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.

Sweeping Cape Town Sunset with a Man and his Dog

As many times as I make images from this view point, I always see something different. This time I wanted a more sweeping wide image. I saw a man and his dog, and in my opinion it complimented the image well. This is Melkbosstrand (Melkbos Beach), Cape Town, South Africa.

Not a bad View from work of Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

This is my view from work. Table Mountain. My office is in the Koeberg Nature Preserve about a mile away from the Koeberg Nuclear Station. Not bad. My 365 Project 114/365

Farm Windmill, Cape Town

I pass this windmill frequently, and until lately the sky has always been bright blue behind it making it rather uninteresting. This time, I passed by and saw a much more dramatic sky than usual as a front was coming in. I pulled over to make this image. I love these windmills. They are everywhere and are seen and used as an unofficial symbol of the Western Cape. My 365 Project 117/365

Kauai Muffins are Just Evil!

Here in Cape Town there is a restaurant chain of really good natural, and healthy food called "Kauai". They also have a restaurant in each branch of the Virgin Active Gyms here in South Africa. Needless to say, I am a frequent customer as I usually end up going home after my workout around dinner time. The Evil part is that these wonderful muffins are sitting right up front. They are delicious, but I am usually able to resist the temptation. Nothing artistic. Just another moment in my life. My 365 Project 113/365

"Dogs at Sunset-Cape Town"-My 365 Project 112/365

"Dogs at Sunset-Cape Town"-My 365 Project 112/365

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"Dogs at Sunset-Cape Town"-My 365 Project 112/365

It's so common to walk out at about anytime on the beach here in Cape Town and see people and their dogs. This is a very dog friendly culture. It saddens me that I cannot have my dog over here. He's just too old to make the trip, but I know he'd love it! I really liked the way I was able to silhouette them against the sunset. "Dogs at Sunset-Cape Town"-My 365 Project 112/365

This is a Venture into the Abstract

I listen to a lot of photography podcasts, read a lot of photography books, and also see the work of many photographers. I was listening to a photographer on a podcast about discovering and working with more abstract images as a way of self-expression. Abstract usually translates into, you either love it or hate it. There's usually no in-between. The image above started out as an abstract image that was a mistake. Literally my shutter went off as my camera was moving after making an image. I saw the result and decided to put some work into it in several image programs. The result is what you see. Like I said, you probably love it or hate it. Enjoy either way.

Cape Town Kite Surfer with Table Mountain - My 365 Project 111/365

I am slowly catching up on my 365 posts. While I have not missed a day of shooting I am very behind on posts. I plan on making multiple posts a day until I catch up. I made this image of the Kite Surfer for two reasons. First, I know him, his wife and their son. Awesome family! Their son is ten years old and a professionally sponsored Kite Surfer. But anyway, I saw him bringing his kite in when the wind was quite "hectic", as is said here, and he lined up against Table Mountain. You can see in the background the clouds pouring over and down our side of the mountain. That means the wind is "very hectic", and will be here in about half an hour. We are 25 km away so do the higher math. That's right 50 km per hour sustained winds. About 30 miles per hour. I really liked the angle of him and the kite with the mountain in the background. My 365 Project 111/365.

Cape Town Bike Ride at Sunset - My 365 Project 110/365

It's so common to see people of all ages on the beach in front of my house. I was lucky enough to be out making sunset images when this little boy came speeding by on his bike. What a wonderful sense of care-free freedom, and what a beautiful place to ride. My 365 Project 110/365.

Venison at Woolworths? - My 365 project 109/365

Sometimes my 365 images are not about being artistic. Sometimes it's just interesting or a new thing I've encountered while here in Cape Town. First of all I've never seen Venison (Deer Meat) sold in a grocery store before. So that is interesting and different. On the other hand what is more interesting is to look at the name of the store: Woolworths. Lest it be confused with Woolworths in the USA. Here is the story.

Woolworths Holdings Limited (JSE: WHL) is a South African chain of retail stores and one of the largest in the country, modeled on Marks & Spencer of the United Kingdom.[2] This relationship with Britain's Marks and Spencer was formed after the Second World War, which led to the retailer buying all of the unissued share capital of Woolworths in 1947. These shares were later sold, but close ties still remain.[3] The first Woolworths store opened in The Old Royal Hotel in Cape Town in October 1931. It was founded by Max Sonnenberg assisted by his son Richard and Fred Kossuth.

The Woolworths brand now incorporates a series of food stores, some of which are attached to department stores, while others stand alone or are attached to Engen petrol stations in prosperous urban areas. Some branches include an in-store restaurant, branded as "Cafe W". Woolworths goods are sold at 149 corporate stores, 51 international franchise stores throughout the rest of Africa and the Middle East and 69 South African franchise stores nationwide.

