Theewaterskloof Dam, Western Cape Province, South Africa
I took my time with this one. I really wanted to create the mood just right and for that I had to wait on nature to play along. January through to March is always difficult months in the Western Cape Province with very few shooting opportunities. The days are hot and dry, with very few clouds ever showing up on the horizon and winds blowing at 80km/hour is not uncommon, rather it is 'summer weather' for us.
My objective always, is to shoot at least 2-3 times a week, but in the summer months this objective flies out the window when there is very few favorable conditions for shooting. Some weeks I had to wait on weather for up to 10 days in a row. Murphy's Law, the weather always changed on Fridays through to Sundays. This meant, most times, that I was working full time 7 days a week. Nature has an awesome sense of humor, hey?
The conditions I was shooting in was brutal on my camera gear. In some of the clips in this short film you will notice dust clouds swirling on the horizon, or sand blowing in the foreground. After three months of shooting I had sand and dust in every nook and cranny (and I am obsessive about clean gear) and I am one camera body down due to dust scratching the sensor when I cleaned it ( on Valentines day of all days! Our home was like a funeral that day...) I had to buy a new body as the old one was going to be down for repairs for very long. The first night I took the new body out for shooting the wind was blowing bucket loads of sand... Not the best way of welcoming the new child into the family...
Twice my tripod and camera were blown over, once shattering a 3-Stop Graduated Lee Filter, an essential filter when shooting time lapses. I was sure that the lens had broken off the camera body both times, but thank heavens for small mercies!
On top of that my tripods and sliders moan, groan and screech with every turn - I have some serious work ahead of me taking them apart and cleaning all the parts.
The shining light on all these shoots were my faithful companion and four legged friend, Rommel.
Theewaterskloof Dam is situated next to a busy road and always being safety conscious I took him with me on all my shoots. He totally loved these excursions and would bounce out of the car and be off into the distance when I opened the door. But somehow he knew that once the shutter started clicking he had to stay put behind the camera. He is such an awesome dog!
Have a look at him being silly when we came out again after a long time waiting for favorable weather:
Thank you to everyone who liked, shared and commented on social media and who cheered me on through this journey. I am ever thankful for your support!
And a special mention to my husband, Thinus, for always having dinner ready when I return home, dirty and hungry after every shoot. ;-)
For always pep talking me when times are tough and for providing a shoulder to cry on when I scratch sensors... Love you loads!
xxx
