desi van zyl photography

Albie + Marichen Wedding

2011-11-09T08:34:00.001+02:00

Dit was omtrent 'n familie saamtrek na Heidelberg waar Albie & Marichen getrou het. Ons het in Witsand gebly vir die naweek. Dis sowat 30km's van Heidelberg af teen die see. Wat 'n mooi plek!!

Die wind het erg gewaai en almal was bekommerd dat dit die troue gaan beïnvloed omdat dit 'n buite troue was. Dit was toe geen probleem, want ons was in 'n klein woudjie 'Innibos' net so op die rand van Heidelberg. Die wind het nou nie eens gepla nie. Die onthaal was gehou op die bruid se ouers se plaas 'n klipgooi van die dorp af.
Die troue was romanties en ontspanne en almal het hul gate uit geniet! Dit was so lekker om almal weer te sien! :)

Love is in the air

2011-11-08T07:29:00.000+02:00

Watch this space for Albie & Marichen's very romantic wedding!

Christine Meintjes Photography Workshop - Kim and Dave

2011-11-08T07:05:00.002+02:00

And here are the rest of the Christine Meintjes Workshop photos!

Thank you to the following Service Providers for making the workshop extra pretty!!

Models : Kim & Dave (to be married for real soon!!)

Makeup : Alicia

Flowers : Vars Liefde - Mariëtte
Decor & Stationary : Seven Swans - Anelle

Venue : Clouds Estate

Christine Meintjes Photography Workshop - Decor

2011-11-07T22:24:00.002+02:00

A little while ago I had the honor of attending a 2 day workshop with Christine Meintjes. I call it an honor because the waiting list for her workshops are endless and I was lucky enough to be part of it!!
Everything was perfect. The venue, the people, the couple for the shoot, the food, everything.

Thank you to each and everyone that was part of it and most of for JP that made it possible for me to go ** :)

Thank you to the following Service Providers for making the workshop extra pretty!!
Flowers : Vars Liefde - Mariëtte
Decor & Stationary : Seven Swans - Anelle

Venue : Clouds Estate

Sneak Peek : Kim & Dave

2011-11-07T14:15:00.001+02:00

This post is LOOOOOOOONG overdue, i know :) but just be patient...
Aren't they cute!

Clarissa + Gys

2011-10-31T08:56:00.003+02:00

I went to have coffee with friends and this is what the result was!! Isn't it awesome?

Clarissa and Gys are very much in love an VERY excited to meet little James. Only a few days left before he arrives!

Maternity Peek

2011-10-28T10:44:00.002+02:00

Just a quick sneak of a couple/maternity shoot i did with friends!

It was so much fun and relaxing at the same time!! :)

Roses from my Garden

2011-10-27T13:57:00.000+02:00

Pinhole Photography

2011-10-26T16:13:00.000+02:00

It all started with a pinhole.

Now, this is an experiment I would like to try..to build my own pinhole camera an make my own pinhole photo. What a challenge for me, but yet it is such a simple project. :)

WHAT IS A PINHOLE CAMERA

A pinhole camera, also known as camera obscura, or "dark chamber", is a simple optical imaging device in the shape of a closed box or chamber. In one of its sides is a small hole which, via the rectilinear propagation of light, creates an image of the outside space on the opposite side of the box.

Initially, the camera obscura was, in fact, a room where the image was projected onto one of the walls through an opening in the opposite wall. It was used to observe the solar eclipse and to examine the laws of projection. It later became a portable instrument which was perfected with a converging lens. Instruments of this kind were often used as drawing aids and, at the dawn of photographic history, they formed the basis for the construction of the camera. The pinhole camera was finally also applied in modern science – during the mid-20th century scientists discovered that it could be used to photograph X-ray radiation and gamma rays, which the ordinary lens absorbs. As a result, the pinhole camera then found its way onto spacecraft and into space itself.
While the first photograph taken with a pinhole camera was the work of Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster back in 1850, the technique became more established in photography during the late 19th century when it was noted for the soft outlines it produced, as opposed to lenses generating perfect, sharp images. The pinhole camera was later abandoned and it wasn't until the end of the 1960s that several artists began using it in their experiments, thus awakening renewed interest in this simple photographic apparatus which endures to this day.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PINHOLE CAMERA

Constructing a simple pinhole camera is easy. Make a hole in one side of a closable box made of material which doesn't let light in. Place a thin piece of metal or tin can with a tiny hole over the opening. On the outside of the box stick a strip of black tape over the opening which acts as the release. Then, in a dark room, attach a piece of film or photographic paper onto the opposite side and the camera is ready.

the most ordinary of objects can unexpectedly become pinhole cameras, for example a matchbox, book, a pepper, travel bag, a delivery van, an old fridge or even a hotel room. You can, of course, turn your ordinary camera into a pinhole camera by simply replacing the lens with a small hole.

