Scouting/Exploring for compositions ~ 24 November 2021

I have been getting a lot of inspiration from different landscape photographers over the past few months. Listening to what works for them and what don’t. Learning from their mistakes and their workflow.

As you all know I love lists and making notes and if something interest me I write it down and will try it. If it works great then I will incorporate it into my workflow, if not I will scratch it off the list and move on to the next one.

Keep in mind that I do not wish to be them or like any of them. I am Coreen Kuhn, and I am busy developing my own style of landscape photography and is busy exploring what type of landscape photography suits me best. So far I love them all, but over time I will get something that stands out. Till then I will have fun trying out all of them.

Our visit to Sonstraal Dam was one with a hidden agenda this morning. I always walk and look around and never document what I see. I keep telling myself that I want to take a photo of that tree or rock but never get to do it.

After watching a few of Simon Baxter’s videos on Woodland photography and how he goes to one place over and over again, treating every outing as if it is only a scouting or exploring trip. This way you have no expectations and if you get an image it is great if not you are busy gathering information on a possible image for the future. Simon has a Snickerdoodle called Meg, and she accompanies him on all his outings. Exactly like I envisioned Willow and myself, the day I adopted her. No outing is ever a waste of time. It is time spend in nature with your best friend, getting some exercise and taking in the scenes….

I decided that from now on, I am going to treat every outing with Willow as a scouting trip. Sonstraal Dam is not woodland, but it has the most beautiful trees, and if I get the perfect composition, I will get some stunning photos in the right conditions.

Today Willow was so good. When I told her to wait while I took photos with my phone, she stood still. If Willow keeps it up, I can take her along when I go on shoots. The ideal scenario would be; if I can take her off her leash. While I take photos, she can run around and explore.

I took a few photos with my phone this morning on our walk. Remember these photos are to help me prepare for my next photo shoot at Sonstraal Dam and Vygeboom Dam.

Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sontraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Willow at Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Willow at Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Sonstraal Dam Park, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Willow at Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Willow at Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Willow at Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
Vygeboom Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)
On Route back to Sonstraal Dam, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa (2021-11-24)

Well that is it for now friends. Thank you for all your support and that you take time out of your busy day to have a look at my photos.

Have a lovely day and please keep safe.

🤗 Big Virtual Thank you Hug🤗

Coreen

Another Recce/Scouting Trip ~ 20 November 2021

Yesterday morning we got up at 2:20am, Morné and I went on a working and recce/scouting trip. Morné delivered packages for his work and I kept my eyes pealed for beautiful compositions and places to go and photograph in the future. It was cloudy, windy and raining most of the morning.

Caledon Depot 4:47am
Bredasdorp Depot 6:07am

I did take my camera with just incase, but I did not plan on taking a lot of photos. We did have some time in Gansbaai, and we went to the harbor just to have a look. I did take a few handheld photos. I will definitely go back for some long exposure photography.

On Route to Hermanus at Stop and Go 8:39am
On Route to Hermanus at Stop and Go 8:39am

We then stopped again at Kleinmond, where I was mesmerized by the waves crashing against the rocks. Morné and I stopped to have a look. I was like a kid in a candy store pointing and shooting, I know, I know…. I know better than to just point and shoot but oh my word I did not want to miss anything… Well lesson learned a DSLR are not for just point and shoot… I did take a few proper photos, and then told Morné we better go otherwise I will be here the whole day and he will miss his last drop off.

Kleinmond 10:07am
Kleinmond 10:07am

On our way home I saw a composition for my assignment on Sir Louwry’s Pass. The only problem is there are no safe place to park so that I can go and take the photo. So I am still thinking about it. I do have an idea but that will mean I will have to walk about an kilometer uphill to the place I would want to take the photo from. But I will do it if I have too….

We got home just after 12:40pm, I was dying for a cup of Chai tea and was excited to download the photos of the day.

Home, now we are going to braai…. 4:46pm

Well that is it for now friends. Thank you for all your support and that you take time out of your busy day to have a look at my photos.

Have a lovely day and please keep safe.

🤗 Big Virtual Thank you Hug🤗

Coreen

Good morning: 11 September 2021

Good morning everyone,

Hope everyone is still doing well and in good health.

I can’t believe it has been 20 years since the world watched as two plains crashed into twin towers. This event shook the world.

I remember it as clear as daylight. We visited on a farm in Touws River when it happened. I was busy changing Lian’s nappy, he was only 1 month old and Armand was sitting in front of the tv playing with his toys. I heard the auntie yell, OH NO, and I thought Armand broke something. I ran to see what happened and saw the smoke coming out of the buildings on tv. Armand just kept on playing with his toys.

My heart goes out to all the people who lost a loved one that day. Also to all the rescue workers who had to do rescues and recoveries. It could not have been easy on them.

It is cool this morning and I am posting from bed. Willow is sleeping beside me. She looks so innocent…

According to the weather forecast we are having a lovely cloudy Spring day with a maximum temperature of 19°C.

I don’t have anything planned for today. I feel a bit tired and light-headed and yesterday my nose started running again. Will have to tie it down…. 🤧

I am busy whatching videos by Thomas Heaton and is learning a lot. To be a landscape photographer is not that easy and it takes planning and lots of patience and commitment. Early mornings and late nights… I look forward to getting out there and capture some beautiful landscapes. I will have to get use to always use my tripod, shutter release cable, focus manually and use filters and polarizer s when necessary.

Well I think that’s it for now.

Have a fabulous day everyone. Talk to you again soon….

🤗Big Virtual Hug 🤗

Coreen

Good morning: 7 September 2021

Good morning friends,

I do hope you had a better night than I did.

I hardly slept. Been coughing, sneezing, and tossing and turning. I am verry irritated or frustrated this morning with myself. Not sure exactly what I am feeling.

Yesterday I started sneezing and since then my right ear is aching.

I tried to edit yesterday but it was one big disaster. I just can’t concentrate and keep making mistakes. I can’t keep lying in bed but I can’t edit either. So today I will sit and watch Thomas Heaton YouTube videos.

Thomas Heaton is a landscape photographer and I started following his work over the weekend. I am learning a lot from him,  hope I remember it when I get back out there.

I planned to go to the West Coast National Park today, but this will have to be postponed till I am feeling better again. Burning to take my new lens for a spin at landscape photography.

According to the weather forecast we are having a cool, sunny and beautiful Spring day. A maximum temperature of 18°C is predicted.

On my To-Do List for today

  • Take it easy🛌
  • Watch Thomas Heaton YouTube videos 📺
  • Get better 💪
  • Keep hydrated 🥤
  • Practice Gaelic 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
  • Prepare dinner 🍲

Wishing everyone a lovely Tuesday.

🤗Big Virtual Hug 🤗

Coreen