Wildlife photography tips

The day breaks, with the wind that starts to light up from early morning. I hear the windmill wheel cracking while turning slowly.

Thinking, how do the people who call themselves photography experts takes such beautiful scenery scenes? Well, it looks so easy with those grand lenses of them. But what makes that special moment to press the button? Google is wonderful to find out, but it’s about the moment you find yourself in. That perfect time and the perfect place where the particular moment or picture is captured. Many people can look at the same picture but not many people see the same picture. That makes every moment so special. Let’s look at some of the experts’ advice:

They say that the most important tip is to ‘Train Your Eye’ a photographer’s most important tool.  First, look at a scene, close your eyes and open them again. Does the scene cause the same effect as when you first saw it?  Go for walks and practice framing in your mind different scenes.

Beginners photography:  it can be overwhelming because photography is about more than pointing a camera and pressing a button.  It’s about getting a shot to match your vision.  Don’t shoot your subject straight at eye level every time.  Change your elevation, your angle, your distance.

That golden hour occurs generally about an hour or so before sunset and an hour after sunrise and produces some of the gorgeous light ever.  At that moment you should start taking your landscape shots.

Get in close, the closer you are to the subject, the better you can see facial expressions too.

Shoot every day as much as you can that is the only way you can practice your skills.  Before you raise your camera, see where the light is coming from, and use it to your advantage.  If it is an extremely bright day outside and the sun is creating harsh shadows on your subject, switch on your flash.

Be present, make eye-contact, engage and listen to your subject.  With the eyes – lower that camera and be human.  Bring the camera up for a decisive shot.  Keep it simple, don’t try to pack too many elements into your image; it will just end up looking messy.  Shade can be your best friend.  If there is no way you can make the available light work for your photo, shoot in the shade.

Never shoot with the sun directly behind you.  It creates boring, flat light on the subject.  If you shoot with the light source to the side or behind the subject, you are able to shape with the light, creating a more interesting photo – Patria Jannides

With time, patience and perseverance, you will get better; with each and every photo you take!  Make jokes, natural smiles on photos are much better than to say: ‘smile’.

Break the rules, experiment and have fun.  Learn from your mistakes and make memories where ever you go!

Agricultural road to Karreekloof

The world we live in today, we sometimes miss the little things in life that actually provide life itself.

The food we eat, the food animals live on and clothing that protects our bodies. Take the time to appreciate the beauty of agriculture.  So, start thinking:

Once in a while maybe, just maybe in a totally impulsive moment, you decide on taking a road trip and of course, it must be one to be planned to perfection, one not to be forgotten easily.  Not everyone has the same taste in destinations on where to go. But what if your decision is based on taking route N12 into the upper Karoo to a farm not far from a little town called Strydenburg. By now your head is spinning and thinking but what to do and see while taking this route to this farm I need to see, to spend some quality time and to understand the history of the name Karreekloof.

Agricultural things to do on your route to Karreekloof:

Stimulus your taste by taking a little detour to Jacobsdal where a peaceful and calm atmosphere Landzicht Winery will greet you and where you as a visitor are welcome for tasting and a tour through the winery.  Landzicht Winery has two cellars – one in Jacobsdal and one in Douglas.

Or, what about something a little bit sweeter maybe something a little bit Italian?  A brand-new Farm-Foods-Fabric opened at Modderivier next to the N12 where you can find nice pasta and delicious cookies.

In light for a movie feeling? But this time the movie takes you to greener pastures. Biggie Popcorn and country shop in Hopetown, has been popping the most scrumptious, crunchiest and the freshest popcorn.

Getting in the mode for that farm feeling.  Britstown Farmstall sells jams, chutneys, canned fruits, dried fruits, quince sweets, fruit sweets, homemade ginger beer, lemon syrup, rusks, biscuits, spices and much more.

Or just take a break at Victoria Trading Post Stop in Victoria Wes for some ginger beer, succulent biltong, and preserves, only because you want to take in as much as possible fresh air, after all, it’s a road trip to your final destination, Karreekloof.

Live your journey!!

Environmentally Friendly Eating Habits

Sustainable eating doesn’t have to be hard, and it also doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

Adopting just a few of the items on this list can make a big impact. For instance, if one person chose to use reusable bags for the rest of their life, beginning at the age of 25, they could save more than 21,000 plastic bags. Point being: You can make a difference.

Go organic

The definition of organic can be a little confusing, but food labels can help. Certified organic foods are grown and processed using farming methods that recycle resources and promote biodiversity and without the use of synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, and petroleum- or sewage-sludge-based fertilizers.

Though their benefits to the environment have a long-term payoff, organic foods can be pricier — if you’re on a budget, find out which foods are most worth buying organic, and limit your organic purchases to the ones that make the biggest impact.

Turn waste into a resource. 
If you’ve got the inclination and a little bit of free time, give composting a try and turn food scraps into a resource that keeps on giving.

https://greatist.com/health/33-environmentally-friendly-eating-habits