The chain was named after the United States chain F. W. Woolworth Company but, because of the contemporary trademark laws, the name was legally used without permission. No financial connection ever existed between the companies. I thought it was rather interesting. They are almost like a Whole Foods, or Fresh Market. My 365 Project 109/365

Table Mountain Sunset from Blouberg Beach - My 365 Project 108/365

I know I've said it before, "I never get tired of Sunsets in Cape Town or Table Mountain." I was driving home and I decided to stop at Blouberg Beach when I saw this beautiful sunset. The amazing thing about making sunset images it that they change in seconds. In this case the sun was setting behind my right shoulder and the colors you see are a reflection of the sunset on the scene. I must also say it's one of the first times I've seen this beach with calm water. Table Mountain Sunset from Blouberg Beach - My 365 Project 108/365

A Cape Town Farmstall - My 365 Project 106/365

A Cape Town Farmstall - My 365 Project 106/365. Trying to catch up on my 365 project postings. I'm still working the project and shooting everyday, but I've been falling back on my postings. I pass this place everyday and it's just a colorful little Farm Store. Here in South Africa the call them Farmstalls. In Afrikaans it translates from Padstal (pronounced Patstall) for roadside store. What really attracted me was the colorful windmill, that is an unofficial symbol of the Western Cape.

Cape Town Moon Rising

I made this image of the Moon Rising as a contrast to the many sunset images I've made. It was just so bright and low in the sky that it was remarkable to me. My 365 Project 105/365

Koozie from Hawaii

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Koozie from Hawaii

Some people complain, or ridicule trinkets that people bring them from trips and vacations, and many times rightfully so. It actually takes thought to give someone a meaningful gift. Meaningful does not have to mean expensive, just relevant. I made this image because it is an image of a thoughtful gift. This was given to me by my sister on her recent trip to Hawaii. Knowing Hawaii, I'm sure it was expensive as well. She knows that I enjoy my one or two Sam Adams beers every evening. Now in Cape Town, that would be Jack Black Lager. I can now slip my beer into my Koozie and think of her and home. Thanks Sis!

The Mountain from the Boerewors Gordyn

Table Mountain is virtually everywhere you look in Cape Town. This is a view of the mountain at dusk from one of the Northern Suburbs along Plattekloof Road, in what is known as the Boerewors Gordyn (Eng Phonetic: Boorevors Hoardane) (Translation: The Boer Curtain) beyond which the main language spoken is Afrikaans. This dates back to when the English controlled Cape Town. The English ruled the Cape and people in and around the city and the Southern Suburbs spoke mainly English, where the Afrikaaners that were not fond of English rule stayed in the Northern Suburbs and mainly spoke Afrikaans. To this day I almost need a translator there. Not really, but you can instantly tell that the primary language is Afrikaans. Plattekloof offers a beautiful view of the city as it is at this point where you start gaining elevation away from Cape Town toward the East. My 365 Project 103/365.

Biesmiellah in Bo Kaap - My 365 Project 102/365

There is an area of Cape Town called the Bo Kaap (Upper Cape). The Bo-Kaap is an area of Cape Town, South Africa formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is quintessentially a Township, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre and is an historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. The Nurul Islam Mosque, established in 1844, is located in the area. Bo-Kaap is traditionally a multicultural area, rich in history and situated on the slopes of Signal Hill. The area is known for its brightly coloured homes and romantic cobble stoned streets. It originated during the third quarter of the 18th century, when Cape Town began to expand along an east-west axis. The first houses in this neighbourhood were probably built in 1790 but between 1795 and 1820 an increasing number of lower income families including many artisans began to make their homes here. The influx of Malays into this quarter probably began in the 1830s when slavery was abolished and Malay residents who had been forcibly brought to the Cape began to make their homes there, and by the middle of the 19th century it was already known as the Slamse Beurt, or the Islamic Quarter. It owes much of its character to the nature of its domestic architecture, mostly single storey houses with flat roofs painted in a variety of pastel colours. A number of mosques with picturesque minarets are still in daily use. The Quarter was probably a major factor why the Cape Malay community managed to retain its identity as a group. Unfortunately the quality of its environment began to deteriorate after WWI, and in 1944 it was declared a slum. This led a number of prominent Cape Town citizens to form a group for the retention of the Malay Quarter, with the support of both the then Historical Monuments Commission as well as the City Council. Initially much of the suburb was purchased by the City Council, but as public opinion began to swing in its favour, so then the Government began to set aside funds for the rehabilitation of this area. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 15 April 1966. (Wikipedia) (http://www.sahistory.org.za/places/malay-quarter-cape-town)

My experience in the Bo Kaap started with aimlessly driving the streets of Cape Town when I got here. The colorful houses and culture was a photographic marvel to me. I organized a photowalk there and had everyone meet at a restaurant called Biesmiellah. Sanna, the lady on the far left told us that Biesmiellah is the oldest Malay restaurant in Cape Town and has been in business for thirty eight years. The Chef on the right has been there all thirty eight and his assistant for twenty seven. The food is amazing and every time I go I just have Sanna bring out "something". It's funny that many Capetonians knew nothing of The Bo Kaap, and were careful no to go there. I can tell you from experience that it is a totally safe place especially during the day with all of the tourist photographers making images of the colorful buildings. Tour busses stop here. What a wonderful place! My 365 Project 102/365

Owners of Biesmiellah

More images of The Bo Kaap from a previous visit.

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Cape Town Sunsets Never Dull 100/365

The day I got back to Cape Town after being in the United States one of the spectacular things I missed was the sunset. Always amazing and always different. I've decided to continue my 365 project posts on my blog rather than just on social media. I never stopped shooting everyday. I was just trying to decide how to post. The reason for this is selfish and it's about protecting my images, and only to have to write once. I will still post the links on social media.