Earthcote Thriftshop

I just loved this ThriftShop in Hermanus.So colourful,vibrant and retro-looking.

Preggie Shoot

Recently a friend of mine asked me if I could do her a favour and take some pics of her celebrating her pregnancy. At first I was thinking of various excuses, but in the end I accepted, as I felt quite flattered that someone would ask me of all people to try and immortalize this important phase in her life!

Dad, mom & baby makes three!

I researched the topic, looking up on typical poses for couples who are pregnant, and slowly but surely I could not wait to start the process. I must say, after a few "test shots" I started enjoying the experience and it felt like I was actually on a shoot! LOL! Go figure, hey?

Shoes awaiting baby, with scan as reminder in the background

It wasn't long that we started coming up with our own poses and ideas and they started enjoying themselves! They even asked if they couldn't redo certain poses and I didn't have a problem just shooting as they interacted quite naturally.

Mommy knows who she is carrying...

I must say I am proud at the images we produced! I just hope that they enjoyed it as much as I did, as I truly stepped out of my comfort zone and blossomed! I think, LOL! Here's looking forward to the baby pics! Hint-hint!

Limnos Bakers

Limnos Bakers, Straight OUTTA Kuila, KUILS River, South Africa

Limnos Bakers is one of Kuils River's success stories, a landmark locally. The Bakery has grown from strength to strength with a few franchises opening in and around various Cape Town Malls. If you come across one shop, do enter, grab yourself a lovely cup of Java and slice of cake. It will be a pleasurable experience. Promise. 

Focus

Focus, Strand Beach, South Africa

What are you focused on this time of year? Is it Vacation? Festive Season? Presents? Family?

No matter where your focus is, be consistent. Strive for perfection. And know you will achieve what you've set out for yourself...

Country (Urban) Living

Country (Urban) Living, Straight OUTTA Kuila, Kuils River, South Africa

Blue flower at Sunrise

Blue Flower at Sunrise, Straight Outta Kuila, Kuils River, South Africa

That Mountain

Straight OUTTA Kuila - That Mountain, KUILS RIVER, South Africa

Beach Hotel

Beach Hotel, Strand Beach, South Africa

Loved the symmetry of this building. It almost looks like the sun or moon is rising in its centre, however its part of the actual building. I decided to go Black n White as the dunes and building are similar in colour...

Whale Watching

Ultimate Whale Watching, Hermanus Whale Festival, 3-Oct-2015

Stairway to Tidal Pool, Hermanus Whale Festival, 3-Oct-2015

Strand Beach

Strand Beach, South Africa

#WishYouWereHere

Moss & Pipeline

Moss & Pipeline, Strand Beach, South Africa

They say that MOSS grows on the North Side of Trees. But in reality it prefers to grow in cooler, damp & shady areas. Actually in the Southern Hemisphere, moss will grow on the South Side of Trees. Would you believe that! I am totally unsure where it grows on a Pipeline, but it makes for an interesting image, don't you think? Here's to a great weekend. John

Access Granted

Access Granted! Strand Beach, South Africa

The countdown to an amazing summer has begun, but in the interim we're experiencing excellent weather over weekends... The beaches are open, access has been granted (as its FREE!).... So what are we waiting for?

Area Closed

Area closed to the public, Strand Beach, South Africa

A portion of the Strand Beach is cordoned off by fencing as part of a conservation effort. Very good idea...

Come on Summer!

Come on summer! Taken at the Strand, CAPE TOWN, ZA

The Fallen

This is one of the pics I took while hiking the Pipe Track a while ago. It was quite challenging for me, but as I had my handy Samsung NX300 with me I took my time if I saw something interesting to snap away - which also give me much needed rest! LOL!

These trees look like they were uprooted and it can be attributed to a couple of factors. I could not keep my eyes away from it... Hope you like  it as much as I do!

Vineyard Entrance

Loved the trees along this Vineyard Entrance, behind the Polkadraai Strawberry Farms.

Pana-Doors

I took this image a while ago, while hunting for a school for my son to attend. If I remember correctly, this was one of the side entrances to a warehouse type door covering a school's hall. Very rustic, and I had to take a panoramic shot of it.

Purple Flower

I'm unsure of this lovely purple flowers name. But I do like to photograph it! LOL! Great depth of field thanks to large aperture per 45 mm Samsung NX Lens

Road To Nowhere

This is a shot on the centre lane on a farm road behind the Polkadraai Strawberry Farm. I love the way it bends to the left. The vineyards in the background gives this a very "homely"feel for me, being so close to the Stellenbosch Wine Route.

Shifting Focus

The 45mm Samsung NX lens offers awesome Aperture, giving me great depth of field. This was one of my test shots on manual focus, distorting different portions of he image. This is one of my favourites. What do you think?

Gazebo

Gazebo Panoramic

Loved this wooden Gazebo in Nantes Park, Athlone. Shot in Panoramic Mode by hand.

