color photoshoped picture from a vintage image bank

Traces A photography project by Weronika Gesicka

Traces are, by definition, marks or other indications of the existence or passing of something.

Evidence of a presence. Confirmation of participation. Examples of such traces are photographs, which document the existence of people, situations, moments. They are like engrams that come about through certain stimuli and experiences.

This project is based on vintage photographs purchased from an image bank. Family scenes, vacation souvenirs, everyday life, suspended anywhere between truth and fiction. It is hard to figure out whether they are spontaneous or entirely staged.

We know nothing of the actual ties between the individuals in the photographs; we can only guess at the truthfulness of their gestures and gazes. Who are, or were, these people in the photographs? Are they actors playing happy families, or real people whose photographs were put up for sale by the image bank? Some are present. Others vanish from the pictures, but always leave a trace.

These images, modified in various ways, are wrapped in new context: our recollections of these people and situations are transformed and gradually blur into a new reality…

– Discover Weronika’s work here

Call for entries

black and white photo of horse on misty road by Ãlvaro Martino
© Ãlvaro Martino
2025 Black & White AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

In a world saturated with colors, we’re turning the spotlight to black and white. Show us your mastery of light, composition, and shadow through any genre of photography, and let’s see how black and white elevates your artistic vision!

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +882k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio

Recent Articles

More Articles

Privacy Overview
The Independent Photographer

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website or helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

We use third-party cookies, including tools like Google Analytics and Meta Pixel, to help us understand how visitors interact with our website. These cookies may track your activity across other websites and are used for analytics, performance monitoring, and advertising purposes.

Enabling these cookies helps us improve your experience and provide relevant offers and content. You can opt out at any time via the cookie settings.