My Top 10 for 2010

I really can't believe we are at the end of 2010...it seems like only yesterday when we walked into this year all excited about the big things that were set to happen in our famlies, our lives, our cities, our countries and our world. Like any and every year 2010 had its fair share of ups and downs. I'm going to abstain from getting all deep and philosophical in this post (heck, those who know me well know that I do that often enough!)...and focus on one of the things that I can honestly say had only ups for me this year...my photography. Ever since taking up this hobby (read: obsession), I have been privileged to get to know and learn from many great photographers, and looking back over the past year I can really see how my own craft has grown, evolved and morphed into what it is now.
 

PhotoShare: Farmhouse Ruins

On this day before Christmas Eve I thought it prudent to share a photo I captured the other evening close to my home. As the sun was setting I noticed that it was going to be a cracker. I decided to make haste to a farm just outside of town where I knew there were some attractive ruins of the ancient farmhouses...problem was that due to another meeting me and the missus had to attend, I had to chase the last vestiges of light...and arrived just too late to get the lovely pink hues on the stacks of Cumulus clouds overhead. I did spend some time though, and was amazed yet again at how much light the camera can capture when the eyes betray you by telling you it's already too dark.

f5.6  //  ISO-200  //  Blend of 3 exposures

I blended 3 separate exposures here to get the effect I wanted, and had a circular polarising filter screwed onto the front of my ultra-wide-angle lens.


I like this scene because in some way it reminds of a busted-up manger in which something absolutely significant happened roughly 2010 years ago...I wonder what the sunset was like on the day that unto us a Child was born...


Enjoy this Christmas, and make sure you spend it with your loved ones.


Morkel Erasmus

PhotoShare: Blyde River Canyon

Well, as the holiday season is upon us I am reminded of the fact that this December we won't be going on a proper holiday (had a lot of trips during the year though!)...

We are, however, going away for the long weekend to the Mpumalanga escarpment near the town of Graskop. I am hoping to spend some time with my wife before the arrival of our first child early in 2011! We will probably be visiting all the local scenic locations such as the Blyde River Canyon, "God's Window", Bourke's Luck potholes and the likes. I would like to capture some images of these with my camera, as the only real images I have of the Canyon were taken hand-held and in poor light.

Here is a panorama I stitched together from a few shots taken handheld in 2009 while were were briefly in the area for a wedding:

If you are travelling during this festive season, stay safe! Enjoy the rest and for those who will still log into SAFFAscapes from time to time I will probably post some more blog posts since I will be biding my time at home.

Cheers (and don't forget your camera gear at home!)

Morkel Erasmus

The Exhibit...

So, I am quite excited to leave for Cape Town tomorrow, where I will be attending the opening of the South African leg of the BBC Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 Exhibit-Roadshow. I couldn't make the London ceremony due to various reasons...so being able to attend this one is a good consolation prize.


I will check back in on Monday with a new blog post or photo or something. Until then - keep safe (especially if you are driving on the roads this holiday season)!


Morkel Erasmus