Janusz Molinski, a Melbourne-based photographer with a career spanning 35 years in commercial photography, has turned his attention to landscape photography with a focus on urban environments. His work was recently recognized as a finalist in The Landscape Awards, an annual competition organized by Australian Photography.
Molinski’s featured image captures a large ventilation tower near the westbound entrance of Melbourne’s newly opened West Gate Tunnel, a $10 billion infrastructure project that began operation late last year. Using a telephoto lens, Molinski emphasized the tower’s tessellated surface and the intricate graphic patterns created by light and shadow. He timed the shot to include a cyclist passing on the adjacent Dixon Veloway, adding a dynamic element to the composition.
While landscape photography traditionally emphasizes natural scenes such as mountains, forests, and coastlines, Molinski’s work highlights the aesthetic potential found in urban structures. He explained that employing a long lens allowed him to create a sense of scale and prominence for the tower, a departure from the wide-angle lenses typically favored in landscape photography for their ability to capture expansive foregrounds.
Molinski’s passion for landscape imagery dates back to 1983, inspired by a seminal photograph by Peter Dombrovskis titled "Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend," which was published during the heated debates surrounding the Franklin Dam project in Tasmania. The image left a profound impact on him and fostered a lifelong appreciation for natural landscapes. An avid bushwalker, Molinski continues to pursue personal projects focused on landscapes as he gradually phases out his commercial work.
His recent urban landscape photograph reflects a distinctive approach to the genre, blending an appreciation for architectural form with traditional landscape principles. The work invites viewers to reconsider the interplay between built environments and natural light, offering a fresh perspective on what constitutes a compelling landscape.