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 Package from Mom - 212/365

My Mom still sends me "old school" mail. I love it. She collects clippings from Newspapers that she thinks I'll find interesting, and real photos. Very cool.

Not Every Post Is Art LOL! - 211/365

An interesting thing about my blog is that it is evolving into some general information that I discover while I'm here in South Africa. This is a typical 220 vac plug. It would be OK if this was the ONLY type, but noooo! There are many and not all items fit into each one. So if you are going to travel here don't believe anyone in the States that they have a STANDARD South Africa plug. The good thing about 220 vac is that your appliances last longer. The bad thing is that if you latch onto it you're dead!

Comb Your Board Not Your Hair - 210/365

This is a comb to scrape through the wax on your board to rough it up for extra grip and/or clean and put on some more wax. My friends at Xpressiononthebeach gave me this. It acts as a a business card for a unique company in Muizenberg, South Africa called Wawawaves. They make old style traditional wooden surfboards, and some with a more modern flair. Very interesting site with some surfing history at www.wawawaves.com

Amarula! - 209/365

I love this stuff! It's really the only thing I'll drink other than beer LOL! Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) which is also locally called the Elephant tree or the Marriage Tree. It has an alcohol content of 17% by volume. It has had some success at international spirit ratings competitions, winning a gold medal at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

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.

Styling the Goggles - 205/365

Nita was one of my first friends in Cape Town. She and her significant other have become great friends of mine. She is fun loving, kind, always helping people, and just plain crazy. Here she is modeling one of the many lost and found swim masks! She is a remarkable worker and it was sad to see her leave the gym, but it was a big plus for her and Adidas. A tremendous athlete also. She is from Kimberley, where the DeBeers Diamond Mine is located and where Gold was found early in South Africa's history.

I Love My Sunrises into Work - 204/365

An early morning sunrise from the Koeberg Nature Preserve. I work in such a beautiful place.

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.

Really! Was This Necessary? 199/365

This sign was actually placed on a steel beam. I made the image because of the ridiculous nature of it. Is the beam going to attack you. Will you not notice that the beam is there without the sign being in place?

Ever Seen a Diesel Porsche 198/365

Here in Cape Town most all vehicle models are available in Diesel instead of Gasoline. I'm sold! More efficient and more powerful! But a Porsche? I found it unique as an American.

Always More and Better Information 197/365

Whatever camera you own please at least read your owners manual. You'll be surprised at all of the things that you can do. In some cases people write third party books with even more information that the manual left out. The author of this one Ibarionex Perello. He hosts one of my favorite podcasts about photography called The Candid Frame. Every week he interviews someone significant in the world of photography. I highly recommend it as a good listen.

Brewer's & Union Bern Stein 196/365

If you don't know it already, I'll let you know up front that I am a beer snob. No Bud or Miller swill for me. In the wine producing paradise that is Cape Town there is a surge in craft breweries. This is but one of the beers that I like. Brewed locally by Brewers & Union in Cape Town. Funny story is that they have an outdoor pub in town with all of their beers and serve great burgers. It's called "& Union". They can't use the "Brewers" part because the part of the building that they rent is owned by a local church.