TYLFTLT

#TYLFTLT #ThankYouLordForTheLittleThings

Loadshedding in our country gives us more time to shoot in the dark. This is my take on one of the burning candles at home. Shot in Manual Focus Mode...

Tree Spotting

Tree Spotting - "See the forest for the trees"

Forest Vantage Point

Throwback to my December trip to the Tsitsikamma Forest. What an amazing experience to walk amongst these trees! Big Tree is estimated at 1000 years old! Makes one think about how significant our lives are...

JohnMcKayZA

Take a Hike

Part of the Trail leading down from Lion's Head, with views of Signal Hill in the Distance.

That Mountain

I've always wanted my own take on Table Mountain, as seen from Lion's Head. Took the path up that rock this past Saturday morning and snapped this from the plateau, roughly 630m above sea-level. No tripod, shot by hand. I think it came out okay.  

I couldn't believe the awesome views you have from Lion's Head and decided I need a panorama view to try and capture one of the World new 7-Wonders. Here you can see the cold front still over Cape Town on the left, with Table Mountain in the centre with the 12-Apostles stretching behind it. Camps Bay can be seen on the right with the ocean drawing you in. I'm quite proud of this, thanks to the image stabiliser on camera lens (shot without tripod). Quite happy with how this turned out! Hope you like it too... [JohnMcKayZA]

MyCity

I was lucky enough to snap this amazing view of Cape Town this past Saturday morning just before attempting to go up Lions Head. Makes me look forward to Winter and more possible cloud / mist cover.

The Protector

The Protector, on top of the Standard Bank Building, Adderley Street, CAPE TOWN.

I took this image during 2014 with my point and shoot camera, a Fujifilm S4600, with great zoom capabilities. I just aimed, zoomed and snapped. Okay, it helps to have a steady hand. LOL! But I'll be honest, at times I miss the ZOOM factor on the standard lens on my Samsung NX300. Thinking of investing in a new lens, or alternatively, dust off the old point and shoot for this type of picture taking? Hmmm?

What do you think?

The Curve

Trolley Track at Sanlam Centre, Parow

Intercare

I can't seem to walk past a building without wanting to capture it beauty, lines, detail and contours that make it special. Meet the Intercare Sub-Acute Hospital, close to Tygervalley Mall. 

Wine Farm Entrance

Welcome to the entrance to winefarm heaven, Boschendal Estates.

Sleeping Giant

No matter where one goes within this great city of ours, the mountain draws you in, keeps you safe, grounds you.

Brickwork Window

I just loved the brickwork around this aluminium windows.

The Candle-like steelwork below also adds to the beauty of this.

Saffron Street

 Saffron Street, Storms River, Tsitsikamma Village, Eastern Cape

Not all the raods are tarred here, which just adds to the beauty of this region.

Drive by

Metrorail Passenger Train passing by Sanlam Centre in Parow...

Cowboy Couple

 

You never know WHAT you'll find or see in the mountain... my friend forgot their hats the other day before our hike up to the Overhang recently. All they could find was these awesome "Cowboy" styled hats. Here they are seen resting and loading up on energy at the foot of the Overhang...

Forest Strollers

The Tsitsikamma Forest offers great opportunities to unite with nature, or a loved one. Take the time to stroll and reset your monkey (LOL!). Time to relax and recharge for the weekend!

Rock Climber

Found this guy (or gal) sun-bathing whilst hiking towards the Overhang on Table Mountain the other day. Luckily for me (s)he was very patient and allowed some quick snaps before leaving me to hike down... 

The Overhang

When I saw this view for the fist time on Instagram by olivejay101 I knew I wanted to capture my own version on it. Thank you for the inspiration!

Balance

Have you found your balance?

"Balance is not something you find, its something you create." - Jana Kingsford 

Hug-A-Tree

Love the texture of this tree bark.... look-up... and go hug-a-tree! Weekend looms....

Relax

Relax, its almost Friday, almost weekend. Time for a siesta in an hammock, don't you think?

Gazebo

Awesome gazebo at Boschendal Wine Farm in Pniel on the Stellenbosch Wine Route. The pond has some great example of Khoi-fish.... Many a happy marriage has started here...

Treeline

#FeelLikeATourist - Love this treeline just over the crossing halfway up Table Mountain (where one finds the Cable Car). Note Lionshead in the background...

Tree Silhouette

This must be one of my new favourite pics as of late. While searching for suitable places to make / take family memories this past weekend (with almost 16 people in tow), and the wind spoiling my beach sunset, I managed to stop and take in this beautiful sunset through the trees in Somerset West. Unplanned, spur of the moment and to me - BREATHTAKING! Hope it evokes something in you too!

Passers By

I couldn't stop staring and taking in the fantastic mountain ranges while driving through Helshoogte and Pniel in the Stellenbosch Wine Route. Snapped this through the car window (I was a passenger). Loved the motion in this image.. and the passersby was just a bonus for me! LOL!