VIVID MOTIF # 2

Every now and then I am commissioned to photograph a piece of land that is set to be developed as an estate or private game farm. Usually, before the infrastructure is put in place I am asked to visit the area for a couple of weeks to take a portfolio of pictures that is representative of the region. I never commit to a set amount of photographs in order to avoid pressure that could compromise quality and will only shoot that which I deem worthy of being photographed.

On one occasion I was photographing alongside the Crocodile River , an area bordering the south of the Kruger National Park . Being characteristic of the surrounds, one plant that could be found in abundance and really stood out was the Mountain Aloe. I explored the area thoroughly until I found this beautiful specimen and then began playing around with a wide angle lens to try to create an interesting composition that was out of the ordinary. From a lighting point of view I decided on a midday shot and then in order to separate the subject from the background I used eight reflectors to bounce light back onto the aloe. Through this technique a ‘simple’ aloe is transformed into a majestic artwork recognizing the intricate creation of Gods splendor.