Light Chronicles

Moving on

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:22:23 +0200

I’ve been a bit frustrated lately with Tumblr not allowing too much customization in terms of the look and feel of their blogs. So I have decided to start a new blog in Wordpress where I will post from now on.

I have been able to transfer all my old posts to the new blog, but unfortunately the visitor comments cannot be transferred.

The name “Lightchronicles” was no longer available on Wordpress, so the URL for my new blog is http://chrisefranklin.wordpress.com

Rock solid

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:18:13 +0200

Striking colours of the rocks at Dwesa Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape.

ISO 200 \ 70mm \ f5.3 \ 1/50sec

Blind Wine

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:59:24 +0200

We bought a few bottles of wine, covered the labels with paper, and had a great evening of tasting with some friends.

“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world” - Ernest Hemingway

ISO 1000 \ 24mm \ f3.8 \ 1.3 sec

Fired Up

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:47:18 +0200

2011 has really started off with a bang for us. We have purchased our first house and moved in a few weeks ago! The moving and improvements have kept us very busy, so I haven’t spent as much behind my camera as I would’ve liked to! Nevertheless I had some fun playing with a bonfire at a nearby Farm Market.

ISO 200 \ 24mm \ f8.0 4.0sec

African Sunset

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:45:45 +0200

Although I love my city, I start feeling somewhat claustrophobic if I don’t get away from all the hustle and bustle at least once a month. A few weeks ago we were fortunate enough to go on an office breakaway weekend in the Waterberg region. We were treated to a stunning African sunset.

ISO 400 \ 105mm \ f6.3 \ 1/1600sec

ISO 400 \ 105mm \ f6.3 \ 1/640sec

Sacred Ibis

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:20:16 +0200

A flock of sacred ibises flies in at dusk to roost in the Willow trees near the farmhouse in Potchefstroom. I was hoping that this shot would be a bit sharper, but I still like the feel and composition.

ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/100sec

ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/200sec

Life on the beach

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:56:16 +0200

I have always been fascinated by the detail one is able to find on the beach.

ISO 200 \ 98mm \ f5.6 \ 1/1000sec

ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f8.0 \ 1/1000sec

Tree hugger

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:51:00 +0200

These last few weeks have been a bit hectic, but I’ve finally managed to get some time to post this shot of an extreme tree hugger!

ISO 200 \ 52mm \ f5.6 \ 1/400sec

P-town

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:05:52 +0200

The façade of a local newspaper’s head office, located right in the heart of Pretoria

ISO 320 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/400sec

African Currency

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:38:16 +0200

The people of the Wild Coast are pastoralists and cattle in particular play a very important social and economic role in their society. The number of cattle held by a village or individual determines much of their importance to the rest of the world. These animals are used as a bride’s dowry, or Lobola as it is known here.

The sight of cattle walking on the beach is quite distinctive along the Wild Coast. We had to wait until our last day of our trip before we were able to capture this unique spectacle.

Please feel free to comment or critique!

ISO 250 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/160sec

ISO 250 \ 52mm \ f5.0 \ 1/320sec

ISO 250 \ 70mm \ f5.3 \ 1/400sec

People of the Wild Coast - Part 2

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:08:27 +0200

Childlike innocence stares back at me

ISO 640 \ 42mm \ f5.6 \ 1/60sec

ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/500sec

People of the Wild Coast - Part 1

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:37:00 +0200

The Wild Coast lies within the borders of Transkei, a former homeland (Bantustan) during the apartheid years in South Africa. Nelson Mandela is the most famous son of this Xhosa speaking region. Transkei was reincorporated into South Africa when apartheid was abolished in 1994, but the area still faces a high level of poverty.

Zola, looking quite chuffed with the moonfish he had just caught for supper, grew up and lives in Mbotyi, a village next to the coast. He is a qualified lifeguard and has managed to start his own business placing employing other local lifeguards and placing them at three nearby beaches during the December holiday.

ISO 200 \ 50mm \ f5.6 \ 1/30sec

A cattle herder gazes thoughtfully into the distance at Fraser Falls

ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f7.1 \ 1/320sec

Wild Coast - Falling water

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:24:04 +0200

In the rugged northern part of the Wild Coast many rivers find their path to the sea blocked by massive cliffs. We came across these three stunning waterfalls within 10 minutes drive of each other!

