Why do I care about 30 day photo challenge?

One of the best ways to grow as a photographer is to pick up your camera every single day. By creating a 30 day photography challenge I’ve decided to push my creativity and become a better more consistent photographer. Frankly, it’s important as a photographer to get outside of our comfort zone. For me, doing the same thing every day it's not as excited as challenging yourself every day. And I need a challange.

So let’s start. Day1. Friday.

Day 2. First of October. Saturday.

#Lublin - city, capital of Lubelskie województwo(province), eastern Poland, on the Bystrzyca River.

Founded as a stronghold in the late 9th century, the settlement grew up around the castle and received town rights in 1317. It served as a joint meeting ground for Poland and Lithuania, and in 1569 the Union of Lublin between the two kingdoms was signed there. Lublin reached its economic peak during the late 16th century. In 1795 it passed to Austria and in 1815 to Russia. The first independent temporary Polish government was proclaimed there in 1918. In 1941 Nazis established Majdanek concentration and extermination camp in the southeastern Lublin suburb of that name. After World War II, Lublin was made the provisional seat of the Polish Committee of National Liberation and served briefly as the seat of the national government.

Located on the route between Kraków, Warsaw, and Russia, Lublin is the industrial and cultural centre for southeastern Poland. Agricultural machinery, chemicals, automobiles and trucks, foodstuffs (especially sugar), and beer are produced. The city houses the Catholic University and the Marie Curie-Skłodowska University, as well as schools of medicine, agronomy, and engineering, and supports many museums, theatres, and music centres. Its notable landmarks include the medieval castle, which was restored in 1954; built in the 14th century, it was remodeled in a neo-Gothic style during the 19th century and was later used for a time as a prison. Its Chapel of the Holy Trinity houses the Lublin Museum and contains some remarkable Byzantine frescoes from 1418. On the site of the concentration camp is a museum and memorial park. Pop. (2011) 349,103. ( From https://www.britannica.com/place/Lublin-Poland )

Day 3. Sunday. Parasol Mushroom.

Macrolepiota procera, the parasol mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungus with a large, prominent fruiting body resembling a parasol. It is a fairly common species on well-drained soils. It is found solitary or in groups and fairy rings in pastures and occasionally in woodland. Globally, it is widespread in temperate regions. ( From Wikipedia )

Perfect subject for our photography challenge.

Day 4. Monday. Kikodze Twins.

This Georgia’s bakery is located in the heart of Lublin. Lubartowska . This is what they say about it: after a long walk around Lublin Old Town, go to Piekarnia gruzińska kikodze twins and have a rest here. After a long working week, you can taste delicious wine. This place scored 4.9 in the Google rating system. ( From: https://restaurantguru.com/Piekarnia-gruzinska-kikodze-twins-Lublin )

Beautiful, cozy palce. Highly recommended.

Day 5. Tuesday. Fields of memories.

This is place of my childhood. This is the machine we used to collect hay from fields. Still standing here waiting to be removed. While leaves adding some textures to it, machine is getting more and more rusty. Kind of like me.

Day 6. Wednesday. Snowdonia.

9 reasons why Snowdonia is a special place

Community – Snowdonia’s communities are scattered over five towns and twenty-four villages each with a strong identity that is deeply felt by its inhabitants and visitors. The Welsh language – The vibrancy of the Welsh language in Snowdonia is one of its defining factors. It is evident in the names given to places and wildlife. The language is the mother tongue of the majority of the Park’s communities. Landscapes – Snowdonia features nine mountain ranges, fifteen peaks above 3000 feet, twenty-three miles of sweeping coastline and 3000mm of rainfall per year – all within 823 square miles. Inspiration for the arts – Snowdonia is a place which has inspired some of the nation’s most notable culture, folklore, art, literature and music; an influence which continues across all creative pursuits to the present day. Tranquillity and solitude – Tranquillity still prevails in many parts of Snowdonia, both during the day, in its large, remote and rugged mountain ranges; and at night, when the vast, awe-inspiring dark skies are revealed. Recreation opportunities – Snowdonia is great for adventure and exploring. It has endless opportunities to be active and learn new skills. Everest teams use Snowdonia to practice their climbing skills. Historic landscapes – Snowdonia is a backdrop to a rich history and heritage. From stone monuments to medieval castles, the landscape is teeming with history and tradition ready for you to explore. Renowned geology – It might be hard to believe, but, 500 million years ago Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) was submerged in seawater. Shell fossils have been found at its summit giving us a better understanding of how the landscape of Snowdonia was formed. Internationally important species and habitats – Snowdonia is home to numerous species of animals, insects, plants and fungi of international importance. Among the rarest of species is Lili’r Wyddfa (Snowdon Lily) – a plant found only at the highest peaks. ( from: https://www.nationalparks.uk/park/snowdonia/ )

Love this place!!!

