Sunset from my backyard.  Lakewood Ranch.

Well ….. here goes!  I had doubts when I decided to participate in the 52-Week Challenge.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to do a weekly theme post.  Back in 2011, I was recently retired and looking for a hobby, so I began a blog.  And in order to have good images, I bought my first DSLR, a Nikon 7000.  And then a lens, another lens and another lens.  You know how that goes.   Anyway, I was hooked!  I fell in love with photography, capturing moments of the world around me and sharing on my blog.  I was posting everyday, had some great followers and enjoying the experience …. until I wasn’t.  Creatively, I felt burned out and slowly stopped blogging routinely in 2015.

Two years ago, we moved from Philadelphia to Lakewood Ranch and I joined the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club.  It has been a great experience with their monthly meetings, competitions, field trips and photo challenges.  Upon upgrading to a new Nikon 810 this year, this 52-Week Photo Challenge will be a useful vehicle for me to sharpen my photo skills as well as learn more about my camera.

Regarding the chosen image for this assignment, it took many many tries to figure out the best settings, light and zoom range.  Exposure was 1 second at f/18 handheld.

So, onward and upward!  Hope you join me on the journey!