DID YOU KNOW :
Leonardo Da Vinci set down the first detailed description of the Pinhole Camera in 1485.

Source : pinhole.cz

Then and Now

2011-10-25T16:36:00.002+02:00

I posted these photos two and a half years ago. It was my 3rd post on Blogger and the first photoshoot I've ever done. Here, I still used my Nikon F100 Film Camera, and I still have my baby, but I hardly use it anymore, what a shame!!

Now...if any photographer look at some of his/her first photos, you think "what was I thinking!"
Oh well, I don't care, this is not the most beautiful shots I've ever taken, BUT these girls are 2 of my 4 favourite girls in the world! We all have to start somewhere, don't we?. :)
2 of my 4 sisters - Kayla and Jade

Look at the difference, I posted the old version in colour and see how they look like now in Black & White.
Old Colour Version of 2 and a half years ago

Do you want to see more recent photos of my beautiful sisters?
Go here and here

Desi
xoxo

Trash the Dress !!

2011-10-24T09:08:00.000+02:00

Let's trash it!!

See this great Trash the dress Sessions from Caffrey's Photography

This time last week...

2011-10-21T14:06:00.003+02:00

Magical!! :)

Have you seen..

2011-10-19T14:17:00.000+02:00

... this wedding photos yet?

Go HERE to see it!!

Jani & Harry's Big Fat Greek Wedding - The Ceremony

2011-10-19T09:06:00.001+02:00

I was honoured to be invited to my cousin, Jani's wedding! :)

There were good food, whiskey, hilarious speeches, breaking of plates and lots of dancing!! :D

The Ceremony was held at the Greek Orthodox Church in Woodstock, Cape Town and the Reception was held at Mountain Shadows in Paarl.
It was beautifullllllll!!! I can't wait to see the official Wedding photos and the Video!!

xx

Jani & Harry's Big Fat Greek Wedding - The Reception

2011-10-19T08:38:00.000+02:00

It was a stunning venue in Paarl.
Mountain Shadows

Blinkoog

2011-07-13T14:04:00.001+02:00

Pour some sugar

2011-03-02T11:29:00.001+02:00

1937 Jsolette

2011-02-16T17:00:00.000+02:00

I found this baby in an old wooden case my Grandmother left me when she moved to Paarl.

This is a 1937 model Jsolette

whoop whoop!!!!! :D

Maart Blom / March Lily

2011-02-14T15:01:00.002+02:00

Kayla & Jade

2011-02-14T14:31:00.004+02:00

Garingbome

2011-02-11T15:06:00.001+02:00

Bellpost Cellar 2

2011-02-03T16:45:00.000+02:00

Always fun at Bellpost Cellar. See more of my photos on their website http://www.bellpost.co.za/

I'm so proud!

:) :)

Bellpost Cellar 1

2011-02-03T16:00:00.000+02:00

Fun!

2010-10-12T14:09:00.001+02:00

Colourization Photoshop Tutorial

2010-07-20T14:10:00.018+02:00

Wow, this is great!!! Somehow i started Googling for Photoshop Tutorials this morning and I stumbled upon this great one...COLOURIZATION.

I used the black & white image from the tutorial as an exercise.

I started with this :

Skin Colour

Background Colour

Hair and Eyebrows

Eyes

Lips

And ended with this! :)

It's not perfect but it's my first try EVER! yeah!!!

Get the Tutorial HERE

Wedding Antiquity

2010-07-15T09:27:00.001+02:00

Family Fun!!!! :D

2010-07-08T10:32:00.002+02:00

I'm blessed with FOUR sisters! :)

the four most beautiful girls in the world!!!

Fun fun fun

2010-06-24T13:13:00.000+02:00

Weddings & Things

2010-06-10T14:00:00.028+02:00

Weddings weddings weddings ... i know!!! let me know if you get bored! :)

BUT this is what Ive been doing lately. Focussing on Wedding Photography. Will be updating you all on what's happening!

Trash the Dress ideas

2010-06-10T10:21:00.004+02:00

Oneday when I get married i'm definately going to trash my dress like this!
Depends HOW vintage the dress are...otherwise i'll have one made especially to wear and trash gooooodddd.

