Posts
As some of my readers know, I love cooking, and from time to time, I miss eating traditional South African foods, things like bobotjie, koeksusters, rusks, boerewors etc. and today I thought I would share a wonderful crunchie recipe that I have used. It's easy to make and requires no baking skills, except the ability to measure and follow a recipe.
Think of today's post as a sweet treat, thanks to my readers for following me. If you find this recipe on the web, please leave a comment. Measurements are metric.
Traditional South African Crunchies
Combine the following dry ingredients together:
2 cups (250 ml) cake (all purpose) flour
2 cups finely dessicated non-sweetened coconut
2 cups slow cooking rolled oats
1.5 cups of white sugar
Melt:
300-350 g of butter
1 heaped tablespoon of Lyle's golden syrup
When melted, add:
1.5 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) dissolved in 1 tablespoon of boiling water.
Add this to the melted butter/syrup mixture.
Stir vigorously, but be careful as the mixture will froth!
Mix the dry ingredients in and let it stand for about 10 minutes.
Press the mixture into a greased oven tray (I use a baking spray)
Bake at 220 deg C (428 deg F) for approximately 30 mins or until a deep golden brown.
Remove from oven, cut into squares while still warm and allow to cool in the baking tray before using a lifter and allowing to cool completely out of the tray,
Store in a tight container.
I am about to bake my own and if I remember will put up a photograph of what they look like!
Enjoy.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Photographing an Artist
Artists are a unique breed of person because we are passionate about our work and the way we see the world. We will stand up for each other, but will also "move" around each like two novice dancers who have no idea who is supposed to lead, or who is supposed to follow because you're afraid to step on toes and hurt someone else's feelings.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph a friend and fellow artist, Kobi Baker who is based in Houston, Texas. I've known Kobi for almost 5 years, and while I have photographed him in a variety of styles and settings, our latest project was the most exciting, because it was radically different from what either of us had done in the past. The goal was create an image that would describe Kobi without using words, an image that would show the artist at work.
We threw a few ideas around, but one in particular stuck. Kobi would create an acrylic painting, and I would photograph the artist and his work together. The idea seemed innocuous enough. A couple of months had gone by when Kobi sent me a text saying the painting was finished and asking when the shoot was scheduled for! Needless to say I was stumped. The problem wasn't so much the "when", as the "where"! I was to photograph Kobi in front of his art while a 3rd person poured paint over him. I had no idea of a location that had tall ceilings, had a floor that we could potentially knock a can of paint onto, and was big enough to set up lights in such a way that it didn't look the image didn't end up looking as though it had been photographed in a cave. The MFAH came to mind, but I immediately discounted that idea.
I contacted a couple of Houston artists and art organizations without success. Some people didn't even bother returning my phone calls. The Houston Art Alliance suggested that I place an ad on a bulletin board that many artists frequented, but while people read they ad, not a single person responded. As days turned into weeks, I realized that finding the right location, at the right price, was going to be a challenge and then I remembered that my fellow artist and colleague David Ayl has a studio located not far from downtown Houston. I shot him an email explaining what I wanted to do and within a day got his return email saying that I was more than welcome to use his place. The only problem was that while his studio didn't have a fully functioning shower, it did have a tub and shower head that Kobi could use to rinse off the paint.
With the location selected, all that remained was to set two dates: one to set up, and the other for the shoot. I packed my FJ Cruiser with all sorts of photo gear and included some heavy duty plastic bags and tape so we could protect the floor from the paint and met Kobi and David at the studio.
One thing I have omitted in my description of David's studio is that it doesn't have air conditioning. The humidity and heat in Houston is almost unbearable at this time of year, I knew that was going to be a hot job. As we unloaded my vehicle, the sweat poured from our bodies like water over the edge of Niagara Falls. We moved David's tables out of the way, cut open plastic bags and taped them to the floor.
Next we set up the lights, set up light modifiers and I took approximate measurements and translated those to use with my Canon 5D and 70-200 Mk II lens. Why the 70-200 lens? The longer the lens, the more it compresses the foreground with the background. While I wanted Kobi to stand in front of the painting, I didn't want it to be covered with falling paint, but wanted the image to appear as though there was very little distance between the subject and the art.
The shoot was scheduled for 10 AM the next morning. This was tricky. After all, once the "operation" started, there was no stopping or going back. We had one go to make this a successful shoot.