Day 7. Liverpool. Larkhill Park.

Larkhill Gardens is one of Liverpool's most unusual open spaces with a large portion of this small site occupied by a pond. The park has a beautiful blend of greenspace and water, creating an oasis in the urban landscape.

Photograph taken between rain and the sun. Rozalia.

Day 8. Street walking.

“If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.” – Linda McCartney

Day 9. iPhone photography.

I am a massive fan of iPhone camera and what the latest technology can do for anyone who has a passion for photography. Adding Apps called Snapped and LD can give you some striking results.

In my opinion if you are not a professional photographer but thinking about taking some images this is a perfect combo. I don’t even use the latest iPhone. My set up is iPhone 12pro and those two apps.

Autumn colours, someone with yellow jacket ( in that case daughter ) and boom. Memories forever :D

Day 10. We won it!!!

When the time arrived for the judges making their mind up, only one city could be first in line to host Eurovision. It had to be Liverpool.

Of course, next year’s contest should rightfully be held in Ukraine but, following Vladimir Putin’s illegal and murderous incursion, our region jumped at the chance to throw our hat into the ring to help Eurovision 2023 rise like a phoenix.

I might be slightly biased but, let’s be honest, there is nowhere that could do justice to a spectacle like Eurovision quite like the Liverpool city region.

While we came up against stiff competition from Glasgow, who deserve more than the nil points they have received on this occasion, nowhere is more experienced or qualified, and nowhere throws a party quite like we do.

A Unesco City of Music, home of the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Real Thing, Cilla Black, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Elvis Costello, through to acts like the Wombats, Circa Waves and the Mysterines today – we are the birthplace of countless artists whose music has inspired the world for generations.

It is safe to say music would not be music without Liverpool, and Liverpool would not be Liverpool without music. It is woven into the very fabric of our region’s identity. But it would be a mistake to assume that our region’s culture is limited to Merseybeat of times gone by, or the walls of our great buildings, museums and galleries. It’s our people, our stories and our history, that makes our area an international destination – nowhere does culture bigger, or better, than us.

Most importantly, though, we are committed to properly celebrating and commemorating the best of Ukraine and its culture as part of the contest. We want to put on a show that they would be proud of, and we have been working closely with Liverpool’s sister city of Odesa to ensure that this is their event as much as our own.

The most famous Eurovision winners, Abba, went on to compose The Winner Takes it All. For us, though, this is not a victory for Liverpool alone, but one that we hope will make the country and the wider international community proud.

It’s been a long time since the UK has come close to hosting Eurovision – but this couldn’t have arrived at a more important time for our region. For many in our hospitality sector, Eurovision will be a lifeboat in a sea made choppy by Brexit and the pandemic.

Advertisement Eurovision offers us the chance to electrify our recovery and turn it into new growth, opening up what I believe to be the best region in the world to a whole new audience, many of whom will return time and time again. Now the hard work begins. Putting on a show that will bring joy to millions in one of the most turbulent and trying years for our continent is no mean feat. I’m sure we’ll deliver a spectacle that sparks euphoria from now until the end of time. If anywhere is capable of it, it is Liverpool – with a little help from our friends in Ukraine. Steve Rotheram is the mayor of Liverpool city region

( From - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/07/liverpool-won-the-chance-to-host-eurovision-but-let-the-contest-be-a-victory-for-ukraine )

Day 11. Good Morning Folks!

Photo taken with iPhone 12 pro. Edited with Snapseed. Day 12. Not enough hours in the day!

Day 13. Mushroom foraging.

Not that I eat them but I love to look for them for sure :)

Day 14. Sunny day.

Autumn leaf color is a phenomenon that affects the normal green leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs by which they take on, during a few weeks in the autumn season, various shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown.[1] The phenomenon is commonly called autumn colours[2] or autumn foliage[3] in British English and fall colors,[4] fall foliage, or simply foliage[5] in American English.

In some areas of Canada and the United States, "leaf peeping" tourism is a major contribution to economic activity. This tourist activity occurs between the beginning of color changes and the onset of leaf fall, usually around September and October in the Northern Hemisphere and April to May in the Southern Hemisphere. ( From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_leaf_color ).

Day 15. Morning Walk.

Sometimes I walk and can’t see anything what would catch my brain. Unless it is a web.

Day 16. Evening walk in outstanding Colderstones Park

When the weather is shining and life is so good.