First like this :

See moi playing with fire HERE ;)

Then, when my dress catch fire I'll JUUUUMMPP!!

and then my hubby can grafitti to his heart's content!!! :)

AWESOME isn't it? :D

CREDITS :
1. Brandon Wyness Photography (He's South African..YEAH!! i'm keeping that in mind)
2+3. Riess Photography

BlackJack

2010-06-09T13:58:00.007+02:00

Mystical Wedding

2010-06-08T09:00:00.003+02:00

]

Sneak Peek : Janita

2010-06-08T08:01:00.000+02:00

Wedding pics from the amazing workshop and beautiful Janita soon to follow!! :)

Milya's Wedding Photography Workshop

2010-06-08T07:55:00.000+02:00

This weekend i had the honour of doing Milya's Wedding Workshop.
WOW! Information overload!! :) She covers everything from Legal documents to Practical Wedding Shoots. She does workshops in Johannesburg and in Cape Town.
If you are interested send her a mail at info@justmilya.com
IT'S WORTH IT!

Decorating

2010-06-03T12:44:00.001+02:00

I'm printing this for my spare bedroom! Been wanting to do so for so long.

See Original post

toerels!!
:)

Wedding : Jacques & Elzanne Ritter

2010-05-18T15:41:00.001+02:00

Sneak Peek : Ritter Wedding

2010-05-18T15:36:00.001+02:00

Wow, this was the LEKKERSTE wedding I've ever been to! :)

do you remember these two? photos coming soon.....

Stop, Look, and Listen

2010-04-07T13:01:00.001+02:00

Pot Pourri

2010-03-30T13:16:00.004+02:00

Black Velvet

2010-03-30T08:19:00.003+02:00

You probably noticed i love photographing cats. Cats are awesome creatures!!

desi
x

Jacques + Elzanne Engagement Photos

2010-03-16T13:55:00.015+02:00

Getting married in less than 5 weeks!!!! It's going to be a lovely wedding. Can't wait!!

Make a wish!!

Sneaker - J+E engagement photos

2010-03-15T09:08:00.006+02:00

I' busy finishing up their photos!! :)

Here's a sneaker pic for now! :)

Kitty Cat #2

2010-03-09T07:30:00.002+02:00

he's a hunter! :)

and look at how cute and cuddly his paw is!!

Kitty Cat

2010-03-08T09:09:00.003+02:00

We were chilling by the pool when i saw her gazing at the cool water. :)

<3
desi

MMmmmmooooooooo

2010-02-23T07:27:00.007+02:00

here are a few photos i took in Koekenaap last year! :)

91 and still smiling

2010-02-16T07:15:00.003+02:00

Meet Willem van Zyl

He lives in Elandsbay on the West Coast. It was an honour meeting him...such a pleasant person. We share the same surname, Van Zyl. He got his surname from the farmer he worked for as a young adult.

His wife passed away 3 weeks ago. It must be terrible to lose someone you've been with for so many years and to suddenly be alone.

But this man is still smiling!

We all should be so grateful for everything we have. We should smile more!

:) :) :) :) :)

My Baby

2010-02-15T12:20:00.003+02:00

This is my favourite FAVOURITE FAVOURITE camera EVER!
I love her so much!!

Shattered..

2010-02-09T13:48:00.002+02:00

Drawing the line

2010-01-21T14:56:00.005+02:00

last but not least

2010-01-19T07:51:00.005+02:00

You've already seen this Wedding pics.

But i missed this one when i was selecting for the

post. Look how cute they're holding hands!! :D

i love this one!

Blogger Friends Photo Club

2010-01-12T12:47:00.009+02:00

Hey there!!

Join our photoclub and send in your photos for January! :)

WHY ??
- Just for fun!
- Meet fellow bloggers who all love photography!
- Learn new stuff
- See different styles, places and people from all over the world!

===>> Blogger Friends Photo Club

(This photo shot on E6 Slide Film and then normal colour C41 processed)

life..

2010-01-11T13:57:00.003+02:00

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
~John Lennon

Trigger Happy!

2010-01-06T13:06:00.007+02:00

Wedding : Danie & Melanie Kotze

2009-12-09T11:05:00.012+02:00

Sneak Peek!!

2009-12-09T10:23:00.007+02:00

Danie & Melanie's Wedding pics coming soon!