I arrived at the studio and David was waiting for us. Kobi had brought a friend along who volunteered to climb up a ladder and to pour the paint over him. After a few more adjustments to the changing light, we were ready to go. Kobi knows how to respond to a camera and as I pressed the shutter, the dance began: lights, paint, movement, light, shutter, stop, wipe face, lens blur, shutter, light, more paint, check light, more paint... Before we knew it, the last bottle of paint was emptied and the last flash went off, but then Kobi had an idea...
...could I take a photo of him outside? OUTSIDE? Why? As we emerged into the hot Houston sunlight, me with my camera in hand and Kobi covered in paint, a Houston Police car cruised by.
The officer probably just shook his head and thought obscene thoughts to himself.In the meanwhile, the paint was starting to dry. We ran the water for the bath that David had cleaned out and laughed as Kobi tried to wash paint off. That was a sight to behold after which we packed up all my equipment, loaded my car and I headed back to the studio to process the images.
All in all, a great day and a great experience, with some incredible photographs in hand, and special thanks to Kobi and David for an fun time.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph a friend and fellow artist, Kobi Baker who is based in Houston, Texas. I've known Kobi for almost 5 years, and while I have photographed him in a variety of styles and settings, our latest project was the most exciting, because it was radically different from what either of us had done in the past. The goal was create an image that would describe Kobi without using words, an image that would show the artist at work.
We threw a few ideas around, but one in particular stuck. Kobi would create an acrylic painting, and I would photograph the artist and his work together. The idea seemed innocuous enough. A couple of months had gone by when Kobi sent me a text saying the painting was finished and asking when the shoot was scheduled for! Needless to say I was stumped. The problem wasn't so much the "when", as the "where"! I was to photograph Kobi in front of his art while a 3rd person poured paint over him. I had no idea of a location that had tall ceilings, had a floor that we could potentially knock a can of paint onto, and was big enough to set up lights in such a way that it didn't look the image didn't end up looking as though it had been photographed in a cave. The MFAH came to mind, but I immediately discounted that idea.
 |
| "Untitled" |
I contacted a couple of Houston artists and art organizations without success. Some people didn't even bother returning my phone calls. The Houston Art Alliance suggested that I place an ad on a bulletin board that many artists frequented, but while people read they ad, not a single person responded. As days turned into weeks, I realized that finding the right location, at the right price, was going to be a challenge and then I remembered that my fellow artist and colleague David Ayl has a studio located not far from downtown Houston. I shot him an email explaining what I wanted to do and within a day got his return email saying that I was more than welcome to use his place. The only problem was that while his studio didn't have a fully functioning shower, it did have a tub and shower head that Kobi could use to rinse off the paint.
With the location selected, all that remained was to set two dates: one to set up, and the other for the shoot. I packed my FJ Cruiser with all sorts of photo gear and included some heavy duty plastic bags and tape so we could protect the floor from the paint and met Kobi and David at the studio.
One thing I have omitted in my description of David's studio is that it doesn't have air conditioning. The humidity and heat in Houston is almost unbearable at this time of year, I knew that was going to be a hot job. As we unloaded my vehicle, the sweat poured from our bodies like water over the edge of Niagara Falls. We moved David's tables out of the way, cut open plastic bags and taped them to the floor.
Next we set up the lights, set up light modifiers and I took approximate measurements and translated those to use with my Canon 5D and 70-200 Mk II lens. Why the 70-200 lens? The longer the lens, the more it compresses the foreground with the background. While I wanted Kobi to stand in front of the painting, I didn't want it to be covered with falling paint, but wanted the image to appear as though there was very little distance between the subject and the art.
 |
| Artist and Art |
I arrived at the studio and David was waiting for us. Kobi had brought a friend along who volunteered to climb up a ladder and to pour the paint over him. After a few more adjustments to the changing light, we were ready to go. Kobi knows how to respond to a camera and as I pressed the shutter, the dance began: lights, paint, movement, light, shutter, stop, wipe face, lens blur, shutter, light, more paint, check light, more paint... Before we knew it, the last bottle of paint was emptied and the last flash went off, but then Kobi had an idea...
 |
| The Pour Begins! |
 |
| The Finished Product |
 |
| The Finished Product |
 |
| Posing Outside |
The officer probably just shook his head and thought obscene thoughts to himself.In the meanwhile, the paint was starting to dry. We ran the water for the bath that David had cleaned out and laughed as Kobi tried to wash paint off. That was a sight to behold after which we packed up all my equipment, loaded my car and I headed back to the studio to process the images.
