WEST COAST MOODS

My two recent trips to the West Coast were perfectly timed and presented me with such a variety of weather and subjects to explore. From fields of bright flowers stretching in the sunshine to misty mornings and moody skies, right down to very early sunrises of intense colours, they all gave me the opportunity to experience such different impressions and capture the ambience of the moment. A touch of macro in flowers followed by the discovery of sea shells and sparkling kelp glistening in heavy due had me lying down on the beach lost in my imagination while the sun warmed me gently and Guy made us another cup of coffee.

“Almal wil’n Huisie by die see hê ….. “

On this memorable trip along the West Coast, I was the guest of the most inspiring and formidable FULL SPECTRUM Ladies who asked PETER HAARHOFF to be the tour leader. His vast knowledge of the area took us to the best locations and combined with his patient advice he was ready for all eventualities and encouraged us to experiment in unexpected directions. We had a marvelous time and so enjoyed his wicked sense of humor.

From Paternoster to Lambert’s Bay, we explored the area in dense, cold mist or spectacular light and I soon stopped counting the highlights as every shoot was a photographic delight. Culminating with the “snoek run”, a frantic race out to sea followed by the hard, smelly work of the “fish mongers” in the harbor, my Afrikaans vocabulary leapt forward with some choice explicit!!

View the FULL SPECTRUM website on: http://www.fullspectrumphotoclub.co.za

Contact Peter Haarhoff / Mobile: 082­ 853­ 9939 / Cape Photographic Company:  http://www.capephotoco.co.za/western-cape-photography-tours.php

KOGELBAAI 2016

Last Saturday I joined the outing of the Helderberg Club and besides meeting good old friends, I made new ones on the edge of the water while watching the sun set over the sea.

As always with this kind of subject perseverance is required and as we sat on boulders, watching the wind blowing offshore and creating lovely fans of spray off the tips of the waves I shot, changing my shutter speeds to achieve different results.

I find it exhilarating to freeze the raw power of the wave as it burst with force on the rocks and capturing every droplet suspended in the air. The light was beautiful and sitting at a low angle, I could see through the water made translucent in the backlight bringing out striking emerald greens. Later on the intriguing colours appearing after the sunset invite slow shutter speeds and a gentle panning motion to give a painting quality to the water.