It always feels good to see that accreditation in print, especially when it's both a surprise and something worthwhile. A recent download of non-fiction for younger readers revealed a whole series with some of my older photos used on the covers.
Check out the Tell Me Why? ebooks in the Google Play store.
Duvha Foundry is impossible to locate on your GPS.
But if you manage to find it! Wow, what a gem.
This place is a complete overload of your senses . It is hot, noisy and visually unreal. The colours, people and dust are some of the ingredients for amazing photography.
This is part of a project for SEFA 2015 annual report. Duvha Foundry is situated in JHB. They manufacture massive castings for the mining and industrial sector.
Step one: make the mold.
Step two: melt the steel.
Step three: cast.
Step four: finish and polish the casts.
Older technology works better in a dirty and dusty environment. My trusted Profoto 7B packs synced to my camera with an old fashioned sync lead is the way to go.
We tried our Pocket wizards PLUS III and Profoto Air remotes but the interference of all the electricity and steel was to much. The lights were put on heavy Manfrotto stands to keep them safe.
70-200 mm Canon lens was used for most of the shots,the lens giving me the necessary distance from the subject matter in a dangerous environment. Flying molten steel and sparks and camera equipment are not good friends.
This lens also helps with the depth of field and puts the background out of focus.
"You treat a disease: You win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you win—no matter the outcome"
- Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams
This quote hits the nail on the head, if you are dealing with the friendly staff of Netcare.
The shoot was for Netcare hospital group. We had to capture emotion. Good or bad. Dealing with real patients in a real hospital environment.
I was exhausted after a days shooting, Having a coffee at the canteen, I could not imagine what the staff goes through every day. They have to be sincere, compassionate, polite and loving in doing their daily task.
We had permission to photograph an open heart surgery! WOW. WOW. What an experience.
We also witnessed the birth of a baby, and the incredible recognition in the father's eyes.
The minimum equipment were used to capture the photos for space and time was an issue.
We made use of the Profoto B1 lights an heavy monitor stands.
All the equipment had to be steralized.
Holy moly!!!!
Try standing with a soft box and a Profoto flash in your hand when this beast, a Bell 222UT Helicopter is landing!
What a challenging shoot! Lights, camera and no action. Off went the Netcare 911 team to go and collect a patient. 2 Hours later .... Lights camera and no action and off they went. Finally we managed to do the shoot in between their flights.
The client was strapped onto the stretcher the Profoto lights were charged and we had one go at getting the shots. And one go only!
These people, pilot and medical staff are absolutely amazing.
We used Rand airport for the location. The airport staff were super accommodating and helpful.
3 x Profoto 7B packs were used to light the helicopter and the sun was used as a back light.
The shutter speed was 1/200 to freeze some of the action and to darken the background.
The down draft of the helicopter was incredible and we needed helpers to hold onto the lights.
This was the second and third portraits of a series of shoots for Discovery Foundation 2015
The Brief was to capture the emotions and personality of the Doctors. The photography setup needed to remain the same for all the doctors. The challenge was to keep the setup small and portable so that we couldtravel all over South Africa.
A 4 light setup was used to create the portraits.
2 x Profoto D 1 lights were used as the back light and 2x Profoto B 1 with a beauty dish and a small Square Soft box was used in front.
All the photos were taken on a Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 100 f2.8 macro lens was used. The 100 canon is n super sharp lens that never disappoints.
We travelled all over South Africa and met the most amazing people.
"The research will investigate the impact of antiretroviral prophylaxis on diagnostic sensitivity , and will inform local and international infant diagnostic practice" -Dr Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani
"I see myself as a pioneer as I am working in an area that has huge potential to influence the existing HIV testing and treatment guidelines in South Africa"-Dr Simnikiwe Mayaphi