All in all, a great day and a great experience, with some incredible photographs in hand, and special thanks to Kobi and David for an fun time.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
On Your Own? Think Again!
It's easy to think that we are sometimes that only person who has a certain world view or is struggling to define concepts, or battling to make ends meet in this rather lack-lustre economy. Yes, you can talk to friends and family about your life and the struggles you have on a daily basis, the disagreements you have with your bank or credit card company, but there is nothing quite like connecting with colleagues who are in the same boat as you are.
A couple of weeks ago I booked a flight up to Omaha, Nebraska on the urging of Ann Monteith an incredible photographer and past president of PPA to attend a workshop hosted in the town of Norfolk, Nebraska. I wasn't sure what to expect at the workshop. I knew that I would have to be bullied and glared at by cold-hearted security personnel with room temperature IQs at the airports, have to squeeze into aeroplane seats designed to fit 5-year olds and endure the two hour flight to Omaha on teeny packet of pretzels with the possibility that some 3-month old kid would be screaming his/her lungs out the entire journey. While the latter didn't happen, the plane was delayed for over an hour. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come with the merger of United and Continental?
I arrived at Omaha, picked up my car rental (a PT cruiser which handles the way it was designed - awkwardly) and drove into the green hills of Nebraska carpeted with fields of green corn. After a 2 hour journey, I found the hotel, checked in, rushed down for the "Welcome" cocktail hour (the older I get, the more cocktail hours I need!) and introduced myself to a few stragglers and made out way to the restaurant for dinner. What a treat. At table I sat with Bruce and Josh Hudson, a father and son team at Hudson Portrait Design. What an incredible team they make and they set me on fire with their stories of hurdles they had to overcome and tales success. This was a sign of things to come. For two days, I "workshopped" and networked with 35 other photographers who insisted that even though the economic climate sucks, failure in business is not an option. After all, what else can a photographer do? Work for some cold-hearted jack-ass boss whose ongoing mood swings need to be controlled with bi-polar medication? I think not!
The energy was intense. The workshops helped us design our goals, put systems in place for the next two quarters, overcome issues, tweak some ideas and plan for success. The evening were spent sharing our stories around a glass of wine, beer or scotch. The third day of activities was tightly scheduled as we met with graphic designers, web designers and marketing specialists back to back and who helped translate our ideas and dreams into marketing reality. At 5 PM we parted and I headed back to Omaha, NE and checked into a Holiday Inn (thanks to Priceline.com) at a good price.
I spent the Thursday morning relaxing over a late breakfast and then made my way to the airport. I was so anxious to get home, that I boarded the wrong plane! How was I supposed to know that the plane I was seated on was going to La Guardia, NY instead of Houston, TX? I mean, there I was comfortably seated in my teeny aisle seat, and the doors were about to close but one person had a ticket but because some people had switched seats, he had no place to sit. The gate official came up front and made an announcement for me to come to the front of the plane with all my belongings. What? Why was I being kicked off? I went up front without my stuff, and asked what was going on. The gate official asked if I had all my belongings with me. Of course I didnt! I wanted to know what was going on before they kicked me off. That's when I learnt that I was on the wrong flight. Ooops! I was a little flushed and apologized profusely. The gate official said it was their fault because they should've caught it. I exited the plane with my bags and ensconced in the waiting area once again waiting for the correct flight! Anyway, after a dull flight with well-behaved passengers, I was glad to get back to Houston.
It's easy for us to sometimes wallow in the fact that we're on our own and to underscore our aloneness by taking online classes or read books and manuals in isolation. This experience taught me how important it is to get out there, to mix with others, to share ideas, to listen to others and to surround yourself with people who know the taste of success and are happy to help you in your quest for success. The poet John Donne put it this way in his Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions:
A couple of weeks ago I booked a flight up to Omaha, Nebraska on the urging of Ann Monteith an incredible photographer and past president of PPA to attend a workshop hosted in the town of Norfolk, Nebraska. I wasn't sure what to expect at the workshop. I knew that I would have to be bullied and glared at by cold-hearted security personnel with room temperature IQs at the airports, have to squeeze into aeroplane seats designed to fit 5-year olds and endure the two hour flight to Omaha on teeny packet of pretzels with the possibility that some 3-month old kid would be screaming his/her lungs out the entire journey. While the latter didn't happen, the plane was delayed for over an hour. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come with the merger of United and Continental?
