Weekly Winners: 24 - 30 August

Yesterday I went to Ellis Park to witness the Springboks win the Australians in the final test of the Trinations tournament. The Springboks had a very rocky tournament and the South African fans were very worried that the Springboks would suffer another defeat. Nevertheless - the tickets had been purchased weeks ago, my dad and brother traveled 1000km to watch the match live and we were determined to have a good time, no matter what the outcome. And boy did we have a good time! Not only did we win the match, but our team scored a spectacular eight tries to only one scored by the Wallabies. It was a fantastic day, especially because I was lucky enough to share it with my husband, my dad and my brother. Three out of the four favourite men in my life! (Poor Joubert was left at home with my aunt, to watch the game on the TV). So today, in Weekly Winners, even though the photographs were not taken with great skill and / or concentration, I am posting a selection of images from yesterday's match. Congratulations to the Bokke, you once again made a nation very proud!

My husband and I


My brother with painted face


My dad enjoying a beer before the match


The final score








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Photohunt #125: Beautiful

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I suppose when you have a camera in hand, almost everything you aim your lens at is beautiful in some way. So it is very difficult to choose an image!

As I make a living out of capturing babies and children, I suppose that to me, they will always be the most beautiful subject. Newborns in particular are very special, and the back of a tiny baby's head will always be exquisite to me.



PhotoHunt

Photostory Friday: Her Last Words

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

My husband told me a story that saddened me deeply. I have been unable to get it out of my mind the entire week. It had such a profound impact that I decided to share it today.

During the Holocaust, a sister and her younger brother – both children - was being held prisoner in a concentration camp. Of the few possessions that they had, shoes were one of the most important. One day, the sister noticed that her brother wasn’t wearing any shoes. She immediately asked him where they were. Being a typical young boy, he told her that he had misplaced them earlier that day when he wasn’t paying attention and could not find them. His sister was furious and couldn’t believe how irresponsible he had been. She berated him and shook her head as they parted ways.

That was the last time that she saw her brother as he was taken to the gas chamber later that night.

She lives with the regret of their final conversation every day. Today, she never ends a conversation by saying something that she would later regret being the last words spoken to that person.

Random shots that are not a moth (or any kind of insect)

I've recently seen so many great insect and arachnid shots that I decided that I definitely need to try and shoot some six- and/or eight legged creatures myself. Spent ridiculous amount of time wandering around outside, staring at the paving and examining the plants, but no luck. No insects in the urban wilderness. And then, late last night, I spotted a moth, taking a rest on the door of a kitchen cabinet - quite oblivious of my sudden intense interest. Anxiously trotted down to the dining room to fetch the ever-patient, though much sworn at, Olympus E400 and moved in for the shot. Tried all kinds of angles. Propped elbow on several kitchen appliances and grocery items. Even got husband involved in project. Decided it went well and got a little side-tracked with the glasses in said cabinet (just as well). Was very excited to view images on my laptop - could have saved the adrenalin for future fight-or flight situation. Moth photos are best to pretend that they never happened. Out-of-focus, lacking-detail, unimaginative collection of rubbish. Either moth is pathetic model or I am highly skill deficient insect photographer. Either way. These are the if-all-else-fails shots.

Lovely glasses resting on glass shelf


These two pics are courtesy of my brother-in-law who is also an avid photographer. I complained to him that I am lacking inspiration and he told me to go lay outside on the grass and look at the world through a snail's perspective. Snail sees large tree-like sprigs of grass with menacing creature in the far distance covered with long blond hair.



Whew... moving away now...

Wordless Wednesday: My mommy and I both think I'm very cute...

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Spring has (almost) sprung

Winter is definitely coming to an end - the weather is suddenly much warmer and gardens are coming back to life. What can one do but enjoy all the beautiful colours and fragrances with camera in hand?

Almost blooming


Face turned towards the sun


Less is more


Closing up for the night

House decorations

I'm really enjoying the close-up photography and find myself seeing the world in an entirely new light - or maybe I should say from a different view? Suddenly little things that I never paid much attention to, present themselves as interesting subjects to aim my lens at. So today's collection consists of some of my favourite things in my home (from up close).

Moroccan tea tray


Photo frame


Seeing as I'm somewhat obsessed with photographs (what a surprise) my house is crammed with photo frames. I even have framed photographs hidden away in drawers as I have run out of space to display them all! This frame is one of my favourites and hosts an image of me and Emma when she was about 4 months old.

Detail on side table


Does one call this a handle? (an honest question, I really don't know!)


For my 30th birthday my husband bought me this beautiful dressing table at an antique store. Its still my favourite piece of furniture in our house!

Weekly Winners: 17 - 23 August

I have to confess that these aren't really my best photos of the week, but they are ones that I have not posted yet, so here goes. What really is a weekly winner for me is that my sister, who lives in Switzerland and who is a brilliant photographer have finally launched her blog today! I am very proud and excited and urge you to go and have a peek.

Wrinkly leaves


Shot these leaves at the nursery yesterday as an attempt at the photohunt theme.

Cruel deterrent


Barb wire I saw at Irene Diary Farm yesterday.

Curious cow


I just love cows and couldn't resist taking a shot. This one was very interested in the camera!

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Photohunt # 124: Wrinkled

I posted some pics of my aunt's bulldogs a while ago, but thought that this particular one would go well with today's photohunt theme. If wrinkles signifies age, then this dog must be at least 104 years old!

Otto the English Bulldog

PhotoHunt

Photostory Friday: Our favourite getaway

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I've been thinking about a photo that really tells a story - and then remembered that I have not yet posted what has become my symbolic start to serious photography. This was taken in December 2007 in Hogsback, our (my husband and I) favourite private getaway. Whenever we travel down to the Eastern Cape, we leave the kids with my parents for a few days and spend it alone in the magical world of Hogsback. It is a wonderful and sacred place of magnificent beauty and you can almost hear the fairies whispering in the ferns. December was the first time I went with my SLR and also the first time I concentrated on photographing anything other than people. I've always found the image of a path or road leading into the distance fascinating and was hoping that I could find something like this to capture. I have had the image printed and framed to put up in the house and I never grow tired of looking at it. Obviously its not because of the brilliance of the photography, but because of the memories it invokes and the way it makes me feel. I'm sure if you stare down that road long enough, your imagination will also conjure up a story of where it leads...

Pathway to my dreams

Taking a walk down the street

I took a short walk down the street this afternoon - had not even gone half a block and already I took 54 pictures! These are the ones I liked the most (and the ones that sort of fit together).

Delicate flower


Autumn leaves at the end of winter?


Lavender flower


A weed can also be beautiful