Back to my Roots

Last weekend I headed over to Muizenberg to pick-up my surfboard after a repair from a mishap the previous weekend. The waves in Muizenverg were nonexistent so I took a drive to see some of the other breaks that I have not visited yet, namely Kommetjie (co-mick-ee) and Long Beach.

Well I never got to Kommetjie as I spent much of the late afternoon watching and photographing surfing at Long Beach. There were quite a few people in the water and as I was unfamiliar with that break, and recognize the territorial nature of surfers, I decided not to surf but watch and shoot. I titled this "Back to my Roots", because my professional photography career started out by photographing sports. I really like the action and the fact that you have to anticipate where the peak point of action will happen to get a good shot. Additionally, I've always preferred shooting sports in Black and White. I converted this and made specific adjustments to my taste. I like the overall drama of the image. The point at which you don't know if the surfer is going to make his turn and the dramatic sky and mountain behind him. I did not have my long lens with me, but I quite like how this wider shot turned out.

Surfer, Long Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Surfing at Big Bay, Cape Town, South Africa →

Had some fun surfing and playing with my GoPro!

Another Day in Muizenberg - 208/365

People having fun in the water. Some surfing, taking lessons, jumping in the waves, or a girl with a surfboard just walking by. That's why I love Muizenberg! Another Day in Muizenberg - 208/365

My Buddy Standing Guard - 186/365

Here's the image I was able to finally make of my Buddy from the neighborhood. He lives on the corner, but this is obviously his beach.

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A New Buddy in the Beach - 178/365

This guy is always running around the neighborhood and the beach. He lives on the corner and is so friendly. Sometimes I see him sitting up on a sand dune like Simba in the Lion King movie, as if he's overlooking HIS beach. This image was but one of many I made. I got right up in his face with my phone. He's so funny that he kept trying to grab my phone. I fear it would have met the same fate of the stick he has in the image!

Whales in my Backyard

I woke up this morning to an ocean, that for Cape Town, almost looked like a lake. Though there were small waves, it was very calm. I knew that if I just looked carefully enough during these conditions, it would not be difficult to spot the Whales. I opened the blinds and I did not have to search. They were about 50-100 yards off the beach. Right in front of my place. The last time I saw them they were much farther off. I made some photos of what I saw this morning and you can see those below. What I tried to emphasize was perspective. I wanted to show their size and how close they were to shore. These are the Southern Right Whales. They come close to shore between June and November to calve and feed their newborns. As such you do not see them breach (jumping out of the water). It paid off being patient though. The last few images were of the tail. Enjoy!

Selfie after a Surf - 167/365

I don't ever remember wearing beanies in Miami. Only on the odd trip up North or an infrequent ski trip. In those cases I even had to borrow them. I certainly was not the type to wear one in ninety degree weather as is common to see now. That's just ridiculous. Anyway, the beanie is necessary here and I've collected a few already. This is a self-portrait after a surf session in the backyard.

Going Old School in Muizenberg - 166/365

The beauty and look of the Old School Longboard is Classic and ageless. While this board may not actually be a longboard (greater than 9'1") the shape and look fit the profile. So does the gray haired guy carrying the board. Surfers here in Cape Town have surfed all their lives. Many were taught by their Fathers or Mothers and have passed it on to their kids and Grandkids. While there are many places with better and bigger waves than Muizenberg in South Africa, it is definitely the center of the universe for the sport in Cape Town. Everyone learns in Muizenberg.

Melkbos Beach at Night 163/365

A Night Scene of the town Melkbosstrand (Melkbos Beach) where I live.

Cape Town Fisherman - 159/365

I saw this Fisherman on one of my many walks on the beach. Had to be in Black & White.

Going Out for a Surf -158/365

Two ladies going out for a surf on Stand-Up-Paddle-boards. Muizenberg beach. Here in Cape Town they're not used solely in calm water like in Miami. People actually surf big waves with them.

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Going Out for a Surf - 158/365

The Start of Winter in Cape Town 155/365

The clouds, the cold, and the angry sea signal the start of Winter in Cape Town, South Africa. My365Project 155/365.

Surf Fisherman on Cape Town Beach - 151/365

I saw this Surf Fisherman on a cold afternoon run on my beach. No idea what he was fishing for. I made several images. Most did not show his hand with this gesture. It added interest. The others bored me as it just showed his body with the fishing rod sticking up.

Lifeguard Stands at Melkbosstrand - 142/365

An image of the Lifeguard Stands in my town of Melkbosstrand. Melkbos is a Milk Bush and Strand is Beach in Afrikaans. It's like a little fantasy village. Unlike any other place in Cape Town. It was actually voted the best place to live in South Africa. A surf town. Neighborhood Watch. Kids walk and ride their bikes to school. People run and walk their dogs on the beach. Police and Armed response patrols are always somewhere close. Couldn't think about living anywhere else while I'm here. Lifeguard Stands at Melkbosstrand - 142/365

After a Day of Surfing at Big Bay - 138/365

Here I am after a day of surfing at Big Bay. Big Bay is a surfing area in a neighborhood called Table View due to the Table Mountain view behind me. It's a really nice beach with a boardwalk, restaurants and shops. It was a beautiful day with nice beginner waves. After a Day of Surfing at Big Bay - 138/365

Skateboarder on Muizenberg Beach - 137/365

I made a couple of images of this Skateboarder while he was sitting. I liked the scene from  behind him as he was looking out toward Muizenberg Beach, False Bay, and the Cape of Good Hope in the background. Yes, nothing but water between here and Antarctica. But I preferred this image as it is more dynamic. I like the way he is turning away, almost as if he is turning away from surfing to go Skateboard, while the girl in the bottom is entering the frame. Or maybe he has to go use the restroom LOL! Muizenberg is the beach and the town, however, False Bay is the body of water that it fronts. There is a small granite island in the bay called Seal Island, which is one of the main breeding sites for the Cape Fur Seal. The seals attract many Great White Sharks and some of the biggest sharks ever seen have been spotted in these waters. These sharks are famous for the manner in which they breach the surface of the water while attacking seals, sometimes jumping entirely out of the ocean. Despite this, swimming, surfing, yachting, scuba diving and so on are popular pastimes around the bay, at centres such as Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Smitswinkel Bay, Strand and Gordon's Bay. Shark attacks are generally uncommon but by no means unknown, with two deaths since 2010. Skateboarder on Muizenberg Beach - 137/365

Full Double Rainbow in my Backyard - 136/365

Yes, this is real. I made this image as a panorama so that I could fit in the rainbow end to end. I did enhance the blue of the sky so that the second more faint rainbow was visible. Never seen anything like this. I do have witnesses! Full Double Rainbow in my Backyard - 136/365

Image of Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa - 130/365

This is the typical image of Muizenberg. Everything that it is famous for in one shot.The Mountains, the Beach, the Surfer, the Colorful Cabanas, the Water, and the Shark Flag. Oh and as an extra added bonus, notice the surfboard painted in the colors of the South African Flag. I could not have staged a better representation of Muizenberg. I love the place! It really grows on you.

All Natural Sunset Moon - My 365 Project 121/365

All Natural Sunset Moon - My 365 Project 121/365. Not much to say about this except that it certainly caught me by surprise.

Cape Town Sun Setting on Melkbos Beach

I don't usually get a really clear shape of the sun at sunset. I really liked the reflection off of the clouds. Also trying to make my colors look natural. My 365 Project 116/365.