I arrived at Omaha, picked up my car rental (a PT cruiser which handles the way it was designed - awkwardly) and drove into the green hills of Nebraska carpeted with fields of green corn. After a 2 hour journey, I found the hotel, checked in, rushed down for the "Welcome" cocktail hour (the older I get, the more cocktail hours I need!) and introduced myself to a few stragglers and made out way to the restaurant for dinner. What a treat. At table I sat with Bruce and Josh Hudson, a father and son team at Hudson Portrait Design. What an incredible team they make and they set me on fire with their stories of hurdles they had to overcome and tales success. This was a sign of things to come. For two days, I "workshopped" and networked with 35 other photographers who insisted that even though the economic climate sucks, failure in business is not an option. After all, what else can a photographer do? Work for some cold-hearted jack-ass boss whose ongoing mood swings need to be controlled with bi-polar medication? I think not!
The energy was intense. The workshops helped us design our goals, put systems in place for the next two quarters, overcome issues, tweak some ideas and plan for success. The evening were spent sharing our stories around a glass of wine, beer or scotch. The third day of activities was tightly scheduled as we met with graphic designers, web designers and marketing specialists back to back and who helped translate our ideas and dreams into marketing reality. At 5 PM we parted and I headed back to Omaha, NE and checked into a Holiday Inn (thanks to Priceline.com) at a good price.
I spent the Thursday morning relaxing over a late breakfast and then made my way to the airport. I was so anxious to get home, that I boarded the wrong plane! How was I supposed to know that the plane I was seated on was going to La Guardia, NY instead of Houston, TX? I mean, there I was comfortably seated in my teeny aisle seat, and the doors were about to close but one person had a ticket but because some people had switched seats, he had no place to sit. The gate official came up front and made an announcement for me to come to the front of the plane with all my belongings. What? Why was I being kicked off? I went up front without my stuff, and asked what was going on. The gate official asked if I had all my belongings with me. Of course I didnt! I wanted to know what was going on before they kicked me off. That's when I learnt that I was on the wrong flight. Ooops! I was a little flushed and apologized profusely. The gate official said it was their fault because they should've caught it. I exited the plane with my bags and ensconced in the waiting area once again waiting for the correct flight! Anyway, after a dull flight with well-behaved passengers, I was glad to get back to Houston.
It's easy for us to sometimes wallow in the fact that we're on our own and to underscore our aloneness by taking online classes or read books and manuals in isolation. This experience taught me how important it is to get out there, to mix with others, to share ideas, to listen to others and to surround yourself with people who know the taste of success and are happy to help you in your quest for success. The poet John Donne put it this way in his Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions:
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind...
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Going on Safari to Africa
There are many many photographers who call themselves "professional". Some are good, some are average and many are just bad. That's a pretty sweeping statement to make and I wont' be surprised if I get more than just a few comments about that. But stop and think about it. Just because you charge to take photographs doesn't make you a "professional".
A professional that I admire is former seminarian and Canadian, David DuChemin, because he is a man who, from my perspective at least, "there is no guile" (no pun intended in that Scriptural reference). Dave is honest and upfront and wants to get anyone interested in photography shooting with the equipment they have and no wishing they could take great photos because they don't have the latest and greatest gizmos on the market.
I'm singing Dave's praises because this week he released another monograph in a series called "The Print & The Process" called SAFARI. The title was like nectar to a honey bee because in less than a year (June 2011) Jamie Thom and I will be leading a group of 7 people on safari to Botswana and Zambia. Why seven? Well, because I am number 8 and Jamie is number 9. Jamie is a top flight photographer and skilled instructor who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He knows the African bush backwards and has won many awards for his photography. I grew up in South Africa and want others to grow to love Africa and it's heritage the way I do and what better way to make that happen by taking friends and their friends on safari. By the way, only THREE (3) seats remain, so if you are interested in going to Africa for less than $5000 (including airfare), then you need to contact me today!
