Our Lens Artists Challenges challenges can take us many places. This week, Ann Christine’s challenge took me back to 2015 which was the year I did the 365 challenge. If you haven’t taken that on, consider it. It wasn’t that I looked to take exceptional photos each day, I just took whatever was handy. It taught me discipline and improved my ability.
Not every photo was wonderful. Like the few weeks I just shot my foot that had the boot on after minor surgery. Gem, now runs out of the room when he sees the camera. The grandkids make stupid, funny faces when they see me pick up a camera. You get it, a whole year of taking the d7100 wherever I went. Taking a fast entry because I forgot. But also learning.
I briefly went through that year, 2015, and first hit the first, tenth, twentieth, etc. months and then went back to find some more. Here they are. Explanations are in the captions.
Week one. Got luck with a sunset. 
Week 5. She’s learning how to blow bubbles. 
Week 7. Experimenting with HDR. 
Week 10. Learning how to use a macro lens. 
Week 11. Ran out of daylight. Taken as we were leaving the restaurant. 
Week 15. My older granddaughter. A willing subject. 
Week 17. Gem. I found it hard to photograph a black dog on a brown couch. 
Week 20. Becoming more proficient with the macro lens. 
Week 26. Practicing close up with my grandmother’s mortar and pestle. 
Week 30. More close up practice. 
Week 40. Everyone was a target. Even at Toastmasters. 
Week 50. More macro/close up practice.
I was ready for this challenge to end and proud that I had shot a picture each day of the year. Then I was amazed at the difference in my photographic ability. If you don’t think you can do 365 days, try the 52 week challenge no matter what level you’re at. I’m glad I did!
Slow Shutter Speed 
You persisted, and you succeeded. Proud of your photographic improvement!
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Thank you Marlene!
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Well done, great pictures!!!
I’ve never tried this challenge, I wouldn’t be able to, so you have all my admiration. Last year I started a challenge of 30 photos with the mobile and I still haven’t finished it.🙄
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Thanks Ana! There were a few of us who wanted to take the challenge. We opened a Facebook page so we could post each day. I was the only one who finished, but I had a lot of support along the way. This really needs to be done with other photographers.
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I’ve done a similar challenge on Facebook but it wasn’t for a whole year – a photo a day for a month, if I remember correctly. I’m impressed you managed to keep this up and got some excellent photos along the way. I especially like your macro shots 🙂
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Thanks Sarah! I did get proficient with macros, but not with my dog. I considered dying his hair white so I could photograph him easier!!lol!
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Congratulations on completing the 365 challenge! I enjoyed your photos. I started one year and didn’t make it very far.
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Thanks Beth! Try it again, but with a photo buddy. We need support for this kind of challenge.
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Yikes Anne – for me photography would become a chore if I tried something like this so kudos to you for sticking with it and more importantly for using it as a tool to improve your techniques. You really are a master of the macro! Loved your choices for the week.
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Thanks Tina! Some days it was a chore, snapping a picture just to get it done. But I think I learned how to create something from nothing. Now even during the worst outings I manage to come back with a few workable images.
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Congrats on doing this heavy challenge, Anne! And making it a way of improving your photography was very smart. Beautiful collection, love your macro’s and your persistence!
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Thanks Ann Christine! I don’t think I would do it again, but it was totally worthwhile to do it once.
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♥ You must be proud having accomplished it!
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Nice series and choices. I like the learning to blow bubbles one especially. Happy Easter!
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Thanks -N! Happy Easter to you!
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Ann Christine (Leya), Yes, I’m proud that I made it through the year, especially when I couldn’t get out of the house because of foot surgery. That’s when the dog became my target; husband too.
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Great series Anne. Being constant at it gives you a lot of variety. Well done.
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Thanks John! I learned discipline that year. It was a good exercise.
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Lovely selection anne.
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Thanks Rupali! I think it helped push my photographic journey along.
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Same was true for me as well.
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Rupali, 😊
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