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Roger Crichton

Thanks Leanne. This is my third challenge and I enjoy doing them as they make you think. I have now become used to the environment where there is no criticising as I came out of a club setting where everything was scrutinised with a microscope (One reason I gave it up). Here you can let the “artist” in you free and try different things. It also makes you stretch your creative juices to come up with an unusual idea. Besides the photography, you also get to meet a lot of great people. Currently I am doing challenge #11 and #12 and finding quite a challenge coming up with two photos, in the same week, with the same theme, that are different. Really enjoying it.

Leigh Anne Drage Brigando

I am very much a beginner, but loved the weekly challenges. I like to think I improved my skill just a little along the way. Seeing how other members interpreted each week’s task was inspiring. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete the challenge, so I am back for more. Thanks for the challenge, Leanne!

Alta Pretorius

Thank you for the guidance and watching over us. I am brand new, but the fact that 13 members are doing another round shows that they are enjoying the challenge and learning all the time. Encouraging to have someone guide you to think about what you are photographing and keep practicing. We are grateful.

Dianne Tomaz

I have lost count of the number of 52 week challenges I have had the opportunity to be part of and cannot imagine this not being a crucial part of my week. I do believe that I have learnt more than I am aware of and of course only Leanne will be able to comment on my perception here. I love being able to see things “differently”. Being able to explore the artistic side of not only photography, but myself, intrigues me. Thank you Leanne for your support and constant encouragement and never doubt this is worthwhile

Ineke Vorster

When I look at Roger’s comments I say ditto, ditto, ditto. I enjoy being forced to think about something out of my comfort zone. I remember my first challenge and was scared stiff the first few weeks. Once I started relaxing and attended the low light photowalk where Leanne got me off auto, I felt a lot better. I started of from reading a photography article and not understanding 95% to now understanding more than half. I also challenged myself further (prompted by the new year’s resolution challenge) to do 50 weeks of photography in my garden. In the beginning it was easy, but as time went by you really had to be creative! Relax and enjoy. Ask questions on how it was done, it’s amasing when the group starts trusting and gel. Looking forward to a great challenge from still a second phase beginner….

Tanya Rautenbach

This is my second challenge that I have entered. I too, decided to take the plunge and enter while still participating in challenge #11. I initially entered as a complete novice to the world of photography. I didn’t have a cooking clue what things like “Aperture” “ISO” “White Balance” etc meant. I dived straight in like a clumsy puppy full of enthusiasm and excitement. I have learnt loads since entering my first challenge. I attended a camera class presented by Leanne and was so chuffed to finally figure out why my photos weren’t coming out the way I saw them through the lens…Let’s just say there’s a pretty good explanation why ISO, WB and SS exist! It has broadened my creative mind, forced me to slow down and picture life in all its magical forms and light. The sense of camaraderie amongst the participants is, truly awesome, we’re always encouraging and complementing each other on photos submitted. For all of you, entering for the first time, no need to buckle up, because it’s a marvellous journey into the world of your imagination!

Sue Barnes

I agree with everyone’s comments above – this is my third challenge – I just cannot imagine my life without the weekly challenge in mind!! It really makes you look at your world and gives you something completely different to focus on and to think about. I can’t say I have enjoyed every theme – in fact the ‘power lines’ theme is one that just could not appeal to me no matter what photo I took – they were all dreadful! But the next week was a theme I loved! Thank you Leanne and Peter for all your hard work and effort to inspire and stimulate our creativity! And I look forward to being a part of this new group on this wonderful journey together!

Sue Barnes:

“Thank you again Leanne Dryburgh for another year of exciting photography challenges. I have loved it once again, and have been wondering how I would get through a year without them, and so have decided that I will have to join the 12th challenge – I love looking at the world through the weekly challenges, and trying to learn and improve as the year goes by!”

Ineke Voster:

“Thanks to Leanne and all fellow challengers, this has been a wonderful adventure where I have learnt a lot and am still learning. The biggest difference has been the way I look at things. I have always enjoyed the small things in life, but now another dimension of colour and perspective has been added. Thanks for opening my horizons even further and lets go nuts this week!”

Bert Oosthuizen:

“It was an amazing adventure of challenges and discovery”

Jeanne Stark:

“Thanks Leanne, and everyone. It’s been a great year, with lots of fun photos.”

Nicole Kayley Langsford:

“Oh my goodness! I didn’t realise we were so close to the end… I thought we still had another 2 or 3 weeks… haha. It was a great challenge and definitely improved my photography skills, thinking about how to capture the theme. Thank you Leanne!”

Robbie Huysmans:

‘Time has flown but the lessons learnt stay put. It was a wonderful clicking journey. Thanks everybody for showing all the different ideas on one topic, it opened the mind and eyes!!! 🙂 See your photos in the next 52 weeks?!”

Ghail Binneman:

“This has been an amazing journey and I cannot believe that we are already at week 52. It has been fun and challenging. I’ve looked forward to that weekly post from Leanne and then have either immediately had an idea of what I want to photograph or have waited to see what others have posted and then drawn inspiration from them. It was unfortunate that I could not meet up at the braai last week but long standing plans could not be changed. I’m still trying to make up my mind about joining the next challenge – as someone else said – my Fridays will not be the same if I’m not receiving a challenge. Enjoy your Christmas everyone and all the best for 2017.”

Annabe Tredoux:

“Thank you Leanne Dryburgh for this wonderful initiative. For a newbie to photography it provides a platform for learning and yes, definitely, for comparing. Saying this I do not mean competition, but rather “what works”. I also feel connected to a new community of very creative people. What a privilege to talk and listen in this special way.”