This 62-page eBook, available for the ridiculously low price of $5.00 and whether you photograph your dog, cat, children, animals at the zoo or in the wild, I recommend you buy it. Dave discusses lessons he learned, (one being the importance of slowing down, because Africa moves at a different pace!), what gear he used and the Adobe Lightroom settings he created for his prints. If you buy this eBook before July 11, you can obtain it for $4.00 (that's cheaper than a meal at Mickey Ds) by clicking this link and using the promotional code SAFARI4 when you check out. (Oh, btw, Dave also puts out a great desktop wallpapers you can use on your computer every month! For 1280×853 click here and for 2560x1600 click here.)
What is my itinerary?
19th June, 2011
Overnight in hotel in Johannesburg. Still making arrangements at a 3-star or better hotel close to the airport.
20th June, 2011
Depart Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Arrive Maun, Botswana
Air Botswana
Overnight in hotel in Maun. Currently exploring opportunities. Hotels/Lodges range from simple B&B to USD500 a night all inclusive. More details to follow.
21st - 22nd June, 2011
Okavango Delta
Our adventure will take us in a north-westerly direction from Maun to the western side of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once we have reached the edge of the Delta, we will transfer our equipment to motorboats and cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels enjoying the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape. Deeper in the Delta we will meet the local polers with their mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, and enjoy a tranquil transfer to an island. We will spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
23rd June, 2011
Okavango Delta
Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, we will retrace your route to Maun. We will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta to return to Maun (1hr scenic flight is EUR 100 per person, with a minimum of 3 guests to guarantee the flight). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s unique water system and if you choose to take the flight, you will enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Delta campsite writing postcards or reading a book while you wait for your afternoon flight. Your guide will travel back to Maun with the vehicle to resupply for the next stage of your adventure. After collecting you at the airport, we will shop for drinks and then spend the night at a campsite just outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided.)
24th - 26th June, 2011
Moremi Game Reserve
From Maun we will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for, while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After our morning game drive, we will return to camp for lunch and a siesta.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
27th - 29th June, 2011
Chobe National Park
The diverse and striking landscape of Chobe National Park, is our next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, we will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. We will then head northwards to the Chobe River where our game drives will meander along the banks of the river and venture further into the park.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
30th June - 1st July, 2011
After a morning game drive you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10 AM on 1st July, 2011.
1st July, 2011
Depart Livingstone, Zambia
Arrive Oliver Tambo Airport, South Africa
British Airways
1st July, 2011
Overnight in hotel in Johannesburg and transit on your own to a local or international destination with memories of an incredible experience you cannot wait to share.
Just think about it! You can swelter away in next year's summer heat, or you can call me today at 713.581.0656 and be part of the trip that you will remember and reminisce about for the rest of your life.
Here is your To-do list:
1. Call John at 713.581.0656 to get more information on the Safari to Botswana and Zambia next July.
2. Download Dave's eBook.
That's it for another week. Peace, and happy shooting.
A professional that I admire is former seminarian and Canadian, David DuChemin, because he is a man who, from my perspective at least, "there is no guile" (no pun intended in that Scriptural reference). Dave is honest and upfront and wants to get anyone interested in photography shooting with the equipment they have and no wishing they could take great photos because they don't have the latest and greatest gizmos on the market.
This 62-page eBook, available for the ridiculously low price of $5.00 and whether you photograph your dog, cat, children, animals at the zoo or in the wild, I recommend you buy it. Dave discusses lessons he learned, (one being the importance of slowing down, because Africa moves at a different pace!), what gear he used and the Adobe Lightroom settings he created for his prints. If you buy this eBook before July 11, you can obtain it for $4.00 (that's cheaper than a meal at Mickey Ds) by clicking this link and using the promotional code SAFARI4 when you check out. (Oh, btw, Dave also puts out a great desktop wallpapers you can use on your computer every month! For 1280×853 click here and for 2560x1600 click here.)
What is my itinerary?
19th June, 2011
Overnight in hotel in Johannesburg. Still making arrangements at a 3-star or better hotel close to the airport.
20th June, 2011
Depart Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
Arrive Maun, Botswana
Air Botswana
Overnight in hotel in Maun. Currently exploring opportunities. Hotels/Lodges range from simple B&B to USD500 a night all inclusive. More details to follow.
