Archive for January, 2010

2009.5 retrospective: Contemplating district 9 & the charging white rhinoceros…

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

    Contemplating district 9.

South Africa is a land with substantial ‘visual interest’, and it’s often, as I have previously mentioned, not where you would expect to find it.

Take DISTRICT 9 for example, and the unlikely yet complex visual backdrop to the film.

10/10 for originality and juxtapositioning of ideas.

The film, along with a few others recently set in South Africa (disgrace, invictus..), has been on my ‘watch-list’ since it’s release, and, it is brilliantly original. The political and social references continue to re-play long after the last scene…watch it; even if sci-fi is not your thing.

&

    the charging white rhinoceros

Charging White Rhinoceros, Mpofu Game Reserve, South Africa

Charging White Rhinoceros, Mpofu Game Reserve, South Africa


SITUATION: MPOFU GAME RESERVE
LOCATION: EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA (Approx 3-4 hrs drive inland from Port Elizabeth, some would say out of the way…)
TIME: 07:23:50 (22.05.2009)
SUBJECT: CHARGING WHITE RHINO
FOCAL LENGTH / APERTURE : 450mm F/2.8
POST PRODUCTION: ADOBE CS3

About the photograph:
‘You just do not get to see this everyday…’

_dmb

www.douglasmarkblack.com

Australia Day 26.01.2010

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Fireworks Perth Australia Day 26.01.2010

Fireworks Perth Australia Day 26.01.2010

www.douglasmarkblack.com

2009.4 retrospective – inspired by disgrace

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

JM Coetzee, John Malkovich, Eastern Cape, South Africa…a recipe for something of interest…disgrace.

If you have been following the retrospective posts you will be aware of the time I spent in South Africa last year – in the heart of the Eastern Cape – 100 kilometers from Grahamstown – it’s currently a dry place where ‘post-apartheid’ South Africa doesn’t neccesarily carry the same understanding as it may in other parts of the world…the film is worth watching…

'small town, eastern cape'

'small town, eastern cape'

About the photograph:
‘small town, eastern cape’, Adelaide, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2009′

View from ‘Nel’s Hill’ over the town of Adelaide, with the Winterberg Mountains in the background.

_dmb

www.douglasmarkblack.com

Watch the film…

2009.3 retrospective – four zebra at the waterhole

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

four zebra at the waterhole.3

four zebra at the waterhole.3


I believe there is a place within photography where fine art and traditional wildlife photography merge or sometimes rather beautifully collide, its not easily found or achieved but since the dust series, partially published here I continue to search for this place when I am privileged enough to find myself in Africa.

About the photograph:
‘’four zebra at the waterhole’.3, Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2009′

Posed, yet alert, in the bushveld that surrounds them, at the edge of the water.

_dmb

www.douglasmarkblack.com

2009.2 retrospective – the quiet sunset

Saturday, January 9th, 2010
the quiet sunset.2 - Storms River Mouth, South Africa, 2009

the quiet sunset.2 - Storms River Mouth, South Africa, 2009

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp part of the Garden Route National Park on the border of the Eastern / Western Cape has to be my favourite National Park in South Africa.

A strip of lush vegetation, a large and sudden topographic change down to the coast, and probably some one of the most awe inspiring and as ‘close to the ocean’ official camping sites and chalets that you will find without breaking some rule… and, then there’s the scenerey.

About the photograph:
‘the quiet sunset.2, Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, South Africa, 2009′

Unable to do justice to this incredible place – with one photograph – I have posted an image that captures a typical evening combination of sunset, coastal rock formations and just a hint of accommodation. It will take some time to get through the images captured here so keep a lookout on my website as I will be adding a ‘travel’ type section soon. If you are planning a trip to South Africa this is one spot not to miss.

_dmb

www.douglasmarkblack.com

2009.1 retrospective – snow in a dry land

Saturday, January 9th, 2010
snow in a dry land.1, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2009

snow in a dry land.1, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 2009

2009 was an interesting year…3 countries, 3 continents, for almost 3 months at a time – with the last -being Australia, (which is where we have now settled). It really was, an interesting year.

Indulging in a little ‘retrospection’ the 3+ months in South Africa were definitely the highlight of 2009. A unique opportunity to indulge photographically, slow right down, and spend time with family. Being in a place where you still have a sense of ‘freedom’ or unaccountability was both frightening and liberating at the same time and in stark contrast to the CCTV socities of most major international cities.

The country, on the cusp of hosting the 2010 Football World Cup, is an interesting place to be. Ignoring crime for a minute (if you can) and I am not going to blog down that road…I had some fantastic photographic experiences ranging from charging white rhino to a horrific RTA/MVA (for those in SA) outside my window at 3am one morning…
So, as a last look back over the shoulder at 2009, I have decided to share some of my highlights and the images created during that time.

As I have often found, when travelling, it’s the places and situations slightly off the beaten track that present opportunities that you would least expect to capture some of the most dramatic images…

About the photograph:
‘snow in a dry land.1, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa 2009′

The irony is that the nearest country town situated an hours drive by 4×4 is currently rated as a disaster area due to the incredible drought … far from the night glow of urban sprawl people in areas like this need one thing to survive and when no water comes out of the tap, you have a problem.

_dmb

www.douglasmarkblack.com

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