Photo #6: The obligatory Cape sunset

Sunset somewhere near Chapman's Peak...I think

Date and time taken: 30 August 2009 @ approximately 19H06

Nikon D40, 55mm focal length, 1/800 sec exposure F/5.6, ISO 200

Everybody just  has to have that one sunset photo in their collection. Well, I’m no different. And Cape sunsets have to be the best in South Africa. I actually took quite a few shots and was lucky to get the two cars passing each other in opposite directions into the composition.

Yet again, I forgot to carry my tripod but a gorillapod did help with stabilization.

Photo #5: A view to a chill

Lonely lighthouse along Peninsula

Date and time taken: 27 August 2009 @ approximately 18H01

Nikon D40, 55mm focal length, 1/1250sec exposure F/13, Exposure compensation -2.0 EV, ISO 200

The Cape Peninsula is very beautiful any time of day or night or season. I took this shot while driving along the coast one afternoon, just as the sun was about setting, I think.  Some dirt on my lens is just about visible as well. And I forgot to carry my tripod as usual.

Photo #4: The long and winding road

The long road to Nelspruit

Date and time taken: 17 February 2009, @ approximately 09H55

Nikon D40, 20mm focal length, 1/2000 sec exposure F/4, ISO 200

I captured this shot while on my way to visit the new stadium being constructed for the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup, in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. This area also known as Eastern Transvaal or the lowveld, is famous for its scenic natural beauty. Anyone travelling to the Kruger National Park from Johannesburg, must pass this way, on long winding roads which have now been upgraded from the narrow,  pot-holed roads of the past.

When I changed the look and feel of my blogsite (yet again :-)), I decided to use this photograph as a metaphor for the site: the long and winding journey on the path of knowledge and wisdom through critical thinking.

Photo #3: Children and Animals

Ah! Such innocence

Date and time taken: 25 December 2008 @ approximately 15H28

Nikon D40, 120mm focal length, 1/60 sec exposure F/5, ISO 200, Built-in flash used

Getting along, for once

Date and time taken: 29 December 2008, @ approximately 08H36

Nikon D40, 92mm focal length, 1/15 sec exposure F/4.5, ISO 200

I’ve been told that excruciating patience is required with posed shots of children and animals; because they’re so unpredictable. However, nothing beats having your camera on your person, most times, and being ready to shoot any opportunity that presents itself.

Photo #2: The Mighty Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls at night, winter 2007

Date taken: 30 December 2007 @ approximately 20H52

Nikon D40, 35mm focal length, 30 sec exposure F/6.3, ISO 200

The Canadian winter can be very cold at night, and it took some time to get the shot I wanted. My fingers were a trifle sore after about half an hour. I did not have a tripod, so I placed the camera on a wall fronting the river just before the falls. The surface of the wall was uneven, which made keeping the horizon straight, very difficult. I have to get myself a bean-bag for such occasions. I then had to crouch down, my face touching the cold wall, to look through the viewfinder; very awkward. Given the conditions, I think my composition came out okay.

Photo #1: Fishing on the Vaal River

Fishing on the Vaal River, South Africa

Date taken: 12 August 2008 @ approximately 10H01

Nikon D40, 18mm focal length, 1\1000sec – F/3.5, ISO 200

I thought that the shadows and the reflections of the trees in the water on the opposite bank, would add some interest to the standard fishermen scene. I also deliberately used this angle to get the diagonal line of the river bank running about mid-way through the picture.