This is the last sunrise of 2013. Its summer, so the sun rises at 5am, shooting starts at 4.30am, which meant a 3am wake up for me. Incredibly, I made it! And the results were beautiful!

Farewell 2013, and welcome 2014!

Such awesome beauty, its quite breath taking sometimes that we get to see this, and record it. Somehow we become part of that beauty, with is wonderful. This is why I love photography.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2014.

So, I'm not a beach babe.
Hate the sand.
Hate the heat.
But I love the waves and the sea!

My new inspiration is to shoot the waves in motion, panning as they curl over and crash down, trying to get that perfect moment in the motion, just as the light catches the inner wave.

Its tricky photography. Panning a moving wave is not easy. And for the most part, the focal point moves, so the focus is soft.

But every now and then I hit gold!!

I became inspired by David Orias's photos of waves. His work is incredible.

David shoots with a long lens, and he manages to pan perfectly. I have a 200mm, and panning is still a new technique for me. The idea too is to be there at the prime time for the best light to hit the waves. And in Durban, sometimes that time is rain time!! So shooting is out!

Here are some of my efforts:

Not quite there yet! But close! I will keep practising! And will update you as I go along!

The new construction on the Addington Children's Hospital is in progress. So far the new structure has been completed, and the renovation of the old hospital has just had its roof wetting ceremony.

Yvonne and I managed to sneak in a few weekends ago and get some photos. We suspect that we may not be able to get in anymore, seeing that they will be working on the interior of the building now.

So, its an end of an era! An end to the 'Urbex' and the photographic exploration! A bit sad for us photographers that have spent many hours in the ruins, exploring and taking photos, getting creative and spooked at the same time!

So far, Durban hasn't revealed anything else similar for us to shoot.

Frantic work in progress to get the beachfront promenade completed. Part of it is done and is looking very good. But there is still a lot to do, and only a few weeks left.

Here's hoping there is enough time....

Hi Steven
Howzit little brother?! How is life in the UK?

Things are hotting up here, with regards to the soccer world cup.

There is a dance that they've been trying to teach us all, through countless adverts on TV. There has been much complaining about the fact that Shakira is singing the national song, as opposed to a SA music star. There has been much complaining about the state of the country, having had to endure months of roadwork's and construction everywhere.

A little bit of optimism that some of the big things, like Durban's newest white elephant, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, is actually READY!! Its the most stunning and beautiful building I've ever seen. Only slightly ironic that the old Kingspark stadium seems to be slouching about in the background, like a dodgy cousin at a family function.

But never mind.... the good news is that if you buy a Supersized Soccer Pizza at Debonairs, at R120.00, you get a FREE vuvazela!!!  Argh! Or rather, that should be ....paaarpppp! Already the air over all of Glenwood is turning purple with the strangled cries of the vuvazela, and the alarmed hadedaas!

Its hilarious and funny, as well as a little tragic and pathetic, all at the same time. Nice to see everyone 'uniting' for the sake of the soccer, even if it is just to share a beer, a pizza and a vuvazela!

Pity you aren't here to experience it, but never fear, I will keep you updated with all the irony and weirdness that will be sure to unfold. And Dad will complain about stuff, and provide detailed reports on the state of
the roads, the economy, the noise pollution, the traffic, the bloody tourists, the lack of bloody tourists, and so on and so forth!!!

You will not miss out on a minute's action.

Just don't ask me to actually comment on the soccer games - I haven't a damn clue, darling!!

Take care,
Love your sister
Vanessa