21st - 22nd June, 2011
Okavango Delta
Our adventure will take us in a north-westerly direction from Maun to the western side of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once we have reached the edge of the Delta, we will transfer our equipment to motorboats and cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels enjoying the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape. Deeper in the Delta we will meet the local polers with their mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, and enjoy a tranquil transfer to an island. We will spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
23rd June, 2011
Okavango Delta
Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, we will retrace your route to Maun. We will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta to return to Maun (1hr scenic flight is EUR 100 per person, with a minimum of 3 guests to guarantee the flight). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s unique water system and if you choose to take the flight, you will enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Delta campsite writing postcards or reading a book while you wait for your afternoon flight. Your guide will travel back to Maun with the vehicle to resupply for the next stage of your adventure. After collecting you at the airport, we will shop for drinks and then spend the night at a campsite just outside Maun with permanent ablution facilities. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided.)
24th - 26th June, 2011
Moremi Game Reserve
From Maun we will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for, while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After our morning game drive, we will return to camp for lunch and a siesta.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
27th - 29th June, 2011
Chobe National Park
The diverse and striking landscape of Chobe National Park, is our next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, we will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. We will then head northwards to the Chobe River where our game drives will meander along the banks of the river and venture further into the park.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
30th June - 1st July, 2011
After a morning game drive you will cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10 AM on 1st July, 2011.
1st July, 2011
Depart Livingstone, Zambia
Arrive Oliver Tambo Airport, South Africa
British Airways
1st July, 2011
Overnight in hotel in Johannesburg and transit on your own to a local or international destination with memories of an incredible experience you cannot wait to share.
Just think about it! You can swelter away in next year's summer heat, or you can call me today at 713.581.0656 and be part of the trip that you will remember and reminisce about for the rest of your life.
Here is your To-do list:
1. Call John at 713.581.0656 to get more information on the Safari to Botswana and Zambia next July.
2. Download Dave's eBook.
That's it for another week. Peace, and happy shooting.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Expanding your network
When most people hear the phrase, "Expanding your network", many think of friending people on Facebook. I have come to the conclusion that one's network is far wider and far more powerful than a list of names on Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn.
This past Monday, I had to take Charley, my brindle-coloured French Standard Poodle, to see the vet. The only times that one visits medical/veterinary people is if you or your pet is sick or you need a refill on a prescription and the doctor/vet needs to re-evaluate your condition before letting you pop more pills.
I took Charley in because he constantly shook his head as if something was stuck in his ear. I looked inside, didn't see anything, but certainly smelled the tell-tale odour of an ear infection. I arrived at the vet around 10 AM, and the place was packed out with dogs (and cats) of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Some were pretty aggressive and others were just the cutest things you can imagine. I typically, tend to keep to myself, not wanting to intrude into others' space, but the marketing class I attended this past weekend taught me that every encounter with another person is an opportunity not only to make friends, but to expand your network and to grow your business. While this isn't a new concept to me, it is one that decided to embrace with a certain amount of fear and trepidation. I can work a crowd of 30+ people without batting an eyelid, but chatting and becoming friends with random strangers, is another matter entirely.
The woman to my right had a sweet dog who had been neutered the week before, but his stitches had come out. The poor thing had a helmet around it's head that was meant to prevent it from getting to the stitches, but apparently it hadn't worked. I made small talk with the dog's owner, but she clearly didn't want to talk and her body language demonstrated it. You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. A woman with the cutest baby came in with her Mom and dog and sat down next to me and she started chatting almost immediately. We totally hit it off. I learned that her husband is an opera singer who loves singing Wagner (he needs headshots), their baby was a mere 2 months old (needs beautiful photographs) and they want to have a family portrait taken.
I had my iPhone with me and showed her a few photos that I keep on there and she loved them, but it would've been better if I had a bigger screen like my iPad. Consequently, I now carry business cards and my iPad wherever I go. I gave her a card and invited her to contact me (need to be more pro-active and get her information so that "I" can contact the other party) right as Charley's name was called to see the vet.
What did I learn? Just because one person says "no" doesn't mean that everyone says "no". People have so many things going on in their heads, at work and at home that they may not be in the right place to be receptive. Consequently, don't sweat the small stuff and move on. Building your network isn't "friending" someone, but it is "being a friend" to another person and genuinely showing interest in their lives. If an opportunity comes to talk about what you have to offer, that's great, but if not, that is also fine because we shared our humanity together.
