Not Everything in Cape Town makes a Nice Image

I generally do not make images of the homeless or the downtrodden, as I generally find it too easy and gratuitous. When I do though it is to add to the story or the description of the location. Sadly, this man is representative to a large population of Cape Town and South Africa. I found it ironic for him to be walking in front of the Mercedes with the two guys sitting inside with the blank stare. The image was not made to judge anyone in the image, but just to give a complete representation of the people of Cape Town. All three in the image are therefore to this city.

Fire in the Sky - Cape Town, SA - 234/365

I made this image by getting as close to the ground with my camera as possible to accentuate the sand and shells in the foreground as well as the sky and upcoming sunset. What drew me to the scene initially were the wisps of clouds that look like smoke coming off of a fire.

One of Many Stormy Nights in Cape Town - 233/365

You've all seen this type of image before if you've followed my blog, but every one of these is truly different. The mood and the look changes so quickly that sometimes I look out of my window and think it is blah, and then like on this occasion, I see something that has potential and I run out to the beach. Black and White for this type of image is ideal as it sets the mood.

Stand Up Paddleboarders - 228/365

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUPing) here is not just a flat-water sport as it is in Florida. Here it is quite the opposite. Yes there are people that SUP on flat water, but most do it as a form of surfing. Some people here were quite amazed when I told them that in Miami people do Yoga on them. You can do that when the water does not move. The SUP's are also much shorter for performance riding on the waves, like these guys were getting ready to practice. I saw them almost at sunset and I asked them to pose for a photo. I also gave them my card, and when the one on the left emailed me I sent them the image for free. I do that with all of the images I make of people I encounter.

My Missing Mailman - 224/365

Here is my Mailman. He is missing. The letter carriers have been on strike for over a month. Therefore I cannot vote, as my absentee ballot did not get here, nor will it go anywhere if it does. Strikes are not uncommon in Cape Town. As a matter of fact, it is rare when there is not a strike or some demonstration about something. A few months ago groups were throwing human feces at the airport protesting inadequate sanitation at squatter camps (some call them townships) (some call them informal settlements). Yes, land they do not even own that they built a corrugated box upon. The courts said that throwing feces was part of freedom of speech. Ah yes, African logic. I hope my mail does not arrive with feces on it!

Artist's Palate at Cape Town Art Walk - 219/365

This artist's palate with fresh oil paint caught my eye at an exhibit during the First Thursday's Art Walk every month in Cape Town. The mystery is that I can't really say whether it was there because a piece was being worked on, or if it was part of the exhibit. There was no one present that could answer that question. That in itself makes the placement of the palate brilliant. At least to me. Plus I loved the colors and texture.

When All Else Fails, Selfie! - 217/365

Sometimes I like to just make a Selfie and always try to make it different from the last.

Storm at Sunset, Cape Town - 215/365

Storm at Sunset, Cape Town shows the impressive colors that can be experienced by the combination of the two. This is an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image where three images at different exposures are combined to be able to get detail in the shadows, and highlights where one would normally not be seen. It's not as easy as it sounds as you have to determine on your own what the initial exposure should be. If you want to know more about HDR a photographer named Trey Ratcliff gives a tutorial on how to produce the images at www.stuckincustoms.com .

White Flag, Black Shark on Muizenberg Beach - 214/365

The white flag with the black shark indicates that a shark has been seen in the area and the beach is closed. The day before there had been an attack on a surfer. The detailed report is published here on Shark Spotters. The surfer escaped with relatively minor injuries compared to the size of the shark. One surfer was initially unsure whether the animal was a shark or a whale, but stated that b the size leaned toward thinking it was a whale. This is the first attack in Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa in ten years much of this credited to the success of http://sharkspotters.org.za/.

Another Fun Abstract - 213/365

This is where this type of a project really starts to make you exercise your creative mind. What am I going to do today. So driving down the road, well stopped at at stoplight, I set mt shutter speed for a very long exposure and drove while holding the camera and twisting it. Several images were made and this was the one that I liked. Simple. Just think!

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

The Colorful Muizenberg Cabanas - 207/365

It never gets old seeing these Cabanas when I round the circle to Surfers Corner in Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa. They are the symbol of the Cape Peninsula towns of St. James, Muizenberg, and Khalk Bay. I really don't know how old they are, but you must walk gingerly on the planks of the steps as they seem like they'll collapse at any moment. I could photograph these cabanas all day and sometimes I do.

An An Evening at the Alexander Bar in Downtown Cape Town - 206/365

The Alexander Bar in downtown Cape Town is a cool place to just relax with friends, have a drink and something light to eat. What makes it special is that upstairs they show Indie films for free. The owners love Indie films and they show them every couple of weeks. People have fun and it brings in customers.

The Storm is Coming - 203/365

Cape Town is known as "The Cape of Storms". I thought storms came into Florida quickly and they do, but in Cape Town they are ferocious. The wind howls, the rain blasts, and the ocean churns with such force that amazes. It is also beautiful. There is something calming and relaxing about watching a storm roll in. I remember rounding the Cape of Storms when I was in the Navy on an Aircraft Carrier. There was a huge storm as we were rounding in winter with 90 foot seas. The huge ship was bobbing like a cork in the water. We could not eat for two days and we had to strap ourselves in our bunks. I remember thinking, how did these guys in little ships make it around? Well a lot did not. To this day the Cape of Storms takes it's toll on even modern vessels.

Getting Ready for the Wind in Cape Town - 202/365

I was on the beach and I saw a boy practicing his Kite Surfing control skills on the beach in my backyard. I really loved the colors of the kite against the sky with Table Mountain in the background.

Checking the Surf in Muizenberg - 201/365

On a cold rainy day in Muizenberg, this lady was checking out the surf. Someone told me today that at least I wasn't a fair weather surfer. She's not either.

Little Girl in Muizenberg - 200/365

I was making some images for my friends at Surf Emporium when I saw this little girl playing around the old wooden cabanas that the beaches on the Cape Peninsula are famous for. The colors and her look were beautiful.

I Love Photographing Stormy Weather 194/365

I went on a photo walk with my photography group in Cape Town. We visited a wine estate called Hillcrest. www.winelands.co.za/wine-farms/ Hillcrest Estate is a boutique winery nestled in the Tygerberg Hills. We hiked around a bit and got to the top a hill just in time to see a storm moving in. I just love the photographic drama of storms!