Here are my “12 best photographs” from my inaugural “sports shoot” at the beach with friends. Despite being a novice, I decided to refine my photography skills on this outing.

Equipped with my Lumix S5IIX and a Sigma 85mm F 1.4 lens, I ventured forth, embracing a trial-and-error approach. Admittedly, I grappled with settings, opting for aperture priority mode to navigate the complexities. While many shots ended up out of focus, I managed to salvage a few acceptable ones.

Although I had conducted prior research on manual settings, the vast realm of photography proved overwhelming, prompting me to revert to familiarity. Nevertheless, I seized the opportunity to capture candid portraits, leveraging the lens’s reputed prowess in this domain. Surprisingly, the results were commendable, considering my novice status.

This experience underscored the importance of practice over theory. Despite repeatedly checking for focus on the screen, I felt inundated by the technical aspects. At that juncture, I had yet to grasp the full potential of my gear and settings.