This past Monday, I had to take Charley, my brindle-coloured French Standard Poodle, to see the vet. The only times that one visits medical/veterinary people is if you or your pet is sick or you need a refill on a prescription and the doctor/vet needs to re-evaluate your condition before letting you pop more pills.
I took Charley in because he constantly shook his head as if something was stuck in his ear. I looked inside, didn't see anything, but certainly smelled the tell-tale odour of an ear infection. I arrived at the vet around 10 AM, and the place was packed out with dogs (and cats) of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Some were pretty aggressive and others were just the cutest things you can imagine. I typically, tend to keep to myself, not wanting to intrude into others' space, but the marketing class I attended this past weekend taught me that every encounter with another person is an opportunity not only to make friends, but to expand your network and to grow your business. While this isn't a new concept to me, it is one that decided to embrace with a certain amount of fear and trepidation. I can work a crowd of 30+ people without batting an eyelid, but chatting and becoming friends with random strangers, is another matter entirely.
The woman to my right had a sweet dog who had been neutered the week before, but his stitches had come out. The poor thing had a helmet around it's head that was meant to prevent it from getting to the stitches, but apparently it hadn't worked. I made small talk with the dog's owner, but she clearly didn't want to talk and her body language demonstrated it. You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. A woman with the cutest baby came in with her Mom and dog and sat down next to me and she started chatting almost immediately. We totally hit it off. I learned that her husband is an opera singer who loves singing Wagner (he needs headshots), their baby was a mere 2 months old (needs beautiful photographs) and they want to have a family portrait taken.
I had my iPhone with me and showed her a few photos that I keep on there and she loved them, but it would've been better if I had a bigger screen like my iPad. Consequently, I now carry business cards and my iPad wherever I go. I gave her a card and invited her to contact me (need to be more pro-active and get her information so that "I" can contact the other party) right as Charley's name was called to see the vet.
What did I learn? Just because one person says "no" doesn't mean that everyone says "no". People have so many things going on in their heads, at work and at home that they may not be in the right place to be receptive. Consequently, don't sweat the small stuff and move on. Building your network isn't "friending" someone, but it is "being a friend" to another person and genuinely showing interest in their lives. If an opportunity comes to talk about what you have to offer, that's great, but if not, that is also fine because we shared our humanity together.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
On Father's Day
I remember the times my grandmother would visit and beg my Mom and Dad to play duets (Mom on the piano and Dad on the violin), the Christmas I got a spinning top as gift and Dad was playing with it, but the foot bounced and went into his pinkie (it screwed up his violin playing), him singing in my Mom's choir at Berea Methodist Church, standing on his shoulders in the pool, going body surfing with him at Orient and Nahoon beaches in East London, South Africa and learning how to water ski. The image that comes to mind most readily however is a photograph from grandmother took of us after church one Sunday.
My only regret is that I never knew the man who was my father. I want to follow in his footsteps. I wanted him to be proud of me. I wanted to hear him say, "Well done. I'm proud of you". Those words never came from his mouth. While today is a bitter-sweet day for me, I'm thankful for the memories and the good times I had with him and thankful to be a father and to be able to tell my children how much I love them, how important they are to me, how proud I am of them, where they are in their lives, and are the inspiration that propels me to life a rich, full and happy life.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Lighting with Zack Arias
Wow, what a weekend I've had! I've had so much information that it almost feels as though I've been run over by a truck. At the same time, I have gained so much knowledge that I can't wait to share it with you.
Permission to use the image above given by (c) Wilfredo Valle.
In a previous blog I mentioned that the folks at CreativeLive are helping people all over the world improve their photography skills at no cost! Yup. You heard right. All you need is a decent internet connection and a desire to learn and you have a front seat from some of the best in the world such as David DuChemin, Zack Arias, Chase Jarvis, John Greengo and many more.
This past weekend, Zack Arias with a team of over 30 people, taught lighting for 3 days, starting Friday and going through to Sunday. Talk about a marathon session! He pulled out almost every piece of equipment that anyone could ever desire to own or want to use and demonstrated how it different from other types of lighting that he used. All these images and more will be posted up on his blog (www.zarias.com) in the coming weeks.
Permission to use the image above given by (c) Zack Arias.
