Time to say goodbye
After four years I am leaving Tookapic ... what was supposed to be yearly 365 project has become a full three-year cycle of a photographic project documenting my everyday life - the photodiary. The last year was not so intense (largely due to the pandemic) and helping a young photographer, my eight-year-old son Filip. The crowning glory of my work with him was my interest in nature photography, his participation in several of my photographic expeditions, where he would get up at dawn full of enthusiasm, wade in the mud, carried a heavy photographic backpack and tripod, sat for several hours in the hide somewhere in the wild and ... he didn't complain. My greatest joy was the awards he received in several photo competitions (first prize from his school for the series Pandemic reflections in the frame, the third prize in the Poland Wildlife Nature competition and two prestigious international competitions - International Young Bird Photographer of The Year (photo qualified for the finals) and what pleased me the most, that is a highly commended mark in the most important nature photography competition in the world - International Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year). After we got the nominee we also got an invitation to the gala at the Natural History Museum in London, where we were supposed to receive this award ... unfortunately COVID thwarted our plans. His picture will be presented in the pictures exhibition from this contest worldwide and will be in the official yearly book of that contest. But what was fun with the camera a few years ago (he helped me in the Tookapic 365 project by being the originator of a dozen or so photos, I also included a few of his photos on my timeline, which were appreciated by this community), has became his full time hobby which he enjoys a lot. Therefore, I am most glad that my every day efforts to complete the first years of the 365 project made my son from a project participant with his dad a mature young photographer who already has a large group of followers on Instagram (instagram.com/greenfiboy) and Facebook under the name Green Fi Boy (facebook.com/Green-Fi-Boy-1029...).
But let's come back to me ... During this time I have gain some experience, got matured as a photographer and directed my photographic interests towards broadly understood nature photography and aerial photography with wonderful Air-To-Air projects (photos of aircraft taken from a flying plane). During this time, I had the opportunity to participate in wonderful photography workshops under the guidance of few amazing polish photographers with my very experienced friends. Also I have been participated in few organised photo trips to some lovely places like Lofoten, Lake Kerniki, Iceland, Isle of Skye. What I am very happy about is the fact that a lot of photos from these projects, especially the nature ones, became Photos of the Day in this community.
I also changed the photographic system completely, after 30 years of shooting with Canon I changed the system to Nikon ... why? Pragmatism was decisive - an excellent autofocus system (useful in the photography I take - nature and aviation) and the availability of lenses (a huge number of my friends take photos with Nikon and the possibility of borrowing lenses from them decided). What may seem even stranger is the fact that right after deciding to change the system, selling the entire Canon kit and buying Nikon cameras and lenses, the revolutionary Sony cameras appeared ... if I could change the system, I would probably choose Sony again now.
I do not say goodbye to Tookapic permanently, because I wanted to watch the work of people whose photos I have always liked (Paweł Kadysz, Piotr Łaskawski, Margie, Ron Dadoo, Lauren Huston, Tomasz Janusz Szeremeta, Ian Prince, Agnieszka Bladzik, Robert Wiśniewski, Hanna Gawrychowska, wida_ska, Viola Qniej, Artur Łobocki, Lasiu, Ewa Kudłaty, gerlos, myno, tania, Rafał Łączyński, Krzysztof Puszczyński, Paweł Kropek, Satoshi) . I just lost my motivation after a few years (this year already has some holes, and I certainly didn't finish it 100% ... there were about 60 empty spaces left with no photos. And I don't like the new formula of the site, because I liked this competition a bit, but this is not the reason for the end of the project ... I just don't feel like it anymore ... and the project with the majority of holes is not what I want ... maybe I'll come back here as a photographer ... for now I'm staying as a viewer.
Many thanks to Paweł Kadysz for creating this place. Thanks to Darth Vader photos, I ended up here. Other followers for their help and nice comments on the photos. For stars and nominations ... I am glad that many people are not indifferent to the photos but also comment on them. I hope I managed to inspire a few people, or at least get them interested in my photography. If you want to watch me again, please visit Instagram (instagram.com/rafalniziolek71) and Facebook (facebook.com/profile.php?id=82..., facebook.com/Nature-And-Aviati...).
Thank you, Good luck starting project 365 and continuing this interesting experience.
All the best for everone in the New Year 2021
P.S. My last photos are on the way…until the chance to uploading new photos will disapear (within few days or so…)
Marta Tomaszewska
It's funny that even tookapic was made for creating yearly project, in most of us there is a resistance to ending it and to accept that others ends it ;-)
Hope you'll be back, even maybe with your son? It was nice to see your photos here :)
agnieszka bladzik that is so true! I hate to see people that I follow end up they journey.
Rafal @agnieszka maybe it is only temporary...I really enjoy your photos, that's why I am not leaving this site completely, I am not closing the account...it stays...until I'll come back some day...
Hanna Gawrychowska It's a pity that you're leaving tookapic - I'm your fan and I will certainly follow it on Instagram and Facebook. And I congratulations on having such a son and I congratulate your son on his achievements.
Michał Fantastic story Rafał! Your son is incredible, so huge congratulations to him. And to you as well, for your dedication to his success. I guess I'm not the only one who will miss your photos here - maybe it's odd, but I do not have FB or IG accounts ;) Anyway, I'll look at your profile somehow. Good luck!
Lauren Huston I'm sorry to see you go :( I completely understand the fatigue and effort involved in continuing though. I have added you on instagram, will be good to still see your photos. :)
jenth23 A pity you leave
Ron Dadoo I really liked your work and I understand your decision. Good continuation in the images in family and much success to you. I will miss you one of the Tookapic photographers ...
Jean-Francois CARETTE
En français
Merci pour vos photos Rafal et meilleurs voeux pour 2021,même si celui de nous quitter est un peu difficile.Mais nous vous suivrons sur Facebook..Parfois il faut faire des choix mais votre retour est toujours possible.Félicitaions à votre fiston qui semble suivre votre voie.Comme on dit dans Star Wars:"Que la force soit avec vous..Telle est la voix"
En anglais
Thank you for your Rafal photos and best wishes for 2021, even if leaving us is a bit difficult. But we will follow you on Facebook .. Sometimes you have to make choices but your return is always possible. Congratulations to your son who seems to follow your way. As they say in Star Wars: "May the force be with you .. Such is the voice"
Margie
Oh I am so sorry to see you go, but totally understand your feelings. Lovely story about your son's passion for photography and that must be a blessing for you. I have followed your work with great admiration, and just sent a Facebook request to follow you.
Best wishes to you and your family!!!
Rafal Hello Margie, thank you for your kind words. I have chcecked the requests And pushed wrong button by chance (instead Accept) i pushed reject). Pls try once again because you have disapeared....
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Phillip Flores Sad to see you go but hopefully, one day, you'll be back. I really enjoyed your photos.