Happy Wednesday!
I was lucky enough to have a photo shoot with a wonderful group of people yesterday in Maquoketa. We met at 8:00 a.m. and I have to tell you that since being retired that seemed awful early considering it is a 50 minute drive from where I live. There was a photographer from the newspaper who needed to get some shots as well so I let her do her shots and then I worked with the group.
I had scheduled a lunch with a good friend and thought the shoot would take a lot longer then it did. Everyone was very cordial and the shoot went perfect. So at 9:15 a.m. we were all done. Now what to do for the next two hours and 45 minutes?
A side note:
When I retired over a year ago my thoughts were that I would really focus and concentrate on my photography. With a significant amount of time on my hands I figured I could really learn even more about my craft. I discovered, however, there were other things that I enjoying doing including taking naps. 🙂
So I went several weeks even months without touching a camera. I didn’t lose my passion for photography but there was other things that occupied my mind.
I had pretty much given up on golf (except for best shot and group events) and what little skill level I had enjoyed evaporated very quickly. I was a member of the Thunder Hills Country Club and enjoyed it for over 20 years. However when I started working out of town and putting in some long hours it didn’t make sense to keep my membership so I took a demit (resigned) from the club. I really missed the social aspect of it but photography and work filled that void.
After a year of retirement I decided that I really missed the friends that I had made over the years and one of my best friends had, for several years tried to get me to come back to the club. So after much thought and discussion I rejoined THCC last month.
For the most part it has been a wonderful experience. Rekindling many friendships and enjoying meeting the new people who have joined our original group. The golf has been a real challenge. I have really struggled with trying to reclaim some of the skill level I once had. It has been frustrating and at times embarrassing but I have to tell you I am loving it!!
Getting back to the club and being with some many old friends has enriched my life immensely
So with camera in hand I spent the next two hours just wandering around the area looking for images. It was really fun and satisfying to have a camera with me again and looking for subjects to photograph. Like any complex endeavor you have to do it on a continuous basis or lose a lot of what you have leaned. Photography, Photoshop, golf, or any other endeavor that requires some knowledge or skill is a use it or lose it proposition. So I’m back on the (re)learning track.
I only had my 28 – 300 mm lens with me so I couldn’t get any closer to the bird even after putting my sensor in crop mode. I still liked the shot.
After my photo shoot and lunch I stopped by the club and practiced for a couple of hours. It was an enjoyable day and very satisfying. I LOVE Retirement!
Enjoy your day and be careful.
