It’s been a great afternoon. About half way through the Bulls versus Crusaders Super 14 semi-final, with the score a tantalising 27-23, Mrs 6k decided that it would be a good time for us to take the kids up to the local school field, let them run around and let me not watch the end of the rugby. Her plan was extremely successful on both counts.
But I’m glad we went. The kids enjoyed the mud on the churned up fields after the morning school rugby games and I booted a properly shaped ball around, chased Alex and took photos of the sky and the mountains.
I was even allowed to look up the Bulls score on the way home. Result. Literally.
I was working hard on the first Peroni of the weekend when I glanced outside to see a completely orange sky. Now, I’m very used to blue, quite used to black with tiny white dots in and sadly, becoming used to grey again, but orange is still a bit of a novelty.
Quickly grabbing the point-and-shoot camera – mainly because I wanted to take photos and it’s the only camera I own – I ran outside, climbed on top of the braai, pointed and shot. I should probably inform readers at this point that we have a built-in braai and it wasn’t a Weber or one of those rubbish disposable things. That would have taken a monumental amount of balance or made absolutely no difference to my overall height whatsoever. Or both.
No, our braai is pretty big.
Fortunately the sky is also pretty big and I was able to not miss on a number of occasions. This probably being my favourite hit.
Although I quite like this one too. You can see the whole lot of them on flickr and make your own decision.
And once again, I must remind you lovely people that taking good photographs in Cape Town isn’t difficult. Most of the work is done for you. So yes, despite the fact that I think some of these are “good”, once again, none of them are exceptional. And, once again, I’m left wondering if I can at least partially overcome the paucity of my talent by buying a better camera.
The alternative, of course, is to spend that camera money on beer, and then see if my creative abilities are augmented by imbibing (what I calculate to be) about 1,000 bottles of Amstel. Being a scientist, I am tempted by the idea of exploring both possibilities as fully as possible.
Unfortunately, in 99% of cases, a new camera does not an Ansel Adams make. The Amstel Alternative sounds more reasonable and will remove any preconceived ideas you may have about what a good photograph is.
Tony´s last blog post was: Jacob Zuma’s Ndebele Headache (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)
Tony > Useful advice. Thank you.
Sounds like you speak from bitter (or lager?) experience.
Not bitter. The last time I had a beer Bob Mugabe was a good guy!
Taking good photographs is a mindset issue. Do you want to record something, as you did with your image? Or do you want to create something by using a different perspective, technique, prop or point of view?
The second is what the best do. The first is reserved for most of the rest of us.
That all said I do intend to have a PhotoBlog up by the end of next week.
Tony > I’d like to record something more accurately (I know this rubbishes the Amstel plan) and then tomorrow, I’d like to create something different (Amstel plan sails back into view).
Ooh that sky looks like how my boyfriend’s face was meant to look had I not intervened.
And pretty too.
I feel that if you drank 1000 Amstels you would not be climbing onto your braai again any time soon. Better stick to the camera.
Po´s last blog post was: All that glitters is not orange (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)
Po > How is Ol’ Peach Face?