March 2011
4 posts
3 tags
Moving on
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...
5 tags
Rock solid
Striking colours of the rocks at Dwesa Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape.
ISO 200 \ 70mm \ f5.3 \ 1/50sec
6 tags
Blind Wine
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
4 tags
Fired Up
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
February 2011
4 posts
4 tags
African Sunset
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
6 tags
Sacred Ibis
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
7 tags
Life on the beach
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
3 tags
Tree hugger
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
January 2011
6 posts
4 tags
P-town
The façade of a local newspaper’s head office, located right in the heart of Pretoria
ISO 320 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/400sec
6 tags
African Currency
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...
9 tags
People of the Wild Coast - Part 2
Childlike innocence stares back at me
ISO 640 \ 42mm \ f5.6 \ 1/60sec
ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/500sec
7 tags
People of the Wild Coast - Part 1
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...
8 tags
Wild Coast - Falling water
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...
7 tags
Wild Coast
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...
December 2010
5 posts
6 tags
Goodbye 2010
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...
9 tags
Highveld thunderstorm
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...
6 tags
Merry Christmas
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...
7 tags
Frog for breakfast
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...
5 tags
1st Anniversary
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
November 2010
7 posts
4 tags
Ants
The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah…
ISO 640 \ 105mm \ f/5.6 \ 1/60sec
7 tags
On books
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers - Charles W. Eliot
ISO 800 \ 21mm \ f3.8 \ 1/25sec
This shot was taken in a second-hand bookstore in Edenvale, Johannesburg
6 tags
Payphone mystery
Why does this man make use of a public telephone when it appears as if he has a cellphone in his back pocket? Maybe the battery is flat, or he is out of airtime. Or could it be that he is seeking anonymity for something more sinister? Probably not… he appears too relaxed for that.
ISO 1600 \ 58mm \ f6.3 \ 1/320sec
7 tags
Inbox or outbox?
Is this the inbox or the outbox? Where do I click on send/receive? And how do I attach files?
ISO 320 \ 35mm \ f4.5 \ 1/640sec
This shot was taken at President Pretorius House in Potchefstroom.
7 tags
A storm's a brewin
Dark clouds gather over St George’s Anglican Church in Cullinan. Cullinan is an old mining village east of Pretoria, famous for being the origin of the biggest uncut diamond ever found.
ISO 200 \ 18mm \ f3.5 \ 1/25sec
4 tags
A Presidential residence
The house of President Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (1890-1901), the first president of the South African Republic, in Potchefstroom.
ISO320 \ 18mm \ f/3.5 \ 1/3200 sec
3 tags
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October 2010
3 posts
4 tags
Fields of wheat
One of the most beautiful sights at the start of the South African summer is the fields of ripening wheat. These shots were taken at sunrise on the farm in Potchefstroom.
ISO 400 \ 105mm \ f/5.6 \ 1/640sec
ISO 200 \ 58mm \ f/5.0 \ 1/640sec
4 tags
Vaal River fishing
We came across two guys fishing from a small bridge across the Vaal River. Instead of using mielie pitte, they tied a few big hooks to the end of the line and tried to physically hook the fish! All it took was a friendly smile to get permission to take some photos!
ISO 200 \ 32mm \ f/8.0 \ 1/320sec
ISO 200 \ 75mm \ f8.0 \ 1/125sec
5 tags
Red alert at OR Tambo
A few interesting perspectives of the arrivals terminal at OR Tambo. Most of these shots were taken by my wife, Marike. We used Lightroom to bring out the red colors.
ISO 1000 \ 58mm \ f5.0 \ 1/125sec
ISO 1000 \ 105mm \ f6.3 \ 1/40sec
ISO 1000 \ 66mm \ f5.3 \ 1/50sec
ISO 1000 \ 105mm \ f9.0 \ 1/125sec
ISO 1000 \ 30mm \ f4.5...
September 2010
4 posts
4 tags
Early riser
I went flyfishing over the long weekend. Didn’t end up catching anything, but at least it gave me the opportunity to play around with the camera! This shot of my brother casting his line was taken early in the morning. I was hoping for some mist around the dam, instead it was quite hazy, but it still came out nicely!
ISO 200 \ 70mm \ f/13 \ 1/300sec
5 tags
Boris
I got up early on Saturday, eager to make best use of the morning light on the farm in Potchefstroom. I was however a bit frustrated with the dogs who kept tagging along. It was ironic that in the end, after having taken one too many cliche’d shot of rusted farm equipment, it was Boris who gave me the opportunity for my shot of the morning!
ISO 200 \ 105mm \ f5.6 \ 1/500SS...
6 tags
Total Sunset
Heading over to Potchefstroom this weekend, we stopped at a Total garage for a bite to eat. We couldn’t help but capture a few shots of the sunset from pedestrian bridge across the N14. Shall we call this a Total Sunset?
ISO 200 \ 32mm \ f4.5 \ 1/320SS
ISO 200 \ 40mm \ f4.5 \ 1/100SS
3 tags
Starting out
So, I’ve finally purchased my first DSLR camera, a Nikon D90! This blog will give me the opportunity to post some of my favourite photos and allow family, friends and strangers the opportunity to offer their critique. Let’s get shooting!
ISO 1600 \ 50mm \ f5.0 \ 1/8SS
