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.
Rainy Night in Cape Town - 232/365
Driving home from Cape Town on a rainy evening I noticed the way the lights bounced off the droplets on my windshield.
Self Portrait - 231/365
Abstract Self Portrait
Material Abstract - 230/365
An abstract image where I twisted the camera to make the subject a little more mysterious and interesting.
Girl at Muizenberg Beach - 229/365
I was making some general images on Muizenberg Beach when this little girl that was playing with friends peeked around the corner. I love these happenstance encounters. I made it Black and White as the image was about her and her curiosity. The color would have just distracted away from the structure of the image. We must make choices when we are making deliberate images. Does the color add or distract. It'd up to the individual image maker to decide.
I was honored to make this video for my friend William. We did not rehearse. There was no script. This is William speaking from the heart. William Ledbetter AKA "Billyboy Surfman Beachbum" talks about how surfing has changed his life by the interactions that he has had with people from all walks of life. Billy's journey began at Surf Shack in Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa and continues as a Senior Surfing Instructor at Surf Emporium, owned by Roxy and William Davis.
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.
Smoke Trails on Long Street - 227/365
There's a place on Long Street in Cape Town that serves awesome burgers, "The Royale Eatery". There's usually a wait especially on weekend nights so they created a bar upstairs for customers called "The Waiting Room." The bar has evolved into more than just a waiting room for customers. It's gritty and relaxing with old couches and picnic tables on a balcony overlooking Long Street. The night that I went they had a great DJ that was mixing Rock and Roll Classics all night. It was so good that after having my burger I went back upstairs to have a beer. While I was taking it all in I came upon a backroom that had a Foosball table and a bunch of guys hanging out playing. It reminded me of my old college days so I asked if I could make some images and they were cool. In this image I really like the way the smoke trails from the cigarette as well as seeing how much fun these guys are having.
Just Another Cape Town Evening Storm - 226/365
If you've been following my posts, you can probably tell I love photographing the weather here. I never lived on the beach, and never realized how quickly the weather changes and how beautiful and dramatic it is when it is extreme and combined with a sunset. This is another image of "The Cape of Storms" in all it's glory.
Thabo Hermanus originally shared:
Cape Of Good Hope : Bartolomeu Dias originally named it the "Cape of Storms". If you have felt the winds in the Cape, you can draw your own conclusions as to why he named it that.
However, it was later renamed by John II of Portugal as "Cape of Good Hope" because of the great optimism engendered by the opening of a sea route to India and the East, which would be fruitful for trade.
Home Cooking - 225/365
One of my rare attempts at a real home cooked meal. Most of my meals are ready made from a chain in Cape Town called Woolworths. No connection I hear now. Think they just stole the name. It's like a high end grocery store. Better than Publix, but not as good as Whole Foods. Anyway, they make great ready to heat refrigerated meals. This time I tried my hand at some Pork Chops. They were quite good. In my opinion, the food is tastier here.
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!
I posted an image similar to this a while back, however, it does not change my amazement. When I step out of my office I don't know what animal I may encounter. Pretty amazing!
My most relaxing place to be is on my surfboard out in the water. As I have stated before, time does not matter and the focus is on the here and now. It is a pure state of being in the moment. Rocking gently in the water up and down with the smaller swells and knowing that the larger ones that you will attempt will come in due time. No need to try and anticipate because you are not in control. The power of the ocean is incredible and you absolutely have no influence on it. You must be resigned and willing to surrender to the power. I find it very spiritual and relaxing to surrender completely in that way. If I had known that I would experience this the way I have I would have resumed my surfing way before getting to Cape Town. I am so glad I've been able to experience this again!
Walking into the Fog. There are not many mornings in Cape Town when you encounter no wind at all. There is usually always a breeze. This was one of those morning where it seemed that if you followed the footsteps onto the beach you would disappear into the fog. Rather eerie. As if you are walking to an unknown whiteness.
Alexander Bar Theatre - 220/365
There's a really classy, upscale bar in Cape Town called The Alexander Bar and Theatre. They have a small theatre upstairs where they show movies free of charge. The owners are fans of quirky, foreign, artsy movies, as am I. I love going there.
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.
Coat Rack at the Italian Restaurant - 218/365
Made this image while awaiting a Pizza at the local Italian restaurant. For some reason it just reminded me of what should be typical in an Italian restaurant.
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.
More of Mom's Work - 216/365
I get these all the time and it never ceases to amaze me. My Mom is so talented! It's just too cool to get original watercolor cards in the mail! This was inspired by my photos from Kruger National Park. Though the scene you see never happened, the poses of each animal is real.