Calderstones is a stunning 94-acre family park in South Liverpool boasting woodland, lake and fields (and a one thousand year old oak tree), and beautiful Japanese and old English gardens. Great place for families and children. And of course for wedding photography ;).

Day 17. Autumn colours in B&W.

The details you see when an image is captured in black and white really allow you to focus on just what’s in front of you. In Autumn everything looks so fresh and vibrant but when you desaturate image it looks even more interesting. So much texture.

Day 18. Quote of the day.

Life is like camera. Just focus on what’s important...

capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t turned out - TAKE ANOTHER SHOT.

Day 19. Everything has to come to an end, sometime.

— L. Frank Baum

The Mansion House sits at the heart of Calderstones Park in South Liverpool.

Having been closed to the public since the early 1970s, the Mansion House was beginning to decay when The Reader won a public tender for its lease and began to raise funds for a restoration. The building is now a unique public space with a social purpose that’s open to all. With weekly Shared Reading groups, yoga, art classes, singing for the tonally challenged, gardening for all abilities, local history and food – it’s a place filled with possibilities.

Thanks to support from a range of funder and partner organisations, this new chapter in the history of the Mansion House offers lots of opportunities for young and old to take part in its future, as well as learning about its past.

Walk through The Calder Stones Story to discover the story behind the house. You can learn about its beginnings as a residence for a successful businessman and its connections to a world-famous shipping line. Then enjoy the rest of the building, including our friendly Reception Hall and Café.

The exhibition rooms in the Mansion House are open to the public 7 days a week from 10am until 4pm. There’s no need to book your trip – just come in and explore. (https://www.thereader.org.uk/visit-calderstones/mansion-house/ )

Day 20. I was stuck.

Sorry for delaying this project. Recently I had so much happening that I was not able to take more photographs. Hopefully, I am on the right track now and finish everything within next 10 days. Fingers crossed.

This happen when you doing three jobs in the same time. Have a great weekend folks. See you tomorrow.

Day 21. All Saints' Day

In Poland, Dzień Wszystkich Świętych is a public holiday. Families try to gather together for both All Saints' Day and the All Souls' Day(Zaduszki), the official day to commemorate the departed faithful. The celebrations begin with tending to family graves and the surrounding graveyards, lighting candles and leaving flowers. 1 November is a bank holiday in Poland, while the following All Souls' Day is not. The Zaduszki custom of honouring the dead thus corresponds with All Souls' Day celebrations, and is much more observed in Poland than in most other places in the West. ( from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Day#Poland )

Day 22. November weather.

Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but its everything in between that makes it all worth living.

— Bob Marley

Day 23. Rain rain go away.

Come again another day.

Day 24. Liverpool. City Centre.

This image could be taken any time of the year. For some reason I thought it has Autumn feel. Not sure why?

Day 25. Far far away...

Is it because it's Monday? ‎😃💁

Day 26. Autumn is almost over.

"It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!” - Winnie the Pooh Pooh's Grand Adventure

Day 27. Some say that every day is the same. Only light is different.

I’ll take that 🤪

Day 28. Experience.

Photographing the colors of autumn can be a wonderful way to capture the beauty of the changing season. Here are some tips to help you get the best shots:

1. Timing: The best time to capture the colors of autumn is usually in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and warm. Avoid shooting during the harsh midday sun, as this can cause your images to appear washed out.

2. Location: Look for areas where there are a lot of trees that change color during the fall. Parks, forests, and countryside roads are all great places to start. Consider also shooting near bodies of water such as lakes or rivers, as the reflection of the colorful trees can create a beautiful effect.

3. Composition: When composing your shots, look for interesting angles and perspectives. Use leading lines to draw the viewer's eye through the image, and consider framing your subject in a unique way.

4. Use a polarizing filter: A polarizing filter can help you remove reflections and glare, and can also enhance the colors in your images.

5. Adjust your white balance: When shooting during the fall, the color temperature of the light can vary significantly. Use your camera's white balance settings to ensure that the colors in your images are accurate.

6. Experiment with depth of field: Use a shallow depth of field to blur the background and make your subject stand out, or use a deeper depth of field to capture the entire scene in focus.

7. Use a tripod: A tripod can help you keep your camera steady and ensure that your images are sharp. It can also be useful when shooting in low light conditions.

Remember to experiment and have fun with your photography, and don't be afraid to try new things!

Time to say goodbye to 30 days challenge.

As it was a very challenging experience . With lots of breaks and lack of time. But hopefully, somehow, someone enjoyed it.

I have to say it is one of the hardest tasks to stay on the course for such a long time. And although it takes a lot of effort to do it, I hope I will repeat that soon. :D :D :D

Till the next time.