There is no way that I can ever begin to summarize what Zack taught, but I managed to find a tentative schedule of topics for the weekend on his blog:
Friday
The good news is that YOU can (actually, you NEED to) buy this marathon lighting class from CreativeLive. It's a mere $129 for 25+ hours of a lighting workshop. So, instead of buying crappy equipment that you're going to have to replace in a 6 months, or struggling to get the "look" you wanted and then beating yourself up cuz your lighting sucks, just do yourself a favour and buy the download. It will be money well spent! While you're at it, sign up to get notified of upcoming classes.
Thanks to Zack for an incredible weekend and for permission to use one of his images (the model on set with foot on apple box) in this blog. My thanks also go to Wilfredo Valle (www.wilfredovalle.com) who submitted a video entry and was able to attend the entire weekend at no cost (I hate the word free as it reminds me of a used car salesman!) and who has also given me permission to his image of Zack teaching the class.
That's it for another week! Have a great week.
John
In a previous blog I mentioned that the folks at CreativeLive are helping people all over the world improve their photography skills at no cost! Yup. You heard right. All you need is a decent internet connection and a desire to learn and you have a front seat from some of the best in the world such as David DuChemin, Zack Arias, Chase Jarvis, John Greengo and many more.
This past weekend, Zack Arias with a team of over 30 people, taught lighting for 3 days, starting Friday and going through to Sunday. Talk about a marathon session! He pulled out almost every piece of equipment that anyone could ever desire to own or want to use and demonstrated how it different from other types of lighting that he used. All these images and more will be posted up on his blog (www.zarias.com) in the coming weeks.
Permission to use the image above given by (c) Zack Arias.There is no way that I can ever begin to summarize what Zack taught, but I managed to find a tentative schedule of topics for the weekend on his blog:
Friday
- My personal philosophy of having a studio space
- Considerations for getting a space of your own or turning a space you have into a studio space.
- The basics of exposure when using flash in studio. We will be using hotshoe flashes and strobes.
- Working with multiple lights and working with different lighting ratios
- Using a light meter and how to figure it out on the fly without a meter
- Overview of the modifiers we will be using over the weekend. Those include: Straight flash, Umbrellas, Softboxes, Octabanks, Beauty dish, Ring flash, Grids, Flags/Silks/Reflectors, DIY modifiers
- Q&A
- The many uses of white seamless. I’ll be walking you through the entire process of shooting on a white seamless and getting the most out of one simple background
- Post production on the white seamless
- Q&A
- (lunch break somewhere between 1pm and 2pm.)
- Building a set. It will already be in place. I’ll just talk about the basic modular set pieces that went into making it.
- Grip equipment. How to put stuff together and do stuff with that stuff.
- Slowly moving away from the seamless and onto other background choices. IE: Fabric/Walls/Sets
- Working with subjects. Interaction and Posing. (I’ve had a lot of questions about this so I’m spending a lot of time on it.)
- Musicians. Duo and Trio. Group shots plus individuals. White seamless and other backgrounds + a simple set.
- Q&A
- Quick recap of previous day and previous information about exposure. Not going to spend a lot of time on this but just a quick recap for those just joining.
- If I don’t cover the grip equipment on Saturday I’ll most likely do that Sunday morning.
- Art Direction! I will be pulling people from the live audience and giving them assignments to see what problems they run into and guide them through the process.
- More shooting. Different modifiers. Improv.
- Q&A
- (lunch break somewhere between 1pm and 2pm.)
- Working with a four piece band.
- Individuals and group shot.
- More shooting. Whatever we decide to do making sure I’ve used all the modifiers from the list above.
- Q&A
The good news is that YOU can (actually, you NEED to) buy this marathon lighting class from CreativeLive. It's a mere $129 for 25+ hours of a lighting workshop. So, instead of buying crappy equipment that you're going to have to replace in a 6 months, or struggling to get the "look" you wanted and then beating yourself up cuz your lighting sucks, just do yourself a favour and buy the download. It will be money well spent! While you're at it, sign up to get notified of upcoming classes.
Thanks to Zack for an incredible weekend and for permission to use one of his images (the model on set with foot on apple box) in this blog. My thanks also go to Wilfredo Valle (www.wilfredovalle.com) who submitted a video entry and was able to attend the entire weekend at no cost (I hate the word free as it reminds me of a used car salesman!) and who has also given me permission to his image of Zack teaching the class.
That's it for another week! Have a great week.
John
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