DE HOOP WORKSHOP 2011

At the end of September, we spent a five days workshop in the wonderful DE HOOP Nature Reserve where we encouraged 18 Participants to go beyond shooting the classic scenes, be clear about their interest in the subject and while saying something personal about the experience, develop an individual style of photography.

We abandoned preconceptions and expectations and turn the opportunities that paved this week into a voyage of discovery while I invoked the “Photographic Gods” with vigor!

The weather and light was wonderful.

DESERT RATS GONE BALLOONY !

 We have returned from 3 marvellous and peaceful weeks in Namibia.

As it was Guy's birthday I had a surprise for him, a very old dream.....and...we went on a Balloon Safari.

We are still excited about this flight as it was clear and full moon so you can imagine our delight.

It was incredible to be suspended above this stunning vista and hear the silence while capturing the patterns below us.

YOU JUST HAVE TO DO THIS one day!!!!!



PREGNANCY

The anxiety and joy is building up.

My young friends are coming to the end of the most significant 9 months of their lives and together we celebrate the beauty and richness of their curves full of promises.

Time is moving slowly, the day is almost here….

AUTUMN @ THELEMA

The THELEMA WINE ESTATE is magnificent, especially when clad in Autumn colours. The designs of the vineyards clinging to the mountain slopes are reminiscent of a richly textured tapestry and their early morning mood, a delight to explore with my camera. This is another subject so familiar to me as I photograph it every year in the context of an “AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARDS” Workshop but this time decided to go back on my own to look for new perspective and interpretations.The best part was to be lost in my own bubble for a few hours with no other commitment than my own creativity trying to retain the depth of visual perceptivity I experienced in our recent Namibian trip.

THE DESERT RAT IS BACK !

Just in case you wonder why we go back and back.....
Sorting my Desert pics, I need to pinch myself as I still can't believe this is what I saw.
I have roamed the desert for 20 years and this must have been the most spectacular display of clouds, storms and light I have ever seen in Namibia. We had several thunder storms every day. What a show and it was so very hot.
Wet-kikoy-hot! It means wearing a wet kikoy(large, colourful Kenyan cloth) over our shoulders all day and sleeping under one in an attempt to survive the scorching heat of 45 to 50 degree centigrade we had for a month.
I had a good time with a lot of laughing as our Workshop Participants joined in to make my birthday a fun time in spite of getting up at 3.30 am.
But if it was to see sunrises like these, what a pleasure to be able to say: "another hard day at the office !" in such a marvelous setting.

MESMERIZED BY MACRO

My new Macro work is an experiment in seeing.
Inspired by the fine work of our latest Participants, I am particularly sensitize to the fragile and ephemeral world of close up photography.
My curiosity about the subjects examined dissolves in wonderment when I explore them using the favorite technique of "selective focus" and enhance the results with post processing effects.
I get swept away in the wonderful abstract world of flowers trying to discover their mystery.
The piercing eyes of raptor usually mesmerized me, but this time the challenge is to create a sense of softness around these majestic birds and the timeless quality of black and white becomes a delight for my soul.