I had the pleasure of spending the weekend away - DD and I went to a farm just outside Darling and the idea was to get a preview of the flower season which I always seem to miss every year. well, it rained on Saturday and, although Sunday was Ok, we did not get to see much. Anyway, I thought I would take some images of 'farm stuff' while I was there...as much as I don't want to bore anyone with my 'holiday snaps', I thought these few might be of interest. All were shot using an ultra-wide 12mm lens as well as my favourite 50mm 1.4......
Although, as I have mentioned before that I am not really one for competitions, I have been blessed with the fact that I achieved a place in the Top Ten finalists in the Africa Photographic Awards . It was a distinct honour to have made it to the finals and to be categorized in the same company of some of the top photographers in the country!
As you know, last year I made GOLD in the SABIA VOW awards. Now these awards are a little different from other competitions as it is based on the nominations obtained from the bridal couples. Each couple nominates a service provider based on four criteria "excellence of service-value for money-attitude of staff-quality of product". My heartfelt thanks go to all my couples who nominated me as I achieved GOLD (W.Cape) as well as being the NATIONAL WINNER (Photography). What also made it special was that I shared this award with my good friend Gavin Withers who achieved exactly the same score! We share a floating trophy.Thanks to all......
Great start to the wedding season with Michelle and Johan's wedding in 'the beautiful valley'.. Franschhoek.We started at Mont Rochelle, where I did the couples session last Saturday, to the NG Kerk and then on to Dieu Donne, which, as always, was superb. On a technical note, two years ago I photographed a couple in a particular section of the adjoining vineyard. In the middle of the shoot the discharge tube in my flashgun exploded with a bang which left my ears ringing! On Saturday, at precisely the same spot, I heard a crunching sound come out of my 5D. When I removed the lens, bits and pieces of a shattered mirror fell out into my hand - don't get me wrong, this is a new top-of-the-range camera....these things do happen! (did I mention before of the importance of always having a backup for your backup?) Anyway, I am not superstitious but I don't think I will be using that particular part of the vineyard again! I had the pleasure of working with videographer Ian Badenhorst - check his website, he does some really cool stuff.
Assistant photographer : Nikki van Wheele
Video : Vision on Fire
Venue : Dieu Donne
Another notification received for upcoming awards! - I am a bit overwhelmed as this is the second time in the past couple of weeks. (see previous post "lets wait and see..")