Baby Rykaart : Family Portraits

2009-11-09T12:15:00.007+02:00

This shoot was so much fun!!

**oh i forgot to mention...you already know this cute little girl.

Look how much she's grown from this post BABY MEGAN!!!

Ring of Fire

2009-11-05T13:20:00.006+02:00

"I fell into a burning ring of fire
I fell down, down, down
and the flames went higher"
~Johnny Cash

This is...

2009-10-27T17:29:00.006+02:00

my beautiful, clever, amazing sister...

..and i love her VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY much!!!!

The Beast

2009-10-26T09:37:00.006+02:00

holy shadows

2009-10-23T16:18:00.008+02:00

this little church is just outside a littlle village called Klawer. its obviously not in use anymore and is long forgotten. everything has started to fade out except for the red cross.

ive passed this little church like a gazillion times in my life, but never stopped to take photos until 2 weeks ago.

what stories has this little church to tell, what is the history...who built it, why not in use anymore? how many people could fit in this small building? the tinroof on the treestump..wow. i think it's really exceptional. something totally different...

and why are there people out there with no respect, writing on and vandalizing this building?

Fun on the playground

2009-10-23T09:48:00.008+02:00

Blurry

2009-10-12T10:29:00.003+02:00

Rain is NO excuse for not taking photos! :)

Photo Club September Photos! :)

2009-10-07T07:40:00.007+02:00

The COLOUR THEME photos are posted at the Photoclub!

For an experience bursting with colour, go HERE!!

There is also a poll running..go have a look!

The colour Pink

2009-10-06T10:09:00.004+02:00

A pink flower means "I will never forget you".

Put some pink in your life when you want:
- calm feelings
- to neutralize disorder
- relaxation
- acceptance, contentment

Reminder - Photoclub

2009-09-29T09:44:00.003+02:00

heyhey!! its tuesday! whoopwhoop! :D nothing fabulous happening...maybe just the good mood speaking. :)

Just a quick reminder for all Photo Squirrels. The doors for the September theme for the Photoclub closes tomorrow at midnight.

Theme : COLOUR

Read instructions HERE

So Start Snapping!!

Tear in your hand

2009-09-28T15:38:00.011+02:00

(click on photos to enlarge)

"It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart"
~ ?

"It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment."
~ Naomi Williams

Baby Megan

2009-09-28T12:07:00.006+02:00

Welcome to the world Megan!!

Isn't she just so pretty pretty pretty?

August Photo Club Photos! :)

2009-09-11T09:31:00.007+02:00

Click HERE to see Blogger Friends Photo Club's August Theme entries! :)

Go check out SEPTEMBER'S THEME too while you're there!

Why are you crying cute little boy?

2009-09-08T11:23:00.004+02:00

Is it because the Springboks lost the Rugby against Australia on Saturday?

NO?

ooooh.. I see, it's because you want to play in the water!!!

:)

behind reality

2009-09-08T08:19:00.004+02:00

wild flowers

2009-09-01T10:36:00.001+02:00

Happy Spring day!! :D

no more, no less

2009-08-24T09:44:00.005+02:00

"He who has not tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet"

For all Photo Squirrels out there!

2009-08-18T07:38:00.007+02:00

If you like photography you should go and check out Blogger Friends Photo Club.
Have a look and see if you would like to join us!!

Each month there is a theme. Read instructions HERE.
I will also do posts with tips or inspiration on the themes, just to give out 'n few ideas for shooting!

After month end I'll post all the photos received on the site for everyone to see and comment and meet new photo freaks like us! There will also be a slideshow on Photobucket.

Previous theme's slideshows :
May : Reflections
June : Air
July : Hands

Send me an email or comment if you have any questions. :) I am looking forward to your entries!!

Desi

Awake

2009-08-17T11:21:00.002+02:00

Shake the dreams from your hair
My pretty child, my sweet one

New Leaf

2009-08-17T10:53:00.002+02:00

Love Hides

2009-08-14T09:45:00.003+02:00

Close to you..

2009-08-13T17:42:00.001+02:00

almost unreal..

2009-08-12T10:46:00.004+02:00

click to enlarge

Beautiful Family

2009-08-11T16:56:00.006+02:00

byebye! :)

2009-08-07T12:15:00.004+02:00

"Life is a progress and not a station"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hope you have a lovely weekend!
desi
x

The Distance

2009-08-06T09:45:00.008+02:00

(click to enlarge and see the detail on the moon)

This time : "Lets CLIMB to the moon!"