Susan Karalis:

“Yes a wonderful Challenge enjoyed myself. Thank you to all of you.”

Anmarie Lindeque:

“Thanks Leanne; this has been quite a journey for me. From having to scratch out the cameras’ manual for the first couple of photos to actually knowing(mostly) what my camera can do…Can’t believe the year has gone by so quickly! To all the other challengers, thank you for pushing me to try and be more creative and teaching me what beauty lies on the other side of the lens!”

Anna-Marie Muller:

“Ah, it is so nice to read everybody’s comments and best wishes – we really have become friends over the past 52 weeks. Thank you all for the kind comments. There was great excitement when you ‘liked’ a photo, and even more personal joy and a sense of achievement when you took the time to write a comment. Thanks, thanks … and I am looking forward to #11 … hope to see you there.
May you all have a wonderful festive season, and may 2017 be good for you!
Thanks Leanne Dryburgh for bringing all of this (and us) together. Let’s have a get together in 2017 on the West Coast, flower season is worth the travel.”

Barry L Clayton:

“Last post for challenge 9. It has been great and very stimulating photography wise. Thanks Leanne and everyone on the challenge. Hope to do it again mid 2017”

Sacha Margaret Fermor:

“Wow cannot believe 52 weeks have flashed by. What an awesome project this has been and so much fun. Looking forward to Challenge 11 and here’s wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2017. Thank you Leanne for all your hard work and for suckering me into these challenges.”

Roger Crichton:

“And here we are. The last in the challenge. Been really good fun and learned a lot. Some of the topics have really stretched my creative thinking. Got to meet many great people and hope to see a lot of them in the next challenge. See you in #11.”

Melanie Smit:

“Leanne, my husband is not a tog but according to him what we did these past 52 weeks is better than any photography course/workshop I ever attended. So thank you for a photography journey that challenged, excited, inspired, at times frustrated and not only taught us about photography but also about ourselves. To all challengers, thanks for likes, no likes and comments, they where much appreciated. Happy holidays to all. Hope to join again in the near future.”

Sharon Rodgers:

“Thanks to everybody. I feel like I learned a lot and tried a whole bunch of new things. Look forward to doing another challenge in the middle of next year. Happy christmas and keep shooting in the new year.”

Vanessa Pauw:

“WOW, I can’t believe our time is over. I will never forget being p.e.t.r.i.f.i.e.d of putting my photos onto this page for everyone to look at. Thank you for making it so much easier with every week! Wishing you all, everything of the best! Merry Christmas to those of us who celebrate! Happy New Year, too! It’s been fabulous looking at all your amazing photos and being inspired to play with my camera and try different lighting times of day, settings and subjects. Love to you all xx”
Reply from Annabe: “Yes Vanessa, I share the petrified feeling. But the compassionate environment made it smooth. It was a pleasure to see your photos every week.“

Margaret du Toit:

“What an adventure. The themes have taken me to new places. I have photographed in a way I have never ‘seen’ before. I have done Acrobatics and Gymnastics to get the shot and somersaults for your ‘likes’ and comments. But best of all YOUR photographs have inspired me every step of the way. Thank you.”

LeSonne Botha:

“I would just like to thank Leanne for this wonderful challenge and successfully uniting so many wonderful photographers! Each and everyone of you are unique in your own way and it was such a privilege to complete this challenge with you guys! Thank you for all the amazing comments throughout this. I would still love to meet so many of you in person!
To all fellow photographers, never doubt yourself or your talent! Keep rocking and show the world what others so easily miss seeing. Love all of you! Xxx”

Ghail Binnenman:

“Leanne thanks again for everything you did for all of us over the past year. It was great to challenge myself and just wonderful to see how we all interpret things so differently.”

Dean Crichton:

“Thank you so much Leanne for the experience this year. And to everyone else for the shared experience of this challenge. And can you believe it’s already come to an end. Wow!”

Natasha Puttick:

“Thanks Leanne Dryburgh what a journey this year has been. Looking forward to challenge 11. Seasons greetings to you and Peter.”

Bronwen Klaas:

“Leanne, this is a fantastic platform for creativity – simply wonderful -thank you.”

Jean Abrahamse:

“Starting out as a complete beginner I wasn’t sure what I had let myself in for, each week I have tried to understand what I wanted to achieve rather than just pushing buttons. Kind comments and likes, I found myself growing in confidence and I thank you for this.”

Nicole Diane Orford:

“Wheeeeeeee! We did it. 52 weeks. I know I am not the best at replying and commenting but always appreciated the input from everyone. Unfortunately I won’t be joining you all on the next challenge as I need to focus on finishing my PhD but I will be back at some stage! Happy shooting!”

Liesl Van Dalen:

“And so a year of photo’s has come and gone. Met new people through photo’s and believe I have grown… at least I am more confident in manual mode these days. To those I am seeing in the next challenge, who knows what will happen next.”

Bruno Schostar:

“Cheers to all of you, what a great 52 weeks we have had.”

Nicola Paul:

“For everyone not joining challenge #11, is been a honour to see your inspiring images. For the rest of you, see you next week!”

Susan Karalis:

“thank you,thank you, thank you it has been a wonderful experience am grateful for all the help I received. I am definitely more confident holding a camera now and have totally loved seeing all the different photos and being part of the camaraderie. loved the talent and energy!”

Graeme Kheene:

“Been great snapping with all of you, have a Blessed Christmas and a well earned break, snap away!”

Hilly Tepper Mohr:

“So sad to post my last photograph. Although I am a beginner, I enjoyed it tremendously! Learnt a lot and made many mistakes, but each week had to think and try to be creative. (Quite difficult for me). I promise to be back sometime next yea26