Even this dog (belonging to a cattle herder) was able to appreciate the misty view over Fraser Falls in the distance.

ISO 200 \ 40mm \ f7.1 \ 1/160sec

A flower dares to peek over the edge of Angel Falls (unfortunately not the one in South America, but impressive none the less!)

ISO 200 \ 70mm \ f5.3 \ 1/200sec

The spectacular Magwa Falls drops 144m into a canyon formed by seismic activity

ISO 200 \ 66mm \ f5.3 \ 1/80sec

Wild Coast

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:17:48 +0200

Over the next few posts I am going showcase some highlights from our recent trip to the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape.

The Wild Coast boasts a striking natural environment, with open grasslands and hills, deep cut ravines peppered with groves of aloe, and tidal estuaries banked with rich forests. The area is rugged and unspoilt by urban development.

Early morning on the beach at Dwesa Nature Reserve

ISO 200 \ 18mm \ f8.0 \ 1/3200sec

Mbotyi coastline

ISO 200 \ 18mm \ f3.5 \ 1/1250sec

Goodbye 2010

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:59:48 +0200

As the new year looms I realise that I am able to look back at 2010 with a great sense of fullfillment on so many levels. As I have mentioned in an earlier post, it was our first full year of marriage in which we were truly blessed. This was also the year in which I bought my first DSLR camera and was able to really dive into photography.

Among many other highlights, there is one which I cannot leave out. Along with millions of other South Africans, 2010 will always be fondly remembered as the year that the FIFA World Cup came to our shores. Through a united effort we showed the world that we have what it takes to host an world class sporting event! This photo of the roof structure of the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban was taken during the Holland vs Japan game. I have had it as my desktop background since July and it has served as a proud reminder of our great World Cup!

ISO 80 \ 5.85mm \ f4.0 \ 1/640sec (taken with a Kodak Z612)

May 2011 be a very fulfilling year for you with many more highlights!

Highveld thunderstorm

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:09:00 +0200

We had a great time Christmas weekend with my wife’s family on the farm in Potchefstroom. Summer afternoons are amazing in this area of the country as we are often treated to a thunderstorm which clears just in time for a stunning sunset. This weekend was no exception!

This photo of the storm building up was taken moments before the sun disappeared behind the clouds.

ISO 200 \ 18mm \ f5.6 \ 1/800sec

A few hours later the sun reappeared for a final goodbye. I took the chance to capture this silhouette of my beautiful wife with the rain falling on the horizon.

ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/400sec

Merry Christmas

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:31:00 +0200

I can’t believe it is that time of the year again! We have just returned from an amazing camping trip through the Wild Coast (Transkei) and the Drakensberg. We had a great time exploring some of the most wild and wonderful places of South Africa. Keep watching this space for a few shots of our trip!

In the mean time I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! May it be a blessed time with family and friends!

Every year at Christmas time all the houses in Lawley Street, Pretoria, are lit up with Chrismas lights. Many people, young and old, drive by to enjoy it.

ISO 200 \ 24mm \ f10 \ 1.3sec

ISO 200 \ 18mm \ f14 \ 4.0sec

ISO 200 \ 25mm \ f16 \ 8.0sec

Frog for breakfast

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:22:22 +0200

While camping at Ezemvelo Nature Reserve near Bronkhorstspruit a few weeks ago, we noticed a frog which appeared to be stuck between a few rocks. Having a closer look we came across the following amazing scene:

ISO250 \ 105mm \ f8.0 \ 1/640sec

It took the snake about 5 minutes before its venom finally killed the frog. When we returned about 40 minutes later, the snake, jaws unlocked, had already managed to stuff in half of his breakfast!

ISO250 \ 105mm \ f8.0 \ 1/400sec

We suspect it is an Olive Grass Snake, but if anyone can help with the identification of both predator and prey it will be great!

ISO 250 \ 105mm \ f8.0 \ 1/400sec

1st Anniversary

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:28:00 +0200

Marike and I are celebrating our first wedding anniversary today! We realise that it’s a wonderful blessing to be in such a happy relationship. To celebrate, here is a few photos of our big day last year:

All photos by Christo & Zelda Ackerman - www.inspirationz.co.za

Ants

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:19:00 +0200

The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah…

ISO 640 \ 105mm \ f/5.6 \ 1/60sec