:D

Photo taken in daylight at 16h45.
FStop 9
Fast Shutter
Underexposed with 1 or 2 stops.

Proud Pose

2009-08-03T08:57:00.003+02:00

Manual Settings

2009-07-30T14:53:00.010+02:00

For anyone wanting to learn more about their camera's manual settings...go check out the following articles by Natalie Norton. She's a wedding and portrait photographer from Hawaii.
She has a very good way of explaining it so that someone who knows little or nothing, will fully understand afterwards. :)

Understanding Aperture

Understanding Shutterspeed

Understanding ISO

click on pic to enlarge, its really pretty.. :D
if you look carefully, you can see the shadow of the bee's wings on the flower!!

Have fun!!! Its addictive!

:D

Daily Photo Tip

2009-07-30T10:43:00.003+02:00

Great art can sometimes be uncomfortable, awkward, ugly, or downright unpleasant. Great art is not always decorative. Keep the purpose of your art in mind when attempting to sell or promote it.
(Jul 30, 2009)

See the daily photo tip on the left pane of my blog

Moonlight Drive

2009-07-28T12:49:00.008+02:00

Let's swim to the moon, uh huh
Let's climb through the tide
Penetrate the evening
That the city sleeps to hide
Let's swim out tonight, love
It's our turn to try
Parked beside the ocean
On our moonlight drive

Captivating..

2009-07-28T12:32:00.003+02:00

Go check out this link to 40 Captivating Photos That Depict human Emotion

Camera shake

2009-07-27T14:09:00.002+02:00

Who said your camera always had to be held still?

Hit the road this weekend

2009-07-24T09:04:00.005+02:00

Have a good weekend!
In a few hours time I'm hitting the road to a place you'll see next week!!
Yay!

D

Break of Dawn

2009-07-23T17:09:00.004+02:00

Very misty morning

colours of our city

2009-07-23T12:13:00.006+02:00

This post is for my friend in Sweden..Nanny. She is in love with Cape Town and really want to come back here! Well, we can't wait to see you againnnnnnnn!!!!!!

seeing the light

2009-07-15T09:21:00.002+02:00

Burnin' Skies

2009-07-10T07:37:00.002+02:00

Wanna see more burning skies? Go check the following posts on fellow blogs:

Of Techincolor Sunsets & Pink Lace Socks HERE

Fournaise Celeste HERE

Enjoy!!

The struggle within

2009-07-09T09:13:00.002+02:00

Great Gig in the Sky

2009-07-08T11:30:00.004+02:00

Taken this morning from work's balcony just after 7am..
Didn't have my tripod or anything similar near so it was taken with 60 & 80 shutterspeeds...that'll teach me!! :(

Carry your equipment with you as much as you can, you never know when an opportunity will arise!

On a lighter note

2009-07-01T17:21:00.005+02:00

Something I'd like to add to my previous post....

The babies' nappies was the only 'clean' i could see. As white as white can be!!

Use JIK, it works!! Proven! :)

Where the streets have no name

2009-07-01T07:41:00.014+02:00

Yesterday I had to take a few pics of the growing squattercamp a few farms away from where I work. The squatters will be removed from where they've been living the last few years. (with the correct legal procedures offcourse!) The new owner of the land will help the homeless to establish themselves in another place. Its quite fair considering that there is already a squattercamp a few miles from there and they moved in illegally after the original owner died.
BUT i was still so sad for all of them...to see under what conditions they live and also how they messed up that place that was once a beautiful and proud farm. What touched me the most was how sick and hungry the poor animals looked. :(

What i also saw was that how all the kids were playing and laughing! they had nothing, lived in terrible conditions, was dirty and probably hungry, but THEY WERE HAPPY! (or at least, LOOKED happy!)
Guessing, I would say that there are up to 300 inhabitants already!

This little kid's name is Quintin. He asked me to take his picture.

poor doggy :(

little park...

living space...

STOP! no entry

Out of sight

2009-06-24T13:07:00.002+02:00

Blue Eyes

2009-06-24T07:32:00.006+02:00

This cat has the got the most beautiful eyes!
NONE, NADA, ZERO, ZILCH editing or popping done on his eyes..
I don't believe in unnecesary editing photos anyway! That's where film shooting is an advantage, so much better quality and color!!

:D

The locals

2009-06-22T08:37:00.003+02:00

Click on photos to enlarge for more detail

Bookworm

2009-06-22T08:06:00.003+02:00