesitation that often comes with street photography. There is no fixed pace or formula. The intensity of the walk depends on you: whether you want to take it slow and focus on observation and composition, or push yourself further and become more spontaneous and involved in the environment. Sebastian will share his experience from years of photographing and traveling through very different environments in Asia, Africa and Europe, while helping you develop your own way of seeing rather than following a set of rules. For now, photowalks and workshops are available in Düsseldorf, Cologne and Berlin only.