Welcome to the first issue of the Steem Photo Journal!
The SPJ is a 
Besides the contest, which will be always present, sections of the journal may vary depending on the authors involved in the issues and will respond to the readers’ feedback!
Tell us something about yourself and how did you get into photography?
Born in 1974 in Klaipeda, Lithuania (those times USSR). My way to photography started in the early 1980s with some trials to shoot on film with my first Zenit ET. But these attempts remained on amateur level. After graduating from St. Petersburg University of Economics and Finance, photography was almost completely forgotten. Until finally about 4 years ago I have got my first Full Frame Canon 5D Mark II and started to train skills shooting landscapes and trying to find my own style and colours.
Luckily, I live (still at Klaipeda) at Baltic Sea coast, so seascapes still what I’m shooting quite regularly. I guess I always wanted to paint the world like I see it, but unfortunately haven’t got such natural skill from God. Luckily there is Photoshop, which is probably implemented by the Devil.
What does photography mean to you?
While I’m still full time employed (top manager at sea port enterprise), photography become a major part of my life, but remains as a hobby. For me, it is the way to show the watchers how I see the beauty of this world. It is the way to get some relax at the seaside while shooting landscape or get some good company during photo shoots
Please briefly describe your photography style to our readers.
So main directions are still landscape/seascape photography and beauty, as well combining both. The beauty of Nature and the beauty of Woman. Nothing else can inspire more feelings.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Often browsing major photo webs like 35photo.ru, 1x.com, 500px.com and some dedicated Facebook groups as well
Do you think in advance about what you want in the picture?
Always there is main idea with some examples what have to be done. Collecting necessary accessories, dresses and so on, planning right location, etc.
Studio, on location or both?
Both. Ideas just differ. For some it is necessary outdoors, some can be done at studio only.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
Once was caught by a big wave while shooting at port gates during a heavy storm. All wet, luckily managed to hide camera. From the recent ones, is beauty photoshoot at St.Hillarion temple at Norther Cyprus at the height of 1200meters above the sea. Stunning view.
Camera? Favorite lens?
Canon and Leica.
Canon 85/F1.2
The man with passion for traveling, filming and photography! Great mood captured on the video with amazing shots of mountain landscapes. I am sure we will se much more amazing stuff from this Steemian! Good Luck!
Photo editing is also piece of art and in digital photography - part which we cannot separate or ignore... Creating the dreamy pictures from the elements is a great piece of digital art.
![Photoshop Manipulation Tutorial [Blind Justice] Dramatic Photo Effect.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/p/yX2kCPo1MLyp3ik3XJohPPuoyqQP5dbYCFhg7v4iadmBdXuFazHjmbyPPb5QJMPRNY9sD4Eod8YGZzMzCbtTKdggFBpzty4AxojCXRAqViKsCJWvpMFMz1CecfNDf8Z6ptdxxH7AssLwZx3bkkysGa8otbTm4dXJm5xd4jbALQdQZYChC7XVRKHowMSz4cSuH5DmV5wvR4dZ98?format=match&mode=fit)
| ¹ | Category | Authors | Posts | Reward (SBD) | Share % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | photography | 2719 | 7792 | 23466 | 5,449 |
| 2 | travel | 774 | 1681 | 10153 | 2,358 |
| 3 | colorchallenge | 309 | 688 | 3009 | 0,699 |
| 4 | photo | 288 | 631 | 1403,05 | 0,326 |
| 5 | photofeed | 69 | 175 | 930,32 | 0,216 |
| 6 | landscapephotography | 180 | 333 | 758,29 | 0,176 |
| 7 | animalphotography | 213 | 274 | 478,27 | 0,111 |
| 8 | streetphotography | 166 | 259 | 451,16 | 0,105 |
| 9 | smartphonephotography | 179 | 285 | 450,84 | 0,105 |
| 10 | travelfeed | 43 | 69 | 433,34 | 0,101 |
| 11 | monomad | 80 | 192 | 419,32 | 0,097 |
| 12 | goldenhourphotography | 149 | 176 | 376,49 | 0,087 |
| 13 | photomag | 36 | 154 | 358,60 | 0,083 |
| 14 | steepshot | 106 | 260 | 342,81 | 0,08 |
| 15 | macrophotography | 142 | 234 | 329,69 | 0,077 |
| 16 | foodphotography | 181 | 259 | 285,30 | 0,066 |
The SPJ’s contest is a monthly photography challenge, constituted by four parts (one a week) with different themes. The four recurrent themes are: portrait, street photography, landscape and black and white.
The way the winner is selected is the following: every week the ten best submissions will be selected by our judges and receive 1 to 10 points, based on their ranking. At the end of the month the points received in each of the four weeks will be added together, resulting in a monthly winner.
The photographer of the month will win 5 Steem! In addition, every week, the three best submissions will be rewarded with 0.5 Steem each.
How it works:
Post only your own original content adhering to the weekly theme.
Create a post entitled ‘SPJ contest submission by username’, using #spj as your first hashtag.
Copy paste a link to this post in the comments section below (deadline: Monday 12pm CET).
Upvoting and resteeming this article is not mandatory, but highly desirable, as it will contribute to the success of this contest.
The winners will be published in the following issue of the SPJ.
| model 
| judged by and 